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A Super Luxe Laduree-Fuelled Interfaith Jew-ish Wedding at the Shangri-La, Paris, France

20/04/2018 by Karen Cinnamon

There’s SO MUCH to love about today’s stunner of a Jew-ish wedding, but I’m particularly obsessed with how they incorporated one of my all-time favorite patisseries into their day…

New York-based Melissa, who works in luxury marketing, and William, in finance, opted to wed in Paris, where William lived for many years. The city played an important part in the development of their relationship – as did one of its most delicious exports, Laduree.

Known for the tastiest macarons around (seriously, once you try one of theirs you won’t want to bother with any others), as well as exemplary presentations of classic French pastry, Laduree has long been a favorite Parisian haunt of the couple’s. So much so that when William proposed – in the City of Love, naturally – he did so over a bag of Laduree goodies (seriously, we love this guy!).

In a nod to their engagement, the pair opted to forgo cake in favor of something quintessentially French: a croquembouche. But not just any croquembouche. A rose lychee flavored croquembouche from Laduree. I’m positively drooling over here just thinking about it!

Instead of a traditional guest book, Melissa and William asked their guests to sign a Laduree macaron book. Each page featured a different flavor, and guests could choose one to sign. Oh, and the favors? Laduree macarons, in a selection of the bride and groom’s favorite flavors.

Even their venue, the mega-opulent Grand Salon at the Shangri-La Hotel, kind of resembles one of Laduree’s beautiful salons (although unlike my local Laduree, the Shangri-La comes complete with a straight-on view of the Eiffel Tower). The place is just dripping with old-school Parisian glamour.

Claire Morris Photography and videographer Zen Film Works captured the day beautifully – you’ve got to see the portraits of the couple at iconic spots all around Paris.

It was important to Melissa, who is Jewish, and William, raised Catholic, to find a ketubah vendor who offered texts suitable for interfaith couples, and they ended up with a beautiful papercut from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Ketubah.com.

Now I’ll turn you over to Melissa could not have looked more elegant in her showstopper of a gown, custom designed for her by Sharon Wilkes (who we adore, and just happens to her best friend’s mother).

How we met

Melissa, the bride: We originally met in the summer of 2006, while we were both participating in a summer pre-college program at Georgetown University following our junior year of high school. As I was from New York and William was from Paris, seeing each other after the program was quite unlikely, but we were smitten with each other.

We kept in touch on and off for the next 5 years, and resumed speaking after a long hiatus around February 2011 when William, who was working in finance but had retained his teenage passion for writing, had written a short story and asked me for my thoughts.

In May of 2011, I had just graduated early from university and was traveling through Europe, while William was on a summer break from his master’s program in Paris. William asked me to meet him for a spontaneous trip in southern Spain, and I said no at first, nervous about seeing him after all those years.

But in my heart I felt that I should go, and a few weeks later I flew to meet him in Andalusia, where we spent five days traveling together and began to fall in love. After the trip, we decided to give things a real shot and began dating long distance. This lasted for four years, with me in New York and William in Paris and London, before William could finally move to New York in June 2015.

A New York-style Jewish wedding in Paris, with a customised Junko Yoshioka dress and stunning Louboutins

06/12/2016 by Karen

We have a super special real wedding on the blog today – one so beautifully designed and executed that you’re definitely going to want to jump into the pictures and live there! This wedding didn’t just marry the happy couple, but also two iconic fashion capitals, so put the kettle on, settle in and let yourself be whisked away…

Style-savvy bride, Krissy, really put her skills from her amazing job as visual merchandising manager for dreamy Anthropologie bridal sister brand, BHLDN, to fantastic use. Her stunning design scheme brought together the urban cool of New York City with chic Parisian style. The colour palette was understated black and white with pops of colour – all captured in stunning detail by Brian Wright at French Grey Photography.

This trés chic real wedding took place against the oh-so-romantic backdrop of Paris, France, with a gorgeous ceremony in the outdoor courtyard of the Westin Vendôme.

The wedding was packed with beautiful little heartfelt details. Krissy and Josh opted for champagne and strawberries instead of wedding cake, and for their favours bought everyone a Ladurée cookbook. Their copy doubled as the guest book.

When Krissy bought her Junko Yoshioka dress from Bridal Garden in NYC and customised it so that it would really show off her sublime Christian Louboutin heels (seriously though – just look at them), she never dreamed that mentioning this fact to her doctor would lead to the most amazing coincidence. We won’t ruin the surprise, but the story is absolutely amazing!

Despite Krissy’s parents sadly being unable to make it to the wedding due to her father falling ill, the couple forged ahead with their plans, bravely making the most of their beautiful big day. Enjoy this one folks!

How we met

Krissy, the bride: We met on a rooftop at a French bistro in Brooklyn. We dated for four years before getting married.

Julie & Zak | Gold and blush Parisian magnificence for a Jew-ish destination wedding at Maison des X, Paris, France

03/12/2014 by Karen

Julie and Zak’s destination wedding comes to you from one of the most romantic cities in the world, the magnificent Paris, France. This is timeless glamour at its very finest. Soft feminine gold and blush decor, scenic Parisian backdrops, and did somebody say Wang?

Yes folks. Julie wore the fluffiest, dreamiest Vera Wang dress I’ve ever clapped eyes on.

Truly Wangtastic. But wait, there’s more … there is the deep love of friends and family who celebrated with Julie and Zak for close to a week in Paris, with trips on the Seine and to the Moulin Rouge. And watch out for Julie’s peacock blue suede Louboutins. I’m just a little bit in love with those.

Oh la la.

Today I’m also delighted to be debuting one of my favourite photographers, the supremely talented Polly Alexandre, who lovingly captured all of the shimmer, the sophistication and the sexy.

Take it away Julie.

a destination wedding in central Paris at Maison des X

Julie, the Bride: Once we decided that we wanted to plan a destination wedding in Paris, we worked with Nancy from Fete in France to find a space that captured what the beauty and magic of Paris meant to us.

We booked Maison des X unseen with the understanding that it was originally a private home in the middle of the city that retained a great deal of its Parisian charm and needed only some flowers and candlelight to transform into the venue we had imagined. We loved Nancy’s description of the space as many spaces in one – formal indoor, gardens outdoors, and a club-like atmosphere in the wine caves for dancing until dawn with our closest friends and family – and ultimately decided on the venue for the complete package that it was. I told Nancy I wanted the venue to look golden and glowing, and she ran with the color scheme and theme from there. We ended up with the most beautiful candles, glowing mercury glass accents, and exquisite pale pink and white floral arrangements that didn’t look too precious. It was perfect.

Magda + Eric | Rustic, vintage-chic, relaxed outdoor Jewish wedding with Parisian influences at Bianca, Moshav Ginaton, Israel

18/11/2014 by Karen

I have a sneaking suspicion that you’re going to fall in love with this afternoon’s wedding which is a tale of love crossing continents, culminating in a wedding that combines the al fresco spirit of Israel with some serious Parisian designer chic.

There’s lots to love about this W-day, first off Magda’s bridal style is OFF THE WALL. I adore her wedding dress (actually it’s a two piece skirt and top by French designer, Delphine Manivet) that harks back to a bygone era with its high neckline, 3/4 length sleeves and lashings of feminine lace.

I also love the fact that Magda was inspired by the wedding scene from ‘Fiddler on the roof’. It’s one of my all-time favourite films which I guess doesn’t come as any surprise! Magda and Eric chose the famous Sunrise, Sunset track to be played during their wedding ceremony, as well as choosing their own personal ‘relationship song’ to be played when Magda circled Eric seven times (read more about this Jewish wedding tradition here).

Another moving, but very fitting ceremony detail, was the placing of a picture of Eric’s mother on a table under the chuppah during the ceremony. She sadly passed away a few months before the big day, and it was her dream that Magda and Eric would get married in Israel.

The details are so beautiful in this wedding – I particularly love the delicate flowers and decor by wedding designer (and STG regular), Kim Bulow. So very lovely.

Here is Magda & Eric’s story. Words by Magda, photography by Supanit Riansrivilai and a beautiful wedding film by Alexander Perel at the end. Enjoy!

How we met

Magda, the Bride: Eric and I met in Paris where he was living, and I was on holiday visiting a friend. At the time I was living and studying in New York City (I’m originally from Warsaw, Poland) and we met up for every one of the 10 days that I was holidaying in Paris!

We kept in touch once I returned to New York and after a couple of months, I decided to close the door on my past and move back to Europe, to settle down in Paris.

We started dating, then we moved in together, then we got a pug named Eliot(!), and after 3 and a half years, in July 2014, we tied the knot.

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2019 Real Jewish Brides: Introducing Nargiz + Ryan: How They Met To The Present Day…

15/01/2019 by Smashing The Glass Leave a Comment

Today on the blog we’re introducing our 6th gorgeous bride from our crop of 2019 Real Jewish Brides! Please give a warm welcome to Nargiz, who will be marrying Ryan on 9th November 2019 at Farmington Hills Manor, in Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA.

THREE FACTS: (1) Nargiz and Ryan were introduced by mutual friends – and their first date was at a Hookah lounge! (2) Nargiz’s mother tragically passed away last summer, so she has been facing wedding planning without her mom by her side. (3) Nargiz was born in Baku, Azerbaijan, and the wedding will combine her family’s traditions – they are Mountain Jews, or Gorski, and their culture is a mix of Persian and Middle Eastern influences – and Ryan’s American Ashkenazi background.

Our love story

Ryan and I met over 5 years ago at a hookah lounge. We were introduced by our mutual friends, who sort of set up our meeting. He was Jewish, I was Jewish, he was single, I was single, etc. I wish I could say “and the rest was history” but it was not.

We started seeing each other but we didn’t fully commit to our relationship until a few months later. Then, the rest was history. We have been officially together for almost 5 years. By “officially,” I mean I made him ask me to be his girlfriend or I told him I will tell people I am still single. So, he asked. We have been together ever since.

Last year, I lost my mother to cancer and it has been tough, to say the least. It has not been easy dealing with grief and going through the emotions. I am lucky to have Ryan by my side. We have been through more than an average couple our age but it has only made us stronger.

I am more outspoken, assertive, and type A personality, while Ryan is more laid back, calm, and most of the time reserved. We love to cook together or for each other, travel, eat delicious different types of food, binge watch shows and movies, and enjoy a good bottle of wine (or two).