We love it when a couple assembles a fabulous team of Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendors to make their Jewish wedding the day of their dreams – and that’s exactly what today’s couple did.
Sophie, who works in account management for a marketing agency, and Josh, a chartered accountant working at a fintech company, made it official at The Grove in Hertfordshire, a local spot that was truly the perfect fit for their glam winter wedding.
Their overarching goal was “a stylish wedding with a room filled with love and warmth” – and judging by the moving photos by Paul Toeman and video by #STGvendor Denee Motion – both of whom Sophie and Josh adored working with – they achieved it and then some.
#STGvendor Big Day Designs “were so helpful and produced the most stylish and beautiful stationery and invitations,” and two fabulous #STGvendors came together for an epic night of music: Eitan Freilich served as Sophie and Josh’s chazzan, and The Function Band handled the rest. Both were “absolutely incredible.”
In Sophie’s words, “Eitan helped us with options as we were not sure beforehand what we would like, although we did know we wanted to have the songs to tunes of songs that we know.”
As for The Function Band – the lead singer of which happens to be Josh’s first cousin – “they really went over and above what we were expecting for us both and our families,” not only providing the kind of music that kept guests on the dancefloor all night long but also helping in coordinating the day.
There’s so much more to say about this beautiful wedding, but we’ll turn you over to Sophie – who looked so elegant in Stella York – for the rest…
How we Met
Sophie, the bride: We met in our first year of uni (Nottingham Trent) and started going out in second year. We have been together for 8 and a half years and bought our first home together in January 2021.
The Perfect Venue for a Winter Wedding
We got married at The Grove. The venue was perfect as it accommodated for the number of guests we wanted and offered picturesque views for our winter wedding photos. We also loved the fact it was local to us, and thought the venue was beautiful.
Pink and White
Our colour scheme was pink and white, we had some warm pinks too to make it more wintery! We wanted a stylish wedding with a room filled with love and warmth.
Our toastmaster, Jamie Paskin and Beatrice from The Function Band helped us plan and co-ordinate everything on the day. Both were instrumental in terms of organising and conducting our day to perfection.
Invitations / stationery
Could not recommend Big Day Designs enough, they were so helpful and produced the most stylish and beautiful stationery and invitations.
Hair + Make-up
My make up and hair were both natural. I couldn’t be happier with the way they turned out. The make up I wore was quite simple but was very in keeping with how I wear it. For my hair, I had a little up at the back with a gorgeous clip that matched with my belt.
A Stella York Dress
My first wedding dress shop visit was to Brides of Berkhamsted. I went with my mum and we both had an idea in our heads of what we thought I would choose. As we walked in, we looked at the mannequin and both agreed that we thought this was something that would suit me.
I then chose 7 dresses to try and the first one I happened to try was the one I had seen on the mannequin. I came out to show my mum and she burst out crying and we knew straight away that this was the one!
The designer was Stella York and the dress was elegant and a classic design. We worked together with the amazing seamstress Karen and added a gorgeous belt at the front and a bow at the back to make the dress even more perfect! The team at Brides of Berkhamsted were amazing and made the experience so special.
Bridesmaids
The dresses were beautiful! Pale pink to tie in with the colour scheme!
Ceremony and Chuppah
Our chuppah was created by the amazing florist Flowers by Miri, the colours were perfect for our colour scheme. We had petals and candles along the aisle and had pink up lighting, to create a really special atmosphere.
The Function Band provided brass instruments along with a piano which really set the mood. Our favourite part of the chuppah was seeing each other for the first time. Josh was very emotional, and was an incredibly special moment for everyone.
Our Music Choice
We had the amazing Eitan Freilich as our chazan and The Function Band, who were absolutely incredible, as our band. Eitan helped us with options as we were not sure beforehand what we would like, although we did know we wanted to have the songs to tunes of songs that we know.
For the procession Josh and his parents walked down the aisle to ‘Mi Adir’ (to the tune of You Raise Me up), our bridal party walked down to ‘Hashken Na’ (Eitan’s song) and Sophie and her dad walked down to ‘Lecha Dodi’ (to the tune of All of Me).
Our first dance was ‘Because You Loved Me’ by Celine Dion. We love this song, but wanted this sung acoustically by a male singer to be a little different, and was incredibly special. The Function Band had people up dancing all night, and the dance floor was full right up until our last song ‘I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing’ by Aerosmith, which has special meaning to Josh.
Josh is first cousins with the lead singer of the Function Band, and they really went over and above what we were expecting for us both and our families.
Flowers
Miri from Flowers by Miri was the amazing florist who brought our ideas to life and made our chuppah everything we had hoped for! The table centres were absolutely beautiful, we had both flowers and candles to keep with the winter wedding theme. It all looked perfect.
Photographer and videographer
We chose Paul Toeman and Denee Motion as we had seen their work from other weddings we had been to and heard such amazing things about both of them. They were both incredible to work with before the wedding and on the day.
We received a preview of photos and the video preview within 4 days of the wedding. It was so amazing so have them so quickly after the wedding, we absolutely love what we have seen so far and can’t wait to see the rest!
Food
Jason, Michelle and the team at Jason Millan were such a pleasure to deal with. Nothing was too much trouble for them, from the amazing canapes and salt beef bar to shots on the dance floor and bagels at the end of the night! The food on the night was exceptional and we had some guests saying it was the best wedding food they’d had!
Honeymoon
We went to the Maldives on honeymoon a few days after the wedding. We had always dreamed of going there so it was an easy decision for us. Sally at Beaver Travel (in Radlett) booked it and went absolutely above and beyond for us. We stayed on two separate islands which was incredible as we were able to experience both a large and small resort.
It was such a special touch to find a framed photo from our wedding in the room on arrival together with champagne. The resort/ hotels we stayed at were called Patina and Baros and we would definitely recommend them. Sally arranged some special surprises for us, including the most beautiful and romantic dinner on the beach, sunset cruise, couples massage and a floating breakfast in our water villa. We couldn’t recommend her enough.
Advice to other couples planning their wedding
Stay calm, relax and definitely get as much done before the wedding week so that you can enjoy the build up! Enjoy every second of the build up and the day as it is over very quickly!!
SOPHIE & JOSH’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK
Photography – Paul Toeman
Videography – Denee Motion {offers 10% discount to all members of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club}
Chazan – Eitan Freilich {offers 10% discount to all members of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club}
Band – The Function Band
Stationery – Big Day Designs {offers 10% discount to all members of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club}
Venue – The Grove
Bride’s dress – Stella York found at Brides of Berkhamsted
Bridesmaids – TH & TH
Hair + Makeup – Lauras Hair Room, Fran Thorpe Makeup
Flowers – Flowers by Miri
Catering – Jason Millan
Toastmaster – Jamie Paskin
Honeymoon – Beaver Travel
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.
