When New Yorkers Monica, a beauty publicist, and Jon, a data analyst, started planning their Jewish wedding, they dreamed of making things official in Miami, which has always felt like their second home. Ultimately, they realized it would be too challenging for their grandparents to travel, so instead they decided to bring Miami to New Jersey.
We’re obsessed with the modern, bold energy the pair brought to their special day at Crystal Plaza in Livingston, NJ. For the ceremony and cocktail hour, they focused on strong black details – most notably, a dramatic black acrylic chuppah – paired with white and green florals in sleek, structural arrangements. Then for the reception, the mood shifted to an explosion of color set against a striking black backdrop. And did we mention their dog, Chili, played a big part in the proceedings? Don’t miss all the fab details in the photos by Felix Feygin and video from My Wedding Way.
Read on for the full story from Monica – who looked so glam in her Ines De Santo gown…
How We Met
Monica, the bride: Jonathan and I met on Hinge in December 2021 and had our first date at Subject, a cocktail bar on the Lower East Side. From there, we realized we were starving and went to a nearby diner as most places were closing up their kitchens by that point. We realized we shared all of the same favorite foods – grilled cheese, buffalo chicken sandwich and a malted milkshake. What was meant to be a quick drink turned into hours of conversation, and we both knew right away there was something special.
An Unexpected Venue
We got married at Crystal Plaza in Livingston, NJ. Ironically, it was the venue Monica was least excited to visit—she was certain she didn’t want a traditional ballroom wedding. But her parents had attended an event there and raved about the food, service, and overall hospitality, so we agreed to take a look. The moment we toured the space and met the team, we knew it was the right fit.
From the start, our dream was to get married in Miami—a place that has always felt like a second home and where we’ve shared so many memories together. Ultimately, we realized it would be too challenging for our grandparents to travel, so instead we decided to bring Miami to New Jersey.
Miami Vibes
We wanted our wedding to feel modern and non-traditional, with bold Miami-inspired energy. For the ceremony and cocktail hour, we focused on strong black details paired with white and green florals in sleek, structural arrangements—no baby’s breath or airy touches. To add a playful moment, we lined the staircase with oversized silk florals by Kravets Florals, creating a photo-worthy backdrop for guests. Our bridal party wore different shades of pink that popped against the black-and-white setting, with the maid and matron of honor standing out in vibrant magenta. Our dog, Chili, was also part of the ceremony and our photos, which made the day feel even more personal and special.
Our planner, Jessica Jordan Events, was an invaluable partner. With her background in luxury NYC weddings, we knew she would bring the elevated taste and sophistication we were looking for.
When guests entered the ballroom, the mood shifted to an explosion of color. From the florals to the patterned dance floor, table numbers, and linens, every element featured bold pops of color set against a black backdrop—a statement-making design that felt luxurious, modern, and unforgettable.
Invitation/Stationery
We worked with Proper Notice for our stationery, and from our very first meeting we were clear that we wanted something modern, bold, and edgy—but still elegant. We hired Serena Martin to design a custom watercolor pattern inspired by our florals, which became a throughline in our wedding design. It appeared not only on our invitations, but also on our dance floor and later in our thank you cards.
Ellen at Proper Notice truly understood our vision. The final suite featured a luxe thick card stock invitation, a details card on magenta paper with a wavy edge, and a striking green rehearsal dinner card that tied perfectly into the colors of our watercolor motif.
To carry that look through the entire celebration, we partnered with Natalia Designs, who designed our on-site collateral—including the bar menus, seating cards, and table numbers—which seamlessly tied everything together.
Hair + Makeup
Jessica recommended Vanessa Pesantez for hair, having worked with her before, and from my trial I knew she was the perfect fit. I loved that she encouraged me to try a few different styles so I could really decide what felt right—ironically, even working in beauty, I wasn’t sure what I wanted for my own wedding hair. In the end, we landed on a gorgeous half updo that struck the perfect balance of polished and romantic. We also had Vanessa onsite all day through the ceremony for touch-ups, which ended up being one of the best decisions given the July heat.
For makeup, I worked with Cara Lovello, who immediately understood the balance I wanted—elevated and photo-ready, but still natural enough that I felt like myself. I trusted her completely to do whatever she thought would work best for my features, and she delivered a flawless, glowing look. Even after I cried my makeup off during our first look, she managed to save everything and made me look as fresh as when we started. Beyond her talent, Cara brought such a calm, steady energy to the morning, which made getting ready feel easy and enjoyable. For the rehearsal dinner, my good friend Natalie Dresher did my makeup, which felt extra special.
Both Vanessa and Cara also did my mom, Jon’s mom, and my sister, ensuring they felt just as beautiful and confident. It was so special to share that experience with them and have us all feel our best heading into the day.
An Ines Di Santo Dress
My dress was Ines Di Santo from Mark Ingram Atelier. I swear, I went to about 20 bridal boutiques before I decided on this one. What drew me to it was the perfect mix of modern and classic—a ballgown silhouette with beautifully detailed lace appliqué.
I also had an excellent experience at Mark Ingram. The team wasn’t pushy and really took the time to understand my vision, which made the process feel seamless.
Jessica also recommended we hire a stylist, Francesca DiSpirito, for the day of our wedding to help prep my dresses, my bridesmaids’ dresses, and Jon’s tux. I was so glad we had her there – she helped spot treat any stains on my dress and also made sure we looked perfect & put-together in all of our photos
Accessories & Shoes
My wedding band, Jon’s wedding band, and my engagement ring were all from Nicole’s Jeweler in Paramus, NJ, who also generously loaned me a gorgeous tennis bracelet to wear for the day.
I paired my gown with a necklace and earrings from Verstolo.
For accessories, I chose Jimmy Choo shoes and a breathtaking Tony Federici veil. The veil was designed with delicate “dew drops” that caught the light and shimmered as if wet, giving it a modern, ethereal effect without relying on glitter or sequins.
The handsome groom
Jon wore Cartier cufflinks that I had gifted him. His tuxedo was custom made in Thailand during the trip when we got engaged, which made it even more special to see him wear it on our wedding day.
Bridesmaids
Our bridal party included six on each side. On my side, I had three bridesmaids, my maid of honor (my sister), my matron of honor (my best friend since kindergarten), and a bridesman. The bridesmaids wore different shades of pink, with my maid and matron of honor standing out in the brightest magenta.
Jon also had six—five groomsmen and his brother as best man.
Ceremony & Chuppah
We knew we didn’t want a traditional lucite or all-white chuppah, so when our florist suggested a dramatic black acrylic structure, we were instantly sold. Our parents were a little hesitant at first, worried it might feel too dark, but with our 7 p.m. ceremony in July, the space was filled with natural light streaming through the skylight, which kept the look modern and striking without being heavy.
We also incorporated meaningful family details: Jon’s dad’s tallit was draped inside the chuppah, and we used Monica’s grandmother’s original wedding band during the ceremony.
For the processional, we chose music that felt uniquely us—Monica walked down the aisle with her parents to a violin version of Sweet Child O’ Mine, while the bridal party entered to an orchestral rendition of Enchanted by Taylor Swift. For the recessional, Jon’s brother played the keyboard for Where You Are by John Summit, which became a full-circle moment later in the night when we made our reception entrance to the original DJ track.
Ketubah
Our ketubah was a stunning papercut design by Danny Azoulay, an Israeli artist whose work we’ve always admired. The intricate details felt both modern and timeless, and it was important to us to choose a design that felt like a true piece of art we could cherish forever. For the signing, we asked my aunt (related through marriage) and Jon’s best friend—two people who are incredibly meaningful to us but not immediate family—to serve as our witnesses. Having them take part in this tradition made the moment feel even more personal and special.
Our music choice
We actually planned our wedding date around our entertainment’s availability—that’s how much of a priority it was for us. We worked with DJ Legacy (Yura Jacobs), who Monica’s parents had seen at several weddings and swore was the absolute best. We trusted their recommendation completely, and it was the best leap of faith we could have taken. Yura and his team brought exactly the high-energy vibe we envisioned, keeping the dance floor packed from start to finish. He struck the perfect balance, seamlessly blending music that resonated with both our American guests and our Russian crowd.
Music was such an important part of the day for us. Monica and her dad share a love of Ozzy Osbourne, and with his passing just days before the wedding, their father–daughter dance to Changes by Ozzy and Kelly Osbourne felt even more emotional. Monica cried through the entire dance, and as a surprise to her dad, we asked the band to learn Crazy Train at the last minute—an unforgettable moment that brought the energy right back up.
For our first dance, we took lessons and danced to Beyond by Leon Bridges. And when it came time for our reception entrance, we made our way into the ballroom to John Summit’s Where You Are, setting the tone for the night and bringing everything full circle after Jon’s brother played it on the keyboard to close out our ceremony.
Flowers
For our ceremony, we wanted something timeless yet distinctive, so we chose an all-white and green palette with subtle black accents. The florals featured white calla lilies, orchids, anthuriums, and green hydrangea—classic blooms styled in a way that felt clean and modern rather than cookie cutter.
For the reception, we completely transformed the atmosphere with a vibrant, unexpected mix of color. Bright pink roses, purple delphinium, anemones, orchids, monsteras, and more came together to create a modern explosion of florals that felt celebratory and anything but traditional.
We worked with Matthew Kolins of Blossom Heath, whose creative approach was key to bringing our vision to life. He does not have a website.
Photographer and videographer
For photo, we chose Felix Feygin because his portfolio immediately stood out for its mix of artistry and emotion. From our first call, we felt completely comfortable and confident in his ability to capture the day in a way that felt both timeless and true to us. Felix isn’t just technically skilled but also has such a calming, thoughtful presence—something that made all the difference on a high-energy day. Looking back at our photos, we’re so grateful to have every candid laugh, quiet in-between moment, and big celebration documented so beautifully. Felix was recommended by our family and we were so glad we took their recommendation!
We also hired My Wedding Way as our videographer because we knew we wanted to relive the day in motion and sound. Their films are cinematic without ever feeling staged, and they have such a gift for storytelling. Watching our highlights reel feels like stepping back into the day, with all of the emotion intact.
Finally, we made a last-minute decision to bring on Taylor Made Content as our content creator, and it was one of the best choices we made. She seamlessly captured behind-the-scenes, social-first moments throughout the day that we were able to look back on instantly. Her coverage perfectly complemented the polished photography and videography, giving us the best of both worlds: real-time memories to share with friends and family, and timeless keepsakes to treasure forever.
Food and cake
We were fortunate to use Crystal Plaza’s incredible catering, which guests are still raving about. For our cake, we worked with Ron Ben-Israel, recommended by our planner, and he exceeded every expectation. His signature edible sugar flowers were stunning, and he tied in both the florals from our centerpieces and the lace appliqué from my wedding dress. As a playful personal touch, we even included a little figurine of our dog, Chili.
The cake itself was as delicious as it was beautiful—layers of chocolate and funfetti (with sprinkles that matched our wedding décor) filled with vanilla bean, wild berry, and hazelnut praline.
Wedding List/Registry
Our wedding list and website was on Zola. We registered at Bloomingdale’s, Williams-Sonoma, CB2, Zola, and through a Judaica store in Brooklyn called Golden Touch.
Extra Details
What made our wedding feel so personal were the little unexpected touches woven throughout the day. Our dog, Chili, walked down the aisle and was part of our photos, which made everything feel complete. Jon’s brother played our recessional live on keyboard (Where You Are by John Summit), which later became our ballroom entrance song—tying the ceremony and reception together in such a special way. Later, during the after party, he brought the house down on guitar with Back in Black by AC/DC—an incredible surprise that kept the energy going late into the night.
We incorporated heirlooms that carried deep meaning: Jon’s dad’s tallit hung in our chuppah, and Monica’s grandmother’s original wedding band was used during the ceremony. Our ketubah, designed by Israeli artist Danny Azoulay, was signed by Monica’s aunt and Jon’s best friend—people deeply important to us but outside our immediate families, which made it feel even more personal.
Monica also feels very lucky to have all four of her grandparents present. In addition to first looks with her dad and Jon, she shared emotional first looks with both of her grandfathers—moments that were incredibly special to her and some of the most cherished memories from the day.
And then there were the fun, playful details. Since we both love BonBon candy, we hand-filled bags as late-night favors and created custom “MonJon” logos inspired by BonBon’s branding. It was a cheeky nod to something we love, and guests adored it—it perfectly matched the bold, high-energy vibe of the day.
The speeches and toasts were another highlight, filled with humor and heart, and Monica’s emotional father–daughter dance to Changes by Ozzy and Kelly Osbourne (just days after his passing) was one of the most unforgettable moments of the night.
Honeymoon
We are heading out tomorrow to Kenya, the Seychelles, and Dubai!
Advice to couples currently planning their wedding
The best advice we can share is to really trust your vendors and the team you’ve chosen. Once the day arrives, let go of the little details—you’ve done the planning, now it’s time to be present. Try to take mental snapshots throughout the day, whether it’s a quiet moment before the ceremony, looking around the room at all your guests together, or the energy of the dance floor.
Also, stick to your guns when it comes to your priorities. Everyone will have opinions, but staying true to what matters most to you as a couple makes the day feel authentically yours.
MONICA & JONATHAN’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK
Photography – Felix Feygin
Videography – My Wedding Way
Content creator – Taylor Made Content
Ketubah – Danny Azoulay
Venue & Catering – Crystal Plaza
Planner – Jessica Jordan Events
Decor – Kravets Florals
Bride’s dress – Ines Di Santo from Mark Ingram Atelier
Stylist – Francesca DiSpirito
Rings – Nicole’s Jeweler
Bride’s shoes – Jimmy Choo
Bride’s accessories – Verstolo, Tony Federici
Groom’s cufflinks – Cartier
Hair – Vanessa Pesantez, Natalie Dresher
Makeup – Cara Lovello
DJ – DJ Legacy (Yura Jacobs)
Cake – Ron Ben-Israel
Stationery/Invitation – Proper Notice
Wedding List/Registry – Zola
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.
