Smashing a glass under the chuppah is THE defining moment of a Jewish wedding (not that I’m biased or anything!).
There are so many beautiful explanations for why exactly we break the glass – you can read some of them here – but whichever you choose to believe, there’s no denying that breaking a glass under the chuppah is one of the most meaningful Jewish wedding traditions.
While some Jewish couples will opt to smash a cheap wine glass or even a light bulb, I’m seeing more and more STG readers opt to pick out a colorful glass specifically intended to be made into a bespoke wedding memento once the big day has passed – and this is one trend I absolutely adore!
There are wonderful glass artists out there who’ll work with you to turn your chuppah glass shards into a mezuzah, kiddush cup, picture frame, or so much more, and what could be more meaningful than a Judaica object or piece of art that is literally made of the love you and your partner shared on your special day – and continue to share every day after?
However, once you’ve decided you like the idea of having your broken glass from under the chuppah made into a keepsake, there are lots of choices to be made, and it can be tricky to sort through it all.
That’s why we were so delighted to chat with Talia Cywiak, the incredibly talented glass artist behind Talia C, about all things chuppah glass art.
Talia is such a font of wisdom – as well as a truly delightful person – and we so appreciate her sharing her insights into everything from why you might want to make a keepsake from your broken chuppah glass shards, to how exactly the process of turning your broken pieces into an art object works, to some of the most popular and attractive items to make with your glass. If you’ve yet to smash that glass – or if you have your old shards hidden away somewhere from years back – read on!
Why Make a Smash Glass Keepsake?
Plenty of couples will keep their smashed glass shards in a pouch as a souvenir, but it’s so easy for them to be forgotten at the back of the drawer or the bottom of a box this way – how much better would it be to turn those broken glass pieces into a keepsake you can cherish each day?
A Piece of Your Wedding Day to Cherish
There are so few physical mementos from your wedding that you get to take home with you after the day has drawn to a close – and even fewer you can display proudly in your home. A keepsake made from the shards of your chuppah glass – whether a decorative piece or a functional Judaica item – is the perfect reminder of your love for one another.
This wonderful mission of keeping all those beautiful memories of your wedding day, and all the love and commitment that day symbolizes, alive is exactly what inspired Talia C to develop her beautiful collection of Jewish wedding glass breaking kits, which not only ensure you’ll end up with a stunning heirloom-quality souvenir but also make the process as easy as can be.
The Ultimate Personalized Wedding Gift
While plenty of couples will purchase a chuppah glass kit for their own wedding, one of these sets also makes a wonderful, meaningful present to another engaged couple in your life – if you’re looking to gift friends or family approaching their big day with something a truly unforgettable, unique Jewish wedding gift, set them up with everything they need to create a beautiful keepsake item out of their smashed glass shards.
How It Works
If You Don’t Yet Have a Glass
If you’ve yet to smash the glass, by far the easiest way to guarantee a stunning chuppah glass keepsake is to order a kit that includes everything you need for the big day.
Talia C. offers Jewish wedding glass breaking kits that include a beautiful glass in the color of your choice and a pouch to smash it in. After the big day, you’ll send the shards back to her after the big day to be transformed into a mezuzah, kiddush cup, picture frame, or whatever you choose from Talia’s wonderful array of options (which she’s constantly expanding!).
Whatever you choose, you can opt to have your names and/or wedding date added if you like, too. Once your keepsake item is complete, Talia mails back the completed artwork, as well as the extra shards placed in a small bottle.
If You’ve Got Your Own Broken Glass Shards
If you’re already married and have your chuppah glass shards sitting around, though, plenty of glass artists will be delighted to work with you to craft them into a beautiful souvenir. Talia is happy for couples to ship her their own smashed glass shards so she can turn them into a keepsake Judaica object or art piece. If you used a clear smash glass, she even offers a service where she’ll dye them the color of your choice before crafting them into the item of your choice.
If You No Longer Have Your Smash Glass Shards
And what if you smashed the glass long ago, way before it ever occurred to you to have something made from the shards? I know it’s not quite the same, but for those couples who can’t provide their own broken glass, Talia produces stunning Judaica gifts in identical styles to those offered in her chuppah kits – she just uses her own glass sheets to create stained glass in the color of your choice. As with all her other products, you can add your names and wedding date if you like, so the piece can still serve as a lovely commemoration of your day.
What to Make with Your Smashed Glass
When it comes to deciding what to make from your broken chuppah glass, there are so many wonderful options. Talia C has an awesome selection – and she’s constantly expanding with new items. She shared with us some of the most popular choices for her couples:
Mezuzah
Talia offers several different mezuzah styles, all totally stunning! There’s nothing better than seeing this beautiful reminder of your wedding day and commitment to each other each time you enter and exit your home!
Shabbat Candlesticks
Having your chuppah glass shards made into Shabbat candlesticks is another popular choice. Talia offers a few different styles, and whichever you choose, it’s so meaningful to have a little piece of the day you became one as part of your Shabbat celebration each week.
Kiddush Cup
Like candlesticks, a kiddush cup is another beautiful way to incorporate those lovely wedding memories into your Friday night.
Hamsa
A hamsa is another beautiful choice to adorn your home with all the love and commitment you promised each other on your wedding day.
Trays
Talia makes the most exquisite trays from smashed glass shards – whether you opt to use yours as a challah board or just as a delightful piece of home decor, this is another fabulous option.
Wall Art
Talia can also craft wonderful framed artwork featuring your chuppah glass shards – she’s crafted pieces depicting hearts, Magen Davids, the word “ahava” (love) in Hebrew, and even a little chuppah! To make your smashed glass wall art even more special, you can mail her a piece of your veil along with your broken glass, which she’ll use as a background to the art piece!
Heart
A sweet decorative heart – which Talia often inscribes with the couple’s names and wedding dates – is such a beautiful symbol of your love.
Picture Frame
How about a beautiful picture frame incorporating your smashed glass to hold a beloved photo of the two of you on your special day?!
With Love from Israel
One thing we love about Talia C’s chuppah glass keepsakes is that every piece is lovingly handcrafted in her studio in Tel Aviv, and inspired by her personal journey.
Talia made aliyah to Israel from Belgium in 2012. She remembers how much she loved receiving a sentimental object from Israel when she lived in the diaspora, and that memory is part of what inspired her to start her line of chuppah glass kits for Jewish couples around the world.
Helping couples create a meaningful memento of their special day is her passion, and she puts her heart and soul into every piece – and clients love her attentive approach. She strives to make the process of creating your smash glass souvenir as exciting and seamless as possible, and she’s in constant communication with couples from start to finish, sending updates at every stage of the crafting process.
There’s nothing she loves more than receiving a package filled with a couple’s chuppah glass shards, ready to be transformed into a meaningful keepsake to be cherished.
I’m such a fan of Talia’s wonderful chuppah glass sets – from the attention she puts into every detail down to the packaging to what a delight she is to work with, in my opinion there’s no one better to entrust those smash glass shards to. If you like what you’ve seen here, reach out to her today to get started collaborating on a Jewish wedding keepsake of your own.
Get In Touch with Talia
www.talia-c.com
taliaglassart@gmail.com
+972-54-947-5022
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Based in Tel Aviv, Israel. Shipping to the United States, UK, Europe, and Israel.
