Smashing the Glass | Jewish Wedding Blog

Inspired Jewish Weddings

Home > Real Jewish Weddings > Jewish City Chic Weddings > Page 21

An Alessandro Rinaudo Bride for an Israeli-Italian Jewish Wedding at Villa Miani, Rome, Italy

by

Rinat-Carlo-Villa-Miani-Rome

We love it when a couple combines their backgrounds to make for one ultra-memorable Jewish wedding. And how cool is it that bride Rinat, who speaks fluent Hebrew, and groom Carlo, who’s Italian decided to swap languages for their speeches as a surprise for their guests?!

And then there’s the swoonworthy, ultra-romantic Italian venue, Villa Miani. Once the residence of a noble family, we couldn’t imagine a dreamier spot for an outdoor wedding. Photographer VD Image captured the day SO perfectly!

We’re also obsessed with Rinat’s two very different but equally fantastic bridal looks, both from Italian designer Alessandra Rinaudo Bridal Couture. Starting with a romantic two-piece number combining a princessy full skirt with the most delightful guipure lace top for the chuppah and switching into a lighter, sparklier mermaid style for the reception, Rinat was one radiant bride from start to finish.

Now over to you, Rinat!

Rinat-Carlo-Villa-Miani-RomeRinat-Carlo-Villa-Miani-RomeRinat-Carlo-Villa-Miani-RomeRinat-Carlo-Villa-Miani-Rome
An Italian Wedding

Rinat, the bride: We got married at Villa Miani in Rome. The villa was originally the residence of a noble Venetian family and up until the beginning of the century was still an exclusive country house. We found the location very romantic and  elegant with open-air terrace, garden and fantastic halls. We had no doubt as we saw it, we felt that it was the finest setting for an unforgettable wedding.

Continue ReadingContinue Reading

A Reem Acra Bride for an Ultra-Personal Jewish Wedding at St John’s Wood Synagogue and the Grand Connaught Rooms, London, UK

by

Sophie-and-Andrew-Grand-Connaught-Rooms

There’s something about seeing a couple’s faces as they stand under the chuppah – and when they walk up the aisle after smashing that glass! No matter how many Jewish weddings we see, it never, ever gets old.

And today’s couple, Sophie, a solicitor, and Andrew, a company director, are no exception: the love exuding from each and every single shot by Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor MIKI Studios – not to mention their ultra-moving trailer – makes us feel like our hearts are positively glowing (and we’re totally not surprised to hear the bride’s report that Mick and Ash of MIKI Studios were a dream to work with!).

Indeed, creating a celebration all about love and emotion was at the heart of Sophie and Andrew’s plans for the big day. The emphasis the pair put on their chuppah – from prioritizing fabulous music by a mega-talented Hebrew singer to the beautiful off-white floral and green foliage embellishment they chose for their exquisitely elegant chuppah structure itself – is truly beautiful, and we also love that they opted to hold their ceremony at St John’s Wood Synagogue, where Andrew has attended his whole life – such a wonderful personal touch!

And HOW stunning is Sophie’s Reem Acra gown? Truly the stuff wedding dress dreams are made of.

Now over to you, Sophie!

Sophie-and-Andrew-Grand-Connaught-RoomsSophie-and-Andrew-Grand-Connaught-RoomsSophie-and-Andrew-Grand-Connaught-RoomsSophie-and-Andrew-Grand-Connaught-Rooms
A Synagogue Wedding

Sophie, the bride: We had our ceremony at St John’s Wood Synagogue followed by dinner and dancing at the Grand Connaught Rooms, London.  Andrew has always been a member of St John’s Wood Synagogue and it meant a lot to him to get married there.

Continue ReadingContinue Reading

A Monique Lhuillier Bride for an Autumnal Luxe Jewish Wedding at Cipriani 42nd Street, Manhattan, NY, USA

by

Julia and Max, Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan, NY
Okay, HOW incredible is this tree chuppah dreamed up by Julia and Max for their New York Jewish wedding? Despite getting married smack dab in the heart of Manhattan, the couple, both of whom work in finance, love autumn in New York (who doesn’t?) and wanted to bring the feel of the city’s most beautiful season to their decidedly indoor affair.

And they really, really did, through the creative use of lots and lots of gorgeous indoor trees decked out with those signature autumn leaves. That’s where the chuppah comes in – and is it ever a stunner! – but the autumn tree effect extended to the couple’s wonderful centerpieces as well. The overall feel was totally magical – almost like an indoor walk through Central Park on a beautiful October day. Don’t miss Andrew Henderson’s beautiful photos of the day.

And as if that weren’t enough NYC fabulousness for one wedding, we’re also smitten with Julia and Max’s adorable invitations by Bella Figura, featuring whimsical sketches of classic NYC icons – like a subway train pulling away with a “Just Married” sign! Too cute!

There’s so much more to say, but we’ll leave it to the bride – who looked ravishing in Monique Lhuillier – to fill you in on the details…

Julia and Max, Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan, NY Julia and Max, Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan, NY Julia and Max, Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan, NY Julia and Max, Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan, NY Julia and Max, Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan, NY
How we met

Julia, the bride:  Max and I met over a summer internship at Morgan Stanley while still in college. The two of us were alphabetically seated next to each other during a week of training in Manhattan, and immediately thought the other was special. Even though we had planned to work on different coasts post-graduation, we made our relationship work long distance. A few years later, Max joined me in California where we’ve now been living together for 4 years.  

Continue ReadingContinue Reading

An Allison Webb Bride for a 1920s Glam Jewish Wedding at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, Chicago, Illinois, USA

by

Jacklyn-and-Jeffrey-InterContinental-Chicago-Magnificent-Mile
We could not be more excited to be sharing the gorgeous vintage glam Jewish wedding of Smashing The Glass Brides Club member Jacklyn, a registered nurse, and Jeffrey, who owns a real estate company!

Taking cues from the old-world luxury vibe of their ca. 1929 venue, the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, Jacklyn and Jeffrey turned the hotel’s already stunning ballroom into an eclectic fantasyland, full of luxe florals and pampas grass, in a neutral color palette with pops of gold – including an absolutely stunning gold chuppah, which the couple covered with the groom’s grandfather’s tallitot. Don’t miss Erin Hoyt’s moody, classic photos and This Charming Heart’s wonderful trailer.

We also love the creative approach Jacklyn and Jeffrey took to structuring their day: Jacklyn wanted to be sure everyone would see her in her dress for the first time as she walked down the aisle, so to help with the flow of the day the pair opted to have their ketubah signing the night before the wedding. This turned into a very special gathering for an intimate group of 20, including family and friends who’d flown in from Poland and Dubai, beautifully photographed by the bride’s friend, fashion photographer Anna Stokland.

And we’re in love with the couple’s ketubah, a replica of an Italian ketubah dating from 1768 which they purchased from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Ketubah.com! (PSA to all history lovers: in addition to their fantastic collection of contemporary designs, Ketubah.com also has a wonderful collection of historical designs based on ketubot from all over the world, some dating back to the 1500s.)

There’s so much more we could say about this exquisite wedding, but we’ll leave it to Jacklyn, who looked like an absolute supermodel in Allison Webb, to share the rest…

Jacklyn-and-Jeffrey-InterContinental-Chicago-Magnificent-Mile

Jacklyn-and-Jeffrey-InterContinental-Chicago-Magnificent-MileJacklyn-and-Jeffrey-InterContinental-Chicago-Magnificent-MileJacklyn-and-Jeffrey-InterContinental-Chicago-Magnificent-Mile
How We Met

Jacklyn, the bride: We met through mutual friends. Went on one date and we instantly knew, that night, we were each other’s “one”.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

A Sassi Holford Bride for an Elegant Jewish Wedding at St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, London, UK

by

Laura and Josh, St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, London

We’re so excited to be sharing the gorgeous Jewish wedding of another of our Smashing The Glass Brides Club members today! Not only did Laura, a nutritionist, and Josh, a project management consultant, have the quintessential London wedding at the stunning St Pancras Renaissance, but they also worked with some of our very favorite Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendors to make sure their big day was nothing less than a smashing success, as evidenced in the joyous photos from Chiko Photography.

First off, we’re all about Laura’s elegant bridal look, featuring a classic gown by Sassi Holford and the chicest updo by Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Hair by Slo. Stylist Sarah-Louise is so loved by #STGbrides, and reading Laura’s kind words it’s no wonder why: “She was always at the end of the phone when I needed both hair and non-hair related advice, and on the day she blew me away with how she did everyone’s hair and made everyone feel.”

And then there’s the cinematic masterpiece that is the couple’s wedding video from beloved Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Denee Motion. We’re not at all surprised to hear that the team made Laura and Josh feel super comfortable on the day – or that they’re obsessed with their video and the amazing memories it brings back. This is one trailer not to be missed!

We’re also crazy about the couple’s modern ketubah by Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Elena Berlo, in the most wonderful palette of blues, greens, and golds. It’s a true piece of art, which Laura and Josh now proudly display in their living room as a memento of their special day.

Now over to the bride… 

Laura and Josh, St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, LondonLaura and Josh, St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, LondonLaura and Josh, St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, LondonLaura and Josh, St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, London

Venue

Laura, the bride: We got married at the St Pancras Renaissance hotel in London. I have worked around the corner from the venue for 5 years and every time I walked past it, I fell in love with it a little bit more. Soon after we were engaged, I made Josh come with me to have a look at the hotel.  After we had been shown around, I couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere else.

We loved all the rooms and the iconic stair case, which all could be used as part of the wedding and how the spaces were naturally beautiful and didn’t need too much dressing. Continue ReadingContinue Reading