Some couples would be dismayed by a rainy wedding day – but not Carmi and Kalman! Carmi, a behavioral therapist, and Kalman, a Medivan driver, leaned into the downpour that hit during their outdoor chuppah – so much so that the groom says the rain (which, in Jewish tradition, represents blessings to come) was his favorite part of the ceremony!
The Chicago couple kept their Orthodox Jewish wedding ultra-personal, holding their chuppah in the garden of the Chicago Mitzvah Campaign, where Kalman works; covering their chuppah with Carmi’s great-grandfather’s tallit; and incorporating lots of their favorite color, purple – and a few pandas, too, since they’re the bride’s favorite animal!
Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Eliana Melmed Photography captured the day so beautifully – all the love and emotion of the day comes through in each and every shot.
Now over to the bride…
How We Met
Carmi, the bride: We saw each other in passing through our works and officially met at a singles event.
A Chicago Wedding
We had our chuppah in the Chicago Mitzvah Campaign‘s garden and reception at KINS of West Rogers Park. Kalman works for the Chicago Mitzvah Campaign which had recently completed their beautiful garden, making it the perfect spot for our chuppah. KINS was only a block away and had ample space for all guests to enjoy the simcha.
Purple and Pandas
Purple and PandasWe made our wedding us by having the color scheme be purple (our favorite color) throughout various aspects such as our ketubah, flowers, and Kalman’s tie & kippah. We also incorporated pandas ever so slightly because they are my favorite animal.
Invitation
InvitationMy aunt in Israel helped design the invitations and we printed them through a local printer.
Dress
DressI bought my dresses on Amazon.
Ceremony & Chuppah
Ceremony & ChuppahOur chuppah was my great-great grandfather’s tallit under a borrowed chuppah. The tallit we used had been used across many generations to celebrate marriages coming together. Kalman’s favorite part of the ceremony was that it was in the pouring rain, which in Judaism represents many blessings to come. My favorite part was that I couldn’t see anything through my veil.
Ketubah
KetubahMy aunt Bari Fleischer Art designed our gorgeous ketubah. We sat down with her and discussed what we wanted (purple and bamboo) and she brought it to life with the gold and flowers.
Our music choice
We hired my cousin’s band Nishma Music and trusted them to put together the perfect set. We were not disappointed!
Flowers
FlowersWe used wood flowers from Sola Wood Flowers and still have my bouquet!
Photographer
PhotographerWe found Eliana Melmed Photography. She did both our engagement shoot as well as our wedding, and she and her co-photographer were absolutely wonderful. They captured truly incredible images, as you can see
Cake and desserts
Cake and dessertsOne of my amazing cousin, Nechamit’s Treats, did the cake and desserts
Advice to couples currently planning their wedding
Advice to couples currently planning their weddingDo what makes you happy. Don’t be pressured into things you don’t want. It’s your day
CARMI AND KALMAN’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK
CARMI AND KALMAN’S LITTLE WHITE BOOKPhotography – Eliana Melmed Photography
Ketubah – Bari Fleischer Art
Venue – Chicago Mitzvah Campaign, KINS of West Rogers Park
Bride’s dress – Amazon.
Flowers – Sola Wood Flowers
Band – Nishma Music
Cakes and Desserts – Nechamit’s Treats
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.
