Smashing the Glass | Jewish Wedding Blog

Inspired Jewish Weddings

A Classically Elegant Jewish Wedding Full of Personal Touches at the Langham Boston, Massachusetts, USA

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We love it when a couple puts their own stamp on their wedding – which is exactly what Lyndsay, a PharmD working in the biotech industry, and Eric, who works in finance, did! When planning their Boston Jewish wedding, the duo prioritized making the day a true reflection of their unique story, incorporating so many lovely personal touches and meaningful details.

How cute is it that Lyndsay and Eric put together a wedding newspaper they shared with their guests, incorporating stories, games, guest awards, and a guide to the Jewish wedding? They even brought Lyndsay’s maiden name, Golden, into their classic color scheme of white, black, and champagne gold. Don’t miss it all in the wonderful images from Lee Asher Photos!

And we’re obsessed with the couple’s seating chart, which consisted of an envelope for each guest with their name and table number containing a personalized letter. What a special way for Lyndsay and Eric to show their gratitude for the people in their life on the big day!

Read on for more in the bride’s own words…


How We Met

Lyndsay, the bride: An excerpt from our wedding day newspaper: As Eric likes to say, this love story began the ‘good old fashioned way’….with a swipe on JSwipe in 2022. Unknowingly, Lyndsay and Eric were essentially neighbors and only lived about a 7 minute walk from each other. Their first date was a simple coffee and tea outing in the Boston Seaport with their now shared corgi, Lulu.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

5 of Our Favorites: Spectacular NYC Jewish Weddings That Capture the Best of the City

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Ali + Andrew, Ziegfield Ballroom, New York, USA

Ali and Andrew‘s NYC Jewish Wedding at Ziegfeld Ballroom, New York, New York | Photo by Sarah Marian’s Photography

Have we got a treat for you! This week, we’re diving into the vibrant energy and timeless elegance of the Big Apple and showcasing 5 of our favorite NYC Jewish weddings. 

New York City is a place like no other, offering a perfect blend of modern style, cultural richness, and iconic venues. From chuppahs with sweeping skyline views to chic ballroom receptions in the heart of Manhattan, these weddings showcase the best of what NYC has to offer.

Each celebration is uniquely inspired by the city’s dynamic spirit, while staying true to the beauty of Jewish traditions. We’re thrilled to share these unforgettable NYC weddings with you and offer some incredible ideas for your own city celebration!

book-themed wedding at the New York Public Library

Jesse and Craig‘s NYC Jewish Wedding at the New York Public Library | Photo by Dave Robbins

Jesse and Craig’s Jewish Wedding at the New York Public Library

It doesn’t get much cooler than Jessie and Craig’s New York City nuptials. Their Jewish wedding has it all. The glamour, the style, the chic, and the unique. 

book-themed wedding at the New York Public Library

Jesse and Craig‘s NYC Jewish Wedding at the New York Public Library | Photo by Dave Robbins

And what with getting married in the iconic New York Public Library, I haven’t even begun to tell you about how well-executed their literary bookish theme is. I’m talking real-life librarians helping guests find their seats, library card catalogue escort cards, and a chuppah made entirely out of antique books! But wait, it gets better. Their chuppah was topped with hundreds of lightbulbs, so when it came to smashing the glass at the end of the ceremony, the groom picked out a light bulb from their chuppah to smash, and swiftly stamped on it. 

book-themed wedding at the New York Public Library

Jesse and Craig‘s NYC Jewish Wedding at the New York Public Library | Photo by Dave Robbins

Ali + Andrew, Ziegfield Ballroom, New York, USA

Ali and Andrew‘s NYC Jewish Wedding at the Ziegfeld Ballroom | Photo by Sarah Marian’s Photography

Ali and Andrew’s Jewish Wedding at Ziegfeld Ballroom, New York, New York

Ali and Andrew’s Jewish wedding was just SO gloriously NYC, and we are here for it! They opted to make it official at the iconic Ziegfeld Ballroom, and took advantage of the prime Midtown location for some incredible couple’s shoots on the streets of NYC and in Central Park. Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Sarah Merians Photography captured it all so perfectly!

Ali + Andrew, Ziegfield Ballroom, New York, USA

Ali and Andrew‘s NYC Jewish Wedding at Ziegfeld Ballroom, New York, New York | Photo by Sarah Marian’s Photography

We’re also obsessed with Ali and Andrew’s exquisite Art Deco-inspired chuppah, featuring florals in blue, purple, pink, and white – and we love that the pair opted to have their chuppah in the round so everyone could feel like part of the ceremony.

Ali + Andrew, Ziegfield Ballroom, New York, USA

Ali and Andrew‘s NYC Jewish Wedding at Ziegfeld Ballroom, New York, New York | Photo by Sarah Marian’s Photography

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A Magical Forest Pacific Northwest-Meets-Israel Jewish Wedding at HaGiva, Givat Brenner, Israel

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Shachaf and Josh, HaGiva in Givat Brenner, Israel

Get ready for a truly magical wedding! Pacific Northwest couple Shachaf, who works in ticketing, development, and behind the scenes at the historic Mount Baker Theatre in Bellingham, WA, and Josh, who works as an educational content editor for a Jewish non-profit, had the most incredible magical forest-inspired Jewish wedding at HaGiva in Israel.

Shachaf was a member of our Brides Club, and we’re so thrilled to hear her kind words about the group:

I don’t think I have ever felt more supported and heard than meeting with Karen during 1-on-1’s and I loved getting to know and learning from other brides who were going through the same process as me. Seeing them go through the process ahead of me gave me so much encouragement! I cannot thank Karen enough for all of her support and inspiration!

Karen also referred Shachaf and Josh to their wedding planner, Yana, owner of Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Craspedia Events. In Shacahf’s words,

Yana is one of the kindest, most hard working, intelligent, and determined people I have ever met. She works around the clock, always makes you feel as though you are the only bride on her plate. I’m very lucky to have been recommended not just a perfect wedding planner, but now a life long friend.

Yana helped Shachaf and Josh plan the PNW wedding in Israel of their dreams, with tons of whimsy and character – don’t miss all the fun details like the moss-and-mushroom centerpieces!

The couple chose Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Tzahi Shemesh to photograph their day, and they couldn’t be more thrilled with their choice. In Shachaf’s words,

It was clear that Tzahi was going to bring an amazing energy to the wedding, and he did exactly that! He brought a contagious smile and endless energy that lasted until our goodbyes at the end of the night!

Read on for all the fabulous details of this magical day in the bride’s own words…

Shachaf and Josh, HaGiva in Givat Brenner, Israel Shachaf and Josh, HaGiva in Givat Brenner, IsraelShachaf and Josh, HaGiva in Givat Brenner, Israel Shachaf and Josh, HaGiva in Givat Brenner, Israel

How We Met

Shachaf, the bride: We met at the end of 2020 when we were both in transition periods in our life. We both found ourselves temporarily under the roof of our Chabad on Campus rabbi, and we quickly became close. The rest is history!Continue ReadingContinue Reading

A Desert Bohemian Jewish Wedding with Circus Elements at Smoke Tree Stables, Palm Springs, California, USA

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We love a good theme wedding – and Rena and Alexander’s was doubly great, having not just one theme but two! While their venue, Smoke Tree Stables in Palm Springs (where the groom worked for over a decade), lent itself to a Western theme, they also opted to add in circus elements by hiring a stilt walker and face painter and setting up games like horseshoe and cornhole.

Rena and Alexander worked with Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Rabbi Leah Richman to craft a custom ketubah involving elements from her Desert Oasis Sunrise Ketubah with desert animals, such as the mule deer, big horn sheep, and California Rosy Boa snake. She also added hedgehog cactuses with blooms of deep magenta in the foreground, and in the background the San Jacinto mountains, beneath which the Smoke Tree Stables are nestled.

We love that the duo opted for an egalitarian Kabbalat Panim, where both bride and groom were surrounded by their loved ones, in separate ceremonies, to share stories and memories. Don’t miss it all in the wonderful photos by Kathleen Geiberger Art.

Now over to the bride…

Rena-and-Alexander-Smoke-Tree-Stables-Palm-Springs-California-USARena-and-Alexander-Smoke-Tree-Stables-Palm-Springs-California-USA Rena-and-Alexander-Smoke-Tree-Stables-Palm-Springs-California-USARena-and-Alexander-Smoke-Tree-Stables-Palm-Springs-California-USA

How We Met

Rena, the bride: We met on Bumble—one success story amid myriad tribulations. Alex was nervous to get on the phone, since he is often quiet when meeting someone new. However, Rena immediately put him at ease sharing stories of backpacking in places like Catalina, the Green Mountains, and her favorite pastime—finding hard-to-reach natural hot springs. For their first date, Alex drove four hours from Palm Springs—where he worked as a horse wrangler at Smoke Tree Stables—to Anaheim to meet at the Hidden House Coffee shop.

They talked for hours and decided on a second date: a moonlight hike in the Cleveland National Forest. They hiked Upper Hot Springs Canyon to Falls Trail under the full moon. Rena didn’t think to bring food, which turned out to be a good thing, as Alex had packed a charcuterie board and four types of wine since he didn’t know her preference.

From that moonlit picnic at the waterfall, Alex knew he wanted to marry Rena. From then on, he drove four hours for many more dates while Rena finished her postdoctoral position at the University of California, Irvine.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

5 of our Favorite Same-Sex Jewish Weddings

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Jewish wedding Hamptons in Amagansett, New York USA_0043

Adam and Curtis‘s DIY Gay Jewish Wedding | Photo by Libby Christensen 

Welcome back to “5 of Our Favorites,” our series where we highlight five breathtaking Jewish weddings, all centered around a unique theme. This week, we’re celebrating love with 5 of our favorite same-sex Jewish weddings.

Same-sex couples have long awaited the opportunity to celebrate their love in a way that honors both their commitment to each other and their Jewish traditions, and these weddings are a true testament to that beautiful fusion.

From intimate ceremonies to grand celebrations, each of these weddings is filled with meaningful rituals, love, and joy, showcasing how LGBTQ+ couples are weaving their own unique stories into the fabric of Jewish tradition. We’re so excited to share these incredible celebrations with you and highlight the power of love, inclusivity, and community.

Max & Zach, Crest Hollow Country Club, Woodbury, New York, USA

Max and Zach‘s Pioneering Modern Orthodox Same-Sex Wedding | Photo by David Perlman 

Max and Zach’s Pioneering Modern Orthodox Same Sex Wedding at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, New York, USA

Same-sex Orthodox weddings are still in their early years, and we love that Max and Zach – along with their officiant, Rabbi Avram Mlotek – are at the forefront. The pair worked with their rabbi to craft a ceremony that aligned with their values as Modern Orthodox Jews AND as members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Max & Zach, Crest Hollow Country Club, Woodbury, New York, USA

Max and Zach‘s Pioneering Modern Orthodox Same-Sex Wedding | Photo by David Perlman 

While much of the ceremony looked like any traditional Jewish wedding, one difference is that instead of a traditional ketubah, Max and Zach opted to use a Shtar Shutafut, a Halachic Partnership Contract, to formalize their marriage. The couple worked with Rabbi Mlotek on the text. They also exchanged rings under the chuppah, and each smashed a glass before guests danced the night away to music by Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Azamra DJ.

Max & Zach, Crest Hollow Country Club, Woodbury, New York, USA

Max and Zach‘s Pioneering Modern Orthodox Same-Sex Wedding | Photo by David Perlman 

It’s so heartwarming to see how Max and Zach were able to craft the wedding of their dreams, without having to compromise on any aspect of their identities.

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Charlotte and Ellie‘s Same-Sex Jew-ish Wedding | Photo by Dale Weeks 

Charlotte and Ellie’s Same-Sex Jew-ish Industrial Vintage Wedding at St Pancras Renaissance, London

Charlotte and Ellie wanted a dramatic and industrial meets romantic, dark florals-vibe for their big day, and they found the perfect venue in the iconic St Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London. 

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Charlotte and Ellie‘s Same-Sex Jew-ish Wedding | Photo by Dale Weeks 

We simply adore the moody aesthetic and jewel-toned theme; Charlotte and Ellie’s vintage-industrial look made their whole day so quirky and unique, but still so chic and stunning.

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Charlotte and Ellie‘s Same-Sex Jew-ish Wedding | Photo by Dale Weeks 

The attention to detail from artistic bride Ellie was simply phenomenal. Each item was carefully and lovingly picked with the theme in mind: the home-designed invitations, the rust-coloured chairs, the Victoriana table decorations and whole flower stems strewn down the aisle. The style extended to the brides’ outfits, which were simply beautiful and perfectly in keeping with the tone and theme of the wedding.

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