We’re so excited to be featuring the beautiful SoCal Jewish wedding of our beloved Smashing The Glass Brides Club member Ashleigh, an ice skating coach and photographer, to Jason, a former PRO MMA fighter and current Muay Thai master instructor and personal trainer.
All of us at Team STG so enjoyed following Ashleigh’s planning journey in Brides Club, and we’re so touched by her kind words about her experience in the group:
Karen was so involved and totally dedicated in guiding me along my bridal journey. STG Brides Club is a virtual community where friendships are built and everyone truly supports each other. I love the fact that Karen encourages Bride’s Club Meet Ups. It is easy to form friendships online but in this day and age to meet and bond offline is a rare occasion! Now that I am married, I find myself still enjoying being a part of the STG community and I encourage every bride-to-be to join.
Aw, thanks Ashleigh – who clearly put all that Brides Club guidance to good use, because this wedding is incredible! From the floral chuppah with a panoramic view of the marina, the city, AND the ocean, to sweet personal touches like the couple’s dog, Baby, walking down the aisle in a princess crown, this was one beautiful day, and we’re obsessed with the breathtaking photos by Dmitry Shumanev and video from White Rose Production produced.
Also, how stunning does Ashleigh look in her gown from Martina Liana Bridal?! We’ll let her fill you in on the rest…
How We Met
Ashleigh, the bride: We met at the gym. Jason was teaching his kickboxing class and I thought him incredibly handsome but did not think that an MMA fighter that looked like a ninja could be Jewish. To my surprise, he was and that is when my stalking began, which lasted for 4 months until he finally asked me out.
Ocean Views
We got married at the Marriott Marina del Ray in California. It was the first and last venue that I saw with my mom. We both knew we would look no further. I went back with Jason and he immediately felt the same way. The ceremony took place on the helicopter pad just before sunset with a panoramic view of the marina, the city and the ocean. The reception was in the Bayview Ballroom adjacent to the helipad.
A (Silver and) White Wedding
Our color scheme was white and silver. The ballroom was draped in white matching the white glossy dance floor as well as the stage for our epic band In Joy Productions. I want to make it known that my mom, Sandi, worked tirelessly alongside Janet Luna, hotel coordinator for the Marina Del Rey Marriott, so a very big thank you to Janet, The Marriott staff and my beautiful mom for making our wedding as magical as possible.
What ‘Smashing The Glass Brides Club’ Did For Us
Smashing the Glass Brides Club was an incredible resource for me. Karen was so involved and totally dedicated in guiding me along my bridal journey. STG Brides Club is a virtual community where friendships are built and everyone truly supports each other. I love the fact that Karen encourages Bride’s Club Meet Ups. It is easy to form friendships online but in this day and age to meet and bond offline is a rare occasion!
Now that I am married, I find myself still enjoying being a part of the STG community and I encourage every bride-to-be to join. It is always said that the process of planning is the most enjoyable, however, also the most stressful therefore it helps having a resource like STG and to be able to connect with others in the same situation…which also makes for a unique and special experience.
Invitation
Our invitation design was simple and elegant. It was champagne complete with a satin bow.
Hair + Makeup
My hair and makeup, along with my bridesmaids, was done by Makeup by Dina and her exceptional entourage. My bridesmaids wore big bouncy curls and were smokey eyed. They looked dazzling.
A Martina Liana Dress
I tried on dozens of dresses at several stores before finding “the one”! The day I put on the Martina Liana Bridal 1012 at Panache Bridals in Beverly Hills, was the day I had that magical moment. I knew this dress would be the one to make Jason cry…and it sure did!
Accessories
My veil was English netted cathedral length, complete with blusher. I wanted my hair to feel as natural as possible. I wore it down with a thick diamante clasp that expanded around a mini bun on top of my head. I wore diamond earrings and a diamond bracelet, a gift from my mom.
Shoes
My shoes were Badgley Mischka. High heeled closed toe covered in diamante.
The handsome groom
Jason wore a black tuxedo, white butterfly collar shirt, black bow tie and black suspenders. He wore his grandfather’s magen david and watch. His grandfather had such a huge impact on him. Unfortunately, Jason lost him right after his Bar Mitzvah. Lester Zickerman will always have a very special place in his heart as he ties Jason to his Jewish roots.
Bridesmaids
I had 6 bridesmaids – my twin sisters, Jenna and Lisa, my maid of honor and friend since 3rd grade, Kerrie, my very first childhood friend that I made in America, Ashley Baum, my long time former competitive figure skater Kelly, and my savior, Vanessa.
Vanessa stayed up with me until the early hours of the morning working on spreadsheets, address logs for our invites etc. They wore white, floor length silky dresses from Zara accessorized with a silver choker and diamante bracelet from David’s Bridal as their gift from me. They looked dazzling. Bridesmaids for a day, friends forever.
Ceremony
Our ceremony was at sunset which made everything that much more magical. Our rabbi, Daniel Zucker walked up the aisle followed by my bridesmaids paired with Jason’s groomsmen to the song ‘Shema Israel’ by Sarit Hadad. Jason’s cousins, Sienna and Eden were our two beautiful flower girls, our endearing ring bearers Tommy and Dex looked incredibly handsome as did baby Arlo, who is Jason’s grandfather’s, great grandson, who strongly resembles him.
Our extremely precious dog, Baby, walked down the aisle with my dear friend Eddie, who loves taking her on walks, so it was only appropriate to give him the honor.
She wore a princess crown on her big head and walked with pride just like her old show dog days. Her reward for making it down the aisle without slobbering on everyone was a glucosamine “treat”.
Gilat slowly appeared, making her grand entrance with her incredible voice, singing ‘Boi Beshalom’. Shortly after she began to sing, the Blue Angels flew right above the chuppah which was such a serendipitous moment. Finally it was my turn to walk down the aisle.
My mom and dad were by my side, then left me halfway to make their way to the chuppah while Jason walked towards me and placed the veil over me. It was the first time we had seen each other in 24 hours. It was a special moment and Jason was very emotional.
Jason and I stood beneath the tallit that Jason’s grandfather, a holocaust survivor, wore while he prayed on a daily basis. It was so special standing beneath that tallit while having Rabbi Zucker marry us. He also bar mitzvahed Jason and knew his grandfather very well.
My favorite part of the ceremony was seeing Jason for the first time after 24 hours, walking towards me looking immaculate, his beautiful blue eyes shining through tears. We signed the Ketubah under the chuppah since we did not see each other before the ceremony.
Ketubah
We went to Marigold House in Westwood and looked through their samples for our ketubah. Jason and I both favored the same one which made our decision extremely easy. Our ketubah design is the hamsa which represents the hand of G-d surrounded with “I am my beloved and my beloved is mine” with a silver backdrop.
We also purchased Jason’s tallit there as well as the kippot for our guests and groomsmen. Shushana, the owner is a delight and the store is exceptional.
Our music choice
My bridesmaids entered the reception followed by Jason’s groomsmen to the song ‘I think I’m going to marry you’ by Bruno Mars We also entered to the same song and immediately Gilat and her incredible band went straight into the Jewish celebratory dance, the horah. It was the most enjoyable part of the evening. It is exciting and meaningful having loved ones circle you, and even though it got a little crazy, it was enjoyed by all.
Our first dance was ‘All Time High’ by Rita Coolidge. The music begins with a few notes on a saxophone which was perfect because we had the most extraordinary saxaphone player from Injoy Productions. He circled us within the fog as we took our first dance steps as husband and wife.
Photographer and videographer
As a wedding photographer myself, it was not difficult for me to know who I wanted. I chose Dmitry Shumanev because I wanted a style similar to my own. Light, airy and natural. For the video, I wanted a cinematic vibe and that is exactly what White Rose Production produced. It was an honor having them capture my wedding.
Personally knowing them really made the evening that much more special.
Food and cake
Our cocktail hour consisted of an assortment of hor d’oeuvres provided by the hotel. Carvery Kitchen who catered our shabbat dinner before the wedding prepared savory chicken skewers for guests to enjoy. We also had a variety of sushi by Vucacious Catering. Our dinner menu consisted of filet mignon, pan roasted chicken, salmon, a variety of vegetables and gnocchi.
Our wedding cake had 4 tiers filled with lemon marble and chocolate fudge, prepared by Torrance Bakery. Simon’s Bakery owned by our cousins, Pearl and Sey Rosenstrauch baked and displayed the most delicious assortment of bite size cakes, parfaits and pastries.
Entertainment
We had a 9 piece band by the name of In Joy Productions. I cannot emphasize how phenomenal they are. Gilat Rappaport is the owner and lead singer. InJoy productions is without a doubt the most exceptional band out there. They were the talk of our wedding, and rightly so!!! Their high energy, their skill level and pure joy that Gilat and her band exude made for the most memorable day of our lives.
Favours
Our party favors were black velvet kippahs rimmed with silver for our guests, groomsmen and ring bearers from Marigold House and miniature sized white leather and silver trimmed siddurim placed in white silk pouches for the ladies. We wanted to be traditional and we thought it would be both beautiful and meaningful and hopefully useful to our guests.
Speech
Jason is extremely affable, as well as an extremely emotional man but his speech surprised me with just how funny he was! There is a line that I will never forget. After letting everyone know just how beautiful not to mention how kind and smart he thought I was he suddenly came to a halt and said “I’m so sorry, I’m having trouble reading Ashleigh’s writing” – I never imagined laughing so hard at my own wedding…it was so well received!
Advice to couples currently planning their wedding
Make sure you hire a planner that is going to allow you and your loved ones to be able to relax leading up to the wedding and feel confident that your dream wedding is going to become a reality. Again, thank you to my mom for stepping in and making this happen! Most importantly, make it a priority to join Smashing the Glass Brides Club!
ASHLEIGH & JASON’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK
Photography – Dmitry Shumanev
Videography – White Rose Production
Wedding planner – Sandi Cahn
Venue – Marriott Marina del Ray
Bride’s dress – Martina Liana Bridal found and fitted at Panache Bridals
Bride’s shoes – Badgley Mischka
Bridesmaids – Zara, David’s Bridal
Hair + Makeup – Makeup by Dina
Band – In Joy Productions
Catering – Carvery Kitchen
Sushi Bar – Vucacious Catering
Cake – Torrance Bakery
Desserts – Simon’s Bakery
Ketubah – Marigold House
Rabbi – Daniel Zucker
Lighting – Dark Bright Production
Rentals – Hollywood Event Rentals
Smash The Glass Pouch – Smashing The Glass Etsy Shop {or join Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club and get one for free!}
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.
