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Elmley Nature Reserve: The Perfect English Countryside Venue for a Jewish Wedding Weekend Near London

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Picture yourself standing under a gorgeous outdoor chuppah framed by sweeping marshland, celebrating your newlywed status in a magnificent Victorian barn, and spending some quality time surrounded by your favourite people in one of England’s most extraordinary natural settings. And the best part? It’s all taking place just over an hour from London. 

Image by Lisa Jane Photography

If this sounds like your dream wedding, allow us to introduce you to Elmley Nature Reserve. Set within 3,300 acres of protected wilderness on the North Kent coast, this exclusive-hire venue offers all the magic of a destination wedding while still being easily accessible from London. 

Whether you’re planning an intimate celebration or a full wedding weekend, here’s why Elmley Nature Reserve deserves a place on your venue shortlist.

Image by Tash Busta Photography 

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Calling All Jewish and Jew-ish Couples: Take the Journey of a Lifetime to Argentina with Honeymoon Israel

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Since October 7, so many of us have been grappling with what it means to be Jewish – and what we want Judaism and Jewish community to look like in our lives going forward.

I’ve lost count of the conversations I’ve had recently with Jews feeling isolated, emotionally exhausted, or disconnected from the people around them. I’ve also heard from countless interfaith and multi-heritage couples trying to navigate complicated conversations around Judaism, Israel, identity, and belonging – often without much support from people who truly understand.

That’s where Honeymoon Israel comes in.

Honeymoon Israel – the nonprofit known for highly subsidized, transformative group trips to Israel – has launched a new Argentina experience where Jewish and Jew-ish couples can connect, build community, and explore one of South America’s most vibrant destinations together. 

More Than a Trip

At its heart, Honeymoon Israel (HMI) has always been about connection. Their immersive group experiences bring together Jewish and interfaith couples from the same city for a meaningful shared journey – one filled with thoughtful conversations, unforgettable experiences, and friendships that continue long after the trip ends.

Lots of participants haven’t felt welcomed in traditional Jewish spaces and have struggled to find a place for themselves – and, now more than ever, many are yearning for supportive, accepting, warm Jewish community.

Whatever your level of involvement, religious beliefs, or where you are in your relationship to Israel, you and your partner are welcome on an HMI trip, exactly as you are.

Participants arrive with all kinds of perspectives, and HMI doesn’t ask for alignment with any particular view of Judaism or Israel. What matters is curiosity, openness, and a willingness to listen and learn from each other.

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Modern Judaica Must-Haves: Why the Pieces That Build Your Jewish Home Should Reflect Who You Are

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There’s something so special about choosing the Judaica that will fill your first home together as a married couple.

The kiddush cup you’ll reach for on Friday nights, the menorah you’ll light each Hanukkah, the ketubah that will bring back happy memories of your wedding day every time you glance at it on the wall – all of these pieces and more are part of what shapes the atmosphere of a Jewish home. And while the Judaica that fills your home connects you to ritual and tradition, it should also feel like you. 

That’s exactly why we’re so excited to introduce you to Tchotchke, a design-forward Judaica brand creating pieces designed for modern Jewish homes.

Tchotchke was founded by husband-and-wife team Anna and Adam Paskow after planning their own wedding and realizing they couldn’t find Judaica that reflected their style – or the kind of home they wanted to build together.

They saw a gap: much of the category felt overly formal, ornate, or out of step with modern life. Their answer was a collection of Judaica that feels fresh, elevated, playful, and meaningful -designed to be lived with and displayed year-round.

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The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Jewish Destination Wedding in France & Monaco

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A tender moment underneath the chuppah | Histoire d’Amour: The Wellness Wedding Planner, by Gillian Teboul

There are Jewish destination weddings… and then there are Jewish destination weddings in France and Monaco.

A chuppah set against the glimmering Mediterranean. A black-tie celebration in a grand château that ends with fireworks. A long Shabbat table beneath the cypress trees in Provence, candles flickering as the cicadas sing. An alpine wedding in the French Alps to the sound of crackling log fires. 

A Parisian garden venue | Histoire d’Amour: The Wellness Wedding Planner, by Gillian Teboul

But as dreamy as a Jewish destination wedding in France or Monaco can be, planning one from abroad is rarely simple.

That’s why we sat down with Gillian Teboul, founder of Histoire d’Amour: The Wellness Wedding Planner – a Paris-based studio dedicated exclusively to weddings in France and Monaco, founded by a Jewish bride.

“In Jewish tradition, the wedding day is the holiest day of a couple’s life: a day of renewal, of beginning, of profound meaning,” Gillian says. “As a Jewish bride myself, I understand that from the inside. Everything at Histoire d’Amour begins from there.”

Here’s her guide to planning the Jewish destination wedding of your dreams in France or Monaco.

Where Should You Get Married in France?

The most enchanting thing about a wedding in France is that every region tells a different love story.

“France set the standards in the art of hosting, gastronomy, and hospitality,” Gillian says. “And it is on top of that a deeply romantic country. The two together make it the most beautiful place in the world to marry.”

“Every setting in France has its own soul. The work is matching the place and the décor to the moment and to the couple.” 

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8 Smart Tips to Make Your Jewish Wedding RSVPs Stress-Free {with Gather}

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Photo by Photoguns via Adobe Stock

RSVPs may seem like they should be no big deal, but time and time again couples tell us chasing guests and managing responses was THE hardest and most annoying part of their wedding planning experience. 

And for Jewish weddings, the complexity only increases. With multiple events, different guest lists, dietary requirements, and guests travelling from around the world, managing responses can quickly become overwhelming.

They don’t have to be, though. With some strategic planning, a few helpful hacks, and the right tools, RSVPs can be a breeze.

1. Make Your Deadline Earlier Than You Actually Need

First rule: set your RSVP deadline at least a fortnight before you truly need your final headcount.

Caterers, venues, and planners will all ask for numbers – and giving yourself buffer time means you’re not going to be chasing guests the day before you owe final figures.

If you’re using Gather (our personal favourite way to handle RSVPs – highly recommend you check it out!), you’ll be able to see responses in real time (and gently nudge guests who haven’t replied) without manually tracking everything in a spreadsheet

2. Don’t Just Write “RSVP”

Believe it or not, the first trick is to make sure your RSVP cards don’t actually say “RSVP.” Some people mistakenly believe that means they should only say if they are supposed to attend.

Instead of simply writing “RSVP by August 9,” try:

“Kindly respond by August 9.”

“The favour of a reply is requested by August 9.”

“Please respond by August 9.”

And if you’re directing guests online, be sure to keep it frictionless. With Gather, guests simply tap a link or scan a QR code (no app required) and respond in seconds.

3. Keep the Response Window Tight

 Give guests a maximum of 14 days to respond. If you give guests more time than that, it’s likely the invitation will get put aside in the “things to deal with later” pile.Continue ReadingContinue Reading