We’re so excited to be featuring the utterly fabulous Jewish wedding of our beloved blogging bride and Smashing The Glass Brides Club member Juliette! The bride, a consultant specializing in real estate, wed her Hebrew school sweetheart Matt, who works in application security, put together the most wonderfully THEM celebration combining a lot of NYC (where the couple live) glitz with a little geek chic in the form of touches like signature drinks inspired by Dungeons and Dragons. Don’t miss the elegant photos by Fred Marcus Studios and emotion-packed video by Northeast Horizons.
We’re obsessed with Juliette’s bridal style – for the ceremony, she went old Hollywood glam in an Anne Barge stunner found at Kleinfeld Bridal, and then for the reception she changed into a short, danceable dress from Pronovias which she paired with Christian Louboutin sneakers. Two totally different, yet equally awesome, looks – and if you haven’t already, don’t miss the wonderful post Juliette wrote for Smashing The Glass about wedding dress shopping as a plus size bride.
And how gorgeous is the couple’s paper cut Danny Azoulay ketubah, purchased from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor ketubah.com (and with a 10% discount just for Brides Club members!).
Speaking of Brides Club, we’re so touched by Juliette’s kind words about the membership, which she calls: “one of the absolute BEST most amazing fabulous and needed part of my entire experience of being a bride.”
If you’re a Jewish or Jew-ish bride-to-be, you can join Brides Club too here!
We love you, Juliette… over to you!
How We Met
Juliette, the bride: Matt and I met 9 years ago at the age of 15 at Hebrew high. My mom made me go and told me I could meet my future husband, I didn’t believe her but went anyways. They say moms always know. Matt and I dated through high school and college (we never were at the same school) and when we graduated we moved to NYC to work at the same company.
The Perfect Venue
We got married at the Ashford Estate in Allentown New Jersey. I had a really tough time finding a venue I liked in NJ, when we came to tour this one I initially wrote it off because the ceremony would be in a barn, it ended up being so breathtaking I knew we made the right decision.
Personal Touches
I wanted to add a lot of personal elements to the wedding, we had photos of all of our family members and important couples in our lives lined up in the library. Our welcome sign had one of my favorite Doctor Who quotes and all the signature drink signs were inspired by Dungeons and Dragons. I also had a very specific set of Christian Louboutin sneakers I wore the second we finished our ceremony they were fabulous and fun and very “me”.
What ‘Smashing The Glass Brides Club’ Did For Us
STG Brides Club was one of the absolute BEST most amazing fabulous and needed part of my entire experience of being a bride. The community is so knowledgeable and supportive. I felt like a fish out of water planning a Jewish wedding never having attended one. The women in the group along with Emily and Karen were always there to answer questions and make me feel like I could have the wedding of my dreams. Vendors I used from STG with Brides Club discounts and gifts were Fred Marcus, Danny Azoulay, ketubah.com, Kleinfeld bridal.
Hair + Makeup
I wanted full GLAM. I wear thick eyelash extensions every day of my life and I wanted to be like an old Hollywood movie star. Brunella Artistry did my makeup, and for my hair I had old Hollywood waves with a tiara. Lilly Hair was phenomenal and It stayed all night long.
Anne Barge and Pronovias Dresses
I found my first dress at Kleinfeld Bridal. It was a Berkeley by Anne Barge and I added a silver belt with it. It was so old Hollywood glam I felt amazing in it. Finding a dress as a plus size bride is nerve wracking but they had such an amazing selection I had a fantastic time shopping there.
I also never expected to wear such a classic looking dress I am usually the first one in sparkles, but the minute I tried it on I knew I had to walk down the aisle in it. My husband cried when he saw me in it and was totally surprised!
My second dress was from Pronovias. It was all types of glamourous fun! I wanted something short I could dance in and a lot of designers weren’t carrying plus size short dresses.
I impulsively bought it and I totally loved it. While there was some public backlash against the dress and the sneakers I paired with it I know it was the right choice for me and I really felt like my fabulous self in it!
Accessories
So my tiara was one of my favorite purchases of the entire wedding process. I went to Bridal Styles Boutique in Brooklyn. It is a small shop filled to the brim with sparkles.
My earings were my “something borrowed” from my mother in law and I felt so special getting to wear them
My “something new and something blue” was a gorgeous pear shaped aquamarine and diamond ring Matt surprised me with on the day.
Shoes
For my walk down the aisle shoes I wore glittery Stuart Weitzman heels, they were neutral glam and I loved them, the only thing was they were not super comfy, in fact during my pictures I took them off to be able to walk around more!
My second shoes were a bit controversial.. I wore Christian Louboutin silver sparkling sneakers with my short dress. They were red bottom glam, but in comfort!
The handsome groom
Matt wore a tuxedo with a satin shawl collar. He ordered Star Trek Communicator cuff links and wore Stubbs and Wooton velvet loafers. They had a pirate skull and crossbones we decided symbolized our new adventure we were about to embark on.
He also wore a vintage Omega watch I surprised him with on the day.
Bridesmaids
I had 9 bridesmaids! My muses all wore dresses from Jenny Yoo, they chose from 3 different options a velvet cowl neck, a deep v velvet dress, and a satin structured dress with a slit all in a deep berry color.
I was obsessed with texture for my wedding, I loved adding extra ribbon finishes on random aspects and I always associate velvet with changing colder seasons so I loved the mix and I think they were happy they got a chance to choose a style that best fit them.
Ceremony
I chose the music for our ceremony. My husband walked down to the Star Trek next generation theme song by a string quartet. I walked down to ‘Can’t help falling in love’ with a beautiful singer. We also did an aisle badeken which was special because we got to walk together to the chuppah and it was very emotional.
My favorite part was reading my vows. Matt and I had a small competition as to who would have the best vows after a meeting with our rabbi really highlighted the fact that I work better expressing my thoughts once I had thought of them. I worked really hard on mine and they were beautiful and emotional and amazing.
Our ketubah was fairytale fabulous. We used Danny Azoulay after Brides Club recommended them and had a discount! It was papercut with gold and its going to look amazing once I have it framed!
Chuppah
This was tough. Matt and I wanted really different things in the beginning. At first we wanted silks and then all branches and at one point I think we thought of doing acrylic. Our florist had posted a green and white branched chuppah that was breathtaking.
My husband, who is not really into social media, tagged me in it because he knew it was the right choice. Everyone at the wedding said it was stunning. We also had the barn that we got married in lit up in a way that had all the lights on it.
Our music choice
Our first dance and parent dances were really special. Matt and I had taken a lot of dancing lessons back in college so we had an idea of what we wanted the dance to be like. We danced to Frank Sinatra’s ‘The way you look tonight’ which is our song because when we were 15, so 9 years ago, I told Matt whatever song we chose had to be classic and timeless in case we ever got married.
Matt and his mom danced to ‘A million dreams’ from The greatest showman and did a full juggling routine that wowed everyone.
My Dad and I danced to ‘Somewhere over the rainbow’, but I surprised him and played a small voice message over the song thanking him and telling him how much I loved him.
Flowers
Adam Leffel Productions was one of the best investments we made in the wedding. He knew how to handle every family member and ridiculous request we sent his way. He helped me change my floral ideas constantly throughout the wedding. He was a pleasure to work with and really brought my vision to life
Photographer and videographer
So we used Felix from Fred Marcus Studios and it was the hands down best investment we made for the wedding. My best friend Lauren recommended them to us, and they blew me away. The pictures came out so well, and he expertly managed my family and the drama of prepping for the big day.
I am the bride that cried at so many strangers wedding albums that I looked at, and I was overwhelmed and obsessed when I got them back. I looked amazing which like is obviously one of the more important things… Felix captured the love that was so present on that day and I am forever grateful.
For videography we used Northeast Horizons, our venue recommended them and they were awesome. They expertly worked with the photographer and really made me feel comfortable
Food and cake
We did 3 signature drinks that were all themed around Dungeons and Dragons! It was super fun and very unique to us. We also had sushi and mini patron bottles with pre mixed margaritas by the guacamole station by Merri-Makers
Entertainment
We had aerialist and stilt walker performers, my husband’s mom owns a circus school and we thought it would be a special way to add that part of their lives into our big day.
For music we chose to have LJDJS and with him he brought a percussionist and an electric saxophonist! People had so much fun jamming with them!
Details
Something unexpected but fantastic was my sister’s maid of honor speech. After being assured by my mom that it was elegant and heartfelt, my sister got up and roasted me and my husband. It was hysterical and genuine and had the entire crowd laughing.
I also had a leather jacket painted with my new last name and it made for a fun photo moment.
Something a lot of our guests told us was it seemed like we had planned with the user experience in mind. From all types of food, different cocktails ready to drink, menus and programs explaining Jewish traditions, to dry ice bubbles the crowd could pop, we had thought of everything.
Honeymoon
We went to the Viceroy at Sugar Beach in St. Lucia. It was magnificent and we both knew we wanted a beach honeymoon where we could enjoy and relax. It was very upscale and the views were breathtaking. We booked through Inspirato, a luxury vacation travel club.
Advice to couples currently planning their wedding
I wish I could tell other brides to stress less but I would be such a hypocrite. I would say that day of you need to trust your vendors. I remember dreaming about the florals and being super worried, but day of I was so busy getting ready and hanging with my bridesmaids flowers were far from my mind.
Wear comfortable shoes, changing into my sneakers the moment I could was a huge help. I was able to walk around and dance and have fun with all my guests.
Hora captains – I didn’t do this and I wish I had because I think it would have made the dance go a bit smoother but you live and you learn and I’ll make sure to assign some for my child’s wedding one day.
JULIETTE & MATT’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK
Photography – Fred Marcus Studios {offers complimentary engagement shoor to all members of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club}
Videography – Northeast Horizons
Ketubah – Danny Azoulay via ketubah.com {offers 10% discount to all members of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club}
Venue – Ashford Estate
Bride’s dress – Anne Barge found and fitted at Kleinfeld Bridal
Bride’s evening dress – Pronovias
Bride’s shoes – Stuart Weitzman, Christian Louboutin
Bride’s accessories – Bridal Styles Boutique
Groom’s attire – The Black Tux, Stubbs and Wooton, Omega
Bridesmaids – Jenny Yoo
Hair + Makeup – Lilly Hair, Brunella Artistry
Flowers – Adam Leffel Productions
DJ – LJDJS
Strings – Ceremonious Strings
Catering – Merri-Makers
Cake – The Bake Works
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.
