Today’s real Jewish wedding is just SO much fun! First off, we love that Rachel, the Community Associate at WeWork, and Cody, a data scientist at Rice University, went for a book theme for their big day – and they really went all in!
From invitations that looked like a book to a seating chart made of calligraphied book pages to a cake made to look like a stack of books (complete with titles of volumes the duo have read together), all of the little touches came together so nicely. Rachel and Cody’s kiddush cup, gifted by the groom’s parents, was even Harry Potter-themed! Don’t miss it in the wonderful photos by Sophia from Sophia Margaret Photography and video by Caleb from Reverent Films.
Then there’s the ketubah, which the couple created with Elena Berlo from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Once Upon a Paper. Finding most ready-made ketubah text options either too cheesy or too dryly focused on Jewish law, Rachel opted to write the text herself, all about the couple’s intentions for their life together as a married couple – Rachel shares the whole thing below, and it’s really very special.
And finally, we come to the plastic ducks. A few months after Cody and Rachel started dating, Rachel began hiding little plastic ducks all around Cody’s apartment, and she kept it up when they moved in together. Come the big day, Rachel secretly slipped a little plastic duck into Cody’s breast pocket during the first look. During her vows, she said, “I vow to keep hiding ducks all over our house. Actually… you should look in your front pocket.” Cody fished out a duck, absolutely astounded. At the reception, Cody and Rachel filled their pockets with 100 little plastic ducks and hid them in people’s pockets and purses while greeting guests. People kept finding ducks in their belongings weeks after the wedding, keeping the joy alive. How fun is that?!
Read on for all the wonderful details of this very special day in Rachel’s own words…
How We Met
Rachel, the bride: We met on a dating app, but had drastically different experiences. I found Cody’s profile after three weeks, and Cody, ever the data scientist, spent an entire year going on a date every week, with standardized first and second dates. He had just finished his 52nd date and was going on to delete the app when he saw my message and thought, “Okay, one more, then I’m done.” The rest is history!
Venue
We got married at The Astorian! No special significance, I just think the venue is gorgeous.
Theme
We did a dusty blue color scheme with a book theme throughout, because Cody and I are both giant bookworms. The invitation looked like a book, the seating chart was calligraphied book pages, and the cake was a stack of books with the titles of the books Cody and I had read together. No wedding planner, I planned it with my mom!
Invitation/Stationery
The Origami Fox, located in London, designed our gorgeous book-themed invitations.
Hair + Makeup
Linda from Pink Palette Artists made me look and feel absolutely incredible. Hair was done by the talented Jumana Elliot.
Dress
The dress was from Lovely Bride. I tried on several styles, but ultimately chose the one my little sister and Maid of Honor Sarah picked out for me.
Ceremony & Chuppah
The chuppah design was easy – lots of florals and pretty drapery around my dad’s childhood talit. My in-laws provided a kiddush cup that was truly unique and very much our personality, it was Harry Potter themed!
Ketubah
Our ketubah was incredibly special. I wrote the text for it! We read a lot of different options, but they were either too cheesy or only really talked about Jewish law. Elena Berlo from Once Upon a Paper was instrumental in getting us our gorgeous watercolored ketubah. The text is as follows:
They declared, “We begin today with the understanding that life is a long and winding road. We will encounter shared joys and sorrows, and individual triumphs and hardships. Through each difficulty, we vow to support each other and purposefully choose each other again and again. Through each triumph, we vow to celebrate with our entire hearts, and share our joy with those we hold dear. We will approach conflict with respect and curiosity, and encourage laughter, whimsy, and affection in our daily lives together. We will build each other up, and in turn, build ourselves up for each other. Together, we will create a home of safety, generosity, and an overabundance of love. Though we love each other, we will also remain best friends and teammates. We will always love each other for who we are, with all faults and strengths accounted for. We vow to make this marriage the most peaceful part of our lives, and to fall in love again every day. Our souls will be safe in each others’ hands. With open eyes and hearts, we join hands and walk with joy and purpose into our future as life partners.”
Our music choice
We had the Drywater Band with Avondale, and played some classic hits as well as popular dance music.
Flowers
Johanna Terry was amazing at bringing the whimsical, dusty blue vision to life!
Photographer and videographer
Our videographer was Sophia from Sophia Margaret Photography and our videographer was Caleb from Reverent Films. They were both incredible at making us all feel comfortable and kept us laughing the whole time. The videos and photos are some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen!
Extra Details
A few months after Cody and I started dating, I began hiding little plastic ducks all around Cody’s apartment, and it continued when we moved in together. When we had our first look, I was able to slip a little plastic duck into Cody’s breast pocket. During my vows, I said, “I vow to keep hiding ducks all over our house. Actually… you should look in your front pocket.” Cody fished out a duck, absolutely astounded. At the reception, Cody and I filled our pockets with 100 little plastic ducks and hid them in peoples pockets and purses while greeting our guests. People have been finding ducks in their belongings weeks after the wedding, keeping the joy alive.
Honeymoon
We went on a cruise in the Mediterranean!
Advice to couples currently planning their wedding
Don’t be afraid to be silly! Weddings are always serious and romantic, but make sure you have a little fun with it. For example, Cody and I hid ducks in our guests’ pockets throughout the reception.
RACHEL & CODY LITTLE WHITE BOOK
Photography – Sophia Margaret Photography
Videography – Reverent Films
Ketubah – Elena Berlo from Once Upon a Paper {offers 10% discount to all members of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club}
Venue – The Astorian
Bride’s dress – Lovely Bride
Hair – Jumana Elliot
Makeup – Pink Palette Artists
Flowers – Johanna Terry
DJ – Drywater Band with Avondale
Stationery/Invitation – The Origami Fox
If you’re a Jewish or Jew-ish bride-to-be, you’ll want to join Smashing The Glass’ Brides Club. Guided by the world’s number 1 Jewish wedding expert, Karen Cinnamon, Brides Club is the private community for Jewish and Jew-ish brides that removes wedstress and indecision and gives you what you need to plan with confidence during these uncertain times. Join our Brides Club here.
