Smashing the Glass | Jewish Wedding Blog

Inspired Jewish Weddings

A Yolan Cris Bride for a Dreamy Outdoor Destination Jewish Wedding at Givat Brenner in Rechovot, Israel

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Where to begin with today’s positively divine Jewish wedding? This one is chock full of clever ideas and sweet traditions — and did we mention that the couple are basically models? Oh, and the venue’s not bad looking either! Eye candy all around today!

Robyn, an area manager and one half of @tworealfoodies, and Josh, a property surveyor, live in Manchester but had their hearts set on an Israeli wedding with a fairy tale garden vibe, and that’s exactly what they got at Givat Brenner. Take one look at Ronen Boidek’s breathtaking photos and we think you’ll agree.

Beautiful Robyn, who looked just like a fairy tale princess in her lace gown from Yolan Cris, is lucky enough to have grown up with some of the best Jewish wedding musicians around: Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor The Portnoy Brothers, who specialize in performing at chuppahs. Naturally, they sang at Robyn and Josh’s — and their father, who happens to be a rabbi, married the couple!

Speaking of keeping it in the family, Robyn’s family has the most beautiful chuppah tradition: when her parents got married, her mum handmade a canopy from her own mother’s wedding dress. Afterward, the couple embroidered their initials on it. From then on, the canopy was passed from relative to relative, with new initials added each time it was used. Robyn’s and Josh’s are the latest additions. Wouldn’t this be a wonderful tradition to start?

We haven’t even gotten to the sweet “message in a bottle” favors/place cards Robyn handwrote (and stuffed!) for every single guest, but we’ll let her tell you more about that — along with all the rest of the details of this dreamy day…

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Destination Jewish Wedding Givat Brenner in Rechovot, Israel_0115

Destination Jewish Wedding Givat Brenner in Rechovot, Israel_0116

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How we met

Robyn, the bride: We met when we were 12 years old at Habonim summer camp. We went to summer camp every year together until we were 16, when we went to Israel on tour for a month. Those were definitely some of the best summers, with friendships and memories that last a lifetime. We stayed close but didn’t become “official” until after we finished University in Nottingham in 2012 and have been together ever since.

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Bringing Spirituality into Your Jewish Wedding and Your Home with Micaela Ezra of AHYIN

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Photography; Sasha Israel | @sashaisrael

As brides, we spend so much time thinking about the aesthetics and logistics of our big days, sometimes it’s easy to overlook the spiritual element of your Jewish (or Jew-ish) wedding – and of the home you’re building together. 

That’s why I’m so thrilled to be talking today to Micaela Ezra, the powerhouse designer behind AHYIN, a jawdroppingly gorgeous line of contemporary Judaica that we on Team STG are absolutely in love with. Micaela’s designs – she’s best known for her stunning challah covers, which bring together traditional Jewish symbolism and the embroidery traditions of the craftswomen of Hilando Mexico, a collective whose members hand-embroider each and every AHYIN piece.

Meant to start conversation around the Friday night dinner table, Micaela’s designs reflect her belief in the relevance of Jewish ritual to our contemporary lives, and equally in the fusion of spirituality and beauty.

Micaela’s wedding — Photography: Joe Buissink | @joebuissink

AHYIN’s pieces are intended to be handed down through the generations as heirlooms, and what a beautiful symbol of the beginning of your life together as a family. Even for those of us who are not exactly at the beginning of our lives together – I know I’m adding a few of these beauties to my own wishlist!

What makes Micaela so inspiring is that she really embodies her commitment to tradition and modernity, ritual and aesthetic, not only in her work but also in her life – as she detailed when talking to us about everything from her journey from fashion design to Judaica to how she incorporated spirituality into her own wedding. There’s so much more I could say about this fantastic lady and her art, but I’ll let you read it in her own words.

Photography; Sasha Israel | @sashaisrael

Photography; Sasha Israel | @sashaisrael

Photography; Sasha Israel | @sashaisrael

Photography; Sasha Israel | @sashaisrael

STG: What inspired you to create AHYIN?

Micaela Ezra: Actually a childhood friend from Australia asked me to design her a challah cover in the traditional Mexican Otami embroidery style (I am a designer and artist). The request prompted a creative journey into an industry I had never even considered. I serendipitously came across a community of talented artisans in Mexico and suddenly I realised that this work was the meeting point of so many life passions for me – textile design, Jewish spirituality and social change philanthropy.

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Be Inspired! Join Caroline Castigliano at their Exclusive Inspiration Evening

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Caroline-Castigliano
Here at Smashing The Glass, we always say that sampling, researching and asking questions relating to any element of your wedding (especially your dress) is so important. So when  Caroline Castigliano told us they were hosting an event that gives brides the chance to do just that, we couldn’t wait to tell you all about it!

The amazing Caroline Castigliano is inviting all STG readers to a exclusive and intimate evening to preview their stunning latest collection on Thursday 28th  June (18:00 to 21:00).

This is the perfect opportunity to sample the collection, meet the designer herself and ask any questions you might have about any of her out-of-this-world-beautiful dresses. 

Caroline-Castigliano
Plus Caroline will be joined by some of the wedding industry’s most talented vendors who will be on hand to answer all your questions too! From make-up to jewellery, to wedding planning and flowers  – you’ll have the chance to ask all your burning questions and get them answered by the experts. Continue ReadingContinue Reading

A Jenny Packham Bride for an Ultra-Romantic Destination Jewish Wedding at the Great Synagogue and Villa Aurelia, Rome, Italy

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Destination Jewish Wedding Synagogue + Villa Aurelia Rome Italy
Where do you go for an uber-romantic Jewish destination wedding when you already live in the City of Love? Paris-based couple Prescilla and Nathanael opted for Rome, with their ceremony held in the bastion of old-fashioned elegance that is the  breathtaking Great Synagogue of Rome and their reception at the magnificent Villa Aurelia. We are positively swooning over their fairy tale-perfect day.

With mega-luxe florals in a soft, classic color scheme of white and pink and hundreds of candles hanging from trees on the grounds of the villa, the visuals of this wedding could not have been dreamier — check out photographer Framelines’ epic shot of the couple under a canopy of trees, lit only by the candles (at the very end of this post). Is that just the loveliest, or what?

The couple, who are both doctors, can’t say enough in praise of their wedding planner, Elisa, from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Le Ràªve.

Elisa was recommended to Prescilla by a friend in Paris, and when the couple first met with her it was, as the bride says, “love at first sight.” Elisa connected the pair with their many fantastic vendors, and she helped them achieve the romantic look they were going for — and if you take a peek at the photos, and videographer Inesse’s beautiful capture of the day, we think you’ll agree she knocked it out of the ballpark.

Now over to Prescilla, whose vintage-esque Jenny Packham dress blended old-world elegance with modern chic ever so exquisitely…

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A Wedding in Rome

Prescilla, the bride: We got married in Rome, with a religious ceremony in the main synagogue and a great party in the magnificent Villa Aurelia.

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2018/19 Real Blogging Brides: Introducing Gaby + David: How They Met To The Present Day…

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Today on the blog we’re introducing our 8th gorgeous bride from our crop of 2018 and 2019 Real Jewish Brides! Please give a warm welcome to Gaby who will be marrying David on 26th May 2019 at Trinity Buoy Wharf, London, UK.

THREE FACTS: (1) Gaby and David met at work at an advertising agency in London (2) Gaby is Jewish and David is Christian, and they are planning an inclusive ceremony and party that will embrace both of their cultures (3) They are planning an urban luxe wedding in a converted London lighthouse – we LOVE the sound of this!


How We Met

David and I met at work, at an advertising agency in London. We knew each other for roughly 18 months before anything happened between us, in fact, we were both in different relationships when we met and truth be told, we weren’t each other’s biggest fans!

Overtime we became friendlier and after both our respective relationships ended, we naturally grew closer. It was only when David handed in his notice he took me on our first date. We kept our relationship because we wanted to develop as a couple without office gossip getting in the way. However, during his leaving drinks, David drunkenly declared his love for me, standing on top of a table at the bar. Needless to say, the reaction was a mix of shock and “everyone already knew” so needless to say, we had nothing to worry about! Everyone was very supportive and happy for us.

Due to the nature of our work, David and I we were used to be wined and dined by clients and were lucky enough to often be taken to beautiful restaurants. When we officially started dating, we just wanted to keep things simple. He didn’t need to impress me and I didn’t need to impress him, we had already established a long standing friendship so the need to wine and dine wasn’t necessary.

After living in South London together for the past year, we have just bought our first home in Mill Hill and can’t wait to move in this June!

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