Smashing the Glass | Jewish Wedding Blog - Page 14 of 404

A Winter Jewish Wedding Planned in 80 Days at Grace Events, Rishon Lezion, Israel

29/09/2025 by Karen Cinnamon

You’d never believe it to scroll through their stunning photos, but Elsie and Yonatan planned their fabulous Jewish wedding from start to finish in just 80 days!

The couple, both olim looking to celebrate their love not only for each other but for their home in Israel too, found the perfect team of vendors to make the day of their dreams come true on a tight timeline – in Elsie’s words, “This country is full of people who want to make a simcha happen, and I got so much help from every vendor who was excited to be a part of our day.”

Grace Events – Event Hall in Rishon Lezion provided the perfect setting for the big day – beautiful nature, close enough to Tel Aviv to be convenient for guests flying in from abroad, perfectly sized for the couple’s smaller (by Israeli standards) guest list, and, last but not least, boasting great food!

Elsie and Yonatan knew they wanted Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Herschel Gutman to capture their special day. In Elsie’s words, “Herschel is the most recommended photographer in every bridal group I joined!. His lighting and framing made every photo seem so naturally perfect without the need to retouch or edit them barely at all. He also accommodated our desire to have pictures taken in Jerusalem and meet us at our venue across the entire country in Rishon later that day!” It doesn’t get much better than that!

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

How We Met

Elsie, the bride: We both got hired to work at Mikes Place, a bar on the beach in TLV, for the summer. I had just made Aliyah and moved into an apartment in Yafo, and while I was getting introduced to the staff, my wallet was stolen. I lost all my American and Israeli IDs and cards and I was so saddened.

Yoni went up and down the tayelet looking to see if it had been dropped – he even pulled up security camera footage at the bar to see if he could spot the person who took it. He instantly became my first real friend in Israel and we’ve been inseparable ever since.

A Galia Lahav Bride for a Breathtaking Jewish Wedding at Tintswalo Atlantic, Cape Town, South Africa

25/09/2025 by Karen Cinnamon

This is one special Jewish wedding! NYC couple Camila, from Argentina, and Ben, from the US, first met while travelling to Cape Town in 2019, and as soon as they got engaged they knew they wanted to make things official in the magical place where they first met.

The couple dreamed of a chuppah in front of the same ocean where their love story began, and from the moment they set eyes on Tintswalo Atlantic, they knew it was the venue for them – don’t miss the stunning images and video of the mountainside chuppah from Nikki van Diermen and Gustav Franke, respectively.

When it came time to outfit herself for the wedding, beautiful bride Camila turned to Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Galia Lahav. She chose not one but two stunning dresses from the beloved Israeli bridal designer. For the pre-wedding Shabbat celebration, Camila went for an elegantly minimal soft crepe halter-neck gown, and for the wedding day itself she chose a tulle A-line masterpiece inspired by the graceful movement of petals in slow motion.

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

How We Met

Camila, the bride: We met in Cape Town in 2019, on the beach. I was there for a modeling job, and Ben was visiting on vacation. From that moment on, we started exploring the city together and having the best time, which made the last weeks of our trip even more exciting.

We dated long-distance for four years, me in Argentina and Ben in the U.S. Eventually, we decided to take the next step and move in together in New York City, where we now live. A year later, Ben proposed to me in Mendoza, Argentina.

An All-about-NOLA Jewish Wedding at Latrobe’s on Royal, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

22/09/2025 by Karen Cinnamon

New York couple Danielle, a consumer insights associate manager at WeightWatchers, and Drew, a corporate attorney, met and fell in love as students at New Orleans’s Tulane University – so the city was a natural choice when it came time to choose a destination for their Jewish wedding.

And did they ever do a fantastic job of crafting a wedding that let their guests experience the magic of NOLA firsthand. Their venue was Latrobe’s on Royal, an old historical bank in the heart of the French Quarter, and they made the most of its romantic, moody vibes with lots of candles, moody lighting, and a very cool floating chuppah. Their menu showcased New Orleans cuisine at its finest, and they followed the ceremony with a traditional second line, a parade through the French Quarter. Don’t miss it all in the exquisite photos by Love is Rad and video by Shotgun.

We’re obsessed with Danielle and Drew’s fabulous ketubah from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Tchotchke. In Danielle’s words,

The minute I saw it, I knew my search was over. It says ‘Love’ in Hebrew in large print at the top and the lions, to me, symbolize strength in this next chapter of life. It is the most meaningful piece of art we will ever own. And not to mention, working with Adam and the Tchotchke team was incredibly seamless. They were so responsive and you could tell they truly value their customers. They also shipped it in a way that made it seamless on wedding day to display. COULD NOT RECOMMEND ENOUGH (for ketubahs and the COOLEST Judaica).

It doesn’t get any better than that! Read on for the rest of the story in Danielle’s own words…

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How We Met

Danielle, the bride: Drew and I met our second semester junior year at Tulane University. More specifically, we met at an Aephi sorority party and by the end of that semester, we were dating.

How to Nail Your Couple’s Session (and Feel Incredible While Doing It)

18/09/2025 by Karen Cinnamon

This is a guest post by STG Recommended Vendor, Sandra Orrego. The founder of Lucky Elevens, Sandra Orrego is an editorial wedding photography studio based in Madrid. Her style blends fashion-inspired direction with candid storytelling, creating images that feel both effortless and timeless. A restless traveller and aesthete at heart, Sandra has photographed weddings across Europe, India and Chile. She believes that wedding photography isn’t just about documenting — it’s about creating a space where couples feel free, playful, and utterly themselves.

We’ve all seen them: those wedding photos that look like they were lifted straight out of Vogue. Effortless, chic, a little playful… the kind of images that make you wonder, how do they look so natural and yet so editorial at the same time?

Here’s the funny thing: when couples first contact me, 90% of the time they’re terrified.

They say, “But we don’t know how to pose or act in front of the camera — it looks like all your couples do!”

Here’s the spoiler: they don’t. None of them. It’s not about knowing how to move. It’s about trusting the process. It’s about setting the mood, being open-minded, and having fun. Because yes — sometimes the things that feel a little ridiculous in the moment end up looking absolutely incredible in the photos.

And with Rosh Hashanah — the Jewish New Year — just around the corner, it feels like the perfect time to talk about fresh starts, and how to approach your couple’s session with an open mind.

So, as a wedding photographer, how do we get there? Let me walk you through my process.

A Dylan Parienty Bride for a Jewish Wedding at Masseria Potenti, Puglia, Italy

15/09/2025 by Karen Cinnamon

There’s nothing like an Italian Jewish wedding – and French couple Emma, a lawyer, and Jeremy, a radiologist, truly had one for the books!

The duo opted to wed at stunning 16^th-century estate Masseria Potenti in Puglia. Featuring olive groves, vineyards, and picturesque whitewashed buildings, the venue positively exudes Mediterranean charm.

It’s not easy planning a wedding abroad, and Emma and Jeremy turned to Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor The Couplers to make their dream a reality, and they made sure every detail was perfect – don’t miss the stunning outdoor chuppah! Photographer Marco Colonna captured the day so perfectly.

Now over to Emma, who’ll fill you in on the rest…