Smashing Sponsors Archives - Smashing the Glass

Your Engagement Ring, Your Way: Use 21st-Century Tech to Design the One-of-a-Kind Ring of Your Dreams with Lottie Leigh

25/02/2021 by Karen Cinnamon

Hands up: who’s sneaking a peek at STG while waiting to get engaged? If that’s you, we’ve got something really special today – a brand new, 21^st-century way of making the engagement ring of your dreams a reality.

The CAD Difference

When mega-talented London-based GIA-qualified jewelry designer Charlotte Leigh got engaged herself, she had a vision of what she wanted for her engagement ring – but working with a jeweler to turn her vision into reality proved trickier than she’d expected. Frustrated and feeling like there had to be a better way, she merged her tech know-how with her love for design and came up with a foolproof system using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and 3D printing to make sure every bride ends up with the ring of her dreams – no disappointments, no surprises, just a one-of-a-kind piece you’ll never want to take off.

But if your proposal’s already a thing of the past, don’t stop reading – Lottie Leigh also works with couples to create the wedding bands of their dreams (or any other special piece of jewlery, for that matter – necklace, bracelet, earrings, you name it), and if you’ve got any unloved heirloom jewelry tucked away in your drawers she’s got a fantastic jewelry remodeling service to turn those stones into something 100% you, using the same up-to-the-minute CAD approach to make sure your new piece turns out exactly the way you envision it.

Read on to find out exactly how Lottie Leigh works, what sets her process apart, and how you can get started on a journey to create the jewelry of your dreams!

The Forever Yours Journey

If you’re looking to create an engagement ring that’s thoroughly, completely you – whether together as a couple or as a surprise for your beloved – let Lottie Leigh take you on the journey of a lifetime.

The Forever Yours Journey is Lottie Leigh’s four-step path to your perfect engagement ring – and what really sets it apart is the fact that, before committing to your final design, you’ll get an actual 3D-printed model of your ring to try on. This ensures that it’s exactly as you imagined and gives you a chance to make any changes before the real one is made – so you can be sure the finished product will be exactly the way you want it, no disappointments! And no worries if you’re not based in London – the whole process can be done remotely.

Win a Romantic Night For Two at the Pan Pacific London, London’s Hottest New Luxury Hotel

19/01/2021 by Karen Cinnamon

I’m so delighted to offer you the chance to win an overnight stay in London’s hottest new luxury hotel: Pan Pacific London, opening in late spring 2021!

Pan Pacific London is the most exquisite modern urban retreat, located in One Bishopsgate Plaza in the heart of the City. Combining the Singaporean hospitality at the root of the Pan Pacific brand with contemporary London design, it’s truly the epitome of modern luxury.

The perfect spot for a quintessential City wedding, Pan Pacific London’s location at One Bishopsgate Plaza showcases the juxtaposition of old and new architecture that the City of London is known for. The hotel offers an array of distinguished spaces, perfect for everything from the biggest bash to an intimate gathering.

We’re obsessed with Pan Pacific London’s extraordinary customer service, with a dedicated Celebrations Connoisseur accompanying you every step of the way as you plan the day of your dreams. Their full-service Event Emporium will work to help you craft a bespoke day tailored to your individual tastes, with no detail spared. From the softness of the linen to the curation of personalised menus and the scent of the room, the only limit is your imagination.

A JEWISH WEDDING AT THE PAN PACIFIC LONDON

Offering everything from pre-wedding wind-downs on an exclusive wellbeing floor, to post-wedding brunches and intimate anniversary dinners, Pan Pacific London’s incredible events team is there to help you create ongoing memories that last a lifetime.

We’re in love with the hotel’s Pacific Ballroom, accommodating up to 250 for dinner and dancing. You’ll enter the majestic double-height subterranean ballroom (the only one within London’s Square Mile) via a glass escalator and lift – a preview of the grandeur and grace you’ll find inside. The ballroom’s elegant contemporary design features a neutral colour palette, Swarovski crystal chandeliers and state of the art technology that allows you to share your special moments globally in real time.

And for more intimate groups of up to 40 for dinner, the fifth-floor Green Dragon (the name represents good fortune) offers magnificent views over Bishopsgate Plaza through-floor to ceiling windows.

As far as food goes, choose from kosher-style catering by Pan Pacific London’s culinary connoisseurs, or choose from one of the hotel’s certified kosher catering partners.

Get Screened for Jewish Genetic Disorders in the UK with Jnetics

24/09/2020 by Karen Cinnamon

Here at Team STG, we’re passionate about Jewish genetic carrier screening. I know it’s probably not at the top of anyone’s wedding planning to-do list – but if you and your partner think children might be in your future, it should be! A simple saliva test can go so far toward ensuring the two of you start the healthy family of your dreams – and while the process of getting screened can seem daunting and even scary, I promise it really isn’t!

That’s why we’re so excited to be sharing the following post from our friends at Jnetics, a UK-based charity that provides accessible carrier screening for some of the genetic diseases most common among Jewish populations. They’ve demystified the screening process from start to finish, so you can take the first step toward taking control of your future family’s health.

If you’re in the UK and planning to start a family within the next few years, read on to learn more about who they are, what they do, how you and your partner can get tested – and, most importantly, why you should.

“We recently got engaged and it was really important for us to have the screening test. Due to COVID-19, the test was conducted through Zoom and the test components were sent to our home address. The whole process was really easy, and we would recommend taking the test through Jnetics.” -Natalia and Daniel, recently engaged

What is Jnetics?

Jnetics is a UK-based charity that tests for life-threatening Jewish genetic disorders (JGDs). We are the only organisation dedicated to improving the management and prevention of these disorders in the UK. We focus on recessive genetic conditions that, although not exclusively Jewish, have a significant impact on the lives and well-being of Jewish people.

Our mission is to eliminate new cases of these devastating disorders from the Jewish community by providing accessible carrier screening to all young Jewish adults. Our hope is that genetic screening becomes standard practice, thereby erasing these conditions and saving a countless number of lives.

It is important that anyone who is planning on having children, either now or in the future, get screened in order to make informed health decisions that can prevent them from passing on a devastating genetic illness to their child.

“We were always aware of the importance of getting screened being both from an Ashkenazi heritage, and Jnetics made it easy, even in Covid-19 times! The team was really communicative and very quick at responding to emails, explaining the process, setting up zoom calls and organizing getting tested.” -Jodie and Yehudah, recently engaged

Country House Jewish Wedding Inspo at Offley Place, Hitchin, Hertfordhsire, UK

19/05/2020 by Karen Cinnamon

Who doesn’t love an English country house wedding? Here at Team STG, we sure do! So we were pretty excited when we found out that some of our very favourite Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendors – photographer Rafe Abrook, planner Rachel Flax Events, and makeup artist Katy Angelidi – had teamed up to organize a gorgeous styled shoot at Offley Place in Hitchin, North Hertfordshire.

Offley Place is a totally gorgeous venue in North Hertfordshire – one of those magical places that hits that tiny spot on the Venn diagram where classic English countryside meets proximity to London.

It’s a favorite with STG readers – and our Brides Club member Shelley‘s interfaith Jewish wedding to Chris last spring just happens to be the very first to take place in the newly opened Hester Ballroom (with capacity for 250 guests!).

And they even used one of our very own smash glass pouches!

Plus, how cool (and rare) is it to see a Jewish-themed styled shoot?

All the stationery and signage used in this shoot was created by wonderful Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Liv & Luc!

And that gorgeous gown (as well as the others used in this shoot) came from another beloved Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor, Morgan Davies Bridal!

How dreamy is this tablescape? We’re obsessed with the chic florals by Sian Ryan Design, who created all of the stunning arrangements used in this shoot.

Coming Together in the Face of Coronavirus: #STGvendors Helping #STGbrides

08/04/2020 by Karen Cinnamon

Mayan and Mola’s micro Jewish wedding in the face of COVID-19 | Photo by Jossef Si

In these uncertain times, one thing we’re finding really comforting is seeing how all strands of the wedding community are coming together to support each other. We see it every single day in our Brides Club, and we’re seeing it in all the new initiatives our wonderful Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendors have come up with to help couples whose weddings have been affected by the pandemic.

A digital change-of-date design by Liv & Luc

There’s no denying that this is a challenging time, but the outpouring of generosity we’re seeing these days is so heartwarming, and we want to share with you some of the creative ways vendors are working to help couples make the best of this difficult situation.

Kristin and Bryan‘s ketubah by The Ketubah | Photo by Perfect Circle Photography

Change the Date

A stunning suite of wedding stationery by E.Y.i. LOVE

If coronavirus has forced you to postpone your wedding, you may as well inform your guests in style. And luckily, a bunch of our wonderful stationers agree – and they want to help!

E.Y.i. LOVE – one of the finest bespoke luxury wedding stationers around – are offering a free digital design service to couples who need to let guests know they’ve been forced to postpone their weddings. If that’s you, get in touch at info@eyilove.com.

How cheery is this floral change of date card from Papier?!

Papier has a wonderful range of change-of-date or postponement cards – whatever your style, whether sleek and modern, whimsical, using a photo from your engagement shoot – they’ve really got all tastes catered for.

Liv & Luc are also providing complimentary digital save-the-date designs. They’ll pop your names and date into one of four gorgeous templates, and you can even mix and match your preferred colors and fonts. If you’d like one, get in touch and they’ll get you set up.

Malka Klein has created a free digital file for couples to download to announce that they’re rescheduling or postponing their weddings, and she’ll even add your names in calligraphy.

Dresses at Your Doorstep

A Berta gown from The Wedding Club | Photo by David Pullum from Salena and Stefan’s wedding

The Wedding Club, one of London and Birmingham’s very finest bridal boutiques – and a favorite among STG brides -have made a selection of sample sale dresses available for delivery right to your doorstep, available to purchase via email – perfect for any bride finding herself in need of a dress ASAP during this time of self-isolation whether it’s due to manufacturing delays or because you’ve had to move your wedding date up. The range of gowns on offer includes pieces from Pronovias, Berta, and many, many more. For more info and to see the styles and sizes currently available, email appointmentsbham@thewedding-club.co.uk

Take Away, but Make It Gourmet

Adam Nathan’s delectable canapés for Bethany and Gavin‘s wedding | Photo by Voyteck

Adam Nathan Catering – one of our very favorite London-based kosher-style caterers – has risen to the present challenge of, in his own words, “having to create new businesses overnight” by temporarily pivoting from events catering to home delivery. Yes, this London-based kosher-style caterer is now bringing his delectable Middle Eastern-inflected dishes right to your (UK) doorstep – at very reasonable prices. And it’s all kosher-style (so no meat+dairy), using kosher meat. Plus, everything’s freezable, so you can buy in bulk and save for later.