Have we got a special London Jewish wedding for you today! Morgan, an Asset Manager overseeing a residential portfolio, and Alex, who works as Head of Partnerships for a Fintech company, had the most breathtaking celebration at The Landmark London, filled with magical florals (including an absolutely magnificent chuppah overflowing with delicate gypsophila and intertwined with soft green fern spirals), soft candlelight, and a striking black and white, marble-effect, patio style floor that formed a focal point of the design.
To bring everything together, Morgan and Alex opted to work with Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Creative Events for the production and planning, and they couldn’t be more thrilled with their decision. In Morgan’s words, “Richard was so much more than a wedding planner. A wedding is huge, so choosing the right person to guide you is essential. Someone who not only ensures everything runs smoothly, but who you can also call with the weird and wonderful questions along the way. Richard was exactly that, a constant sense of calm, and the person who truly brought our vision to life and made our dreams a reality on the day.”
For entertainment, the couple turned to another beloved Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor, Sensation Band, and we’re totally unsurprised to hear they were a dream to work with from start to finish. In Morgan’s words, “The entire team were so easy throughout the planning process, but on the night, they truly blew us away. The energy in the room was unreal. The band played an incredible mix of music and read the room perfectly, tailoring the set to our guests in a way that just worked.”
There’s so much more to say about this stunner of a wedding – from the candid, soulful photography by Rachel Takes Pictures and dramatic cinematography from Lightbulb Films to Morgan’s “Tosh” with her bridal party, and of course Morgan’s epic dress from Wona Concept – so do read on…
How We Met
Morgan, the bride: Funnily enough, our story began long before we ever spoke. We went to the same school, Alex had been at JCoSS since Year 7, while I joined later for sixth form. Different years, different lives, yet somehow present in the same space. We never said a word to each other, but we knew of one another, like two strangers quietly sharing the same background.
Then came 2020, Alex’s auntie, who is also a family friend of mine, asked me if I knew an “Alex Rose.” I did, in the faintest, most distant way. It turned out we had both been asked about each other, as if the universe was gently nudging us closer. Not long after, a message from Alex appeared on my phone, and just like that, everything shifted. From that first conversation, the rest was history. Who would have known that the boy I passed in school halls, without a word, would grow into one of the most important people in my life, my best friend, my one, my husband.
A Landmark Wedding
The Landmark London was our dream venue. We knew we wanted somewhere grand, with soaring ceilings in every space we would use, and it ticked every single box. The hotel itself was breathtaking, but more than that, it just worked.
We had beautiful bedrooms to get ready in, Grand Ballroom for our ceremony, the beautifully opulent Drawing Room for the reception, and of course, the Marble Ballroom for the evening celebrations. As our wedding was a winter one, we were drawn to somewhere that felt warm, cosy, and undeniably grand and The Landmark was absolutely the one.
Timeless Enchantment
Our theme was always intended to feel grand, enchanted, and timeless, with subtle period details woven throughout, and it came to life exactly as we had imagined. One of the most striking elements for us was the flooring. It became a true focal point of the design, a black and white, marble-effect, patio style floor that set the tone for the ceremony and then seamlessly carried through into the main party room.
The chuppah was designed to feel wild and enchanted, overflowing with delicate gypsophila and intertwined with soft green fern spirals, creating a beautifully organic contrast to the grandeur of the space.
We worked with Creative Events for the production and planning, Richard was so much more than a wedding planner. A wedding is huge, one that can come with moments of overwhelm, so choosing the right person to guide you through it is essential. Someone who not only ensures everything runs smoothly, but who you can also call with the weird and wonderful questions along the way. Richard was exactly that, a constant sense of calm, and the person who truly brought our vision to life and made our dreams a reality on the day.
We were lucky enough to have the absolutely wonderful Jamie Paskin as our toastmaster, and he truly was a joy to have by our side on such a special day. Funnily enough, Jamie was the toastmaster at my brother’s bar mitzvah many years ago, so choosing him was an easy decision. From our very first conversation, Jamie was an absolute delight. On the day itself, he brought such a calming presence and seamlessly brought the whole day and evening together. Everything ran effortlessly and smoothly, allowing us to fully relax and enjoy every moment. Jamie is not only incredibly professional, but also a genuinely lovely person to be around. We couldn’t have been happier and are so grateful to have had him as part of our wedding day.
Invitation/Stationery
We wanted our invitations to set the tone for the entire wedding, they absolutely did. Kristi from Eventfully More is incredibly creative and has an amazing talent for turning your visions into reality. We incorporated a variety of materials/ textures to achieve the perfect look: soft cotton ribbon, delicate gold flakes, handmade paper, all wrapped in a full-art vellum envelope and sealed with a gold wax stamp. The result was stunning, sophisticated, textured, and utterly enchanting, perfectly introducing the theme of our day.
Our menus were designed to complement the invitations, keeping the theme consistent from start to finish.
I even created a little keepsake for each guest, adding a personal and thoughtful touch. We had classic matches, personalised with our wedding date. It was such a special detail and really enhanced the grand, old fashioned, enchanted atmosphere we wanted to create for the day.
Hair + Makeup
Ayelet Garson was absolutely amazing! From the very first moment, she made both my mum and I feel completely at ease and beautiful. Her talent is undeniable, but it’s her energy, and positivity that truly set the tone for the morning. The vibes in the room with my bridal party, were incredible, full of laughter, excitement, and anticipation, Ayelet was fully in amongst it all.
I loved that she did both hair and makeup, effortlessly creating looks that were elegant, timeless, and perfectly suited to each of us. Her eye for detail is incredible, every curl, every brushstroke felt flawless, yet natural and effortless. Having her with us that morning made getting ready feel truly special and unforgettable. I switched to a different style for the evening, and at first, I wondered if the timing would even allow it. But we found the right moment, she worked her magic, transforming my look seamlessly!
A Wona Concept Dress
Once you’re engaged, the questions start to loom and none bigger than the dress. I had absolutely no idea what I wanted, only that it had to feel timeless. The process can feel daunting from the start, the appointments, the anticipation, and then the seemingly endless wait for the dress to arrive.
I finally found a stunning gown and said yes, imagining it as the one. Months later, I received the call, it was in! Excited, I went to the fitting… and immediately knew it wasn’t right. I was disheartened, but there was no time to waste, I had from July to December to find a new dress.
That’s when I discovered The Wedding Shop in Colchester. The team there were incredible, guiding me with patience and expertise until I found the dress I was truly meant to wear. It arrived in November, and after careful alterations, everything fell perfectly into place. My dream dress, from Wona Concept, made me feel exactly as I had imagined, timeless, elegant, and completely me. Sometimes, the dress really does find you. If you’re in the same position I was, don’t stress, it can happen. Trust the process, be patient, and know that it will all work out exactly as it’s meant to be.
Ceremony & Chuppah
We weren’t huge fans of traditional floral arrangements and wanted something more wild and enchanted. The vision was striking, yet natural, gypsophila paired with green ferns became the perfect combination. The main feature was the swirling design around the chuppah’s structure, which created movement and a sense of magic as we stood beneath it.
Another standout element was the flooring. As we had our bold and unforgettable detail within the flooring, it perfectly complemented the ceremony. We wanted the room to feel intimate and dark, with the focus on the chuppah and the stunning aisle, beautifully lit to highlight every detail. Soft candlelight, lined both sides of the aisle, broken up by tall vases overflowing with the same florals from the chuppah, creating a magical, glowing pathway to the ceremony. We got married on the very last day of Chanukkah, to see the Chanukiah, fully lit, beside the magical Chuppah, was really special.
When it came to my bouquet, I knew I didn’t want anything traditional. There was something about the idea of a classic bouquet that just didn’t feel quite right for me. Instead, I chose to carry long stem Calla lilies. They were beautifully different, adding a sense of effortless elegance, with a fresh take on the traditional bridal bouquet.
Our music choice
We were lucky to have Guy Barzily as our Chazan, his voice was breath taking and added an extra layer of emotion and magic to both our chuppah and the Simcha dancing.
We had the sensational Sensation Band, from start to finish they were an absolute dream to work with. The entire team were so easy throughout the planning process, but on the night, they truly blew us away. The energy in the room was unreal.
The band played an incredible mix of music and read the room perfectly, tailoring the set to our guests in a way that just worked. One of the standout moments was when Oasis came on, the room was nothing short of electric, with everyone completely immersed in the music.
I decided on the night to join in for a song, which felt like the perfect way to be part of the moment, especially as I wasn’t giving a speech. It was relaxed, fun, and fitted seamlessly into the atmosphere of the evening.
Choosing our first dance was surprisingly difficult. As we were getting married just four days before Christmas, we eventually chose ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’. It was a little unconventional, but one of the best decisions we made. We kept it a surprise, only the band knew and when the beat dropped and everyone ran onto the dance floor, the energy was magical.
Flowers
Richard at Creative Events introduced us to the wonderful Oddy, from the very beginning she brought a sense of calm, warmth, and creativity that made the entire process feel effortless. Working with Oddy was an absolute dream, she brought our vision to life in ways that exceeded anything we had imagined.
The chuppah and florals were simply breath taking. Soft, cloud-like gypsophila, paired with delicate green ferns, flowed beautifully around the chuppah and extended seamlessly onto the tables. The tables were filled with green and white florals, anchored by gypsophila and illuminated by warm gold candlelight, creating an atmosphere that felt romantic, enchanted, and timeless.
We mixed tall centrepieces on the round tables with lower floral arrangements on the long rectangular tables, adding depth and interest while keeping everything constantly beautiful. Every detail felt thoughtfully considered and perfectly balanced, everything came together flawlessly.
Photographer and videographer
We had Rachel Takes Pictures, from the very first moment, Rachel was an absolute joy to be around. We couldn’t have imagined a more perfect person to capture our day, from the quiet, intimate moments, through to the evening celebrations. She blended in so effortlessly, snapping away all day and night while making everyone feel completely at ease.
I discovered Rachel on Instagram and was instantly drawn to her distinctive style. I was obsessed with the idea of retro film photography, the beautiful grain, the soft imperfections, and the candid, documentary style approach rather than anything overly staged. Her work has so much soul. Rachel has an incredible eye for detail, capturing moments and emotions you wouldn’t even think to notice, yet when you see them back, they completely take your breath away.
Every image feels full of character and emotion, telling the story of the day exactly as it was, natural, magical, romantic, and effortless.
We used Lightbulb Films, who we also discovered through Instagram, they stood out instantly. We were drawn to the dramatic, cinematic feel of their films, exactly what we were looking for. We knew from the start that we didn’t want anything cheesy, and Lightbulb captured the day in a way that felt classic, dramatic, emotional and romantic.
The team were an absolute pleasure to have around on the day, so easy, professional, and fun, while seamlessly capturing every moment. The films they created are nothing short of incredible, and watching them back instantly transports us right back to the atmosphere, emotion, and magic of the day.
Food and cake
Ben Tenenblat. All we can say is WOW! First, what an incredible team.
Being at your own wedding and having guests come up to you in awe of the food is such a special feeling. Ben’s cuisine truly operates on a whole other level! We went for a smart menu, and it went down a treat. Highlights included Tuna Tartare, Canon of Beef, and a decadent Sticky Toffee Pudding with caramelized popcorn. The presentation alone was show stopping, every plate, was a work of art. We absolutely cannot get over the Picantes – delicious, dangerously moreish, with a hint of spice! Perfect for a winter warm up! Every detail felt carefully curated, making the dining experience as memorable as the day itself.
Extra Details
We wanted something truly different for our wedding, a big focus for us was the flooring, especially making the aisle feel grand, old-fashioned, and striking. Combined with our bold chuppah, lantern-lined aisle, and tall floral vases, the overall effect was simply magical.
For our first dance, we wanted to be a little unconventional. Neither of us has “a song,” we aren’t fans of cheesy or slow tracks, and, to be honest, we’re not dancers. So choosing a funky, upbeat song, perfectly suited to the season, felt like the ideal choice!
I also had a ‘Tosh’ with my bridal party, where the Rabbi joined me after delivering the Ketubah at the main Tisch. We shared drinks, sang songs, and enjoyed a truly special moment when my parents delivered a prayer for me. Moral of the story: girls, have your own Tisch! It’s such a meaningful and joyful way to start the day, also calms the pre aisle nerves!
Advice to couples currently planning their wedding
Don’t stress, seriously, don’t! Things will go a little sideways on the lead up, (it’s a wedding, it’s guaranteed), but trust, it’ll all be okay! Honestly, those little hiccups just make the memories of wedding planning that little bit humorous, with endless stories that I now giggle about… I didn’t think that I’d have two dresses… but I did… and it led me to my dream dress!
Planning a wedding is something most of us have never done before, so having a team you can communicate with openly and easily is so important, having guidance and reassurance made all the difference.
With so much choice out there, especially through Instagram, it can feel overwhelming. But choosing suppliers we genuinely connected with was everything. Every person we worked with brought a calm, positive energy, and that set the tone for the entire experience. Choose people you trust and feel comfortable with. The right vibe doesn’t just shape your wedding day, it shapes the whole journey leading up to it.
On the day, go with the flow, soak it all in, and don’t forget to actually enjoy it, you only get married once (hopefully). We had the best time, laughed so much, and there isn’t a single thing we would change… except maybe doing it all over again, because let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want a redo of the best day ever!
MORGAN & ALEXANDER’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK
Photography – Rachel Takes Pictures
Videography – Lightbulb Films
Venue – The Landmark London
Planner & flowers – Creative Events {offers 10% discount to all members of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club}
Bride’s dress – Wona Concept found at The Wedding Shop
Veil – The Santisrose
Hair + Makeup – Ayelet Garson
DJ – Sensation Band and Guy Barzily
Toastmaster – Jamie Paskin
Catering – Ben Tenenblat
Stationery/Invitation – Eventfully More
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.
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