Smashing the Glass | Jewish Wedding Blog

Inspired Jewish Weddings

A Summery Jewish Wedding with Lots of DIY Touches at South Hampstead Shul, London, UK

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Eloise and Eytan, South Hampstead Shul, London, UK

We love it when a couple brings their personalities to their Jewish wedding – which is exactly what Londoners Eloise and Eytan did! Both arts and crafts fans, the pair opted to design all of the wedding stationery themselves, from the invitations and seating chart to thank you cards and place names.

The couple’s photographer, Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Kate Swerdlow Photography, “captured every moment in just the right way and made us feel comfortable from the beginning of the process which started with our engagement shoot and gave us constant updates whilst editing our photos.”

We also love that Eloise and Eytan chose Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Noa Davies, a mega-talented harpist, to play at their wedding – first accompanying their band Neshama, and then as a duet with violinist Miriam Kramer during the reception.

Read on for all the other details of this very special day – including a live wedding painter and an adorable wedding post box decorated by the bride and groom!

Eloise and Eytan, South Hampstead Shul, London, UKEloise and Eytan, South Hampstead Shul, London, UK Eloise and Eytan, South Hampstead Shul, London, UK Eloise and Eytan, South Hampstead Shul, London, UK
How We Met

Eloise, the bride: We met on the Taglit trip Birthright in Israel on the coach from the airport to our first hotel. There were over 40 of us on the trip and somehow we found ourselves sat across the aisle from one another.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

An Eisen Stein Bride for a Jewish Wedding with Italian Vibes at Idit Winery, Israel

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We are absolutely in love with the gorgeous Jewish wedding of Melissa, who works in social media, and Lavy, a data scientist. Their outdoor celebration at Israel’s Idit Winery drew inspiration from Sorrento, Italy, with lots of blues and yellows, and naturally tons of lemons!

This wedding was so full of special touches – from the “shop” Melissa and Lavy set up, full of fun items for their guests like sweets and personalized t-shirts, and an emotional first look  under the chuppah. The couple’s photographer, Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Jossef Si, captured everything exquisitely. In Melissa’s words,

What I liked about his photography was that his photos felt really romantic but with an artistic edge. I loved the colors of the photos and how they were edited, as well as the range of compositions he used. And about Jossef – he was an absolute pleasure and so calming to be around which is exactly what we needed! As well as that, his pictures say it all. Just gorgeous.

Read on for more from the bride – who looked so chic in her gown from Israeli designer Eisen Stein…


How We Met

Melissa, the bride: We met on Tinder and our first date was in Independence Park in Tel Aviv.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

A Rita Vinieris Bride for an Indoor-Outdoor Jewish Wedding with an Heirloom Chuppah at Crossed Keys Estate, New Jersey, USA

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Today’s Jewish wedding features one special chuppah! Talia and Benjamin chose to wed at Crossed Keys Estate in New Jersey, where they were able to have the indoor/outdoor day of their dreams – including a stunning garden spot for their chuppah.

We absolutely love the fact that Talia’s parents created their chuppah as a new family heirloom, with the inside featuring a family tree that gets added to at each wedding. Since Talia has three siblings, each of the four sides of the chuppah belongs to one of them – and as each sibling gets married, along with their partner they add a quote to their side of the chuppah.

Talia and Benjamin chose Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Alex Knight for photography and videography – when they met Alex, they knew he was someone they’d enjoy spending time with on their big day, and the results absolutely speak for themselves.

Read on for all the gorgeous images – plus the full story of the special day in Talia’s own words…

 

 

 

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How we Met

Talia, the bride: We met in high school choir and have been together since then! We dated for 10 years – among them 5.5 yrs of long distance!

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A Summery, Rustic Same-Sex Jewish Wedding on the River Thames at Trinity Buoy Wharf, London, UK

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Londoners Joshua, a journalist, and Lewis, a financial controller, love their city – and when it came time to plan their Jewish wedding, they wanted to show it off in all its splendor to their out-of-town guests.

Trinity Buoy Wharf, a rustic venue with exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and plenty of history, located right on the River Thames, hit all the right notes for the couple’s relaxed, rustic big day. The grooms’ silver birch chuppah, adorned with sunflowers, white delphiniums, and mixed grasses, was pure perfection, and we love that when Joshua and Lewis smashed the glass together, they used the moment to honor other LGBTQ+ couples around the world who can’t celebrate their love as freely.

When it came to entertainment, the pair chose a seven-piece DJ live band from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor The White Keys. In the grooms’ words, “The band was incredibly interactive, filling the dance floor throughout the night. The saxophonist and electric violinist often engaged with guests on the dance floor, adding to the lively atmosphere. We couldn’t recommend The White Keys enough for their energy and ability to keep everyone dancing all night.”

Scott Garfitt, an editorial photographer best known for his work capturing images of celebrities like Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Lady Gaga, photographed the day in all its glory – you can really feel the love and emotion coming out of each and every shot.

Now over to the grooms…

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A London Wedding 

Joshua and Lewis, the grooms: We got married at Trinity Buoy Wharf, London. With many guests coming from abroad, we wanted a venue that felt quintessentially London, and its location on the River Thames made it perfect. The venue’s rustic charm, featuring exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and numerous historic elements, matched the vibe we were aiming for. It felt spacious and airy, with beautiful spots for guests to take photographs and explore.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Destination Jewish Wedding in Greece

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Photo by Zuzanna Panaretou

If you’re dreaming of holding your Jewish wedding in an ultra-romantic locale packed with beautiful scenery, vibrant local culture, and delicious food, Greece might well be on your destination shortlist. And with good reason – from glittering blue water and sandy beaches to majestic ancient ruins to rich Jewish heritage, Greece is an incredible destination. 

As with any international destination wedding – especially one in a country where you may not speak the language – planning can be a little overwhelming. But we sat down with the team from Sirtaki Events, founded by Israeli couple Anat and Yonathan – who loved their own destination wedding in Greece so much they moved to sunny Chalkida to help other couples make the day of their dreams come true!

Photo by Orestis Zoumpos Photography

As Jewish event planners, Anat and Yonathan have a deep understanding of Jewish wedding traditions, and their entire team is knowledgeable about the customs and nuances of Jewish weddings. They handle everything from arranging a rabbi to kosher-certified (or kosher-style) catering, managing the legal aspects of the day to arranging walkable accommodations for guests who observe Shabbat. They’re all about making the planning process as smooth and stress-free as possible for their couples – and they’ve shared some great nuggets of wisdom with us, so do read on!

Photo by Bendosa Photography

Choosing the Perfect Venue for Your Jewish Wedding in Greece

Greece is chock full of breathtaking locations, and there’s no end to the options when it comes to choosing a venue. That said, Sirtaki’s top picks for a Jewish wedding are Athens, Rhodes, and Evia Island. These cities are not only picturesque but also have a strong Jewish presence with access to suppliers who can provide all the services you need for the perfect Jewish wedding day. Ionanina and Thessaloniki are also home to historical synagogues that make an unforgettable setting for your chuppah. 

Photo by Bendosa Photography

Alternatively, you can choose to wed outdoors under a stunning traditional chuppah, framed by the stunning backdrop of the Greek island of your choice!

Photo by Girogos Papacharalampous from Or and Paul‘s Irish-Israeli Jewish Wedding 

Timing It Right

When planning a Jewish destination wedding in Greece, Sirtaki Events tells us, it’s crucial to get your timing right. You may be drawn to Greece for its warm, sunny climate – the country does boast 250 sunny days a year – but keep in mind that the summers are really very hot, with temperatures beginning to rise toward the end of May. 

If you do want to get married in summer, do like the Greeks and hold your ceremony later in the day to avoid the sweltering midday sun – the average Greek wedding starts after 7:00 PM. 

Photo by Girogos Papacharalampous from Or and Paul‘s Irish-Israeli Jewish Wedding 

Alternatively, consider planning your wedding for off season – you can save big, and there’s a great chance you’ll still be able to enjoy the glorious weather Greece is known for. If you go this route, though, Sirtaki emphasizes that it’s crucial to do your research –  or lean on your wedding planner – to ensure your venue is available and accessible at your chosen time of year. 

One more great tip from Sirtaki, regardless of the time of year you choose: make sure to find out in advance where and when the sun sets on your big day so you won’t miss out on the photos you’re dreaming of, whether that’s a sunset chuppah or radiant couple’s portraits. 

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