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How to Find the Perfect Dress for Your Jewish Wedding

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Photo by Varna Studios

Wedding dress shopping… it’s one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning, yet it can also be one of the most overwhelming. For those of us who aren’t in a position to buy couture on the regular, wedding dress shopping will likely be a whole new world. There’s lots to learn – and, potentially, lots of pressures to navigate, too.

That’s why I’ve chatted with Maria Yiannikaris, cofounder of beloved London bridal boutique Mirror Mirror London, about some of her top tips for making your shopping experience as smooth as it can be. Mirror Mirror is one of the very best options for finding your dream dress in London – or even, dare I say it, the entire world!

And with over 30 years of experience running Mirror Mirror, Maria knows more about the ins and outs of wedding dress shopping than just about anyone. Plus, her ethos of helping each bride to look and feel her most beautiful, confident self on her wedding day couldn’t be any more aligned with ours here at Smashing The Glass!

Photo by Voyteck Photography

Do Your Research

Get a Sense of Your Preferred Styles

Figuring out what looks you like best -and which brands design them- will make it easier to decide which bridal salons to hit up. You can find inspo on Pinterest, in bridal magazines, in past real wedding features on Smashing The Glass, and on boutiques’ websites. And be sure to note any designers (and even style numbers) you’re particularly smitten with.

Knowing which designers you like and which don’t speak to you as much will also make it easier to figure out which shops to visit. A lot of boutiques will carry the full spectrum of styles – Mirror Mirror carries a fabulous range of 8 international designers, showcasing styles from classic minimalism to soft boho vibes or a truly opulent gow – but some have a more narrow focus. 

Photo by Voyteck Photography

Shop Your Closet

Well, not exactly. But taking a look at the clothes you already own can be helpful in trying to decide what silhouettes will work best for you. If there are certain similarities in a lot of the items you already own, let those elements guide you. It can also be helpful to think about physical features you’d like your dress to highlight.

Photo by Varna Studios

Brush Up on Dress Terminology

It’ll be easier communicating your preferences at appointments if you know a mermaid from an A line.

Photo by Varna Studios

Know Your Wedding Theme and Venue

Knowing your venue and vibe before you start shopping will make it easier to choose the right dress.

Photo by Varna Studios

Find Out about Religious Restrictions

If you’re having a religious ceremony, check with your rabbi to find out if there are any attire guidelines you’re required to follow, such as covering your shoulders for the chuppah. 

If you do find yourself in need of a chuppah coverup to add to your bridal ensemble, it’s smart to shop someplace where the team is experienced working with Jewish brides. Mirror Mirror, for example, has a wonderful, longstanding relationship with London’s Jewish community, and all of their stylists are well-versed in the needs of brides from Orthodox to Jew-ish.

Photo by Varna Studios

Figure Out Your Budget 

Before your first appointment, figure out how much you’re able to spend on your gown – and choose where to shop accordingly. For instance, Mirror Mirror offers gowns ranging in price from £1850 – £8000.

Photo by Varna Studios

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

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I’m delighted to share with you my latest Instagram Live with the wonderful Sharon Wilkes, an incredibly talented handbag designer with awesome new line of bridal handbags – plus some truly fabulous Jewish-themed bags!

https://sharonwilkes.com/collections/allbagsview/products/jerusalem-marilyn

Jerusalem Marilyn Bag | Photo © Tony Powell

She’s filling a much-needed gap with her show-stopping bags with a personal touch.

Tel Aviv Tote (email or DM Sharon to order) | Photo © Tony Powell

A committed Zionist, Sharon’s a longtime supporter of Shenkar College in Israel, and she’s worked with some up-and-coming young talents from Shenkar on some of her designs.

Gold Brocade Marian Bag | Photo © Andrew Werner

A Smashing Beginning

Sharon and I first connected when we featured her daughter Micaela’s wedding on Smashing The Glass – Sharon designed and sewed Micaela’s beautiful gown, and also crafted this adorable custom bridal bag for her featuring the couple’s beloved beagle Loki recreated in sequins! Though Sharon’s long worked in fashion, it was that Loki bag that inspired her to get into bridal bags in a big way – and I’m so in awe of what she’s accomplished! 

Destination-Jewish-Wedding-at-the-Great-Synagogue-of-Rome-and-the-St-Regis-Rome-Italy

Micaela and Zac’s Jewish wedding | Photo © David Bastianoni

All in the Family

We chatted about Sharon’s incredible family story working in couture in Vienna before the war – and how her grandparents’ Italian fashion contacts helped them escape Austria in 1939. 

 Tel Aviv Marilyn Bag | © Tony Powell

Quality Construction

Then we got to see some bags! I’m absolutely obsessed with Sharon’s sparkly Tel Aviv evening bag – and the quality and craftsmanship is absolutely exquisite. All of Sharon’s bags are manufactured ethically in Italy, and the level of workmanship is just beyond. 

Jerusalem Tote (email or DM Sharon to order) | Photo © Tony Powell

Sharon showed us some of the details that really show the quality of her bags, and it’s just incredible. I also love her commitment to working with factories that treat their employees well and pay them fairly – such a rare thing in today’s world, but so important.

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

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 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

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

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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.

The Hottest Wedding Dress Trends for 2021/22 {Instagram Live with Mirror Mirror}

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With weddings on their way back in a BIG way, it’s time to get excited about bridal fashion again! And to help us do exactly that, I’m turning to the best of the best: this Thursday, July 15, at at 8 pm GMT / 3 pm EST / 12 pm PST I’ll be going live on Instagram with Maria Yiannikaris, owner of beloved London bridal boutique Mirror Mirror and designer of in-house bridal line Mirror Mirror Couture, all about what’s going to be in as we get back into the swing of weddings!

Image courtesy of Pronovias

Maria’s got the scoop on some of the season’s hottest gowns: she’ll be giving us the very first reveal of some luxe pieces from Pronovias’s exquisite EDEN 2022 line, modeled by members of the fab Mirror Mirror team!

Image courtesy of Yolancris

She’ll also be sharing some dresses from Yolacnris’s new collection, plus an exclusive first look at a brand new Mirror Mirror Couture style (so fresh off the presses we can’t even share a photo with you yet)!

Image courtesy of Yolancris

We’ll also be chatting about how to make your dress your own, whichever style you choose – Mirror Mirror are the absolute masters customization, so whether you need some tweaks for a little extra coverage under the chuppah or whatever else, they’ve got you!

Image courtesy of Pronovias

We’ll be chatting in real time, so you can ask Maria and me anything you want during our live broadcast, or you can submit a question in advance by emailing karen@smashingtheglass.com. 

Tune in this Thursday 15 July, at 8 pm GMT / 3 pm EST / 12 pm PST to instagram.com/smashingtheglass

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