We are absolutely in love with the beautiful backyard Jewish wedding of NYC couple Alexis, a physician, and Marc, a lawyer! Alexis’s work as a front-line provider during the peak of the pandemic in New York made the pair realize it was time to seize the day and seal the deal.
Since Alexis and Marc didn’t want to wait long before making it official, a backyard wedding at the bride’s parents’ home made perfect sense. The couple didn’t have much time to spend planning, so they sought out micro wedding expert Susie Blumenfeld of Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Pink House Productions to plan the rustic celebration of their dreams. And are we ever obsessed with the outcome – the perfect intimate romantic day, strewn with white blooms and greenery (including the most beautiful birch chuppah). Don’t miss the gorgeous photos from Dreamscapes Studio – or the stunning ketubah from Our ketubah was from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Ketubah.com.
We also love that in shopping for the perfect dress for her casual outdoor day – something she had to do all online, since bridal stores were closed due to the pandemic – Alexis sought out French designers whose lines included civil ceremony dresses. And did she ever find her match in the most exquisite Rime Arodaky!
We’ll let her take it from here…
How we Met
Alexis, the bride: We both work very busy and opposite schedules and somehow were lucky enough to cross paths on the app Hinge in January 2019.
A COVID Wedding
I never wanted a big wedding and found the intimacy of a family wedding incredibly romantic. We were not engaged prior to COVID but after the trauma and intensity of working as a front-line provider during the peak of the pandemic in New York City, we decided that life is too short and to seal the deal.
We got married in my parents’ backyard of my childhood home because I felt it emphasized the intimacy and romance of the time.
A Fab Planner
We used Susie Blumenfeld from Pink House Productions. I liked a rustic theme but the rest was all her!
Invitations
Since our wedding was just immediate family and 4 friends we ordered them on paperless post!
Hair + Make-up
I wanted my hair in a low slick ponytail because my husband has always loved it that way.
A Rime Arodaky Dress
Since I was unable to go into any bridal stores due to the pandemic I had to order my dress online. I didn’t want a gown because it was intended to be a fairly casual backyard wedding, so that left me limited to “civil ceremony dresses,” which were more common among French designers.
I fell in love with all of Rime Arodaky’s dresses and found the back of mine to be incredibly romantic. I ordered it online while working in the ICU one day at work 🙂
Accessories
My veil was borrowed from my sisters and my earrings and bracelet were from my late grandmother.
Shoes
Gold Jimmy Choos – classic and timeless 🙂
The handsome groom
Marc had his jacket, shirt & pants made at Michael Andrews Bespoke. He wanted something colorful and beautiful that he could wear again, and he looked amazing!
They even made him a mask to match his coat! I didn’t know prior to this that there are 29 different ways you can have a male’s shirt collar made!
Bridesmaids
I did not have bridesmaids since our wedding was purely family and our closet friends. I told the mothers and sisters to wear something bright that made them smile, and it worked out brilliantly!
You would think we all coordinated because the bright colors and flowers in everyone’s dresses go together so perfectly!
Ceremony
We did the 7 circles which was important to our Jewish tradition. We also wrote our own vows which were incredibly emotional and meaningful.
Ketubah
Our ketubah was from Ketubah.com 🙂
Chuppah
I always wanted a rustic chuppah with birch trees and lots of greenery. It went stunningly with the forest background of our wedding.
Our Music Choice
We just picked classic happy songs.
Flowers
I wanted all white and green – simple and rustic 🙂
Photographer
Our photographer was Jason from Dreamscapes Studio
Food and Cake
The food was delicious by Jen Reily at Marcia Selden Catering and the cake was from Milk Bar 🙂
Honeymoon
We don’t have a honeymoon planned yet due to the pandemic.
But we did go away about 2 weeks before to Maine. Kind of a reversed “mini-moon”
Alexis and Marc’s Little White Book
Photography – Jason at Dreamscapes Studio
Videography – John at First Day Films
Wedding planner – Susie Blumenfeld at Pink House Productions
Ketubah – Ketubah.com {offers 10% discount to all members of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club}
Bride’s dress – Rime Arodaky
Bride’s shoes – Jimmy Choo
Groom’s attire – Michael Andrews Bespoke
Catering – Jenn Reily at Marcia Selden Catering
Cake – Milk Bar
Stationery/Invitation – Paperless Post
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.
