Jewish Wedstival Weddings Archives - Smashing the Glass

A Bohemian Love Festival Jewish Wedding With a Greek Party and Midnight Bonfire, Israel

12/01/2018 by Karen

Today’s Jewish real wedding vibe could only have been pulled of in the divine olive groves of Israel, with that typical Israeli-cool attitude we adore! Emma and Ofer’s celebration of love took the form of a festival-vibe Greek party with a family-style Friday night dinner and a dreamy late-night bonfire under the stars. Swoon!

We’re getting a different perspective today as the fabulous writeup was provided by none other than much-loved Recommended Vendor, the one and only Gev Rotem from Bebke Productions. Gev worked with Emma and Ofer to really get to know them, their values and their tastes, before designing an incredible multi-area production with a boho-beautiful aesthetic and potted plants aplenty.

The outdoor venue was transformed into a hippie-style ballroom, with teepee tents, a wicker statue, flea market furniture, a dream catcher seating plan, a flamenco singer and an abundance of cacti.

If that wasn’t enough, the food sounded divine, with casserole dishes, kafneh and brewed black coffee, served under stunning and romantic string lights.

In case you don’t already have massive FOMO (I mean, let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to be invited??), the whole story of the day is illustrated with such expertise by phenomenal photographer, the inimitable Liron Erel, who we simply love!

We’ll pass you over to Gev for the full story on how Emma and Ofer’s big day came together – please be warned that you may find yourself changing your own wedding plans to a destination wedding in Israel!

A bohemian festival vibe

Gev Rotem from Bebke Productions, the wedding planner: When Emma And Ofer contacted us, we tried to understand what is the experience they are looking for. They were looking for a venue surrounded by nature, which would create the atmosphere of a special local bohemian festival, filled with joy and love.

We found them a special venue in the country, an olive grove that belongs to a family of farmers. We chose a different area for each stage of the wedding. A canopy area, a Greek party complex, a family dining area and of course a special area for the party. For example, we used a car park and turned it into the dining area.

The place was suitable because each part of the wedding received a separate space that suited the unique atmosphere. It was a pure, natural, isolated and far from any settlement what gave us a sense of freedom and only 20 minutes from Tel Aviv.
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An Outdoor Jewish Wedding in the Bride’s Parents’ Garden, in Northamptonshire, UK

14/06/2017 by Karen

We have a HUGE treat on the blog today – not only was Susannah and Simon’s absolutely gorgeous backyard wedding shot by one of our phenomenal Recommended Vendors, the inimitable John Nassari, but beautiful bride, Susannah, is one of our founder, Karen’s, oldest childhood friends – they first met at school back in 1987 (yes we know that’s a VERY long time ago!). So, it’s safe to say, we have a lot of personal investment in this gorgeous big day, and for good reason – read on!

Susannah’s parents hosted the celebration, which took place in a field of golden buttercups, under a simple, portable chuppah, covered in twigs and wildflowers. The atmosphere was so fantastic and festive, that even the sheep were having a great time!

A hybrid of classic country garden chic and boho beautiful blooms, the big day was the absolute envy of all summer weddings.

And, speaking of envy, can we just talk about what an absolute vision Susannah looked in her breathtaking strapless gown? It could not have flattered her more, what a perfect choice for an already stunning woman.

We adore the heart and soul of the family’s involvement, the joy that is conveyed so clearly and perfectly through the photos – oh, and we’d quite like a slice of that divine buttercream cake if there’s any going!

We’ll let Susannah take over now for the full story – we hope you love it as much as we did!

How we met

Susannah, the bride: We met in a yoga class (I run a yoga studio)! Simon turned up one day and then kept coming back!

A fun festival Masorti Jewish wedding with a bride in an Alice Temperley dress at South Farm, Hertfordshire, UK

27/01/2017 by Karen

Every now and then, one of those real weddings lands in the STG inbox that just genuinely looks like so much fun that we wish we would have been invited too!

Between the vintage funfair games, pink flamingos, glamping, bouncy castle, ice cream truck (in that order, we hope) and photobooth, as well as providing a crèche for their friends’ kids, this conscientious couple could not have put more effort into keeping their guests entertained.

Charlotte and Dan’s fun-filled, laid-back, festival-style wedding took place at South Farm in Royston, Hertfordshire and was shot by photographer Kristian Leven.

Bride, Charlotte, wowed with fresh flowers in her hair and an an Alice Temperley dress fit for a boho bride (and for a quick go on the bouncy castle!).

Charlotte and Dan didn’t let the disappointment of their outdoor ceremony being rained off spoil their big day. Instead, they ran with their plan B, moving the ceremony to the barn. Forget crying babies, this couple had to contend with oinking pigs and crowing cockerels, making their Masorti ceremony all the more interesting.

Equality was also an important factor in the planning of the day. The Masorti ceremony was chosen due to its inclusivity and Charlotte delivered a speech, as did her close, female friends. Who runs the world?

In true festival style, the party went on until the early hours – a roaring success all round. Let’s hand over to Charlotte to tell us more about her and Dan’s special day.

How we met

Charlotte, the bride: Dan is my big brother Paul’s best friend. Naughty naughty…

A quirky, outdoorsy venue at South Farm in Royston, UK

We chose to get married at South Farm in Royston due to its laid-back style and country feel. It was the only venue we looked at because we knew exactly what we wanted. We aren’t into fussy formal weddings and we wanted everyone to feel relaxed and happy.

The venue is quirky yet beautiful and we had free range to personalise it which was really important to us. I grew up in the country and am quite outdoorsy and so wanted the venue to reflect that.

South Farm is not too far from London (50 minutes) but still has that rural feel. We wanted to make the wedding as stress free as possible for everyone especially seeing as were married on a Monday.

Everyone that worked at South Farm was so passionate about the venue, in particular the incredible chef Matt and our beyond amazing event organizer Becky. I could not have asked for more helpful, dedicated and lovely people to help plan the day with.

Naomi & Michael | free spirited ‘Wedstival’ Jewish wedding in a field in Epping Forest, Essex, UK

17/03/2015 by Karen

Now this folks, this is how you do a ‘Wedstival’ wedding. Naomi and Michael have, in my opinion, only gone and nailed the most perfect laid back, fun-filled outdoor field wedding with a real festival vibe. There’s a Volkswagen Beetle photo booth, super sized balloons, wild flowers galore, madcap crazy Jewish dancing, a surprise speech by the bride especially for her groom, and a tent village for the glamping guests.

One of my favourite details from the wedding has to be Naomi’s bouquet made entirely of brooches. I’ve never seen anything like it before, and it’s such a heart-warming and impactful idea. Naomi told me. “I asked all the women to give me a brooch but didn’t tell them why and then used them in my bouquet. This meant all the women were walking down the aisle with me. I also used a couple of brooches from my grandmas, which was nice as they are no longer with us.”

This is one of those weddings that radiates a wholesome warmth that I can never seem to put into words. There’s just so much love, and it’s all been captured perfcetly by the super talented Adam and Hannah Photography making their debut on Smashing The Glass. Don’t miss the wonderful wedding film at the end of the post by One Wedding too. No matter what mood you’re in, I guarantee you’ll feel totally uplifted after watching it!

Naomi and Michael met on the first day university and had been together for 8 years when they got married. They have written their wedding report together.

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Jessica & David | Outdoor, rustic, relaxed Jewish wedding, full of handmade and DIY details, at The Bivouac, Swinton Park, North Yorkshire, UK

02/01/2015 by Karen

I was so thrilled when the talented wedding dress designer, Sally Lacock, alerted me to Jessica & David’s unbelievably beautiful and creative Jewish wedding. I’m almost at a loss as to where to start when talking about it – I’m like a New Year’s Eve Catherine Wheel spinning off in a hundred and one different directions wanting to tell you about each and every one of the exquisite details that make up their Yorkshire Dales wedding (and it’s actually the first time I’ve featured a wedding from this corner of England (NB. Please submit more from this region!)

We’ve got floral crowns, a highly personalised ceremony, a patchwork chuppah made by all the couple’s friends and family, sewn together by the groom’s mum, and decorated with Yorkshire wild flowers, fantastic music choices, the smiliest bride I’ve ever seen, a “Balkanistic” boogie dance band, beautiful wild blooms, a jukebox filled with 100 of the couple’s favourite songs that guests played between sets and throughout the weekend, tipis, personal touches, and not surprisingly, it looks as if everyone had an absolute hoot judging from the beams on all the guests faces. Every picture is wonderfully happy and fun-filled and smiley and exactly what a wedding should be.

Bride Jessica’s report is a joy to read, and Alex Brenner‘s images will make you feel all warm inside and put a lovely big smile on your face. Without further ado I give you one of Smashing The Glass’s most immense weddings yet. Jessica and David, I take my hat off to you…