Smashing the Glass | Jewish Wedding Blog

Inspired Jewish Weddings

Win a Romantic Stay for Two at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, Manchester’s Hottest New Luxury Jewish Wedding Venue

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I’m so delighted to offer you the chance to win an overnight stay in Manchester’s extraordinary new luxury hotel: the fabulous Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, where Victorian grandeur meets contemporary elegance.

Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is such an exciting new property, and it’s an amazing place for a luxe city getaway – not to mention a truly fabulous Jewish wedding!

Every inch of Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is steeped in 19th century history: the property is housed in a magnificent terracotta Grade ll-listed building, complete with oak panelling, dramatic chandeliers, and high ceilings.

But needless to say, Kimpton Clocktower Hotel never stints when it comes to top-of-the-line modern comforts! 

Photo by @LONDON

It’s truly the most wonderfully special space, and I’m so excited that we’ve teamed up with Kimpton Clocktower Hotel to offer one lucky couple (and you can be single with a plus one, engaged or married to enter) an unbelievable prize to experience the luxuries of the hotel to include:

  • A two-night stay in a glamorous suite
  • Breakfast in the Winter Garden both mornings of your stay
  • Gin and tonic trolley in your room on arrival
  • In-room massage for two
  • Dinner for two and a bottle of wine in The Refuge
  • Floral workshop with Giraffe Flowers (the hotel’s in-house florist) – build your own beautiful bouquet
  • Complimentary car parking during your stay
  • Total prize value = £1,000 

Photo by @LONDON

A Jewish Wedding at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel

It practically goes without saying that Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is an incredible venue for an urban glam Jewish wedding right in the heart of Manchester.

I’m obsessed with Kimpton Clocktower Hotel’s array of swoonworthy spaces, from intimate affairs in the delightful wood-paneled Directors Room to big bashes (we’re talking up to 700 guests!) in the majestic ballroom. There are also a range of gorgeous smaller spaces that offer a perfect backdrop for your tisch or badeken. 

When it comes to food, their acclaimed kitchen team will guide you through the kosher-style menus and introduce you to their preferred kosher caterers.

The fantastic team at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel believes that your wedding should be as unique as you are, and they’re 100% committed to helping you realize all your wedding day dreams. The dedicated events team, with a wide-ranging experience hosting Jewish weddings, will ensure every aspect of your day is planned to perfection.

Another thing I love about Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is that they make it so easy to turn your big day into a big Manchester weekend with all your friends and family. Their discounted room blocks make it easy to gather your favourite people under one roof and share even more quality time together.

And if you’re a member of Smashing The Glass’ Brides Club (our members club for Jewish and Jew-ish brides) Kimpton Clocktower Hotel are generously offering you 20% off private hire for weddings booked for 2023 and 2024 (blackout dates apply)!

If you want to find out more about Jewish weddings at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, email manchesterweddings@ihg.com or call +44 (0)161 288 1111. 

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An Oleg Cassini Bride for a Jewish Wedding with Southern Charm at Lowndes Grove, Charleston, South Carolina, USA

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Anna & Chance, Lowndes Grove, Charleston, South Carolina, USA

There’s nothing like a Jewish wedding with a little Southern charm… like our beloved Brides Club member Anna’s beautiful Charleston wedding to groom Chance!

Anna, who works for the South Carolina Department of Employment and Works, and Chance, a lawyer, wanted to show off the best of their home to their out-of-town friends and family, and we could not be more in love with the outcome, which was so wonderfully photographed by Natasha Coyle.

The indoor-outdoor vibes, the delightful pops of pink (Anna’s favorite color), the dreamy chuppah… it doesn’t get much better than this. We’re also obsessed with the couple’s Southern-inspired menu highlighting Charleston classics – they even started their meal with biscuits instead of bread and butter!

And how stunning did Anna look in her classic ball gown by Oleg Cassini from David’s Bridal?! Loving the old-school glam vibes. We’ll let her take it from here…

Anna & Chance, Lowndes Grove, Charleston, South Carolina, USAAnna & Chance, Lowndes Grove, Charleston, South Carolina, USAAnna & Chance, Lowndes Grove, Charleston, South Carolina, USAAnna & Chance, Lowndes Grove, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
How we Met

Anna, the bride: We met at the University of Alabama while we were both in undergrad.  Chance and I met when he asked me to be his date at his fraternity’s semi-formal event.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

A Berta Bride for a Timelessly Glam Jewish Wedding with a Cannabis Bar at Chicago Illuminating Company, Chicago, Illinois, USA

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Alana & Benjamin, Chicago Illuminating Company, Chicago, USA

We are absolutely, positively in love with Alana and Benjamin’s jawdroppingly gorgeous Chicago Jewish wedding. Swathed in greenery and twinkly lights, the ambience these two created for their day was nothing short of magical (don’t miss the stunning photos by Avery House!) – and we love that they added in some unexpected personal touches, like a cannabis bar!

Perfectly matching their color scheme focused on neutrals, white, and gold was the couple’s fabulous ketubah from beloved Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor The Ketubist. Featuring papercut gold peonies on a white background, the design is SO chic – and Alana and Benjamin loved working with founder Talia.

This wedding was full of so many more wonderful touches, but we’ll leave the rest to Alana, who looked nothing short of ravishing in her exquisite gown from Israeli designer Berta…

Alana & Benjamin, Chicago Illuminating Company, Chicago, USAAlana & Benjamin, Chicago Illuminating Company, Chicago, USAAlana & Benjamin, Chicago Illuminating Company, Chicago, USAAlana & Benjamin, Chicago Illuminating Company, Chicago, USA
How we Met

Alana, the bride: Formally, we met on the Jewish dating app J-Swipe. However, Benjamin’s friend from Jewish summer camp happened to have been my college roommate and eventually became our Rabbi. He played a significant role in our courtship after we met. We are both psychotherapists.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

Meet Karen Cinnamon and Kick-Start Your Dream Jewish Wedding Gift List at The Wedding Shop London Townhouse

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It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with The Wedding Shop – in my opinion, they’re the ultimate one-stop shop for your Jewish wedding gift list in the UK. Between their unrivalled service, flexibility, and astonishing array of gift options (including not just homeware, honeymoon funds, charity contributions, and personalised funds – not to mention some seriously gorgeous Judaica from beloved brands including Michael Aram, Jonathan Adler, Bernardaud, Christofle, and more!).

And I’m so delighted to announce that on Thursday, 21 April, I’ll be teaming up with The Wedding Shop to host a fabulous evening at their London Townhouse, where you and your partner can chat with members of The Wedding Shop’s fabulous team, other engaged couples, and me – all while kick-starting your dream Jewish wedding gift list!

Photo by Claudine Hartzel

The Experience

One of the very best things about The Wedding Shop is their unique immersive shopping experience – which means that, while you can of course always browse their extensive selection of gifts online, you’ve also got the option of shopping in-person at two fabulous London locations: their flagship Townhouse, where this special event will be hosted, plus their showroom at Selfridges!

The four-storey London Townhouse, in particular, is an absolute dream, and I can’t wait to explore it with you. There are a full 11 rooms, packed with inspiring products to give you lots of ideas for your gift list – and, especially for our event, there’ll be a wonderful selection of Judaica items on display too! You’ll be able to download The Wedding Shop’s app to scan and add gifts to your list as you go – plus there’ll be bubbly and a goody bag for all attendees!

The Event

Come experience The Wedding Shop London Townhouse with me the evening of Thursday, April 21! From 5:00 to 8:00 PM, you’ll be able to explore a gorgeous selection of gifts in a home setting, meet some of The Wedding Shop’s expert Gift Gurus, who will answer your gift list questions throughout the process, and mingle with like-minded engaged couples over bubbles! 

What to expect:

  • Meet and greet with me, Karen Cinnamon
  • Personlised gift list advice from The Wedding Shop’s Gift Gurus
  • Explore over 450 homeware brands in our four-story townhouse
  • Check out a display of gorgeous Judaica offerings
  • Bubbles and a complimentary goody bag

Have I sold you on this fabulous event? Then reserve your spot today – there are only 60 tickets available, and when they’re gone they’re gone, so don’t delay!

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A Casablanca Bride for a Pandemic Jewish Wedding at Indian Trail Club, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA

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Rachel & Ben, Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA

Like so many couples over the past few years, Rachel and Ben’s plans for their Jewish wedding were upended by the pandemic. Rachel, who works in the Senate, and Ben, who runs a tech startup, ended up with a celebration – or rather, two celebrations – that looked a lot different than what they’d initially planned.

But both their March 2021 family-only micro ceremony and their October 2021 reception for a larger crowd were SO full of love and joy, we can’t imagine anything better. We’re in love with the photos by Berit Bizjak (March) and Phillip Van Nostrand (October). And how amazing is it that all eight grandparents were present to witness Rachel and Ben’s marriage?!

And of course we’re totally obsessed with the pair’s beautiful hand papercut ketubah by Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Noa Attias! Rachel and Ben are thrilled to have such a gorgeous and meaningful piece of art to commemorate their bond, and they loved working with Noa, who was super flexible with their constantly changing wedding date! The duo have become such fans of Noa that they’ve purchased more of her fabulous art since their big day.

Now over to the bride…

Rachel & Ben, Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes, NJ, USARachel & Ben, Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes, NJ, USARachel & Ben, Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes, NJ, USARachel & Ben, Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA
How we Met

Rachel, the bride: We met as undergraduate students in NYC when Rachel was set up with Ben to accompany him to a dance in the spring of 2013, and we started dating that fall. The rest is history!Continue ReadingContinue Reading