Smashing the Glass | Jewish Wedding Blog

Inspired Jewish Weddings

Home > Show Me Everything

A Suzanne Neville Bride for an Elegant Jewish Wedding at the Corinthia, London, UK

by

Emily and Louis, Corinthia, London, UK

We’re totally and completed obsessed with Emily and Louis’s timelessly romantic London Jewish wedding at the Corinthia. 

To craft the day of their dreams from start to finish, the duo turned to the best of the best: Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Elegante by Michelle J, who planned and coordinated the entire wedding. In Emily’s words,

From the very beginning Michelle understood our vision and guided us through every step with her unmatched expertise. She made the wedding planning process an absolute breeze for us and we genuinely  looked forward to each meeting.

Emily and Louis opted to work with another fabulous Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor, Dimitria Jordan, on their wedding stationery. Dimitria’s style was, in the bride’s words,

a perfect fit for our elegant and timeless theme. She patiently worked to get everything right for us, and we’re so appreciative of that. She did a bespoke illustration of our venue, which featured on both our invites and our wedding day stationery.

Photographer James Mason captured the day so beautifully – and we’re in love with Emily’s glam gown by Suzanne Neville. Keep reading for the rest of the story in the bride’s own words…

Emily and Louis, Corinthia, London, UK Emily and Louis, Corinthia, London, UK Emily and Louis, Corinthia, London, UKEmily and Louis, Corinthia, London, UK

A Corinthia Wedding 

Emily, the bride: As soon as Louis and I walked in, we instinctively knew that Corinthia London was our wedding venue. We loved how airy and modern yet timeless the hotel felt. The ballroom is beautiful, with high ceilings and so much character in the details. It was everything we could have wanted for our London wedding, and it was a very easy decision!

Continue ReadingContinue Reading

5 of Our Favorites: The Most Beautiful Boston Jewish Weddings

by

Rebecca-Benjamin-Boston-Exchange-Boston-USA

Rebecca and Benjamin‘s Boston Jewish Wedding | Photo by Lynne Reznick 

Welcome back to “5 of Our Favorites,” where we highlight five stunning Jewish weddings all centered around a special theme. This week, we’re heading to New England to showcase some of the most beautiful Boston Jewish weddings, straight from our archives.

Boston is a city that effortlessly blends rich history, modern sophistication, and timeless beauty, making it an ideal setting for unforgettable Jewish weddings. From grand, historic venues to intimate, stylish spaces, Boston offers the perfect backdrop for creating a celebration that’s both meaningful and memorable. In this post, we’re sharing five weddings that showcase the best of Boston’s wedding scene, each filled with love, joy, and stunning details.

We can’t wait to inspire you with these gorgeous Boston celebrations!

Rebecca-Benjamin-Boston-Exchange-Boston-USA

Rebecca and Benjamin‘s Boston Jewish Wedding | Photo by Lynne Reznick 

A Jewish Wedding on the Waterfront at Boston Exchange, Boston, Massachusetts

Rebecca and Benjamin‘s wedding at the historic Boston Exchange showcased the city so beautifully. Located  at the end of the Boston Fish Pier, the duo loved that the building has historical significance, panoramic views of the water from the main space, and indoor and outdoor options.

Rebecca-Benjamin-Boston-Exchange-Boston-USA

Rebecca and Benjamin‘s Boston Jewish Wedding | Photo by Lynne Reznick 

In Rebecca’s words, “We always thought of a wedding planner as an extravagant extra… [but] Luba introduced us to amazing vendors whose prices were more competitive than those we found ourselves. She also negotiated contracts on our behalf and helped us effectively prioritize where to cut and spend money. Having her organize last minute details and communicate with vendors in the days and weeks leading up to the wedding allowed us to focus on our families and enjoy the wedding.”

Rebecca-Benjamin-Boston-Exchange-Boston-USA

Rebecca and Benjamin‘s Boston Jewish Wedding | Photo by Lynne Reznick 

In Rebecca’s words, “We always thought of a wedding planner as an extravagant extra… [but] Luba introduced us to amazing vendors whose prices were more competitive than those we found ourselves. She also negotiated contracts on our behalf and helped us effectively prioritize where to cut and spend money. Having her organize last minute details and communicate with vendors in the days and weeks leading up to the wedding allowed us to focus on our families and enjoy the wedding.”

JingJing and Andrew‘s Wellesley Jewish Wedding | Photo by Mark Spooner

A Chinese-Jewish Wedding with a Peony Chuppah at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Wellesley, Massachusetts

It never fails to set our hearts aflutter when we see a couple merge their diverse backgrounds into one beautiful Jewish wedding. And we adore a peony chuppah. Therefore, we knew from the get go that we were going to fall head over heels for the wonderful Chinese-Jewish wedding of college sweethearts JingJing and Andrew in Wellesley, a suburb of Boston. 

Massachusetts-Jewish-Chinese-wedding-Horticultural-Society-in-Wellesley-MA

JingJing and Andrew‘s Wellesley Jewish Wedding | Photo by Mark Spooner

Since these two were planning a Massachusetts wedding all the way across the country from their home in Seattle, they knew they’d need some support in planning the big day. And so they turned to the fabulous Luba of Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Primavera Dreams, who they knew they could trust to understand their diverse families and cultures.

Luba worked with the couple to incorporate traditions both Chinese – like pops of red, the traditional Chinese wedding color – and Jewish – like the stunning peony chuppah – into the day. There were even some small touches reflecting the groom’s Russian heritage thrown into the mix, like chamomile incorporated into the florals.

JingJing and Andrew‘s Wellesley Jewish Wedding | Photo by Mark Spooner

And back to that peony chuppah… peonies are JingJing’s favorite flowers, so it was only natural to showcase them. Mixed with fresh greenery and other flowers in shades of pink, peach, and white, the chuppah struck the perfect balance between minimalism and whimsy, simplicity and lushness.

Continue ReadingContinue Reading

A Pronovias Bride for a Timelessly Elegant Jewish Wedding at the Midland Hotel, Manchester, UK

by

Elissa and Jordan, The Midland Hotel, Manchester, UK

London couple Elissa, who works in finance, and Jordan, who has his own property development company, always knew they wanted to get married in the bride’s hometown of Manchester, UK.

When it came time to choose their venue, they picked The Midland Hotel , which is not only an iconic Manchester landmark but also the place where both Elissa’s grandmother and great grandmother got married – how special is that? It was the perfect spot for the timeless, elegant wedding of the couple’s dreams.

It also featured the dance floor of the couple’s dreams – in no small part thanks to Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor The White Keys. In Elissa’s words, “They were absolutely unbelievable! We had their 15-piece band and DJ Live, and they kept the dance-floor full all night. The band felt more modern and fresh than so many of the typical bands you see on the wedding circuit; and so many of our friends said how fantastic they were! We worked with Amy and the team to ensure that there was live music from the minute our guests entered the room right until the end. No request was too much to ask, and they worked with our Chazan too to make our ceremony music so beautiful.”

For photography, Elissa and Jordan opted for Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Claudine Hartzel because they loved the candid aesthetic of her photos. In Elissa’s words, “Jordan and I aren’t very posy people and were admittedly nervous about all the photos ahead of the day, but Claudine got so many brilliant action shots that we love.”

Now we’ll turn you over to Elissa…

Elissa and Jordan, The Midland Hotel, Manchester, UK Elissa and Jordan, The Midland Hotel, Manchester, UKElissa and Jordan, The Midland Hotel, Manchester, UKElissa and Jordan, The Midland Hotel, Manchester, UK

How We Met

Elissa, the bride: We met during our first year at the University of Birmingham over 10 years ago. I famously sold Jordan a club night ticket to Fab n’ Fresh during Fresher’s Week (I have the Facebook messages to prove it!), but we didn’t get together until we met again several months later and we have been inseparable ever since!

Continue ReadingContinue Reading

5 of Our Favorites: Real Jewish Weddings Featuring the Most Stunning Galia Lahav Gowns

by

Daniella and Adam‘s Jewish Wedding | Photo by Paulo Santos

Welcome back to “5 of Our Favorites,” where we highlight five stunning Jewish weddings each week, all centered around a special theme. This week, we’re focusing on some of the most jaw-droppingly glamorous gowns ever to grace the pages of STG, all by beloved Israeli bridal designer and Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Galia Lahav.

Galia Lahav is a proudly female-founded brand with deep Jewish and Israeli roots, and they’re known for creating some of the most exquisite, fashion-forward wedding gowns out there. And we absolutely adore the fact that each and every one of their gowns is handcrafted in Israel. 

In this post, we’re showcasing real Jewish weddings featuring Galia Lahav brides who wore these masterpieces, ads. Get ready to be inspired by these gorgeous gowns and the unforgettable moments they helped create!

Daniella and Adam‘s Jewish Wedding | Photo by Paulo Santos

A Galia Lahav Bride for a Relaxed Jewish Wedding with Party Vibes at the Wallace Collection, London, UK

We love that when Daniella and Adam set out to plan their Jewish wedding, their top priority was for it to feel relaxed, like a big party. And with the help of their amazing wedding planner, Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Elegante by Michelle J, the couple were able to make their big day at London’s Wallace Collection feel like exactly that!

Daniella and Adam‘s Jewish Wedding | Photo by Paulo Santos

And did we mention Daniella’s Galia Lahav gown yet? In Daniella’s own words,

Planning on getting married in Israel I went straight to Galia Lahav in Tel Aviv back in Oct 2019 with my bridesmaids a few months after Adam and I got engaged, I had always loved her dresses and didn’t even consider going to look anywhere else first.  The dress I chose ended up being one I had actually picked out before my first appointment!  I loved the flower detailing on the body, the open back and the flowy sheer skirt.

Daniella and Adam‘s Jewish Wedding | Photo by Paulo Santos

Sydney-and-Chaim-The-Estate-at-Florentine-Gardens-River-Vale-New-Jersey-USA

Sydney and Chaim‘s Jewish Wedding | Photo by Alex Knight Studio 

A Galia Lahav Bride for a Magical Forest-Inspired Wedding at The Estate at Florentine Gardens, River Vale, New Jersey, USA

When Sydney and Chaim began planning their dream wedding, they knew they wanted something magical, elegant, and undeniably “them.” The moment they stepped into The Estate at Florentine Gardens in River Vale, New Jersey, they were completely smitten. The ceremony space—with its high ceilings, grand windows, and stunning European-inspired architecture—was love at first sight.

Their color palette of lush greens and regal purples set the tone for a forest-inspired fairytale, brought to life with an abundance of greenery and whimsical florals. Their stunning chuppah was the epitome of woodland romance, featuring four majestic trees as its base, accented with pops of vibrant purple flowers.

Sydney-and-Chaim-The-Estate-at-Florentine-Gardens-River-Vale-New-Jersey-USA

Sydney and Chaim‘s Jewish Wedding | Photo by Alex Knight Studio 

Sydney absolutely wowed in a masterpiece from Israeli designer and Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Galia Lahav—a gown that struck the perfect balance between timeless elegance and modern drama. From its intricate detailing to the striking drop-waist silhouette, it was everything she’d dreamed of and more. In the bride’s own words,

From the drop waist to the intricate pattern, everything about it felt so unique and special. I didn’t want to take it off when I tried it on, which was the moment I knew it was the one. It was just so beautifully crafted and had the perfect balance of elegance and drama—exactly what I was looking for! 

Sydney-and-Chaim-The-Estate-at-Florentine-Gardens-River-Vale-New-Jersey-USA

Sydney and Chaim‘s Jewish Wedding | Photo by Alex Knight Studio 

The couple knew the importance of capturing every magical moment, so they turned to Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Alex Knight Studio for photography. From the calming presence of the team on a busy day to their incredible attention to detail, every photo—candid and posed alike—turned out breathtaking.

Continue ReadingContinue Reading

5 of Our Favorites: Chicago Jewish Weddings Guaranteed to Wow

by

Jewish-wedding-The-Shapiro-Ballroom-in-Chicago-IL-USA

Leah and Scott‘s Chicago Jewish Wedding | Photo by Jamie & Eric Photography

Welcome back to “5 of Our Favorites,” where we highlight five stunning Jewish weddings each week, all centered around a special theme. This week, we’re heading to the Windy City to showcase some seriously awesome Chicago Jewish weddings. 

Chicago is a city that effortlessly blends history, innovation, and style, making it the perfect backdrop for truly unforgettable Jewish weddings. From chic urban venues with stunning skyline views to elegant ballrooms and secluded gardens, Chicago offers endless possibilities for creating a truly smashing Jewish wedding.

We can’t wait to share these stunning Chicago celebrations with you and offer some fabulous ideas for your own big day!

Ranana-and-Binyamin-Chicago-History-Museum-Chicago-USA

Ranana and Binyamin‘s Chicago Jewish Wedding | Photo by Eliana Melmed Photography 

Ranana and Binyamin’s Egalitarian Orthodox Jewish Wedding Filled with Personal Touches at the Chicago History Museum, Chicago, Illinois

We just love it when a couple really makes their Jewish wedding their own – and that’s exactly what Chicagoans Ranana and Binyamin did.

Ranana-and-Binyamin-Chicago-History-Museum-Chicago-USA

Ranana and Binyamin‘s Chicago Jewish Wedding | Photo by Eliana Melmed Photography 

They chose the Chicago History Museum as their venue, in honor of their shared love of  art and history, and artistic bride Ranana designed the invitations herself – taking inspiration from the Frank Lloyd Wright window in the room where the chuppah took place. She also did her own ketubah art, featuring night and day water scenes inspired by Chicago’s Lake Michigan.

Ranana-and-Binyamin-Chicago-History-Museum-Chicago-USA

Ranana and Binyamin‘s Chicago Jewish Wedding | Photo by Eliana Melmed Photography 

The couple’s photographer, the spectacular Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Eliana Melmed Photography, captured the day so perfectly. In Ranana’s words,

We knew Eliana from our synagogue community and when we met with her about our wedding we knew we wanted to hire her because she was someone we could imagine spending hours with on the day of our wedding, having fun. Also we knew she would 100% understand what was going on in our very traditional, very feminist Jewish wedding, which was not something we could take for granted with our other (mostly non-Jewish) vendors. Not to mention her photography is beautiful – colorful, joyous, true to life. She was the best! (Ranana’s dad is still raving about how well she handled our big family during the torrential downpour that happened the day of our wedding.) 

 

Leah and Scott‘s Chicago Jewish Wedding | Photo by Jamie & Eric Photography

Leah and Scott’s Windy City-Themed Jewish Wedding at The Shapiro Ballroom, Chicago Illinois

The beautiful Jewish wedding of STG Brides Club member Leah to Scott might just feature the coolest venue story we’ve EVER heard.

Leah and Scott‘s Chicago Jewish Wedding | Photo by Jamie & Eric Photography

You see, back in the ‘60s, Leah’s grandfather owned a movie theater in Chicago, The Alvin – it’s such a big part of the bride’s family’s story that her father was even named Alvin in its honor! After many years of abandonment, just a few years ago the theater was finally renovated and turned into… wait for it… a wedding venue, The Shapiro Ballroom! What more perfect place for these two to wed – especially given that they themed their big day around their love for their home city of Chicago?

Leah and Scott‘s Chicago Jewish Wedding | Photo by Jamie & Eric Photography

Leah and Scott chose their favorite landmarks for photos, including The Chicago Theater, The Bean, & The Art Institute. All of their table numbers were different Chicago landmarks and their guest book was a Chicago Wooden Flag to hang in their home.

Continue ReadingContinue Reading