Smashing the Glass | Jewish Wedding Blog

Inspired Jewish Weddings

Naama & Ezri | Urban Jewish wedding in a bar, at Jem’s Beer Factory, Tel Aviv, Israel

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When this first picture (above) of Naama and Ezri  landed in my inbox, I knew that this would be a brilliant  wedding to blog on Smashing The Glass.

First off, I have a soft spot for any kind of unusual Jewish wedding venue, and their choice is certainly  different: a beer factory (yes beer factory!) with the most gorgeous decor and an intimate, homely feel.

Second of all, will you just look at those two?! One of the best things about this job is how uplifting it is to look at images of people in love, and I think it’s fair to say that Naama and Ezri are truly, madly, deeply in love. Their deep affection  for each other literally radiates from every one of the fashion magazine-worthy images by  Simsisters.

Naama and Ezri  two are  free-spirited souls who incorporated all sorts of personal touches into their big  day, and it must be said that this is also  the first W-Day  I’ve ever blogged that includes a ‘spoken word’ session!

Let me  hand you over to Naama, to tell you all about her and Ezri’s story…  Have a great weekend everyone!

Beer Factory wedding
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Susie & Jon | ‘upcycled chic’ Garden Party Jewish wedding at Micklefield Hall, Hertfordshire, UK

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Today’s Jewish wedding will be in my top 10 faves of 2015, I can guarantee it now. It’s the ridiculously gorgeous wedding of Susie and Jon and I have literally struggled to keep my chin off the floor whilst putting this post together as their wedding exudes so much creativity, personality and style. From the incredible home-made decor to the wedding cake lovingly made by Susie’s sister to reflect the couple’s personalities, it’s clear that everything was a labour of love for this gorgeous couple and their wonderful friends and family.

I love that Susie and Jon tried to involve as many people as they could in their day and gave everyone some sort of role, whether it was a speech or an usher duty, ring holder, gift collector, or polaroid photographer at the escort card stand ( yes, the couple had the brilliant idea of asking guests to swap their escort cards with polaroid photos of themselves to create a terrific memento of their day).

Susie is spot-on when she says, “By giving someone a task, role or responsibility it allows them to feel part of your special day which will make it even more enjoyable for all.  No task is too big to fulfil for the bride and groom.”

As you can tell by now, I adore pretty much EVERYTHING about this wonderful ‘I do’ all the way from the all-cheering-all-whistling-all-singing-all-dancing chuppah ceremony  through to the epic entertainment by Sensation Band (thank you Richard from Sensation for alerting me to this wedding in the first place!). And you need to check out the champagne bottle centre pieces filled with dripping candles. These were bottles brought to Susie and Jon on the day that Jon proposed (2.5 years earlier). Such a lovely idea.

And I haven’t even mentioned Susie’s personalised pre-wedding onesie or her stunning Rue De Seine dress, which somehow manages to be both sexy and oh so bridal.

Amy Shore has captured each and every moment and detail to sheer perfection – her pictures have a nostalgic and dreamy quality to them, yet still manage to be stylish and contemporary. Susie and Jon’s wedding is definitely one to be bookmarked so you can enjoy swooning over it time and time again. I know I will be!

Micklefield Hall wedding
how we met

Susie, the Bride: Jon and I were told about one another running the marathon and so we thought it would be a good idea to become running partners.  We ran 3-4 times a week, for 10 months, 2 hours at a time without music and simply enjoyed each others company getting to know one another.  A month before the marathon the romance began and Jon asked me to marry him five years later. In case you are wondering, I beat him by 30 minutes!

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“My best Jewish wedding photo” by Iain Gomes

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A new weekly Sunday series where  I ask some of the world’s best wedding photographers to pick out their favourite shot from their Jewish wedding portfolio. This week it’s the turn of Iain Gomes from Gomes Photography.

Iain-Gomes

‘Sax & The Couple’ by Iain Gomes

I’ve wanted to do a shot with a bride and groom and a sax player for ages and it’s never quite happened. In Italy recently I was having dinner with the Band (Totem) and realised that this was the perfect opportunity. The setting was perfect, the couple were up for it I just needed to find the right time. My clients are fab and always just go with the flow and trust me. I asked the couple to hold each other and just listen to the music and that’s what they did. I loved the photo as soon as I saw it, as did the couple.”

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Maggie & Jeff | New York City-infused ‘Urban Elegance’ Jew-ish wedding at the Dumbo Loft, Brooklyn, New York City, USA

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Maggie and Jeff seem like one cool couple so it goes without saying that their wedding is a super chic affair with an urban Brooklyn edge. It’s full to bursting with stunning details — just check out the gold-foiled wedding hashtag on the napkins for starters — and I LOVE the minimal yet industrial styling . It’s understated yet oh so elegant.

But as stylish as it is, tradition and family are at the heart of this affair… Jeff’s  parents, grandparents and great-grandparents were all married in Brooklyn so having their wedding at The Dumbo Loft was the perfect way to keep the tradition alive. Not only that, but Jeff’s family kiddush cup that’s been used for all their family events since the 1800’s, was used for the blessings in their wedding ceremony too.

I don’t think I’ve seen and featured such awesome pre-ceremony images either… what an epic way to spend the morning with your bridal party! (scroll down to the bottom of the post to see what I’m talking about).

More super cool NYC-flavour (literally) touches include the ultimate Brooklyn BBQ buffet, and an incredible wedding cake from Momofuku — an NYC establishment which also happens to be one of Jeff’s favourite sweet treat places.

The gorgeous set of images, as crisp and cool as the big day itself, are by Britty D. Photography.

New York City Wedding
how we met

Maggie, the Bride: We first met in our junior year in college during a business class. The class was called Emerging Economies and we took a week trip to South Korea. On the trip, we became good friends, kept in touch over the summer and shortly, after returning to school in August, we began dating…the rest is history!

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Going to a wedding alone? A note from the solo guest to the bride

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Image taken from Claudia & Felix’s NYC Jewish wedding by Stak Photography

I’ve most definitely attended far more weddings as a single lady  then partnered up, and I can honestly say that I’ve had the best time at  each and every one of them (aside from the moment when old uncle Sammy gave me a pitying look and  whispered “Please G-d by you” in my ear). I think it’s because I’ve only ever attended  really good friend’s, or cousin’s weddings minus a plus-one, so I’ve always enjoyed the celebrations alongside  a wonderful circle of friends, or cousins and family.

I’ve always loved a good W-day  (no surprise that I’m a wedding blogger then!) and have always relished partying with old faces, and potentially meeting new ones. But it’s not so straightforward for everybody, and certainly not easy at all if you don’t think you’ll know anyone but the couple on  the big day.

Juliet Simmons, who is currently single, has a few candid thoughts on what it feels like to turn up at a wedding on your own, whether it’s because you don’t have a partner, your partner is away, or your partner simply hasn’t been invited. What  do you think? Do you agree with Juliet’s sentiments? As a bride, will you be sensitive to your single friends when it comes to your wedding planning? Let us know in the comments section below.

Dear Friends

Thank you for inviting me to your wedding. Thank you for the beautiful invitation that landed, with a thud, on my doormat this morning. Thank you for counting me in and remembering to ask me — because believe me there are those that don’t and find one an odd number to think about in more ways than one. I’m grateful that you don’t.

I’m so looking forward to being with you, to celebrating and making memories that will create your special day. I really am. I know you’ve got lots to think about and I don’t want to add to your never ending to do list but had a few thoughts — I hope you don’t mind me sharing them.

I love that you’ve arranged for everyone to travel from the ceremony to the wedding reception together — such a nice touch and gives us a chance to chat on the way there (and compare photos on our phones). When I realised I gave a big sigh of relief as it means I don’t have to walk into the venue on my own — I don’t think anyone likes doing that do they?

I realise this is about you — not me — but when it comes to table planning I’d love it if you could sit me with people who I know. I don’t care if they are single or couples or old or young. I’d just like to know them and feel comfortable with them. Matching me up with someone on your big day should definitely not be your priority, so please don’t even think about trying to — one true love story per wedding (yours) should be quite enough.

I’m sure you’ve got an army of helpers sorted out for the big day but I just wanted to let you know that I’m very happy to be an extra pair of hands if you need me. If you have a list of people that you can just call on to do stuff then please feel free to add me to it — or if it’s easier to connect me with your head bridesmaid or whoever is keeping that list then you should just do that. I’m particularly happy to help if things need to be done when the slow sappy songs are on as it’s not the most fun time to be at a wedding on your own!

Well done for making it to the end of all of my lists. Like I said this is your big day not mine and I’m so glad that I’ll be there and be a part of it. Remember that I love you for inviting me and am already looking forward to sharing more special moments with you after the wedding.

I can’t wait to be with you and share the magic.
I’m counting down the days.
With lots of love xx

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