How fun is it that today’s couple, Baylee, the founder and CEO of an AI company, and Eliana, who works in HR strategy in the financial industry, opted to hold their Jewish wedding at a summer camp?!
The couple wanted more than just a few hours to spend with their guests, so they invited their loved ones to the spend the weekend with them at Forest Lake Camp! Instead of a formal rehearsal dinner, Baylee and Eliana held a welcome barbecue for all of their guests – and pre-wedding, everyone loved the range of activities available onsite, from swimming to hiking to tennis.
We also love that the duo opted to write their own ketubah text, and read it aloud to each other as their vows during the ceremony – plus the fact that on their way down from the chuppah, guests lined the path and threw flowers at Baylee and Eliana for a colorful recessional! Don’t miss the wonderful photos by Kristen Tomkowid of Little But Fierce Photography.
Read on for all the details in the brides’ own words…
How We Met
Eliana & Baylee, the brides: We met in 2017 at a University of Pennsylvania LGBTQ+ alumni event.
A Summer Camp Wedding
We wanted more than just a five-hour wedding, so we invited our loved ones to spend the weekend with us at our very own summer camp. Booking with Forest Lake Camp allowed us to host all of our guests on site with us (not just a select few) and spend quality time with everyone throughout the weekend. We fell in love with the view from the ceremony site, private lake, and relaxed staff.
Theme
We didn’t have a specific theme, but wanted to make the weekend authentic to us. We created a weekend designed to bring our communities together – we skipped the formality of a rehearsal dinner for a welcome barbecue for all of our guests, and carved out a spot in our wedding band’s set list for a concert put on by Eliana’s friends. Our planning coordinator was Donna Connor from On The Go Weddings & Events.
Getting Ready
Eliana was getting her hair and make-up done in the Lodge by True Beauty Company, and Baylee was getting dressed with her friends in Girl’s Cabin 3.
Outfits
We wanted our first look to be private, and there was a trek to the ceremony overlook; we picked a spot on the trail. We were so excited to see each other, and neither knew what the other was wearing. Baylee wore a custom suit from Bindle & Keep. Eliana wore the Nola gown from Maggie Sottero.
Accessories
Our rings were made by Holden.
Ceremony & Chuppah
Baylee and I wrote the text of our seven blessings and ketubah ourselves. We wanted to share the ketubah we crafted together with our community, so we read it to each other as our vows during the ceremony. Our wonderful rabbi, Lauren Grabelle Herrmann of SAJ (Society for the Advancement of Judaism), filled the ceremony with personal touches – Eliana taught Sunday School at Rabbi Lauren’s former synagogue (Kol Tzedek of West Philadelphia) and helped care for the Rabbi’s family during COVID.
On the way back down from the chuppah to cocktail hour, guests lined the path and threw flowers over us for a colorful recessional.
Ketubah
Our ketubah was designed by Beka Wilk of Foreverie Paper. We crafted our ketubah text based on our shared values of respect, compassion, gratitude, honesty, and openness.
Our music choice
We hired the New York Players as our wedding band.
They blew away every expectation we had and would hire them again in a heartbeat. We treated our guests to a surprise performance from Eliana’s friends – Eliana herself grabbed the mic to serenade Baylee during the reception!
Flowers
We hired Barbara Jefts of Native Farm Flowers.
Our flowers were all local, in-season blooms – orange dahlias, wildflowers, and pine accents. Baylee wore a custom lei with the same florals as a nod to growing up on Guam.
Photographer
Our photographer was Kristen Tomkowid of Little But Fierce Photography.
We loved Kristen’s calm energy, experience shooting in nature, and amazing party photos.
Food and cake
Our cake was from a bakery The Shop by Deliciously Different, and catering was in-house by Forest Lake Camp.
Honeymoon
Exotic Voyages helped plan our honeymoon in Thailand. We recommend them to any couple interested in exploring Southeast Asia.
Advice to couples currently planning their wedding
Each guest had a unique experience and funny story to share with us from the weekend. Organize something unique for your guests while you’re in the makeup chair – you can be confident they will have fun even if you’re not there to facilitate.
Extra details
We had under 100 guests, most of whom stayed on site. Before the wedding, guests went swimming in the lake, did some hiking. There were tennis and basketball courts available as well.
ELIANA & BAYLEE’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK
Photography – Little But Fierce Photography
Venue & Catering – Forest Lake Camp
Planner – On The Go Weddings & Events
Ketubah – Foreverie Paper
Bride’s dress – Maggie Sottero
Custom suite – Bindle & Keep
Jewelry – Holden
Hair + Makeup – True Beauty Company
Flowers – Native Farm Flowers
DJ – New York Players
Cake – The Shop by Deliciously Different
Rabbi – Lauren Grabelle Herrmann of SAJ
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.
