INSPIRATION Archives - Smashing the Glass

Eternal City Jewish Wedding Inspo at the Rome Cavalieri, Rome, Italy

04/08/2022 by Karen Cinnamon

There’s no place like Rome for a Jewish destination wedding. The history, the romance, the food… so many STG brides opt for gorgeous celebrations in the Eternal City, and it’s easy to see why. That’s why we’re so thrilled to be featuring this stunning Jewish wedding-themed styled shoot at Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor The Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel and one of Rome’s premier Jewish wedding venues. Planned by another beloved Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor, Deborah di Castro, and photographed by Alessia Angelotti, it’s truly a feast for the eyes.

FOREVER AFTER IN THE ETERNAL CITY

The Rome Cavalieri is a peaceful oasis immersed in a private 15-acre Mediterranean park located at the top of Monte Mario hill. From the hilltop, you and your guests can enjoy unique and enchanting views of the Eternal City. And if you’re looking to have your chuppah in the majestic Great Synagogue of Rome, it’s just 6 km from the property.

The Rome Cavalieri’s outdoor event space, Terrazza degli Aranci, is Rome’s highest panoramic private terrace offering a spectacular backdrop of the Roman atmosphere for your big day.

Jewish Wedding Experts

The Events Planning team at the Rome Cavalieri are pros when it comes to Jewish weddings. In fact, one in ever four weddings held at the hotel is kosher!

The team has the knowledge and expertise to tailor your event to your unique needs, with many special options to make your day truly one-of-a-kind including signature cocktails, custom wedding cakes by Executive Pastry Chef Nuti, authentic Shabbat dinners, and lunches.

The Rome Cavalieri’s kitchen can prepare fully kosher meals as well as kosher-style options, thanks to their longstanding relationships with trusted kosher suppliers, all supervised by a rabbi provided by the Roman Jewish community.

The Rome Cavalieri can host weddings of all sizes, from 20 up to 500 guests. With over 29 event spaces to choose from, you will be sure to find the perfect spot for every element of your destination wedding in Rome.

Top Jewish Wedding Planning Tips

18/07/2022 by Karen Cinnamon

Jasmine & Brett’s wedding featured on Smashing the Glass | Photo by Claudine Hartzel

So you’re planning a Jewish wedding – mazal tov! Wedding planning is exciting, no question, but it can also be seriously overwhelming. There’s so much to learn, so much information to sort through and, in many cases, so many opinions to contend with.

But having the right tools goes a long way! And that’s why we tapped into our fabulous network of wedding planners to share their top tips for a smooth wedding planning journey. Read on for some essential Jewish wedding wisdom!

Charlotte from La Fete says

Make sure that you are really clear with your parents from the start on their involvement in your big day. Are they expecting certain things – do you have any non-negotiables? The clearer you are earlier on, the easier and smoother the whole process will be.

Rebecca & Emmanuel, Villa Luisa, Seville, Spain

Rebecca & Emmanuel‘s wedding featured on Smashing The Glass | Photo by Juan Luis Morilla

Michelle from Elegante by Michelle J says

We are very fortunate that the Jewish marriage ceremony is very poignant and meaningful; so my advice to all of my couples is to make it especially so, the highlight of your wedding day. It’s all too easy to get caught up with the dinner florals, the entertainment, the food and of course they are important (and as a wedding planner I also love to get caught up in all of these details). But everyone is gathering together to witness the two of you entering into the commitment of marriage. So this should be considered “the main event”. Everything else that follows is a celebration of the beautiful wedding that your guests have had the privilege of witnessing.

Chloe & Danny‘s wedding featured on Smashing The Glass | Photo by David Bastianoni

Yana Andreev from Craspedia Events says

Create an email account that will be designated for wedding things only. That way you’ll have all the corespondence in one convinient location, you both have access to and it won’t mix with work and personal stuff.

Jewish wedding Bayaar, Hadera, Israel

Shelly & Harel‘s wedding featured on Smashing The Glass | Photo by Noa Magger

Luba from Primavera Dreams says

My #1 tip for a destination Jewish wedding: Make sure that your planner knows the traditions, understand the particularity of a Jewish wedding and can actively help to source what may be needed (from chuppah and rabbi to challah, to kosher food and wine, etc. if needed). Or it may cost you a lot of money and stress.

Rita & Daniel‘s wedding featured on Smashing the Glass | Photo by Tatiana Blanco Photography

Dyana from Dyana Dessar says

Do remember why you are getting married, because you love each other! it is not a military manoeuvre and whilst it is important to have a good timeline don’t sweat the small stuff, stop take a moment and take the day in as it will be over all too soon, and to make sure it all runs smoothly employ a professional wedding planner!

Jolanda & Jack‘s wedding featured on Smashing the Glass | Photo by The Love Hunters

Top 12 Ketubah Designs

20/06/2022 by Karen Cinnamon

One thing I love about modern Jewish weddings is the way the ketubah – the ancient Jewish marriage contract – has become a way for every couple to put their personal aesthetic stamp on their day. There are so many mega-talented artists creating gorgeous ketubot in all different styles (and with options for all different texts – traditional, interfaith, same sex, egalitarian, or even your own custom version).

And of course the other bonus of a beautiful ketubah is that it’s one of the few wedding elements that comes home with you once the day is over. These days so many couples proudly display their ketubah in their home as a work of art – and with options this stunning, is it any wonder?

With everything out there, it’s so hard to narrow my picks down – but that said, here are 12 of my favorites for 2022…

Set Up the Jewish Wedding Gift List of Your Dreams with Contemporary Judaica

05/10/2021 by Karen Cinnamon

Raw Silk Hand Woven Small Tallit by Yair Emanuel and Modern Kiddush Cup and Plate in Silver by Nadav Art |Photo by Stuart Wood Photography from Bringing the Hamptons to the UK: Jewish Wedding Inspo on Osea Island

It’s no secret that Contemporary Judaica is my very favourite source for stylish, modern Judaica in the UK. But did you know that they also offer a fantastic wedding gift list service (complete with international shipping)?

Trace Chanukiah in Clay by Via Maris

Easy to set up and manage online, with a Contemporary Judaica gift list you’ll have an unrivaled choice of gifts from over 50 Judaica artists worldwide, not to mention full flexibility and exceptional service.

Acrylic Solid Challah Board and Magnetic Matching Knife

Offering kiddush cups, shabbat candlesticks, challah boards, mezuzahs, havdalah sets, seder plates, smash glasses for under the chuppah that can be turned into keepsake art, and so much more, a Contemporary Judaica gift list is the perfect way to ensure you receive Judaica gifts you know you’ll love, the kind that will enhance the Jewish home you’re building together for a lifetime.Continue Reading

Elegant Museum Jewish Wedding Inspo at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, UK

12/08/2021 by Karen Cinnamon

Here at Team STG, we love a museum wedding (even our founder Karen had one!). And when it comes to Jewish weddings, museum venues don’t get much better than Oxford’s Ashmolean. The Ashmolean Museum, set in the heart of Oxford – the city of dreaming spires – is a magnificent venue for Jewish weddings. The neo-classical architecture, iconic entrance, grand sweeping staircases and opulent galleries offer a wonderful range of stunning and romantic spaces, each offering its own unique backdrop for your special day.

And we’re obsessed with this stunning styled shoot the Ashmolean events team put together showcasing their Jewish wedding prowess – featuring amazing Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendors Rachel Flax Events, Liv and Luc, and Contemporary Judaica (all of which happen to be run by fabulous Jewish women!).

Dating back to 1683, the Ashmolean is the oldest public museum in the world. Displaying half a million years of art and history, all of the museum’s galleries are licensed for daytime and evening ceremonies. Opt for an intimate celebration during the day, or wait until the museum’s magnificent tall blue doors close to daytime visitors, when the Ashmolean can be exclusively yours for an impressive evening reception complete with dinner and dancing.

Since the Ashmolean joined the STG community last year, we’ve been so impressed by their commitment to hosting stunning, unique Jewish weddings.

In the words of Wendy Ball, Head of Events at The Ashmolean, “From our initial conversations with Emily (client relations at STG), we knew we’d found a perfect fit! STG are renowned for helping couples create ‘Your Jewish (or Jew-ish) Wedding, Your Way’ and we are a world-class museum, that values the art of telling human stories across cultures and across time. Adding to this an experienced, diverse and passionate team of event professionals who take time to really listen to couples, getting to know their stories and wishes, we have helped create many memorable and unique celebrations.”

Whether an intimate ceremony with loved ones, an Oxford city elopement, or a luxury wedding reception, the Ashmolean’s spaces, inside and out, provide a stunning and romantic backdrop for a wedding.