Smashing the Glass | Jewish Wedding Blog

Inspired Jewish Weddings

A Self Portrait Bride for a Jewish Wedding All about Chesed at Allerton Shul and Palm House Sefton Park, Liverpool, England

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Danielle and Paul, Palm House Sefton Park, Liverpool, England

We’re in love with the theme Danielle, a vet, and Paul, an A+E consultant doctor, chose for their Jewish wedding. In the bride’s words, “The theme was chesed, loving kindness/thoughtfulness, as we wanted to throw a party to thank our friends and family for supporting us over the years as singles. We and they have waited a very long time for this day!” How beautiful is that?

And that’s just the start of the wonderful personal touches that made this wedding so special. Danielle and Paul chose not just one but two venues with serious significance: they had their chuppah at Allerton Shul, where the rabbi and rebbetzin who introduced them work, and for the reception they moved on to The Sefton Park Palm House, which Danielle’s father was instrumental in restoring – a glazier, he donated almost 4000 panes of glass for it!

When it came time to choose a photographer, Danielle and Paul went with Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Kate Swerdlow, and they can’t stop raving about how wonderful she was. In Danielle’s words,  “She took time to understand our situation, gave us some fantastic ideas, and pulled off all of our requests. We didn’t want photographers everywhere on the day, and somehow, although our guests barely noticed her, she captured thousands of incredibly beautiful moments alone. She is a truly talented professional, she knows a Jewish wedding inside and out, was a joy to work with, and our photos are completely stunning.”

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

Danielle and Paul, Palm House Sefton Park, Liverpool, England Danielle and Paul, Palm House Sefton Park, Liverpool, EnglandDanielle and Paul, Palm House Sefton Park, Liverpool, EnglandDanielle and Paul, Palm House Sefton Park, Liverpool, England

How We Met

Danielle, the bride: We were introduced by our Rebbetzin.

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5 of Our Favorites: Jewish Weddings with Dogs

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Rachel and Aaron‘s Dog-Friendly Wedding | Photo by Hello Blue Photo

Welcome back to “5 of Our Favorites,” where we highlight five stunning Jewish weddings each week, all centered around a special theme. This week, we’re all about weddings with dogs!

STG couples have come up with the cutest and most creative ways to incorporate their beloved pups into their special days – whether that means full-on participation, up to and including walking down the aisle, or simply taking some heirloom-level photos together and adding in sweet tributes throughout the wedding. 

We’re so excited to share these fabulous dog-freidnly weddings with you and inspire your own pet-friendly celebration!

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Jacqui and James‘ Wedding | Photo by Sarah Diller

Jacqui and James’ Barnyard Jewish Wedding at Red Gate Farms, Savannah, Georgia, USA

We love a good barn wedding. And a wedding with pets. AND a Jewish wedding where the couple goes the extra mile to personalize their ceremony. Put all those things together, and you’ve got one incredible day.

Jacqui and James‘ Wedding | Photo by Sarah Diller

Jacqui and James pulled off the perfect laid-back barn wedding – the bride wanted all the guests to feel “like they were hanging out in their own backyard.”

Jacqui and James‘ Wedding with Pets | Photo by Sarah Diller

And how cute is it that the couple got their beloved dogs in on the fun? We’re obsessed with the pics of the pair walking back down the aisle with their sweet pups in tow.

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Wendy and Nagesh‘s Wedding with Pets | Photo by Laurie Bailey

Wendy and Nagesh’s Dog-Forward Wedding at Bel Air Bay Club, Los Angeles, CA

Smashing The Glass Brides Club member Wendy and Nagesh incorporated the beloved dogs in their lives into their big day in the sweetest ways! 

The couple knew they wanted to include their pug, Shimi (named after the late Shimon Peres), in their day, so they hired Black Tie Pups to bring her to and from the venue for photos. 

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Wendy and Nagesh‘s Wedding with Pets | Photo by Laurie Bailey

Wendy and Bagesh included not only their own dog, Shimi, but also Wendy’s parents’ dog, Snoopy, who is a bit of a family mascot. They named their signature drinks after the pups and got cute signs from Etsy.

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Wendy and Nagesh‘s Wedding with Pets | Photo by Laurie Bailey

Even Wendy and Nagehs’s ketubah, custom designed by Etsy artist Jerise, featured a beach scene with an image of  the couple and Shimi!

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A Same-Sex Summer Camp Jewish Wedding at Forest Lake Camp, Chestertown, New York, USA

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Eliana and Baylee, Forest Lake Camp, Chestertown NY, USA

How fun is it that today’s couple, Baylee, the founder and CEO of an AI company, and Eliana, who works in HR strategy in the financial industry, opted to hold their Jewish wedding at a summer camp?!

The couple wanted more than just a few hours to spend with their guests, so they invited their loved ones to the spend the weekend with them at Forest Lake Camp! Instead of a formal rehearsal dinner, Baylee and Eliana held a welcome barbecue for all of their guests – and pre-wedding, everyone loved the range of activities available onsite, from swimming to hiking to tennis. 

We also love that the duo opted to write their own ketubah text, and read it aloud to each other as their vows during the ceremony – plus the fact that on their way down from the chuppah, guests lined the path and threw flowers at Baylee and Eliana for a colorful recessional! Don’t miss the wonderful photos by Kristen Tomkowid of Little But Fierce Photography.

Read on for all the details in the brides’ own words…

Eliana and Baylee, Forest Lake Camp, Chestertown NY, USAEliana and Baylee, Forest Lake Camp, Chestertown NY, USAEliana and Baylee, Forest Lake Camp, Chestertown NY, USAEliana and Baylee, Forest Lake Camp, Chestertown NY, USA

How We Met

Eliana & Baylee, the brides: We met in 2017 at a University of Pennsylvania LGBTQ+ alumni event.

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The Art of Displaying Your Ketubah {with Love Letters}

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If you’re the kind of person who curates your home like a Pinterest board – a palette of soft neutrals, clean lines, and a minimalism aesthetic – but find it hard to add a touch of Jewish pride that actually fits your space, you’re not alone.

Traditional Judaica holds deep beauty and meaning, but it doesn’t always fit the kind of home you’d see in Architectural Digest. And so many ketubahs feel more like they belong in your bubbie’s apartment – rich with history, but not quite the clean, modern vibe so many of us are drawn to now. So instead of being displayed, they’re often rolled up or tucked away, when really, they deserve their own special place.

That’s the problem Love Letters Ketubahs set out to solve.

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A Sareh Nouri Bride for an Elegant Jewish Wedding at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, NYC, New York, USA

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Emily and Max, The Lighthouse, NYC, USA

Because we could all use some extra Jewish joy today, we’re bringing you the truly fabulous NYC Jewish wedding of Emily and Max at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers! The New York couple loves their home city, and their venue’s perfect mix of city vibe with gorgeous views, plenty of space, and full-service facilities ticked all their boxes.

Featuring a color palette of warm, summery sunset colors, a stunner of a floral chuppah, and a gorgeous laser-cut ketubah from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Ketubah.com, this wedding was really something special. Photographer Joseph Lin portrayed the day in his signature easygoing, natural style, and Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Kiss The Bride Films captured all the joy and magic of this wonderful wedding on video.

We also love all the personal details Emily and Max worked in to make their day one-of-a-kind – from luggage tag escort cards embossed with the New York City skyline and the couple’s names and wedding date to fun welcome bags stuffed with some of the duo’s local favorites.

We’ll let Emily, who looked so glam in her Sareh Nouri gown, take it from here…

 

Emily and Max, The Lighthouse, NYC, USAEmily and Max, The Lighthouse, NYC, USAEmily and Max, The Lighthouse, NYC, USAEmily and Max, The Lighthouse, NYC, USA

How We Met

Emily, the bride: I met Max on Bumble in the summer of 2020 during a brief Covid lull!

Here is our full story from our wedding website:

Emily and Max met on Bumble in the summer of 2020, a match made in pandemic heaven. Their connection was instant, despite the limitations of virtual dating. They spent hours texting, getting to know each other like old friends.

Their first date was a spontaneous adventure in Fort Greene Park, where Max showed up with a bag of beer and Emily arrived in workout clothes after crossing the Williamsburg Bridge. Despite being woefully unprepared for a first date, they hit it off immediately, chatting late into the night like they’d known each other for years.

As the pandemic intensified, they became each other’s “pod,” inseparable quarantine companions. Max quickly realized Emily had seen every episode of Law and Order (and could recite it all), and Emily shockingly found herself slowly becoming a Yankees fan.

Emily’s remote teaching gig led Max to offer his parents’ NYC apartment as her home office, a gesture that cemented their bond. They were practically living together, albeit in different boroughs, and their love grew stronger with each passing day.

Once restrictions were lifted, they embarked on international adventures, traveling to Greece and St. Lucia, renewing their shared love for exploration. They attended weddings and got to know each other’s families, their relationship blossoming in the face of new experiences.

In 2022, they took the plunge, moving into Max’s apartment together. They settled into a rhythm – Emily cooking, Max cleaning dishes, Emily baking, Max cleaning the Kitchen-aid (the pattern is clear, right?). Between hosting Halloween parties and birthday festivities for friends and family, they began to make Max’s house their home.

And then in June of 2023, amidst a summer of travel, Max popped the question in the middle of Vanderbilt’s campus in Nashville. For the first time ever, Emily was without words (but not without tears) as she joyfully accepted Max’s beautiful proposal.

They celebrated with champagne, more happy tears (mostly from Emily) and full hearts as the thrill of spending their lives together set in. While the last few months of being fiancées have flown by, Max and Emily cannot wait to celebrate their love with their closest friends and family in NYC.

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