Smashing the Glass | Jewish Wedding Blog

Inspired Jewish Weddings

Real Jewish Brides – Amanda: Top Tips For Bridesmaid Dress Shopping

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Amanda will be marrying Adam on 25th March 2018 in a Jewish wedding at Braxted Park, UK.

THREE FACTS: (1) Amanda & Adam met outside in a bar in Tel Aviv (2) Adam has a ridiculous sense of humor (as described by Amanda!) and we love him all the more for it (3) Amanda & Adam’s wedding is 100% focused on all the people and things that mean the most to them. You can click here to read all Amanda’s planning posts to date.


Shopping with my Bridesmaids

In my opinion, there’s no better feeling than coming home from a shopping trip with a new dress… or three. There’s something about the smug sense of achievement that comes with a successful shopping trip, made even better if you had no intention of buying anything. For me, wedding dress shopping was the epitome of this feeling. I had never expected to find something and so, with no pressure at all to buy ‘the dress’,  I managed to come away with something I absolutely loved. It was the dream scenario (but without the drama of Say Yes To The Dress). 

But with wedding dress shopping, there’s one dress, one person and one opinion. It’s about finding something you love and are comfortable in, and can imagine yourself getting married in. It is not about finding dresses for four separate individuals, each with their own personality and style. It also tends to be less rushed, because it’s one of the first things brides-to-be will do! 

Bridesmaid dresses

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A Cute and Quirky Creative Industrial Chic Romantic Floral Jew-ish Wedding at Hotel Ocho, Toronto, Canada

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Jewish wedding Hotel Ocho Toronto Canada
Get ready for goosebumps, because this quirky and creative Jew-ish real wedding is soooo beautiful that we actively scouted it, after bride, Laura, tagged this image on her Instagram with the hashtag #jewishwedding !

When two creatives come together (Steve is an online editor for a local city magazine, while Laura works as a copy editor and page designer for a local newspaper), the result is an unstoppable force of originality, expression and amazing attention to detail. 

The industrial-chic vibe of Toronto boutique hotel, Hotel Ocho, was juxtaposed with a romantic, floral theme that saw fluffy, pink peonies take pride of place in wildflower-feel arrangements. The stunning chuppah, which was built as a team effort by the couple’s family, was sprawling with beautiful silk blooms. 

Everything about this bright and bold big day popped with color, from the bridesmaids’ and groomswomens’ dresses, to the bride’s breathtaking crimson lip and red hair combo. Laura looked every bit the Hollywood glamazon in her champagne-colored Allure Bridals ballgown. 

The wedding was peppered with personalized details, including illustrated invitations and simply the cutest cake topper! The whole thing came together in a pretty Pinterest-perfect palette. Speaking of which, you know what to do!

Every last detail, including some super romantic kissing in the rain, was captured by photographer Daniel Clements and, of course, writer Laura provided the most articulate and wonderful account of the couple’s big day. Enjoy, and don’t forget to leave some love in the comments.

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Jewish wedding Hotel Ocho Toronto Canada

Jewish wedding Hotel Ocho Toronto Canada

Jewish wedding Hotel Ocho Toronto Canada

Jewish wedding Hotel Ocho Toronto Canada

How we met

Laura, the bride: We met about six or seven years ago when we were both working for a news website called Torontoist – we both worked from home as freelancers, but we first met in person during a bar night at a journalism event. I was seeing someone else at the time, but Steve asked me out almost as soon as he heard I was single.

The first time he kissed me was after a date at a Doctor Who-themed improv show at the Comedy Bar, and we still have the postcard from that comedy show up on our fridge.
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An Avital Saporta Bride for a Summer-Themed Galilee Jewish Secular Wedding at Halomot Naftali Hotel, Sde Eliezer, Israel

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Jewish wedding Halomot Naftali Hotel Sde Eliezer Israel_0084
Happy Friday! We’re taking a trip to the sensational, swooping landscape of the gorgeous Galilee region of Israel to celebrate the secular Jewish wedding ceremony of Liron and Shlomi.

Renowned for its stunning views and ruggedly handsome visage (that really is the only way to describe it) the north of Israel is the perfect backdrop for a summer celebration, and Liron and Shlomi decided, wisely, to make a full weekend of it, and to make good use of the hotel’s pool. We definitely don’t blame them!

With a bright, summery color scheme of whites, yellows and purples, the gorgeous day was full of everything we adore about Israeli weddings. 

Bride Liron looked incredible in her lacey, light and Avital Saporta gown, showcasing once again why we’re such big fans of Israeli designers and their bold, sexy and flattering looks. 

The emotions and details of the day were captured by photographer, Lior Rotstein, and we’ll pass you over to bride, Liron for all of the behind-the-scenes info on how the wedding came together. 

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Jewish wedding Halomot Naftali Hotel Sde Eliezer Israel_0084

Jewish wedding Halomot Naftali Hotel Sde Eliezer Israel_0084

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Jewish wedding Halomot Naftali Hotel Sde Eliezer Israel_0034
How we met

Liron, the bride: We are both industrial engineers. We met at university while studying for our first degrees. We have been together for seven years.

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5 Minutes with… Ron Ben Israel – One Of The Best Wedding Cake Designers in the World

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Ron Ben Israel Wedding Cakes
Today is beyond exciting for the team here at Smashing The Glass, as not only are we kicking off our exciting new “Five Minutes with…” series where the Jewish wedding industry’s top movers and shakers answer quick-fire questions, but we’re starting the series with a BANG (which is the understatement of the year!).

First up in our STG hot seat is none other than the Ron Ben Israel, arguably the finest wedding and special occasion cake designer in the world.

Not only is he the chief-owner of Ron Ben-Israel Cakes in New York City, but from 2011 – 2013, he also hosted the cooking competition TV show Sweet Genius, and he is currently a judge on Food Network’s Cake Wars.

Ron was born in Israel, before making the Big Apple his home. Having changed paths after a fifteen-year professional modern dance career (uh… is there anything he can’t do?), he was led to the Big Apple, where, in 1996, his cakes were discovered while on display in the windows of Mikimoto on Fifth Avenue and commissions quickly followed from Villeroy & Boch, Baccarat, DeBeers, Bloomingdales and Bergdorf Goodman.


In addition to his cakes gracing many of New York City’s most fabulous hotels and venues, they have also have been featured in The New York Times, In Style, Vogue Magazine and Martha Stewart Weddings, with which Ron has collaborated extensively for over 20 years.

Oh, and his epic successes have been chronicled on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Top Chef, Just Desserts, The Late Show with David Letterman and The Martha Stewart Show.

We could talk all day about Ron’s incredible career, but we’re quite sure at this point that you’d rather hear from him! All we’ll say is we are extremely fortunate and honored to host Ron on the STG pages, we’re in LOVE with his epic, sugar-paste flower adorned designs (get your fingers on that Pinning button, guys) and we’re very sure you’ll all enjoy reading his quick-fire interview as much as we did!

Ron-Ben-Israel 

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A Vivienne Westwood Bride for a Super Luxe Jewish Wedding featuring Jack Savoretti, at Four Seasons Hampshire, UK

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Oh MY! Jessica and Philip! Where to start?

Their classically elegant and super luxe (and, might we add, dog-friendly) Jewish wedding was hosted at Four Seasons Hampshire, and was planned with expert precision by Just Seventy.

Jessica and Philip’s beautiful outdoor Jewish ceremony was adorned with epic floral arrangements, provided by renowned florist, Paula Rooney. Guests were cushioned in a sea of incredible blooms, leading to the absolutely breathtaking chuppah, which looked like an explosion of floral fireworks, framing the gorgeous couple.

Speaking of the gorgeous couple, could the pair of them have looked any more divine? Jessica in her spectacular couture Vivienne Westwood gown, inspired by Carrie Bradshaw’s divine Sex and the City dress, while groom Philip wore a slick Dolce & Gabbana suit. 

The entertainment included the Jack Savoretti, and talented bride, Jessica, graced her guests with a few numbers! 

Not one, but two of our much-loved Recommended Vendors helped to make this wedding extra special. The caterer on everyone’s lips (literally and figuratively), Food Story, and exceptional videographer, Imaginarium Cinematography, who provided the fantastic cinematic trailer below.

Such a luxurious and dreamy day is difficult to do justice in images, but famed photographer, Robert Shack, created a sensational set of natural lifestyle-look pictures that are an absolute delight to look through.

It’s now Jessica’s turn to take center stage once more to tell us the story of how her and Philip’s dream day came together.

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Jewish wedding Four Seasons Hampshire, UK_0011

Jewish wedding Four Seasons Hampshire, UK_0011
How we met

Jessica, the bride: Philip took my sister on Jewish summer camp nine years ago, and she thought we would be a great match and told me all about him. I wasn’t sure at first, but when we bumped into each other on my first night of university, I knew there was something about him, and eight years later, the rest is history.
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