Remember when weddings could be inside? And have triple-digit guest counts? Hopefully the day when weddings no longer have to be socially distanced will come sooner rather than later… but until then, feast your eyes on the gorgeous pre-pandemic Jewish wedding of Caroline, who runs operations at a diagnostics start-up, and Alex, a chemist-turned-management consultant.
These two worked withwedding planner Susie Blumenfeld of Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Pink House Productions to craft their perfect Manhattan glam celebration – complete with the perfect grand midtown venue, Gotham Hall; classic letterpress invitations designed by the multi-talented Susie Blumenfeld of Pink House Productions; and an elegant Anne Barge gown purchased from none other than Kleinfeld! And, in one of those quintessential only-in-New-York moves, at the end of the night the couple capped things off with a 3 AM visit to a Korean restaurant for a late night snack – still wearing their wedding clothes. Don’t miss Rebecca Weiss Photography’s images of the whole NYC-perfect day.
We also love that Caroline and Alex each had their own tisch before the ceremony, where they could gather with their friends and family to get the celebration started. Alex didn’t have a ton of demands for the big day, but the one thing he was set on was having at least three types of herring at his tisch – and in the end, the venue (who also handled catering) supplied eight!
We’re also obsessed with the couple’s minimalist ketubah by the wonderful Stephanie Caplan of Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor The Ketubah. Featuringa simple circular design with coppery-gold detail, it bears a quote from the Book of Ruth across the top: “Ki el asher telchi eilech,” “Wherever you go, I will go” – the same quote that’s inscribed on the inside of Alex’s ring.
We’ll leave it to the bride to fill you in on the rest…
How we Met
Caroline, the bride: We met through OKCupid, a dating app, in 2018.
A New York Wedding
We got married at Gotham Hall in NYC. I’m from New York, so we wanted to get married close to home, and Gotham Hall is a stunning venue that was centrally-located for guests and could accommodate our needs.
A Fab Planner
We worked with a wedding planner, Susie Blumenfeld, Pink House Productions.
Invitations
Invitations were designed and executed by Susie Blumenfeld, Pink House Productions. They were a classic beautiful letterpress invitation by Bella Figura.
Hair + Make-up
I wanted to go for simple hair and make-up to feel as much like myself as possible. Makeup was done by Evy Drew and hair by Jennifer Brent
An Anne Barge Dress
I bought an Anne Barge at Kleinfeld on my very first outing. I was looking for something A-line with straps, and this dress had beautiful shape to it. In the end, I ended up taking out all the layers of crinoline to make it even more A-line.
Accessories
I wore my mom’s pearl earrings and a veil from Kleinfeld for the tisch, bedeken, and ceremony.
Shoes
Finding shoes was a journey! I wanted chic, comfortable closed-toed shoes with a slight heel and really struggled to find anything. In the end, I ended up buying silver sandals on Zappo’s that were so uncomfortable that I changed into my sister-in-law’s spare pair of sandals midway through the day.
The handsome groom
Alex wore a custom tuxedo made by Knot Standard, a custom clothier in San Francisco (and with sites around the US), where we live. They saved the day, whipping up a custom tux in 4 weeks after his previous vendor botched alterations. The tuxedo was a midnight blue, and the most special part was that Alex had a cat emoji custom-sewn into the collar because the cat emoji is a longstanding hallmark of our relationship ☺
At our first look, I wore a clip-on moustache to shock Alex, but he won with the custom suit!
Ceremony
We did a couple of special things on the Jewish ritual front. One was that both Alex and I had our own tisches – mine downstairs, and his upstairs – officiated by our dear friends. For the ceremony itself, Alex’s cousin, who is a rabbi, officiated, which was incredibly special, and we assigned recitation of the sheva brachot to family and friends: half in Hebrew and half with English interpretations.
Ketubah
We love our ketubah! It’s a very simple circular design with coppery-gold detail, designed by Stephanie Caplan from The Ketubah. It bears a quote from the book of ruth across the top “Ki el asher telchi eilech”: “Wherever you go, I will go” – the same quote is inscribed on the inside of Alex’s ring.
Chuppah
My mom was the chuppah designer extraordinaire, and she did a spectacular job choosing beautiful, lush flowers for our chuppah.
Our Music Choice
Our processional was Idan Raichel’s ‘Mi ma’amkim’ for our family and Alex, followed by ‘Erev shel shoshanim’ for me. Our recessional was ‘Learn to Fly’ by the Foo Fighters. Alex and I didn’t do a first couples dance, but we did dance with our parents. Alex and his mom danced to Tim McGraw’s ‘Humble and Kind’, and my parents and I danced to David Bowie’s ‘Let’s Dance’.
The most special music choice, though, was that Alex wrote and performed a song for me during the reception called, ‘Follow You Anywhere’. He brought the house down.
Flowers
Our Florist was Danae from Stefan’s Floral Design in NY.
Photographer and videographer
Our photographer was Rebecca Weiss Photography, whose portfolio made the days she photographed come alive so beautifully that we chose her instantly, and her team did not disappoint! Our videographer was Edwin Taveras from Dream Ville Studios.
Food and Cake
Our catering was done by Gotham Hall directly, and it was truly incredibly delicious! We had an appetizer bar between the ceremony and reception, followed by a sit-down dinner with a choice of pasta or fish. Desserts were passed (we didn’t have a cake).
When Alex and I first talked to our parents about what the wedding would look like, Alex said he didn’t need much, but insisted on having 3 types of herring at the tisch: every good simcha he attended growing up had three types of herring. This instruction was carefully conveyed to the venue… and they delivered 8 types of herring.
Entertainment
Our band was the JK Entertainment, whom I can’t recommend enough. They had exactly the right instinct for what to play and when! Not to mention Alex’s serenade, which they coordinated with him unbeknownst to me!
Extra details
Our primary intention was to include our family and friends in the wedding, which we did by inviting them to his-and-hers tisches, bedeken, and ketubah signing, plus by having select groups recite the sheva brachot. At each our tisches, our friends and family had the opportunity to bless us and give a small toast. Our siblings and parents gave beautiful speeches during the reception.
Another special touch was that Alex’s family, which is Canadian, brought all the shtick for the horah, including an enormous Canadian flag with them, which was featured prominently! They also handed Alex a Canadian hat to wear while we were lifted on chairs. Alex and Caroline held it between them instead of a handkerchief, for tsnius.
After the afterparty, we went for late night, 3 am Korean food, still wearing our wedding clothes. The DJ played Bruno Mars’ “Marry You” and we were serenaded by the other late-night Korean diners, who danced with Alex. He then resumed his late night snacking and everything went back to normal.
Come to think of it, some of the most memorable parts were not planned – I think there’s something to that.
Honeymoon
We went to Morocco (Tangier, Chefchaouen, Fez, Marrakesh) and Paris for our honeymoon.
Advice to couples currently planning their wedding
Any little pieces of advice you would like other future brides to benefit from your own personal experience….. How to enjoy the day, stress less etc.
The best thing Alex and I did on the day of our wedding was to truly enjoy every moment – we danced the entire night, and I think that inspired people to join us! By showing up happy to your own wedding, it has wonderful effects.
The best two pieces of advice Alex got from his friend were:
- plan as much as you can, but on the day of, things are bound to go wrong and just embrace the chaos
- every now and then, take a step back, look around you, and take it in – everyone is there for you, and it goes by so fast.
CAROLINE & ALEX’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK
Photography – Rebecca Weiss Photography
Wedding planner – Pink House Productions
Ketubah – The Ketubah {offers 10% discount to all members of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club}
Stationery/Invitation – Bella Figura
Videography – Dream Ville Studios
Venue – Gotham Hall
Bride’s dress – Anne Barge found and fitted at Kleinfeld
Bride’s accessories – Kleinfeld
Groom’s attire – Knot Standard
Hair + Makeup – Jennifer Brent, Evy Drew
Flowers – Stefan’s Floral Design
Band – JK Entertainment
Catering – Gotham Hall
Rabbi – Rabbi David Russo
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.
