Adam and Curtis‘s DIY Gay Jewish Wedding | Photo by Libby Christensen
Welcome back to “5 of Our Favorites,” our series where we highlight five breathtaking Jewish weddings, all centered around a unique theme. This week, we’re celebrating love with 5 of our favorite same-sex Jewish weddings.
Same-sex couples have long awaited the opportunity to celebrate their love in a way that honors both their commitment to each other and their Jewish traditions, and these weddings are a true testament to that beautiful fusion.
From intimate ceremonies to grand celebrations, each of these weddings is filled with meaningful rituals, love, and joy, showcasing how LGBTQ+ couples are weaving their own unique stories into the fabric of Jewish tradition. We’re so excited to share these incredible celebrations with you and highlight the power of love, inclusivity, and community.
Max and Zach‘s Pioneering Modern Orthodox Same-Sex Wedding | Photo by David Perlman
Max and Zach’s Pioneering Modern Orthodox Same Sex Wedding at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, New York, USA
Same-sex Orthodox weddings are still in their early years, and we love that Max and Zach – along with their officiant, Rabbi Avram Mlotek – are at the forefront. The pair worked with their rabbi to craft a ceremony that aligned with their values as Modern Orthodox Jews AND as members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Max and Zach‘s Pioneering Modern Orthodox Same-Sex Wedding | Photo by David Perlman
While much of the ceremony looked like any traditional Jewish wedding, one difference is that instead of a traditional ketubah, Max and Zach opted to use a Shtar Shutafut, a Halachic Partnership Contract, to formalize their marriage. The couple worked with Rabbi Mlotek on the text. They also exchanged rings under the chuppah, and each smashed a glass before guests danced the night away to music by Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Azamra DJ.
Max and Zach‘s Pioneering Modern Orthodox Same-Sex Wedding | Photo by David Perlman
It’s so heartwarming to see how Max and Zach were able to craft the wedding of their dreams, without having to compromise on any aspect of their identities.
Charlotte and Ellie‘s Same-Sex Jew-ish Wedding | Photo by Dale Weeks
Charlotte and Ellie’s Same-Sex Jew-ish Industrial Vintage Wedding at St Pancras Renaissance, London
Charlotte and Ellie wanted a dramatic and industrial meets romantic, dark florals-vibe for their big day, and they found the perfect venue in the iconic St Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London.
Charlotte and Ellie‘s Same-Sex Jew-ish Wedding | Photo by Dale Weeks
We simply adore the moody aesthetic and jewel-toned theme; Charlotte and Ellie’s vintage-industrial look made their whole day so quirky and unique, but still so chic and stunning.
Charlotte and Ellie‘s Same-Sex Jew-ish Wedding | Photo by Dale Weeks
The attention to detail from artistic bride Ellie was simply phenomenal. Each item was carefully and lovingly picked with the theme in mind: the home-designed invitations, the rust-coloured chairs, the Victoriana table decorations and whole flower stems strewn down the aisle. The style extended to the brides’ outfits, which were simply beautiful and perfectly in keeping with the tone and theme of the wedding.
Adam and Curtis‘s DIY Gay Jewish Wedding | Photo by Libby Christensen
Adam and Curtis’s Ultra-Personal DIY Gay Jewish Wedding in the Hamptons, Amagansett, New York, USA
NYC couple Adam and Curtis, in search of an affordable place to host a wedding weekend, found a gem of a house (with 17 bedrooms!) in Amagansett, in the Hamptons, via VRBO.
Adam and Curtis‘s DIY Gay Jewish Wedding | Photo by Libby Christensen
You’d never guess this wedding was pulled off on a tight budget. But thanks to plenty of help from family and friends, Adam and Curtis were able to pull off an ultra-chic day without spending a fortune. One of the biggest labors of love was food. Rather than going for a traditional caterer, the pair ordered food from Fresh Direct. The food was delivered to their NYC apartment the day before the wedding, and friends helped them drive all 70 (!) boxes out to the Hamptons so it would be ready on the day.
Adam and Curtis‘s DIY Gay Jewish Wedding | Photo by Libby Christensen
The couple calls their wedding a group effort, and the day was really all about honoring their community. At their super-intimate ceremony Adam and Curtis asked their guests to stand around the chuppah, circling them in support and love.
Margeaux and Zoe‘s Same-Sex Jewish Wedding | Photo by Hellena Cedeno
Margeaux and Zoe’s Ecofriendly Same-Sex Jewish Wedding in the Redwoods, Old Mill Park, California, USA
How can you not love a wedding featuring California redwoods, two brides in matching Teva sandals, and a bouncy house? Just one of those things would be enough to set our hearts aflutter – and the fabulous Jewish wedding of Margeaux and Zoe included all three, and so much more!
Margeaux and Zoe‘s Same-Sex Jewish Wedding | Photo by Hellena Cedeno
We’re also pretty smitten with the brides’ attire – not just their dresses from BHLDN (Zoe) and Jenny Yoo (Margeaux), but their comfy footwear too. Yep, the couple really opted to wear matching Teva sandals the whole day! Such a fun personal touch – and how great must they have felt to dance in?!
Margeaux and Zoe‘s Same-Sex Jewish Wedding | Photo by Hellena Cedeno
Joshua and Lewis‘s Same-Sex Jewish Wedding | Photo by Scott Garfitt
Joshua and Lewis’s Same-Sex Jewish Wedding on the River Thames at Trinity Buoy Wharf, London, UK
Londoners Joshua, a journalist, and Lewis, a financial controller, love their city – and when it came time to plan their Jewish wedding, they wanted to show it off in all its splendor to their out-of-town guests.
Trinity Buoy Wharf, a rustic venue with exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and plenty of history, located right on the River Thames, hit all the right notes for the couple’s relaxed, rustic big day. The grooms’ silver birch chuppah, adorned with sunflowers, white delphiniums, and mixed grasses, was pure perfection, and we love that when Joshua and Lewis smashed the glass together, they used the moment to honor other LGBTQ+ couples around the world who can’t celebrate their love as freely.
Joshua and Lewis‘s Same-Sex Jewish Wedding | Photo by Scott Garfitt
When it came to entertainment, the pair chose a seven-piece DJ live band from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor The White Keys. In the grooms’ words, “The band was incredibly interactive, filling the dance floor throughout the night. The saxophonist and electric violinist often engaged with guests on the dance floor, adding to the lively atmosphere. We couldn’t recommend The White Keys enough for their energy and ability to keep everyone dancing all night.”
So there you have it! If you’re planning a same-sex Jewish wedding of your own, we’d love to hear about it in the comments!
