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The Ultimate Jewish Wedding Glossary

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Camila and Benjamin, Tintswalo Atlantic, Cape Town, South Africa

Camila and Ben‘s Jewish wedding | Photo by Nikki van Diermen

One of the most beautiful things about Jewish weddings is how rich they are in ritual. There’s so much meaning and so many centuries of tradition behind just about every step of the day, and there’s something so special about that.

There’s no denying, though, that there’s a lot of lingo to wrap your head around if you’re new to the Jewish wedding world (or even if you’re not!). 

That’s why we created our ultimate Jewish wedding glossary. Whether you’re planning your own Jewish wedding or attending your first one  as a guest, we’ll take you from aufruf to yichud in no time flat. 

Sophie-and-Jonny-Nobu-Portman-Square-London-UK

Sophie and Jonny‘s Jewish wedding | Photo by Liam Collard Photography

AUFRUF: A short ceremony during the Shabbat synagogue service that normally takes place on the Saturday morning before the wedding. The groom (and sometimes the bride) are honoured in front of their community. This is often followed by a small party or lunch.

ARAMAIC: A semitic language related to Hebrew. The traditional ketubah text is in Aramaic.

ASHKENAZI: Jews of Eastern and Central European descent.

BADEKEN: A short but meaningful ceremony where the groom covers the bride’s face with her veil. It occurs just before the actual wedding ceremony and is a custom that derives from the biblical account of Jacob’s first marriage, when he was deceived into marrying the heavily veiled Leah instead of Rachel, his intended bride. The badeken is often emotionally charged as the bride and groom may not have seen each other for 24 hours or longer (as much as 7 days) until this moment.

Jade and Adam, Sopwell House, St Albans, UK
Jade and Adam‘s badeken | Photo by Milda Vasile Photography

BENCHERS / BENCHING: A small booklet containing the Jewish blessings for a meal. Couples will often make personalized benchers for all of their guests to use and then take home as a souvenir.

Shera & Jared, Sheraton Grand Hotel, London, UK

Shera and Jared‘s benchers by Oy Vey Studios | Photo by Devon Shoob

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5 Reasons We Love Kimpton Fitzroy London More Than Ever in 2026

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If you’ve been following Smashing The Glass for a while, you might recall that we’re pretty massive fans of Kimpton Fitzroy London for Jewish (and Jew-ish weddings). Ever since its opening in 2018, we’ve been recommending Kimpton Fitzroy London to stylish brides looking for a one-of-a-kind venue where 19th-century charm meets 21st-century luxury. It’s the kind of venue that wows you from the moment you step into the lobby and just keeps going. 

Kimpton Fitzroy London quickly became a favorite with STG couples, and now, nearly eight years on, this stunning Bloomsbury property is going stronger than ever. Here are five reasons we’re falling in love all over again. 

  1. Stunning Spaces for Every Step of Your Day

One of the things we love most about Kimpton Fitzroy London is the way it seamlessly hosts every part of your wedding day.

The show-stopping ballroom is a dream for your chuppah and dinner reception. With its high ceilings, dazzling chandeliers, and wonderful natural light, it’s ideal for a seated dinner and dancing for up to 200 guests or a standing reception for up to 350.

For your drinks reception (and beyond), the Palm Court is a total scene-stealer. Think lounge meets conservatory meets members club. It’s stylish yet relaxed, perfect for mingling and creating a true wedding “hang-out” atmosphere. The Palm Court is really one-of-a-kind, and the vibe is truly unparalleled among London hotel venues. 

There are also wonderful options on site for your tisch, badeken, and yichud.

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How to Nail Your Couple’s Session (and Feel Incredible While Doing It)

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How to Nail Your Couple’s Session_Sandra Orrego_ Lucky Elevens

This is a guest post by STG Recommended Vendor, Sandra Orrego. The founder of Lucky Elevens, Sandra Orrego is an editorial wedding photography studio based in Madrid. Her style blends fashion-inspired direction with candid storytelling, creating images that feel both effortless and timeless. A restless traveller and aesthete at heart, Sandra has photographed weddings across Europe, India and Chile. She believes that wedding photography isn’t just about documenting — it’s about creating a space where couples feel free, playful, and utterly themselves.

We’ve all seen them: those wedding photos that look like they were lifted straight out of Vogue. Effortless, chic, a little playful… the kind of images that make you wonder, how do they look so natural and yet so editorial at the same time?

Here’s the funny thing: when couples first contact me, 90% of the time they’re terrified.

They say, “But we don’t know how to pose or act in front of the camera — it looks like all your couples do!”

Here’s the spoiler: they don’t. None of them. It’s not about knowing how to move. It’s about trusting the process. It’s about setting the mood, being open-minded, and having fun. Because yes — sometimes the things that feel a little ridiculous in the moment end up looking absolutely incredible in the photos.

And with Rosh Hashanah — the Jewish New Year — just around the corner, it feels like the perfect time to talk about fresh starts, and how to approach your couple’s session with an open mind.

So, as a wedding photographer, how do we get there? Let me walk you through my process.

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From Tel Aviv to Mayfair: Galia Lahav’s London Flagship Brings Israeli Bridal Style to the UK

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Smashing The Glass brides have long been enamored with Israeli bridal fashion – and over the past nearly two years, we’ve been seeing more and more couples looking to bring a little Israeli flair into the big day by incorporating Israeli style and supporting Israeli businesses.

If that’s you – and you’re based in the UK – we’ve got some exciting news: Israeli luxury bridal brand Galia Lahav, beloved by the many STG brides who’ve chosen the mega-talented designer for their own weddings and global icons alike (think Beyoncé, Paris Hilton, Jennifer Lopez, and Simone Biles), has opened its first-ever UK flagship store right in the heart of London’s iconic Mayfair.

London’s Most Luxurious Bridal Destination

Located in a historic Mayfair building that was once home to none other than Audrey Hepburn, Galia Lahav’s London flagship brings the most luxurious bridal shopping experience to the heart of the UK.

A 3,800 square foot haven of elegance and intimacy, it offers unparalleled service, exclusive in-store events, and bespoke gown customization options, all within a lavish and intimate setting designed to make brides feel truly special.

With its sleek, modern aesthetic and swoon-worthy collection of gowns, the store offers an extraordinary experience that blends Galia Lahav‘s signature craftsmanship with cutting-edge luxury.

Team STG had the chance to visit the store in person, and even as bridal fashion shopping connoisseurs who’ve seen a lot over the years, we were truly blown away by just how impeccably curated every single detail is. This really is the luxury bridal shopping experience of your dreams.

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10 Unexpected Facts about Kimpton Fitzroy London

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Are you looking for a London Jewish wedding venue that’s stylish, luxe, and boasts ultra-personal service from a team that knows Jewish weddings inside and out? Kimpton Fitzroy London ticks ALL those boxes – plus some more that you probably wouldn’t expect.

Since opening in 2018, Kimpton Fitzroy London has fast become a favourite venue for STG couples – and it’s easy to see why, between its array of stunning event spaces (including spots perfect for your tisch and badeken), central Bloomsbury location, and luxe accommodations for the two of you as well as your out-of-town guests.

Perhaps most important of all, the wonderful weddings team at Kimpton Fitzroy London is incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Jewish weddings, and their level of serve and attention to detail is truly second to none. We can’t say it any better than real Jewish bride Ivi, whose incredible wedding we featured on STG:

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 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!

But beyond the basics, there’s so much more to Kimpton Fitzroy London – and today we’re thrilled to be sharing some of our favorite unexpected facts about this one-of-a-kind London Jewish wedding venue. Read on for all the details!

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