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A Hindu-Jewish Wedding Weekend To Remember in Stiges, Spain

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Chhaya and Harry, ME Sitges Terramar Hotel, Barcelona, Spain

We love  a good wedding weekend – and this is one for the books! Chhaya and Harry, both doctors, live in the UK, but they knew they wanted a destination where their loved ones could get together for some serious quality time around their interfaith “HinJew” wedding – and they found the perfect setting in a seaside town called Stiges, near Barcelona.

The couple’s planner, Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Elegante by Michelle J, helped them plan a series of three events over three days, each with its own distinct personality while still feeling part of one cohesive story.

They got things started with a joyful, sun-drenched welcome fiesta/haldi ceremony, which they hosted poolside at the ME Sitges Terramar Hotel, the main wedding hotel where most of the couple’s guests stayed.

Day two was Chhaya and Harry’s Hindu wedding under the mandap at neighboring hotel Sunway Playa Golf & Spa – we’re obsessed with the fun, romantic, pastel-colored vibes, and you absolutely cannot miss Chhaya’s stunning outfit by Aisha Rao. Be sure to catch it in the wonderful photos by photographer Dmitry Komarenko!

The third and final day was reserved for the duo’s elegant black-tie Jewish ceremony at a gorgeous winery, Caves Codorniu. The woodland-inspired chuppah took place outdoors, and then for the reception everyone moved into the underground caves!

Read on for all the wonderful details in Chhaya’s own words…

Chhaya and Harry, ME Sitges Terramar Hotel, Barcelona, SpainChhaya and Harry, ME Sitges Terramar Hotel, Barcelona, SpainChhaya and Harry, ME Sitges Terramar Hotel, Barcelona, Spain Chhaya and Harry, ME Sitges Terramar Hotel, Barcelona, Spain

How We Met

Chhaya, the bride: Harry and I are both doctors and we met in 2019. Through the challenges of the pandemic we built our own little bubble – and from that a love story that continues to grow!

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A Jane Hill Bride for an Ultra-Personal Foodies’ Jewish Wedding at Braxted Park, Witham, UK

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Saydee and Eldar, Braxted Park Estate, Witham, UK

This Jewish wedding has it all – tons of personal touches, gorgeous countryside setting, great food, and an epic party. Londoners Saydee, a senior food buyer, and Eldar, a director at an advertising agency, worked with their planner Sophie Amor to craft the most magical celebration at picturesque Braxted Park, with so many fabulous details it’s hard to know where to start.

We could go with the couple’s stunning chuppah, inspired by the enormous oak tree on the grounds that formed the focal point of the outdoor ceremony – Saydee and Eldar wanted it to feel as though it was growing into the landscape, and did they ever! (Don’t miss it in the natural, documentary-style photos by Susie and Harley of  Barker Evans.)

Or the chuppah explanation cards the couple created to guide guests unfamiliar with Jewish weddings through the ceremony – hand-drawn by the bride’s mother!

And then there’s the food. Eldar’s family is behind beloved London restaurant group Delamina, so exceptional wedding eats were a must. Working with kosher caterer Dvash, the couple put together a menu with food inspired by Eldar’s mother’s cooking, featuring Middle Eastern-inspired dishes like short rib Delamina-style, slow-cooked with dates, pul-biber chilies, Jerusalem artichoke three ways, and roasted okra.”

Read on for the full story in Saydee’s own words…

Saydee and Eldar, Braxted Park Estate, Witham, UK Saydee and Eldar, Braxted Park Estate, Witham, UK Saydee and Eldar, Braxted Park Estate, Witham, UK Saydee and Eldar, Braxted Park Estate, Witham, UK

How We Met

Saydee, the bride: Introduced by a mutual friend but had crossed paths once that year and Eldar grew up on the road Saydee went to school!

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A Same-Sex Jewish Wedding with Lots of DIY at Floriana, Ipswich, Massachusetts, USA

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Hadassah and Natanya, Floriana, Ipswich, Massachusetts, USA

We love a DIY Jewish wedding, and Hadassah and Natanya’s is one for the books! The Jerusalem-based brides, who opted to wed near Natanya’s hometown at Floriana in Ipswich, Massachusetts, added so many incredible handcrafted elements to their day, and we here for it.

Despite the long distance, the duo planned the entire wedding themselves, and it was a priority to make every detail of the day totally, 100% them. They crafted a halakhic same-sex ceremony featuring each bride circling the other 7 times, a modified birkat erusin blessing followed by egalitarian kiddushin, sheva brachot recited by family and friends, and finally a joint smashing of the glass!

And of course there’s all the awesome DIY projects. The couple did their own flowers, designed their ketubah, and crafted custom benchers – and perhaps coolest of all, Hadassah sewed  her own wedding gown from scratch! Don’t miss all the gorgeous details in the wonderful photos by Lana Shevorski.

Read on for the full story in Hadassah’s own words…

Hadassah and Natanya, Floriana, Ipswich, Massachusetts, USA Hadassah and Natanya, Floriana, Ipswich, Massachusetts, USA Hadassah and Natanya, Floriana, Ipswich, Massachusetts, USA Hadassah and Natanya, Floriana, Ipswich, Massachusetts, USA

How We Met

Hadassah, the bride: We met as students at the Joint Program between the Jewish Theological Seminary and Columbia University. We first got to know each other in a class about Martin Buber junior year, and started dating second-semester senior year.

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A Lee Petra Grebenau Bride for an Elegant Jewish Wedding at Troja Chateau, Prague, Czech Republic

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Rachel and Jakub, Troja Chateau, Prague, Czech Republic

This is an exciting day in STG history: it’s the very first time we’re publishing a wedding set in Prague! One of Europe’s most beautiful and historic cities, Prague is such a special place if you’re looking for a more urban destination wedding spot – and we’re thrilled that Rachel, a labor and delivery nurse, and Jakub, an equity research analyst in finance, shared their special day with us!

The couple opted to wed at in Troja Chateau in Prague because the groom’s extended family lives in the area – and to help make their wedding dreams come true long-distance, they worked with Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Andrea Haman, who Rachel describes as “the absolute most incredible wedding planner.” Andrea helped Rachel and Jakub source the perfect vendors for their day and worked with them to create an elegant and elevated vibe – just check out the wonderful photos by Jenny Ovsyannikova and video byMartin from Kaco Films for proof!

We love the way the duo incorporated both Jewish and Czech traditions – so in addition to the ketubah signing, chuppah, and smashing the glass, they followed the Czech practice of smashing the plate – read through Rachel’s wonderful writeup to find out all about it!

Before we turn you over to the bride, we’ve got to say a few words about her stunner of a gown by Israeli designer Lee Petra Grebenau, a custom creation by the designer blending two of her gorgeous styles!

Rachel and Jakub, Troja Chateau, Prague, Czech Republic Rachel and Jakub, Troja Chateau, Prague, Czech Republic Rachel and Jakub, Troja Chateau, Prague, Czech Republic Rachel and Jakub, Troja Chateau, Prague, Czech Republic

How We Met

Rachel, the bride: We met via the dating app, Bumble in 2020.

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A Claire Pettibone Bride for a Jewish Wedding Centered on Family at Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa, Milton, New York

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Jennifer and Michael, Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa, Milton, New York

We love that Jennifer, a clinical social worker, and Michael, who owns an  engineering and construction Firm, made their Jewish wedding at Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa all about family.

The couple’s kids – Jennifer and Michael have six boys between them – were with them under the chuppah, and the cantor who officiated is one of the duo’s best friends and crafted an ultra-personal ceremony – including a moment for a family hug! Jennifer’s four boys walked her down the aisle, and all six of the couple’s sons gave speeches – which were followed by a family dance! Don’t miss the ultra-emotional photos by Heidi Green.

Shortly after Jennifer and Michael met, they hired an Israeli tattoo artist named Gabriel Wolff to design an infinity sign with their names in Hebrew. They never ended up getting the tattoos, but they did use the design as the basis for their beautiful bespoke ketubah from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Once Upon A Paper, who brought their vison to life.

Read on for the full story in Jennifer’s own words…

Jennifer and Michael, Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa, Milton, New York Jennifer and Michael, Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa, Milton, New York Jennifer and Michael, Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa, Milton, New York Jennifer and Michael, Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa, Milton, New York

How We Met

Jennifer, the bride: We met on Match.com. We were both divorced and I was dating a lot. Michael says he knew when he saw my photo on the site. I hadn’t even dated anyone from Match and was seeing two other Michaels when we met. I didn’t really pay him much attention.

I’m a big sports fan and he wanted to take me to see the Rangers, the Yankees and was offering great seats. I kept saying no. But he was persistent! I finally said ok to just meet for a drink. Well we met at a restaurant near me. I was sitting at the bar and he walked in the door and walked up the length of the bar and I thought. Oh shit. I’m done. We had a drink that turned into dinner and we never went a single day since then without each other.

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