Advice + Planning Archives - Smashing the Glass

FREE Training For Wedding Venues: How to Book More Jewish Weddings in 2022

11/01/2022 by Karen Cinnamon Leave a Comment

Calling all wedding venues! Looking to get more Jewish couples booking your wedding venue in 2022?

Join us for a free live training session with Karen Cinnamon, founder of Smashing The Glass, the world’s biggest Jewish wedding platform, on Tuesday, January 25, where she’ll teach you how to increase enquiries from high-spend Jewish couples, and turn those enquiries into sales.

Based on her experience as founder of the world’s biggest Jewish wedding platform, and using up-to-the-minute data gleaned from our Brides Club membership community about what’s on the minds of Jewish couples right now at this transitional moment for the wedding industry, Karen will be sharing the 5 key things that Jewish couples look for when booking your wedding venue.

A Caroline Castigliano Bride for a Whimsical English Countryside Jewish Wedding at Langley Park, Cotswolds, UK

20/12/2021 by Karen Cinnamon

We couldn’t think of a better way to close out the year than with the fabulous English countryside Jewish wedding of STG Brides Club member Alice, who works in advertising, and Micael, founder and CEO of a licensed medical cannabis producer!

The pandemic forced these two to postpone four times, and to make a pretty drastic pivot in locale from Israel to the UK – but you’d never know it from how absolutely picture-perfect their big day turned out! While COVID meant a long-haul destination wedding wasn’t in the cards, Alice and Micael opted to keep that destination feel by booking Langley Park in the Cotswolds for an all-weekend bash.

Alice was a member of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club during her wedding planning, and we’re so touched by her kind words about the group:

The biggest thing in Brides Club was the support network. During the pandemic, it felt as though we would never have a wedding. It was very reassuring to be amongst people going through the same thing and there were lots of resources to help navigate through it the best way possible! We also got a discount with the brilliant Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Big Day Designs, who printed our invitations. It was the first Jewish wedding for the majority of our vendors and Smashing the Glass was great for giving them all the information they needed.

We’re absolutely obsessed with the glam photos by Elena Popa and second shooter Emily Rose Hamilton – can you believe it was their first time photographing a Jewish wedding?!

There’s so much else to say about this beautiful day – from the surprise South African touches Alice added for Micael, who had lots of guests from home who sadly weren’t able to attend in person due to the pandemic; to the incredible private badeken the pair shared after not seeing each other for a full week; to the sweet custom illustrations Alice and Micael commissioned from The Millustrator. But we’ll leave it to Alice to fill you in on all that…

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How we Met

Alice, the bride: We usually just say long story! But we met in 2009 at a party in London. He is South African and was visiting his cousins who live in London. He never actually spoke to me on the night but later messaged me on Facebook. We dated long distance for several years whilst he was at university in Israel. He finally moved to London and we had a few make ups and break ups before getting engaged in 2019.Continue Reading

Handbags to Hold Your Jewish Life {Instagram Live with Designer Sharon Wilkes}

12/12/2021 by Karen Cinnamon

One thing I’m absolutely loving these days is the burgeoning Jewish design scene, with mega-talented Jewish designers bringing their Jewish pride to the forefront. And I’ll be going live on Instagram this Wednesday, December 15, at 8 pm GMT / 3 pm EST / 12 pm PST with one of the most exciting voices, Sharon Wilkes, handbag designer extraordinaire and proud Jewish bubbe – who’s committed to designing ethical, top quality handbags that fit right into your Jewish life!

Photo © Tony Powell

It was only natural that Sharon became a designer – her Jewish family’s got a long history in the business, going all the way back to pre-war Vienna – and equally natural that her Judaism plays a huge role in her work.

Photo © Andrew Werner

Now with a fabulous new line of luxury handbags, Sharon’s got some fantastic out-and-proud Jewish pieces in her collection – among them crystal evening bags graced with the skylines of Tel Aviv or Jerusalem! – and she’s also working on a fantastic series honoring great Jewish American women (the first of which featured none other than RBG)!

Photo © Tony Powell

Sharon will be chatting about how her Judaism influences her work, showing us some of her fabulous handbags live, and she’ll also talk us through how she sources the highest-quality materials and finest Italian artisans to ethically manufacture each one of her gorgeous pieces.

Photo © Andrew Werner

We’ll also be chatting about Sharon’s line of bridal handbags, perfect for brides and mothers-of-the-bride (or groom) to tote their essentials during the wedding festivities and to cherish as special mementos for ever after – or bring out for subsequent swanky events as a sweet reminder of your day. Sharon can even do bespoke keepsake handbags incorporating the lace from your gown or whatever else you like – like your beloved pet (see below)!

Photo © Andrew Werner

Say I Choo: Explore Jimmy Choo’s Bridal Collection & Made To Order Service

16/11/2021 by Karen Cinnamon

When it comes to luxury bridal footwear, one name never fails to come in top of mind: Jimmy Choo. So many of our beautiful Jewish and Jew-ish brides, of all styles, opt to say I do in Choo – whether you’re looking for classic or quirky, showstopping or understated, Jimmy Choo’s got something to suit every taste.

And now, with Jimmy Choo’s Made To Order service, you can truly partner with the iconic brand in creating your wedding shoes (or bag, or sparkly sneakers to change into for dancing), your way! It’s easy and fun to select your style, fabric, color, and other finishing touches – there’s even an option to add a monogram or date plaque commemorating your big day!

A Choo for Every Foot

Whether you go for a towering heel encrusted with sapphire crystals, or a dainty flat in luxe blush kid leather, the sky’s the limit when it comes to Made To Order shoes. Though when you think Jimmy Choo, you might initially think of a sky-high heel, the reality is they’ve got so much more – whether you’re looking for a chic low heel or an elegant flat, there are so many gorgeous options. Some of Jimmy Choo’s most popular styles, including Sacora and Max, are now available as part of the line’s Made To Order journey.

To Have and to Hold

Complete your bridal look with a classic clutch or satin or crystal-embellished Bon Bon bucket bag. Jimmy Choo’s bridal handbag collection is rapidly expanding, and they’ve got some truly divine options to choose from, for tastes running from dainty to statement. The popular Bon Bon bag is now available in the mini size as well – perfect for just those few wedding day essentials!

Keepsakes to Cherish

And, unlike your wedding dress, your wedding shoes and bag are pieces you can enjoy long after the big day – whichever style you choose, you’ll be able to work it into your long-term wardrobe for daily dressing or special occasion glitz. What a special way to keep those beautiful wedding memories alive!

The Process

It couldn’t be simpler to create your perfect match in a Made To Order style. Just click through a menu of styles, then choose details like fabric, color, and other embellishments – it’s always simple and never confusing, and in mere minutes the shoes or bag of your wildest dreams can become a reality! From the date a Made To Order style is finalized, delivery is estimated to be 10 weeks, so do plan accordingly.

All photos courtesy of Jimmy Choo.

CONTACT DETAILS

Jimmy Choo
Made To Order
Instagram | Facebook
Find your nearest Jimmy Choo store here.

Jimmy Choo is a Smashing The Glass handpicked sponsor and this is a sponsored post.
We only ever work with sponsors that we absolutely ADORE and would use ourselves.
You can find out more about sponsored posts here.

Win a Romantic Night for Two at Kimpton Fitzroy London

28/09/2021 by Karen Cinnamon

There’s no place like Kimpton Fitzroy London for a Jewish (or Jew-is wedding). If you’ve been following Smashing The Glass for a while, that won’t come as any surprise – you may remember the epic live Jewish music event we put on there over the summer, and then there are the exquisite real Jewish weddings we’ve featured on the blog.

But Kimpton Fitzroy London isn’t only a wedding venue – it’s also an incredible luxury hotel, located oh-so-centrally in Bloomsbury’s Russell Square, and the absolute perfect place to spend a romantic night.

That’s why I’m so excited that we’re teaming up with Kimpton Fitzroy London to offer one lucky couple (and you can be single with a plus one, engaged, or married to enter) an unbelievable prize to experience the luxuries of the hotel.

The lucky winner will be treated to a truly swoon worthy stay including all of the following:

An overnight stay in a luxury corner suite
Champagne and sweet treats on arrival
Pre-dinner cocktails in Fitz’s Bar
3-course dinner with a bottle of wine in the stunning brand new restaurant Galvin Bar & Grill
Breakfast the following morning
The total prize value is £1300 !

Read on to find out how to enter!

All about Kimpton Fitzroy London

Kimpton Fitzroy London’s combination of historic charm and modern luxury makes it an incredibly elegant spot – and did we mention the Bloomsbury location is unbeatable? We also love that the property is equally suited for an intimate micro wedding or a celebration with up to 200 guests, and everything in between.

Originally built in 1898 (on the site of Emmaline Pankhurst’s onetime home — how’s that for a bit of feminist history to add to your wedding?!), Kimpton Fitzroy London undertook a two-year, £85 million refurbishment of the hotel before opening it in April 2018 as the first Kimpton property in the UK.

A Jewish Wedding at Kimpton Fitzroy

Did we mention that the wonderful weddings team at Kimpton Fitzroy London is incredibly knowledgable and enthusiastic about Jewish weddings? We can’t say it any better than real Jewish bride Ivi, whose incredible wedding we featured on STG earlier this year:

The Kimpton Fitzroy is an absolutely rare gem – its glamorous opulence yet intimate warmth sets it worlds apart from the conventional swanky hotels a stone’s throw away in Mayfair. What we treasured the most is the loving way Jen and all of the hotel’s staff made us feel like royalty on our big day. No requests were too big or too small, we were met with smiles and genuine well wishes all day, we truly felt the hotel’s joy and pride of hosting us on the most special day of our lives. We are still pinching ourselves that we managed to get married in such an exceptional and luxurious venue. The Kimpton Fitzroy London will eternally be special to us and we cannot wait to return to spend our first wedding anniversary there!

Ivi and Ben’s Jewish wedding at Kimpton Fitzroy London | Photo by Fire & Ice

We also love that, depending on your specific needs, you’ll have your pick of a range of delightful spaces – from the dramatic ballroom to eight-intimate rooms and four restaurants and bars, all flooded with natural light and historic details at every turn. With a capacity of up to 180 for a seated dinner and dancefloor, or 450 standing, it can accommodate a big bash.

The centre of the property — at least when it comes to weddings — is the ballroom, a grand event space perfect for a standout Jewish ceremony followed by a beautiful reception, boasting a private entrance on Bernard Street, original 19^th-century architectural details, a full wall of windows, and a mezzanine gallery.

And the adjoining Palm Court is the most magical backdrop for reception drinks, with a soaring glass ceiling that floods the room with light, comfortable clusters of seating, an outdoor terrace, and lots of gorgeous greenery — the vibe is conservatory meets lounge meets members club, and it is exactly as fabulous as it sounds. Intimate yet fun, hip yet classic.

Ivi and Ben’s Jewish wedding at Kimpton Fitzroy London | Photo by Fire & Ice

And if you’re a member of Smashing The Glass’ Brides Club (our members club for Jewish and Jew-ish brides) Kimpton Fitzroy London are generously offering you 20% off ballroom hire (blackout dates apply)!