Jewish Wedstival Weddings Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Smashing the Glass

A Festival-Themed Jewish Wedding with a Ball Pit and Mini Golf at Brook Farm Cuffley, Hertfordshire, UK

17/10/2018 by Karen Cinnamon

You know we’re all about “Your Jewish wedding, your way” here at Smashing The Glass. It’s really our mission, and while all the weddings we blog are chosen for their authenticity and individuality, sometimes one really blows us away with its inventiveness.

That’s definitely the case today. Rachel and Josh packed their festival-themed Jewish wedding so full of unexpected fun, from the ball pit (!!!) to the BBQ-style mezze menu to the mini golf course!

Since a festival is nothing without fantastic music (and plenty of it), the pair booked multiple musical acts, including Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor, the incredible Totem.

Our hats are totally off to Rachel (who owns the photo booth company Megabooth!) and Josh for crafting such an utterly unique day, and one that is so obviously, unabashedly them. You won’t want to miss Tom Webb and Dan McCourt’s glorious photos of this one-of-a-kind wedding… or Rachel’s writeup of the “mad party,” as she says!

How we met

Rachel, the bride: My husband and I were set up by mutual friends. However, the proposal was an interesting one! We got engaged in the desert on a stargazing tour, went for a walk, saw a shooting star, and then he got down on one knee!

A Lucy Can’t Dance Bride for a ‘Kosher Braveheart Does Glastonbury’ Jewish-Scottish Wedding at the Fox and Hounds, Great Moulton, UK

03/09/2018 by Karen Cinnamon

We’ve got two words for you: Wisteria. Chuppah. Just look at it! Have you ever seen anything more lovely than those simple strands of purple and white perfection swinging gently in the breeze, captured to perfection by photographer Katy Treadwell?! Because we’re pretty sure we haven’t.

Sophie, a property photographer for an estate agent, and Andy, a web designer, totally rocked their “Kosher Braveheart Does Glastonbury” Jew-ish wedding style (seriously, have you heard of a better theme?!). Between Sophie’s swoonworthy bridal ensemble–consisting of a boho-perfect Lucy Can’t Dance two-piece, flower crown, and green and blue ombre cathedral veil (that the bride dyed herself!)–that knockout chuppah, and their awesome festival-inspired wedding cake with THE coolest hidden back (seriously, do NOT miss this one!), this is one wedding we’re seriously sad not to have attended.

Oh, and you know how much we love it when couples let us know they’ve used Smashing the Glass to plan their big day. Well, not only did Sophie and Andy draw inspiration from the blog in planning their beautiful boho English-Scottish-Jew-ish wedding–Sophie reports that our Real Blogging Brides and 5 Minutes With sections–were especially helpful, they even used one of our very own Smash Glass pouches for under the chuppah.

We love love LOVE seeing our smash glass pouches in our Jewish wedding features so make sure you buy one and send us your pictures just like gorgeous Sophie did! So now over to the bride herself…

How we met

Sophie, the bride: We’d been friends for around 6 years before we started dating, and it only took him another 6 before he popped the question! But we wouldn’t have it any other way, and I feel like the luckiest lady in the world that I got to get married to her best friend!

A No Holds Barred DIY Carnival Backyard Jewish Wedding in Los Angeles, California, USA

08/08/2018 by Karen Cinnamon

Jewish wedding Carnival Wedding at parents’ backyard California USA_0020
We have NEVER seen a wedding like today’s one before. Fact.

Plenty of couples choose themes, and pull them off beautifully, but the level of dedication this couple put into their carnival Jewish wedding is just off the charts. We’re not just talking about a wedding that hints at a fair aesthetic; Talia and Danny actually set up a full-on carnival in the bride’s parents’ backyard. We’re talking a Ferris wheel, games (complete with life-sized stuffed animal prizes!), photo booths, claw machines, a balloon artist and a stilt walker… and that’s just the beginning!

Even more impressive is how much of the work the couple — along with Talia’s family — put in themselves, from artistic details to heavy-duty stuff like wiring. With the help of their multitalented florist, Dawn of Tularosa Flowers — who did so much more than just florals — the pair made their dream into a reality, with everything from the big stuff (that Ferris wheel!) to the smallest details (the floral centerpieces were inside popcorn containers — genius).

It doesn’t hurt that Talia has got to be one of craftiest brides we’ve encountered — so much so that this fall she’s opening an arts and crafts business where people can come and make projects of their own. After seeing the ah-mazing photo props she crafted from cardboard boxes — Zoltar’s head, a popcorn machine, and more — plus her spiffy ticket booths (also crafted from cardboard) we think you’ll agree she’s found her calling.

Photographer Shimmy Lautman and videographer Michael Newman did SUCH a fantastic job capturing all the glorious details (a drone was involved!).

We haven’t even gotten to the carnival cart food, or the Kinder Surprise Egg invitations (yes!) — but we’ll leave it to Talia to tell you the rest.

A Backyard Wedding

Talia, the bride: We got married in my parents’ backyard. It’s the house I grew up in since I was born, and my father also grew up in the house. It meant a lot to me to get married there because it’s where all the milestones of my life happened. From taking my first step, to losing my first tooth, to graduating high school, all of my memories took place there, so it made it extra special to also have my wedding there.

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!