Smashing the Glass | Jewish Wedding Blog

Inspired Jewish Weddings

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

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going-to-a-wedding-alone
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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Tammy & Tom | An Inbal Dror dress for a wedding by the sea, with a very special story, at Kochav HaYam, Caesarea, Israel

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I don’t know where to start with this wedding, it has absolutely knocked me for six. When I first clapped eyes on the stunning photographs and video highlights of Tammy and Tom’s wedding, I was captivated by this ridiculously good looking couple, the chuppah set against a picture-perfect Israeli seascape, the high octane, carefree celebrations, the loved-up gazes between bride and groom and of course THAT Inbal Dror wedding dress – and just when I thought it couldn’t get any more breathtaking, I heard the incredible tale about the rabbi who officiated the wedding.

Many years ago as a young boy of eight, Sharon Shalom, the rabbi, was among a group of refugees making the arduous journey from Ethiopia to Sudan, where planes were on standby to help them flee to Israel. They travelled the entire distance to Sudan on foot, lead and protected by the IDF and Mossad agents.

At one point it all became too much for the youngster. Terrified, he was hugged and encouraged to keep going by one of the agents, who just happened to be Tom’s father. This shared experience helped forge a lifetime’s friendship, so much so, that when the young boy had grown and become a rabbi, he was told by Tom’s father that “one day you’ll be the rabbi for my son”. This wedding made that wish come true.

Understandably the tears flowed under the chuppah that day as the family and rabbi Sharon Shalom stood together for such a special and poignant moment in all of their lives. Truly beautiful.

So whilst it’s a very cool, stylish, fun, fun, fun wedding – complete with a flash mob dance – and did I mention the disarmingly attractive bride and groom? It’s a wedding with a huge heart. And given the incredible and humbling back-story of courage and kindness, the brides advice resonates very loudly “The whole point of the day is to be happy – stressing defeats the purpose. Your hubby and the meaning of the day is much more important than the napkins or your dress!”

Hear hear! (Even though her dress is actually perfection!)

The stunning photography is by Herschel Gutman one of our much-loved Smashing Suppliers, who can always be relied upon for beautiful images. The wedding film at the end of the post is by the superb Tal Herman

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Rabbi Sharon Shalom (far right) with Tom’s father (second from right) under the chuppah, beside Tammy & Tom

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“My best Jewish wedding photo” by David Pullum

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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 David Pullum.

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‘Emotions’ by  David Pullum

This image sums up just about everything I am looking for in a picture. The image shows all sorts of emotions, from sadness, confusion and smiles. The little boy completes the image, he looks like he has no idea why the bride and groom are crying and is totally perplexed by this situation.

This image recently won 1st place in an International Wedding Image competition with the judges remarks below

“This was a classic wedding scene. The little boy’s face anchors the image. Nice composition and a classic moment. The juxtaposition of all those crying people, joyful in the moment, with the face of a child who doesn’t know whether to smile or frown and, thus, chooses to simply watch and learn, makes for a poignant image.”

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Chitter Chatter with Annabel Beeforth, founder of one of the world’s most influential wedding blogs, Love My Dress

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Annabel-Beeforth
Chitter Chatter  is a  series I’ve been running all about  inspirational women in the wedding industry whom  I greatly admire. These women successfully combine  running their own business with married life and, in a lot of cases, raising a young family.  The ‘Chitter Chatter’  twist is is they have to answer my questions  in just 140 characters or less….

I started this series  as I approached maternity leave back in April of this year, and now that my beautiful little Zara is 14 weeks old, maternity leave is very much behind me. It’s time to close the series, and we are going out with an absolute bang by interviewing  the A-class Bloggess, Annabel Beeforth, founder of Love My Dress.

Annabel has been blogging about weddings since 2009 and took the leap of faith to become a full time professional blogger in May 2011. She’s had phenomenal success, reaping all kinds of awards for her  blog, writing  a published  book, and taking on a wonderful  team of writers and contributers to support her ever-growing blog business. She has, over the years, been searingly honest about her own personal  juggling act  of being a wife and mother to her two little girls  alongside running a young business, and I for one have definitely drawn strength and inspiration from her  self-employed journals.

Annabel  lives by the seaside in Whitby, North Yorkshire with her husband Philip, daughters Eska Eleanor (aged 9) and Leanora Rose (aged 4) and two rescue dogs, Izzie and Winifred.

Let’s hear what Annabel has to say about business and marriage, and everything in between.

What was  your first job?

Washing dishes on a Sunday in the pub opposite our house. Think I was about 12.

Tell me more about your career before launching  Love My Dress

I was a University Principal Administrator managing two teams.  I loved the job at first but found it difficult to adjust to after returning from maternity leave.

What made you start  Love My Dress?

I shared my ‘wedding report’ in a popular wedding forum after tying the knot – the response was phenomenal and it encouraged me to share my wedding to a wider audience. I chose to set up a blog to do so.

Style Me Vintage Book Launch- Ashton Jean Pierre
Annabel’s book launch for Style Me Vintage :: Images by  Ashton Jean Pierre

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STG Recommends: Gomes Photography

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Gomes-Photography
I am thrilled to welcome Gomes Photography  to our  Smashing Suppliers, Smashing The Glass’s handpicked selection of the best brands and services the wedding industry has to offer.

Smashing The Glass hand selects and verifies each Smashing Supplier, and can personally vouch for the fact that every one of them has the ability to turn your wedding day into something truly special.

You can find  Gomes Photography  in the Wedding Photography  category of  the UK Smashing Suppliers.

Gomes Photography
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