Get ready to be blown away by today’s Jewish wedding in beautiful Florence, Italy! Toronto-based couple Sveta and Sasha dreamed of making it official in the majestic Great Synagogue of Florence, and with the help of their wedding planner, Luba of Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Primavera Dreams, crafted the most exquisite fall harvest-themed celebration in one of the world’s most unforgettable locations.
Luba worked with the duo to source their fabulous team of vendors – seriously, you MUST scroll through the elegant photos by Elena Foresto to take it all in – and brought their autumnal dreams to life, with a fabulous décor scheme incorporating pomegranates and apples – love it!
In her professional live, bride Sveta is the founder, president, and producer of Show One Productions, which organizes tours for famous musical and theatrical groups across the US and Canada. So naturally, when planning her own wedding, music was a big deal.
And indeed, she and Sasha put together an epic lineup, from Klezmerata Fiorentina, who played traditional Jewish music for the ceremony and then for the kiddush, to Maria Dal Rovere band for the cocktail reception and the after-party, to opera performances by Anna Sanchina and Georgy Chkareuli over dinner and roaming band Gypsy Queens. The couple also had their friend, the fabulous DJ Vamos, fly in from Ontario to perform during their multi-day celebration.
This wedding was chock full of so many wonderful touches – including Sveta’s bespoke dress by New York fashion designer Rubin Singer, clowns flown in from Paris, fireworks, and even a late night gelato cart – but we’ll let the bride fill you in on the rest…
How we Met
Sveta, the bride: Thanks to some lucky stars, we met in Toronto a few years ago.
A Wedding in Florence
We wanted to get married in a synagogue in Florence and were looking for a venue that is located nearby, beautiful, and has a rich history. Our wedding planner, Luba of Primavera Dreams, suggested visiting Villa Corsini, and we immediately fell in love with this venue.
Fall Harvest Vibes
We hired Luba from Primavera Dreams. She was recommended by a friend who attended one of Luba’s events in Tuscany and was positively impressed. Our theme was Fall Harvest, with pomegranates, apples and raisins being a part of the décor. We used red, burned orange, dark pink and off-white colors for florals.
Hair + Make-up
Sveta had a talented MUA, Angelo Nenna Pintor, recommended by her wedding planner, for her hair and makeup.
A Rubin Singer Dress
Sveta had a bespoke dress created for her by the New York fashion designer of Russian-Jewish origin, Rubin Singer. Rubin is a third-generation couturier; his father Alik created costumes for the Bolshoi Ballet and Stanislavski Theater.
His grandfather, for whom he is named, was one of the most celebrated designers in the Soviet Union, dressing Russian royalty, Soviet political figures, and the social elite. Rubin’s career reached new heights after moving to New York, as he became an Associate Designer at Oscar de la Renta.
Ceremony and Chuppah
The plan for the ceremony originated from Sveta & Sasha’s desire to marry in the Florentine synagogue. The ceremony was organized and performed there by rabbi Gadi Piperno and his team. The chuppah belongs to the synagogue; the floral designer Stiatti Fiori, recommended by Luba from Primavera Dreams, decorated it with florals and pomegranates.
Ketubah
The ketubah was created by a ketubah designer located in Florence.
Our Music Choice
Sveta is the founder and producer of the Show One Productions, which organizes tours for famous musical and theatrical groups across the US and Canada. High-quality music had to be an essential part of her wedding.
We had a talented group for the ceremony, Klezmerata Fiorentina, who played traditional Jewish music for the ceremony and then for the kiddush. We hired Maria Dal Rovere band for the cocktail reception and the after-party. During the dinner, we enjoyed performances by the outstanding opera singers, Anna Sanchina and Georgy Chkareuli, the band’s musicians and the roaming band Gypsy Queens.
We also had a fabulous DJ Vamos from Ontario, the couple’s friend who flew to perform during a multi-day celebration.
Flowers
Nadia Stiatti of Stiatti Fiori and her fantastic team created the ceremony and reception décor for us.
We went with fall-themed flowers and colors and also added some harvest notes. In addition to the florals, Nadia brought bronze candelabras, candles and vases to create a unique look and blend in with the Synagogue and Villa Corsini spaces.
Photographer and videographer
Our planner, Luba, suggested photo and video services for us.
We met with our photographer, Florence-based Elena Foresto, when we came to Florence to finalize our ceremony and venue details. We kicked off immediately and did a photo session with her. Elena also took pictures of the Welcome Party, which we had in Angel Roofbar in the heart of Florence.
The Emotional Movie video crew filmed our wedding day using drones and a few cameras.
Food and Cake
We had a fantastic caterer, suggested by Luba, Guidi Lenci Ricevimenti. We had a food tasting with them to select our food and wine. They also created the traditional and heavenly tasty wedding cake, millefoglie, which was finished with our help directly at our wedding.
Extra details
At our wedding, our guests were greeted by the fantastic clowns who flew from Paris. We also had a popular MC and enjoyed multiple performances by our talented guests, some of them are professional singers.
Sasha, the groom, dedicated a brilliant poem to his bride.
At the end of the dinner, Sasha and Sveta cut the cake in the garden, right below the frescoed galleria where their guests had dinner. Everyone looked at them, and then we had incredible fireworks.
We enjoyed the artisanal gelato brought in a charming vintage cart during the dance part. We also had highly professional barmen, and the guests did enjoy the show of the drink creation before their eyes.
Gypsy Queens helped us with the bouquet-throwing moment. To everyone’s delight, Sveta had not one but six bouquets to throw (a surprise for everyone), and we got many happy recipients.
Honeymoon
Due to our crazy work schedule, we started our honeymoon before the wedding on Amalfi Coast. After the wedding, we enjoyed a few enchanting days in Florence and Tuscany and ended our trip in Milan before returning to Canada.
Advice to other couples planning their wedding
Make sure you have a professional wedding planner who understands your needs and plan as much as you can in advance!
SVETA & SASHA’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK
Photography – Elena Foresto
Videography – The Emotional Movie
Wedding planner – Primavera Dreams {offers $350 discount on any package + a bottle of Champagne on Primavera Dreams to all members of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club}
Venue – Villa Corsini
Bride’s dress – Rubin Singer
Bride’s shoes – Manolo Blahnik
Groom’s attire – Oliver Brown, Giuseppe Zanotti, Gucci
Hair + Makeup – Angelo Nenna Pintor
Flowers – Stiatti Fiori
Cocktail Reception Band – Maria Dal Rovere
Opera Singers – Anna Sanchina, Georgy Chkareuli
Roaming Band – Gypsy Queens
DJ – DJ Vamos
Catering – Guidi Lenci Ricevimenti
Cake – Guidi Lenci Ricevimenti
Clown – Moulin Jaune
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.
