When St. Louis couple Tori and Jared started planning their Jewish wedding, their top priority was to make it a party. And that’s exactly what they did, from their post-Friday night dinner dance party, to the surprise New Orleans horn line parading through the aisle after the groom smashed the glass, to the all-night dancing that went until 2 AM!
In the bride’s words, “I just wanted our closest friends and family to have the best night ever” – and judging by the joyous photos from Verneda Lemons, we can safely say they did!
We’re obsessed with Tori and Jared’s custom ketubah by Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor NitiArtsKetubah, crafted to include important elements of the couple’s lives from their dog, Sadie, to the NY Mets, St. Louis Blues, the fountain where they got engaged, palm trees for their love of travel, and more.
There’s so much to say about this wonderful wedding – but we’ll leave it to Tori, who looked simply smashing in her gown by Israeli designer Neta Dover, to take it from here!
How We Met
Tori, the bride: We met in New York City on St. Patrick’s Day at a club. Probably my first and last time at a club! After that, we dated a few years in the city and then I dragged him to my hometown of St. Louis, MO, where we now have our dog, Sadie. I knew he was a keeper when he said he would leave bagels and sushi and move to St.Louis, MO.
Venue
Our wedding took place at the Ritz Carlton in St. Louis, Missouri. Family and friends mean the world to us, so having them all in one place made the weekend truly unforgettable.
Party Vibes
Our goal was to throw a PARTY. Friday night’s rehearsal dinner was followed by dancing in the lobby until midnight. And then for Saturday, we kicked it off by surprising our guest as soon as Jared broke the glass with a horn line parading through the aisle. We brought a little New Orleans jazz to the Lou. The celebration continued with dancing until 2 am and late-night delights, featuring a coffee bar and my favorite foods: chicken fingers, fries, and ice cream!
My biggest goal in wedding planning was not to worry about the “fluff of it all”. The flowers, the colors of the table, etc really did not matter to me. I just wanted our closest friends and family to have the best night ever. I can confidently say as I did not leave the stage of my wedding, that I watched all of our guests dance the night away until 2 am. I even made sure that shots were passed around so that no one had an excuse to get off the dance floor!
Hair + Makeup
Makeup was by Tina Hamby, hair by Kara Olsen Beauty I wanted VERY natural. I wanted to look and feel like myself. I normally wear no makeup.
A Neta Dover Dress
My dress was Neta Dover, an Israeli designer. I really wanted an Israeli designer!
Bridesmaids
Yes we had bridesmaids! They were able to wear whatever pink dress their heart desired 🙂
Ketubah
Sadie, our dog, is an essential part of our ketubah, alongside the NY Mets, St. Louis Blues, the fountain where we got engaged, palm trees for our love travel, a tennis racquet, and a few other fun details! Every detail of the wedding, including the ketubah by NitiArtsKetubah, was crafted to reflect us.
Food
Instead of cake we did chocolate chip cookies because they are my favorite and I did not want to have to leave the dance floor to “cut the cake”! For late night food we did chicken fingers and fries, ice cream from Ted Drews (a STL staple), and espresso martinis and coffee bar
Honeymoon
We went to Thailand and the Maldives. It was the most incredible three weeks of my life. The Maldives is PARADISE. My sister Heather Grosz who is a travel planner planned it. I promise I’m not saying this because she is my sister– but she is the best travel agent ever!!!!
Advice to couples currently planning their wedding
Of course, I had a few bridezilla moments, but I am blessed to have incredible parents who expertly grounded me. My mom, who was my wedding planner/best friend/therapist through it all (she is an actual therapist), was my rock throughout the entire process. As for my dad, he attended every single wedding appointment, including the dress stores. He did this for my two sisters as well. The man deserves the Father of the Bride award!
Even though I had a mini panic attack before walking down the aisle..no I am not kidding..I wouldn’t change a thing! To have everyone that we love in one room was so special. It reminded us how blessed we are to have such remarkable people in our lives.
TORI & JARED’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK
Photography – Verneda Lemons
Ketubah – NitiArtsKetubah {offers 10% discount to all members of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club}
Videography – STL Studios
Venue – Ritz Carlton
Bride’s dress – Neta Dover
Hair + Makeup – Tina Hamby, Kara Olsen Beauty
Flowers – Belli Fiori
Band – Lost Wax Band
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.
