Advice + Planning Archives - Smashing the Glass

A Diary of the First Year Of Marriage

19/03/2019 by Smashing The Glass Leave a Comment

This is a guest post by Mel Islin, STG Blogging Bride. and a member of STG’s Brides Club.
Her 1 year wedding anniversary was yesterday, 18 March!

Our first year of marriage – by Mel Islin

Our first year of marriage. Even just writing it is mad. It feels like just yesterday I was writing my very first blog as a Smashing the Glass blogging bride, introducing myself and Mitch to all you lovely lot. That was nearly 2 years ago (May 2017)! People say you should enjoy your engagement because the wedding comes around quick, they say you should enjoy your planning because the wedding day is over in a flash… but no one tells you how fast time goes after the wedding.

Images above by Chiko Photography
Continue Reading

The Hottest Wedding Dress Trends for 2019 /2020 {Live from Mirror Mirror}

10/03/2019 by Karen Cinnamon Leave a Comment

I’ve got an absolutely INCREDIBLE Facebook Live coming up for you this Wednesday 13 March: I’ll be going live with wonderful Maria Yiannikaris and Jane Nicolls, the owners of Mirror Mirror — one of the most gorgeous, most luxe bridal boutiques in the UK (and a much-loved Recommended Vendor) – and designers of Mirror Mirror Couture, their exquisite in-house bridal line.

Photo by Muse Motion Pictures

Maria and Jane will be showcasing the new Mirror Mirror Couture collection, and filling us in on the hottest luxury wedding dress trends for 2019/20.

Photo by Anna Fowler

Find Your Perfect Jewish Wedding Stationery {with Paperlust}

07/03/2019 by Karen Cinnamon Leave a Comment

As a creative myself (yes, I ran a digital and branding consultancy before starting STG!), I’m passionate about design — and specifically about helping couples incorporate beautiful graphic design into their Jewish weddings.

Stationery of all stripes has a special place in my heart, and I’m always excited to find innovative new suppliers. And that’s why I’m so excited to introduce you to Paperlust today.

Founded in Melbourne, Australia, in 2014 with the goal of bringing custom stationery to design lovers worldwide while supporting local Australian artists, Paperlust offers custom designs for every occasion — especially weddings and engagements — and handles all the logistics (printing, packaging, shipping, delivery, customer support and more) so that their creative talent is freed up to do what they do best.

They offer a huge range of exclusive designs to suit all styles, with easy customization and printing options including letterpress, foil stamping, and digital — and the collection is constantly expanding, with new designs being listed every single day. Paperlust loves Jewish and Jew-ish weddings, they are truly a one-stop shop for all your wedding stationery needs, from engagement party invites to save the dates to wedding invitations and RSVP cards, menus to place cards and table numbers to orders of service, and beyond.

Though based in Australia, Paperlust works with clients all over the world, and they offer free worldwide express shipping for orders over $300 USD.

Read on for a few of my favourite looks…

Win a romantic night for two at the breathtaking Kimpton Fitzroy London, London’s hottest new luxury hotel

05/03/2019 by Karen Cinnamon 2 Comments

I’m so delighted to offer you the chance to win an overnight stay in London’s hottest new luxury hotel: the fabulous Kimpton Fitzroy London.

I’ve attended some fab events at the Kimpton Fitzroy London since they opened, like the BertaF/W 2019 Press Launch last month, and opening of David Michael Bradford’s (who also happens to have photographed the wonderful wedding images in this post) Scribbled Art exhibition featuring a portrait of me!

Both these events were truly spectacular occasions that EVERYONE was talking about after (and rightly so!).

Located oh-so-centrally in Bloomsbury’s Russell Square, the Kimpton Fitzroy London combines historic charm with modern luxury. 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, Â£85 million refurbishment of the hotel before opening it in April 2018 as their first London property.

And the outcome is truly exquisite, as you’ll see for yourself if you have a scroll through these photos. Every inch is full of the chicest of contemporary details.

It’s truly the most wonderfully special space, and I’m so excited that we’ve teamed up with the 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 to include:

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 onsite restaurant Neptune
Breakfast the following morning,
Champagne afternoon tea in Palm Court
A 300tc bedlinen set by Tielle Love Luxury (you guessed it, the same luxurious linen used by Kimpton Fitzroy London)
The total prize value is Â£1300 !

A Jewish Wedding at the Kimpton Fitzroy

It practically goes without saying that the Kimpton Fitzroy London is an incredible venue for an urban glam Jewish wedding right in the heart of London.

With a capacity of up to 180 for a seated dinner and dancefloor, or 450 standing, it can accommodate a big bash, and the wonderful weddings team at the Kimpton Fitzroy London couldn’t be more knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Jewish weddings, with an experienced team with the highest five-star hotel pedigree from The Dorchester, The Savoy, and The Rosewood (to name but a few).

And guess what? The Kimpton Fitzroy London’s marketing manager, Ruthie Berkley, is an STG Bride herself! Her real Jewish wedding is coming to Smashing The Glass later this month and it’s a GOODIE! Watch out for it on Wednesday 20th March…

But back to the glorious Kimpton Fitzroy London: 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, 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.

I’m seriously in love with this space and it has got to be the best reception space to go with a ballroom wedding that I’ve seen in London. Oh, and did I mention that Kimpton Fitzroy London is offering Smashing The Glass readers 20% off ballroom hire for weddings booked before 31 August 2020 (blackout dates apply)?!

And if you’re a member of Smashing The Glass’ Brides Club (our members club for Jewish and Jew-ish brides) the Kimpton Fitzroy London are generously offering you 25% off ballroom hire for weddings booked before 31 August 2020 (blackout dates apply) and an upgrade to a luxury Corner Suite on your wedding night!

With 334 guest rooms, each featuring 300-thread-count linens, and warm decor that seamlessly blends heritage elements with 21st-century appointments, the Kimpton Fitzroy London is the perfect place for out-of-town guests to enjoy their stay in style too.

An exclusive first look at Emmy’s exciting new collaboration with Corinthia London {Live with Emmy}

03/03/2019 by Karen Cinnamon Leave a Comment

If you’re a regular STG reader, you might be aware that I’m just a little bit obsessed with Emmy London, my go-to source for breathtaking luxury bridal and event shoes and accessories. From pretty hand embellished beaded peep toes, to sky high stilettos adorned with Swarovski crystals and mother of pearl shell, Emmy London’s designs are the perfect accessory for your big day.

While past collections have drawn inspiration from destinations and architecture all over the world. Emmy’s latest collection has its roots right here in London, at the Corinthia Hotel! Celebrating the brand’s local heritage, the brand-new Corinthia collection reflects the inspiring interior of this luxury space, which blends historical references and modern touches to perfection.

Designer Emmy Scarterfield will be chatting with me live on our Smashing The Glass Facebook page this Tuesday, 5 March, showing off the new collection and walking us through the design process, from moodboard to first sketch to finished product. She’ll also be demonstrating how she applies her luxe trims to the shoes!