• About
  • Find a Vendor
  • Submit
  • Advertise
  • Brides Club
  • Your Jewish Life
  • Contact

Smashing the Glass | Jewish Wedding Blog

Inspired Jewish Weddings

  • Real Jewish Weddings
    • City Chic
    • Fashion Forward
    • Outdoor
    • Destination
      • Israel
      • Italy
      • Spain
      • France
      • Beach Weddings
    • Super Luxe
    • Budget
    • DIY
    • Same Sex
  • Jew-ish Weddings
    • Real Jew-ish Weddings
    • Jewish-Catholic Weddings
    • Jewish-Chinese Weddings
    • Jewish-Christian Weddings
    • Jewish-Greek Weddings
    • Jewish-Hindu Weddings
    • Jewish-Humanist Weddings
    • Jewish-Irish Weddings
    • Jewish Japanese Weddings
    • Jewish-Muslim Weddings
    • Same Sex Jew-ish Weddings
  • Inspiration + Guidance
    • Engaged? Start Here
    • Ceremony
      • Chuppah ideas
      • Jewish ceremony music
      • Jewish wedding ceremony 101
      • Jewish ceremony traditions
      • Ketubah Ideas
      • Jewish wedding legalities
      • Jew-ish ceremony ideas
    • Reception
      • Music
      • Speeches
      • Entertainment
      • Venues
    • Food & Drink
      • Kosher catering
      • Wedding cakes
      • Drinks
    • Decor
      • Decorations
      • Favours
      • Floristry
      • Guestbooks
      • Stationery
    • Style
      • Brides dresses
      • Shoes & accessories
      • Grooms
      • Bridesmaids
    • Advice
      • Converting to Judaism
      • Real blogging brides
      • Dear Karen…
    • Honeymoons
    • STG Live
    • Five Minutes With
    • Wedding Must-Haves
    • Wedding Consultancy
  • Jewish Brides Club
  • Find a Wedding Vendor
Home > Real Jewish Weddings > Jewish Gay Weddings

A Joyous Same-Sex Jewish Wedding at Shenley Cricket Club, Hertfordshire, UK

16/12/2024 by Karen Cinnamon

Chris and Benji, Shenley Cricket Club, London, UK

The Jewish wedding of Benji, an agent for photographers and directors, and Chris, a creative director and writer, was  one for the books. Featuring an outdoor chuppah, soulful music by Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Shir, an “Outdo the Grooms” dress code, and even a drag queen, this was truly an epic celebration.

The chuppah was incredibly moving, and between hearing the couple’s rabbi speak about the significance of performing his first-ever same sex chuppah to the very special Sheva Brachot, all read in English translation by dear friends of the grooms who are also all gay Jewish men, there was hardly a dry eye in the house.

As a photography agent, Benji knew only the best of the best would do when it came to capturing the big day – and he and Chris ended up choosing Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Liam Smith for his candid shots and unique eye.

Read on for the full story in the grooms’ own words…

Chris and Benji, Shenley Cricket Club, London, UK Chris and Benji, Shenley Cricket Club, London, UK   Chris and Benji, Shenley Cricket Club, London, UK Chris and Benji, Shenley Cricket Club, London, UK
How We Met

Chris and Benji, the grooms: We met on JSwipe! After Chris made the move from Cape Town, South Africa, to London in December 2020, he immediately opened JSwipe once his plane landed at Heathrow. Who was the very first Nice Jewish Boy in his feed that superliked him (You get one superlike free on JSwipe I think a year?)? Benji!

Chris swiped right and they began chatting while Chris waited out his isolation period (Covid romances… *sigh*). Their first date was during lockdown, so they walked around Little Venice in London and (24 000 steps later, according to Chris’ Apple Watch, in the early-January snow) the rest is history.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

Share this post:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest

A Summery, Rustic Same-Sex Jewish Wedding on the River Thames at Trinity Buoy Wharf, London, UK

20/09/2024 by Karen Cinnamon

 

Joshua-and-Lewis-Trinity-Buoy-Wharf-London-UK

Londoners Joshua, a journalist, and Lewis, a financial controller, love their city – and when it came time to plan their Jewish wedding, they wanted to show it off in all its splendor to their out-of-town guests.

Trinity Buoy Wharf, a rustic venue with exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and plenty of history, located right on the River Thames, hit all the right notes for the couple’s relaxed, rustic big day. The grooms’ silver birch chuppah, adorned with sunflowers, white delphiniums, and mixed grasses, was pure perfection, and we love that when Joshua and Lewis smashed the glass together, they used the moment to honor other LGBTQ+ couples around the world who can’t celebrate their love as freely.

When it came to entertainment, the pair chose a seven-piece DJ live band from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor The White Keys, who brought in another Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor, Chazan and singer Jonny Mosesson, for the hora and a contemporary Israeli pop set – which got all the guests involved, including those who’d never before attended a Jewish wedding. In the grooms’ words, “The band was incredibly interactive, filling the dance floor throughout the night. The saxophonist and electric violinist often engaged with guests on the dance floor, adding to the lively atmosphere. We couldn’t recommend The White Keys enough for their energy and ability to keep everyone dancing all night.”

Scott Garfitt, an editorial photographer best known for his work capturing images of celebrities like Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Lady Gaga, photographed the day in all its glory – you can really feel the love and emotion coming out of each and every shot.

Now over to the grooms…

Joshua-and-Lewis-Trinity-Buoy-Wharf-London-UK Joshua-and-Lewis-Trinity-Buoy-Wharf-London-UK Joshua-and-Lewis-Trinity-Buoy-Wharf-London-UK Joshua-and-Lewis-Trinity-Buoy-Wharf-London-UK
A London Wedding 

Joshua and Lewis, the grooms: We got married at Trinity Buoy Wharf, London. With many guests coming from abroad, we wanted a venue that felt quintessentially London, and its location on the River Thames made it perfect. The venue’s rustic charm, featuring exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and numerous historic elements, matched the vibe we were aiming for. It felt spacious and airy, with beautiful spots for guests to take photographs and explore.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

Share this post:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest

A Same-Sex Jewish Wedding Celebration Extravaganza at Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El, Plantation, Florida, USA

09/09/2024 by Karen Cinnamon

Sam-and-Mark-Temple-Kol-Ami-Emanu-El-Plantation-Florida-USA

This wedding is just chock full of Jewish joy – and we are here for it! It was a no-brainer for Sam, an attorney and the Vice President of Instruction and Online Education for BARBRI, and Mark, the Cantor and Co-Senior Clergy at Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El in Plantation, Florida, to marry at their home congregation – where Mark just celebrated his 30th anniversary as Cantor!

Sam and Mark worked with Beverly Diane of Beverly Diane Party Consultants to plan the day – or rather, multi-day wedding celebration extravaganza – of their dreams, and in the grooms’ words, “She understood the assignment and really wanted to capture “us” authentically when designing and planning.”

The wedding weekend started with a Shabbat service and dinner, followed by a day of togetherness with loves ones from near and far a the couple’s home.  Sunday was the big day, with a morning ceremony followed by a brunch for all the guests. In the evening, the duo wrapped things up with a 5-course dinner party for their closest loved ones, featuring toasts and roasts from guests and an impromptu musical welcome speech from the grooms. The whole day was filled with so much love and laughter, beautifully captured on photo and video by Bells and Whistles Studios.

Read on for all the details in Sam and Mark’s own words…

Sam-and-Mark-Temple-Kol-Ami-Emanu-El-Plantation-Florida-USA Sam-and-Mark-Temple-Kol-Ami-Emanu-El-Plantation-Florida-USA Sam-and-Mark-Temple-Kol-Ami-Emanu-El-Plantation-Florida-USA Sam-and-Mark-Temple-Kol-Ami-Emanu-El-Plantation-Florida-USA
How We Met

Sam, and Mark, the grooms: We first met in 2009 at a guest house in Key West while both in other relationships. In 2020, Sam reached out to Mark out of the blue (both were single by then). After catching up, we discovered that, by pure coincidence, we had both made reservations at the same guest house in Key West where we originally met, a few weeks apart. The rest is history.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

Share this post:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest

A Laid-Back, Rustic Same-Sex Jewish Wedding at Allenby Farms, Nezer Sereni, Israel

29/07/2024 by Karen Cinnamon

Nina-and-Tali-Allenby-Farms-Israel

There’s nothing like an Israeli wedding, and we’re absolutely in love with the same-sex nuptials of Nina, a customer success manager at a medical education company, and Tali, who is protocol manager at the British Embassy.

The couple wanted something simple and rustic, with the focus kept squarely on celebrating their love surrounded by their nearest and dearest.

We love that Nina and Tali hung up photos of themselves throughout their relationship at their venue, Allenby Farms, so that guests could get a glimpse of their life together.

When it came time for their wedding photos, the pair chose Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Herschel Gutman. In Nina’s words, Herschel 

was absolutely amazing. He really listened to our needs and didn’t overwhelm us. He was super professional, was a great communicator and was just overall lovely to work with.

Read on for the rest of the story in Nina’s own words…

Nina-and-Tali-Allenby-Farms-Israel Nina-and-Tali-Allenby-Farms-Israel Nina-and-Tali-Allenby-Farms-Israel
How We Met

Nina, the bride: We both swiped right on Tinder AND OKCupid.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

Share this post:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest

A Same-Sex Wedding Featuring Pastel Suits, Gluten-Free Eats, and Unforgettable Vows at Temple Israel, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA

30/10/2023 by Karen Cinnamon

Robbie-Jeff-Temple-Israel-Portsmouth-New-Hampshire-USA

In this dark time we’re living through, we could all use an extra infusion of Jewish joy. And there’s something about Jewish weddings – the unbridled love and emotion, the continuity and hope for the Jewish future – that comes through better than just about anything else we can think of. 

That’s certainly true of the beautiful, heartfelt Jewish wedding of New Hampshire couple Robbie and Jeff. The two grooms centered their big day around their own unique love story, and starting with their choice of venue, Temple Israel in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where Robbie completed his conversion to Judaism, everything about their wedding was ultra-personal. This came through most clearly of all when it came to the duo’s vows, which told their story in an ultra-moving way.

Naturally, the couple wanted to make sure their ketubah was something special, and they found just the thing in their hand-painted tree of life ketubah by the wonderful Nava Shoham from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor 1800ketubah.com. Don’t miss it in the wonderful images from Jeffrey Rivkin Photography!

There’s lots more to say about this joyful Jewish wedding, but we’ll let the grooms take it from here…

Robbie-Jeff-Temple-Israel-Portsmouth-New-Hampshire-USA Robbie-Jeff-Temple-Israel-Portsmouth-New-Hampshire-USA Robbie-Jeff-Temple-Israel-Portsmouth-New-Hampshire-USA Robbie-Jeff-Temple-Israel-Portsmouth-New-Hampshire-USA
How We Met

Robbie and Jeff, the grooms: We met in late 2017 through a mutual friend at a Halloween party were we live in Dover, New Hampshire. Jeff was in a relationship at the time, and initially we were just acquaintances at social gatherings, and became gym buddies. When Jeff became single a few months later, Robbie quickly jumped at the opportunity to get closer with the buff new guy with beautiful blue eyes, and the ability to carry an intelligent conversation.

“Jeff was fairly new to the area and didn’t know many people, so Robbie would invite him over to his place after the gym and cook him up some chicken, steak and veggies on the grill while we’d drink wine and get to know each other.”

Being that we were both in our 30s, we both approached the relationship with vulnerability and honesty. Neither of us was wasting any time. We shared our trials and tribulations over those initial dinners, and that’s when we really started connecting. Robbie has a thing for guys who have faced adversity and overcome it, so he was attracted to Jeff from the moment they started getting to know each other.

At around the three week point in our relationship, Robbie blurted out “I love you” after a few glasses of wine and a deep conversation. Jeff played his cards a little closer to his chest, and replied “thank you,” but the reality was that he was instantly drawn to Robbie’s boyish smile, his overflowing empathy, and effortless swagger.

The plot twist to the whole story was that Robbie had just been laid off from his job and was about to move away, eventually planning to land on the West Coast. On a romantic walk along the Marginal Way in Ogunquit Beach, Maine, Jeff tried to end things on a high note, not wanting to get more attached knowing Robbie was leaving. Robbie wasn’t so willing to let go. “I felt crushed as soon as the words came out of Jeff’s mouth. I knew I was going to be living in New England for at least another year before leaving to the West Coast, so I pleaded with Jeff to keeping seeing me and let things play out on their own.”

Thankfully, Jeff agreed, and we ended up maintaining a long distance relationship for about 13 months, roughly 145 miles or 2.5 hours apart. During that time, Robbie found a new job that allowed him to work remotely, and in August of 2019, he moved back to Dover, New Hampshire to live with Jeff full-time.

In January of 2021, we were out walking our cavapoo, Coal, and laughing hysterically as we watched him gliding on the ice on our long driveway. Then, Jeff told Robbie to look up at the stars. Jeff always “stops to smell the roses,” so Robbie looked up too, only to see a completely overcast sky. Confused, he looked back down and saw Jeff getting down on one knee, with a huge smile on his face, and an open ring box. He asked Robbie to marry him, and Robbie asked, “are you being serious?” Jeff replied, “I’m on my knees in the snow with a ring in my hand. Does this look like a joke?” Then Robbie said, “Yes. Yes. Oh, my God, of course.”

Having already been planning to propose to Jeff himself, Robbie went ahead and did a second proposal to Jeff that July at the top of their favorite mountain, Mt. Chocorua, in New Hampshire’s White Mountain region. He got down on one knee near the edge of the mountain at the top while Jeff was looking around, and said, “what do you think about the view over here?” Jeff turned around and Robbie popped the questions. Of course it was already a done deal at that point. Jeff said yes, too!

Continue ReadingContinue Reading

Share this post:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • Next Page »

Jewish Weddings by Country

Vendors We Love

Weddings by Colour


Awesome Jewish Gifts

Vendors We Love

Get posts directly into your inbox

Enter your email address below and get the latest posts delivered straight to your inbox.

Monica Vinader
Kate Spade UK Limited
Liberty London
Mr And Mrs Smith Honeymoons

Today’s Top Posts

  • A guide to the Jewish Wedding Ceremony and Order of Service under the chuppah
    A guide to the Jewish Wedding Ceremony and Order of Service under the chuppah
  • A Rita Vinieris Bride for a Timelessly Classic Jewish Wedding at Congregation B’nai Israel in Boca Raton, Florida, USA
    A Rita Vinieris Bride for a Timelessly Classic Jewish Wedding at Congregation B’nai Israel in Boca Raton, Florida, USA
  • Jewish Wedding Traditions Explained - Breaking The Glass
    Jewish Wedding Traditions Explained - Breaking The Glass
  • Dates in 2025, 2026 and 2027 to avoid for a Jewish wedding plus a 12 Month Wedding Planning Monthly Checklist
    Dates in 2025, 2026 and 2027 to avoid for a Jewish wedding plus a 12 Month Wedding Planning Monthly Checklist
  • How to Turn Your Smashed Glass Shards Into a Keepsake Souvenir of Your Jewish Wedding
    How to Turn Your Smashed Glass Shards Into a Keepsake Souvenir of Your Jewish Wedding

Subscribe by Email

Enter your email address below and get the latest posts delivered straight to your inbox.

closeJoin our members-only community for Jewish brides!

All content © Smashing The Glass 2025