Smashing the Glass | Jewish Wedding Blog

Inspired Jewish Weddings

A Winnie Couture Bride for a Summer Jewish Wedding Where Old Hollywood Meets the Mediterranean at Bel Air Bay Club, California, USA

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Have we got a gorgeous Jewish wedding for you today! The Mediterranean meets Old Hollywood in Sophe and Alex’s big day at Bel Air Bay Club, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and we are here for it. Every detail of their summer celebration reflected elegance and sunshine—from the light, summery color palette to the joyful florals in shades of pink, yellow, and orange.

Tragically, Sophe lost her beloved father seven years prior to the wedding, and including him in the day was a top priority. Sophe’s 95-year-old paternal grandfather walked her down the aisle, did a grandfather-granddaughter dance, and made a toast where he handed over Sophe’s dad’s hat to Alex – how special is that?

Jordan Elizabeth Photography and Loufas Films captured every moment of the day so beautifully, and we’re in love with Sophe and Alex’s gorgeous personalized ketubah from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Rabbi Leah Richman of Ketubahs and More, featuring the most exquisite blue Mediterranean tiling design.

Read on for all the details in Sophe’s own words!

 

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How We Met

Sophe, the bride: Our story begins in August 2016 as young 23 year olds trying to figure out the real world. Only two weeks after moving to Los Angeles to do Teach For America, Sophe’s school did an overnight retreat for the teachers in Malibu and at the end of the night she decided to go on Bumble to see if she came across any celebs or cute surfers. Even better, she came across a handsome Greek man and Sophe immediately recognized him from their alma mater Chapman University (and swiped right).

Fortunately for Sophe, Alex was living in Calabasas (right over the hill from Malibu) so she was in his geographical range because Alex refused to drive more than 5 miles in LA traffic. The joke was on him as Sophe actually lived in West LA and was a 1.5 hour drive after work (aka we were long distance dating in LA).

Soon text conversation turned into a first date where Sophe and Alex got kicked out of the sushi restaurant because they stayed so long. From then on, Sophe and Alex became inseparable. A few months into dating they decided to add each other on social media, only to find out that they were already Facebook friends. Turns out they became Facebook friends in 2011, as college freshmen, and Alex even wrote “Happy birthday :)” on Sophe’s wall for her birthday in 2012. The jury is still out on if they ever did talk at some college party or if Alex always had his eye on Sophe. Continue ReadingContinue Reading

A Pronovias Bride for a Jewish Wedding with an Unforgettable Chuppah at Ahuza Beit Hanan, Israel

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London couple Olivia, a perfumer, and Sam, a software engineer, always knew they wanted to hold their Jewish wedding in Israel. When the war broke out shortly before their original wedding date of October 24, 2023, a lot of people encouraged them to rethink their plans – but the couple stuck it out, and, with the help of their wedding planner, Victoria Rosen Events (who they found right here on STG!), were able to hold their dream wedding in their favorite place – albeit 8 months later than originally planned.

Olivia and Sam dreamed of getting married surrounded by nature, and Ahuza Beit Hanan was the perfect spot. The duo fell in love with the venue’s chuppah – covered in grapevines and big enough to fit the crowd of 27 who gathered under it! – and opted to embellish it with delicate hanging crystals with roses attached and sheets of white fabric which blew delicately in the wind.

When it came time to choose a photographer, only one person would do:

the absolutely incredible Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Ronen Boidek. Ronen not only brings his professionalism but also his warmth and joy to every occasion. He is known for his artistic shots but also for his amazing candids that make you feel like you’re really back in the moment. His style is sharp and clean but completely authentic at the same time.

Olivia and Sam couldn’t be any more glad they forged ahead with their wedding in Israel, despite all the uncertainty. In Olivia’s words, “Being in Israel and having our wedding there will always be the best decision we ever made.” We’ll let her fill you in on the rest!

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How We Met

Olivia, the bride: We met at secondary school in English class, and after a few years of close friendship we developed feelings for each other and started dating! After 8 years together, Sam surprised me on the beach in Tobago with my whole family there and proposed… definitely worth the wait! Continue ReadingContinue Reading

A Saint Bridal Bride for a Romantically Rustic Outdoor Jewish Wedding Weekend at Jardines De Alfabia, Mallorca, Spain

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Get ready for a truly fabulous Jewish wedding! UK couple Katie, a yoga teacher, and Tom, who works in recruitment, held their big day at Mallorca’s beautiful Jardines De Alfabia, and it was positively overflowing with Spanish charm, vibrant colors, and, above all, tons of Jewish joy.

The couple worked with their planner, Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Elegante by Michelle J, to plan an unforgettable wedding weekend in Mallorca with their nearest and dearest, including a Friday night welcome party and a day of lounging by the pool Saturday prior to the main event. In Katie’s words, Michelle was “absolutely amazing – none of it would have been possible without her.”

We’re obsessed with the stunning floral chuppah, Katie’s gorgeous boho lace dress by Saint Bridal, and the duo’s wonderful wedding stationery, featuring an illustration of the venue (complete with the couple’s dog on the steps) by Anna Jayne Designs, and designed and printed by Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Bigday Designs. 

Photographer Violeta Minnick and videographer Soul Weddings captured the day so beautifully – read on for all the details in Katie’s own words…


How We Met

Katie, the bride: we met on a dating app during lockdown! Our first date was a walk round a lake.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

A Maison Signore Bride for a Colorful Jewish Wedding Focused on Fun at Claridge’s, London, UK

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Rebecca and Peter, Claridges, London, UK

When Rebecca and Peter set out to plan their London Jewish wedding, they knew they wanted their day to be fun. And was it ever!

Focused around the idea of a big party at Claridge’s with all their friends and family, Rebecca and Peter opted for a vibrant color scheme of hot pink and orange, a chuppah overflowing with bright blooms, and spectacular giant paper flowers as décor.

In the bride’s words,

The centerpiece of the wedding was our amazing band, Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Sensation Band, and a custom black and white dance floor – we knew we wanted our guests dancing all night. Sensation Band gave us a fantastic party, with DJ Benny from midnight to 1am for the afterparty. Sensation Band also led a phenomenal Israeli dancing set.

Instead of a formal seated dinner, Rebecca and Peter opted to keep things casual, starting with cocktails, canapes, and a champagne trolley, followed by a taco and tequila station, passed bowls, and sushi trolleys.

The couple’s photographer, Blake Ezra, captured all the emotion and fun of the day so beautifully – keep scrolling for some serious eye candy, plus more fab details in the bride’s own words…

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How We Met

Rebecca, the bride: We met on JSwipe back in 2016! Peter, a New Yorker, was working as a journalist in London for two years. We actually met three times, the first two never quite working with timings, but the last time we dated for five months before Peter moved back to NYC. After two years of long distance, Rebecca, a British diplomat, got posted to New York for work, while Peter started law school, and is now a practicing lawyer in NY.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

A Martina Liana Bride for a Jewish Wedding at Caesar Yam, Caesarea, Israel

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Sydney and Jared, Caesar Yam, Caesarea, Israel

There’s no place like Israel. And Toronto couple Sydney, a teacher at a Hebrew day school, and Jared, who works in banking, knew from the start it was the only place that would do for their Jewish wedding post-October 7.

Caesar Yam in Caesarea, located right off the beach, was the most magnificent spot for the festivities – and it doesn’t hurt that Israel is the place where the pair started dating! With the most gorgeous floral chuppah, dreamy ocean views, and a beautiful ketubah from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor ketubah.com gifted by the groom’s parents, this was one incredibly special day.

Sydney and Jared chose Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Herschel Gutman to photograph their big day, and they couldn’t be any more thrilled with their decision. In Sydney’s words,

Herschel is one of the warmest and most fun photographers to work with. We felt we could completely be ourselves and just go with anything he was telling us to do. He got our vision quickly and just knew what to do without having to say. What was also so nice and our guests really appreciated was the fact that they captured us but also everyone at the wedding. He captured our wedding perfectly, we wish he lived in Toronto so we could have him at future events!

Read on for the full story in the bride’s own words… 

Sydney and Jared, Caesar Yam, Caesarea, Israel Sydney and Jared, Caesar Yam, Caesarea, Israel Sydney and Jared, Caesar Yam, Caesarea, IsraelSydney and Jared, Caesar Yam, Caesarea, Israel
How We Met

Sydney, the bride: 11 years ago we met at high school, where we become friends. We then went on a summer trip through NCSY, called TJJ where we get to tour Israel from top to bottom for a month. That trip is where we everything started for us.Continue ReadingContinue Reading