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“My best Jewish wedding photo” by John Nassari

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A weekly Sunday series where  I ask some of the world’s best wedding photographers to pick out their favourite shot from their Jewish wedding portfolio. This week it’s the turn of  John Nassari.

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‘Energy’ by  John Nassari

It was so hard to choose my favourite Jewish wedding photo. My favourite picture always changes, depending on my mood, and also time. But I have chosen this one because it was from a very recent Jewish wedding and the party and Israeli dancing were  just magical.  I love the energy in this picture and perspective, I took it with a fish eye lens which exaggerated the wide angle distortion which I think really works in these sorts of contexts.

One of my favourites parts of this picture is that the perfect moment that the groom has been caught right in middle of the bright light. He has hit the ceiling and you can see his leg and hand on the ceiling! I love it that I am part of the photo, too. I was standing on the stage and there was a stage light behind me. My exaggerated, enormous shadow on the left makes me part of the scene. I love it that I hand held this without even looking through the viewfinder!”

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“My best Jewish wedding photo” by Tom Bartov

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A weekly Sunday series where I ask some of the world’s best wedding photographers to pick out their favourite shot from their Jewish wedding portfolio. This week it’s the turn of Tom Bartov.

Tom-Bartov

‘Elements’ by Tom Bartov

As a documentary photographer the most important thing for me is catching the moment as it happens. This shot was taken during Yulia and Boaz’s wedding and I was able to catch them just as they were making their way to the venue as we finished shooting. I really like the combination of nature, modern architecture and the connection between the couple… it’s like magic when you combine a few elements together and they all fit together perfectly.”

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“My best Jewish wedding photo” by Iain Gomes

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A new weekly Sunday series where  I ask some of the world’s best wedding photographers to pick out their favourite shot from their Jewish wedding portfolio. This week it’s the turn of Iain Gomes from Gomes Photography.

Iain-Gomes

‘Sax & The Couple’ by Iain Gomes

I’ve wanted to do a shot with a bride and groom and a sax player for ages and it’s never quite happened. In Italy recently I was having dinner with the Band (Totem) and realised that this was the perfect opportunity. The setting was perfect, the couple were up for it I just needed to find the right time. My clients are fab and always just go with the flow and trust me. I asked the couple to hold each other and just listen to the music and that’s what they did. I loved the photo as soon as I saw it, as did the couple.”

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Going to a wedding alone? A note from the solo guest to the bride

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Image taken from Claudia & Felix’s NYC Jewish wedding by Stak Photography

I’ve most definitely attended far more weddings as a single lady  then partnered up, and I can honestly say that I’ve had the best time at  each and every one of them (aside from the moment when old uncle Sammy gave me a pitying look and  whispered “Please G-d by you” in my ear). I think it’s because I’ve only ever attended  really good friend’s, or cousin’s weddings minus a plus-one, so I’ve always enjoyed the celebrations alongside  a wonderful circle of friends, or cousins and family.

I’ve always loved a good W-day  (no surprise that I’m a wedding blogger then!) and have always relished partying with old faces, and potentially meeting new ones. But it’s not so straightforward for everybody, and certainly not easy at all if you don’t think you’ll know anyone but the couple on  the big day.

Juliet Simmons, who is currently single, has a few candid thoughts on what it feels like to turn up at a wedding on your own, whether it’s because you don’t have a partner, your partner is away, or your partner simply hasn’t been invited. What  do you think? Do you agree with Juliet’s sentiments? As a bride, will you be sensitive to your single friends when it comes to your wedding planning? Let us know in the comments section below.

Dear Friends

Thank you for inviting me to your wedding. Thank you for the beautiful invitation that landed, with a thud, on my doormat this morning. Thank you for counting me in and remembering to ask me — because believe me there are those that don’t and find one an odd number to think about in more ways than one. I’m grateful that you don’t.

I’m so looking forward to being with you, to celebrating and making memories that will create your special day. I really am. I know you’ve got lots to think about and I don’t want to add to your never ending to do list but had a few thoughts — I hope you don’t mind me sharing them.

I love that you’ve arranged for everyone to travel from the ceremony to the wedding reception together — such a nice touch and gives us a chance to chat on the way there (and compare photos on our phones). When I realised I gave a big sigh of relief as it means I don’t have to walk into the venue on my own — I don’t think anyone likes doing that do they?

I realise this is about you — not me — but when it comes to table planning I’d love it if you could sit me with people who I know. I don’t care if they are single or couples or old or young. I’d just like to know them and feel comfortable with them. Matching me up with someone on your big day should definitely not be your priority, so please don’t even think about trying to — one true love story per wedding (yours) should be quite enough.

I’m sure you’ve got an army of helpers sorted out for the big day but I just wanted to let you know that I’m very happy to be an extra pair of hands if you need me. If you have a list of people that you can just call on to do stuff then please feel free to add me to it — or if it’s easier to connect me with your head bridesmaid or whoever is keeping that list then you should just do that. I’m particularly happy to help if things need to be done when the slow sappy songs are on as it’s not the most fun time to be at a wedding on your own!

Well done for making it to the end of all of my lists. Like I said this is your big day not mine and I’m so glad that I’ll be there and be a part of it. Remember that I love you for inviting me and am already looking forward to sharing more special moments with you after the wedding.

I can’t wait to be with you and share the magic.
I’m counting down the days.
With lots of love xx

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“My best Jewish wedding photo” by David Pullum

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A new weekly Sunday series where  I ask some of the world’s best wedding photographers to pick out their favourite shot from their Jewish wedding portfolio. This week it’s the turn of David Pullum.

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‘Emotions’ by  David Pullum

This image sums up just about everything I am looking for in a picture. The image shows all sorts of emotions, from sadness, confusion and smiles. The little boy completes the image, he looks like he has no idea why the bride and groom are crying and is totally perplexed by this situation.

This image recently won 1st place in an International Wedding Image competition with the judges remarks below

“This was a classic wedding scene. The little boy’s face anchors the image. Nice composition and a classic moment. The juxtaposition of all those crying people, joyful in the moment, with the face of a child who doesn’t know whether to smile or frown and, thus, chooses to simply watch and learn, makes for a poignant image.”

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