Today on the blog we’re introducing our 6th gorgeous bride from our crop of 2018 and 2019 Real Jewish Brides! Please give a warm welcome to Jay who will be marrying Tom on 24th November 2018 at Hyatt Churchill, London, UK.
THREE FACTS: Jay and Tom met on Tinder (Tinder For The Win!) (2) These two are planning a big fat Jew-ish wedding (Jay is Jewish, Tom is not) but in Jay’s words: “Tom was brought up in Edgware and has more of a love for chopped liver and bagels than I do!” (3) Jay is a Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor and Tom works at Facebook.
How we met
I am 26 and met Tom just over 4 years ago. We met on Tinder – something we tried to keep quiet at first, however, Tom’s first introduction to my family over a Friday night dinner back at my parents house, where anything goes – my sister decided to explain to the whole table of sixteen people about Tinder, so the secret was well and truly out of the bag!
We had our first date at a The Fence in Farringdon, I knew straight away I liked this guy, he made me laugh and we just seemed to click. We spent a lot of time together and things were moving forward pretty quickly, spending many weeknights and weekends together.
About six weeks after we met, I was going away for Christmas with my family skiing, we spoke briefly the first few days of me being away and messaged each other Christmas morning to wish each other a wonderful day, I then never heard from Tom again.
I put on a brave face and pretended it didn’t mean much but I was a little bewildered by it all when I saw an email in my inbox with a long apology. I guess when you meet on Tinder you don’t necessarily think you are going to meet The One…
For me I knew what we had was something special, for him I guess he had to come to that decision himself. I was very reluctant to meet him again, as I wasn’t up for playing games… but the rest is history!
The Proposal
After just over 3 years together, Tom whisked me off to Sopwell House on 20th May 2017. I was under the impression this was a spa break he had won at work, little did I know this had nothing to do with work!
He had planned it all, a relaxing massage followed by dinner, however I changed my treatment last minute to a facial – not so relaxing! The therapist held a light up to my face and scrutinised my skin and by the time I came out of the treatment I just wanted to call my mum!
My mum was however, waiting for a different kind of phone call – she was in on everything, so was hurrying me off the phone and telling me to go and wash my face and sort myself out as I looked a little greasy following the treatment!
Trying to sort myself out Tom now calls me outside and asks me to join him in the hot tub – I am thinking is he mad it’s about 10 degrees C!! After huffing and puffing, I eventually walked outside to find Tom standing by the hot tub, the first words he says are, “So this trip has nothing to do with work…”.
I knew instantly what was coming next but I froze and cried hysterically as he was before me on one knee asking me to be his wife. No words came out, just many tears and nodding of the head, eventually he had to pick himself up and put the ring on my finger as I was in complete shock.
Before I could call and tell the world I was getting married he had one more gift for me: he had written a diary from the day he decided to plan and propose to me. This is something I will always cherish very close to my heart, and I couldn’t quite believe how gullible I was at times.
He had detailed every moment, so I could re live the journey with him. I then was able to shout from the roof tops and let everyone know we were getting married – but I soon realised most of Southend and North London already knew! I guess I wouldn’t expect anything less from my crazy family!
Our Big Fat Jew-ish Wedding
We will be getting married on the 24th November 2018 at Hyatt Churchill Hotel in London. I was very against the idea of getting married in London, having lived so central for the past seven years I wanted to try and look at places a little further away that would work well and be easily accessible for the guests either coming from Essex or North London. However, after searching everywhere and visiting endless venues outside of London, I realised I was a city girl at heart. The Hyatt Churchill ticked all the boxes and the level of service we received blew us away on our viewing and that was when I thought, this is it!
I am Jewish, Tom is not, however, he was brought up in Edgware and has more of a love for chopped liver and bagels than I do! This has led to us organising our big fat Jew-ish wedding.
Delighted to have booked The Function Band
To me this was one of the most important things, all we both wanted was one big party where everyone will be on their feet dancing all night long. I met Dan and Bradley from The Function Band and it was an easy decision they just got what we wanted and what we were about within minutes of meeting. I decided very early on when planning this wedding I wanted to work with people who really wanted to make our day the most special if can be and people we had a genuine connection with.
The Function Band are doing the whole production of the wedding and will help pull everything together on the night.
Flowers
I will be honest this was an area I was sort of putting on hold a little, I am not a girly girl, although I appreciate beautiful flowers, I really wasn’t sure they were very me nor was I sure what I wanted for my wedding, so I needed all the help I could get.
We are working with Funky Flowers, I explained to Liz a lot of what I didn’t like and she had some ideas for me and when I came back to view a sample centre piece and sample chuppah piece, she had it. I was in love and cannot wait to see it on the day.
Photographer & Videographer
Having been recommended Paul Toeman Photographers and seen some of his work online, I was looking forward to meeting him. I wanted someone that captures those special moments that you don’t even know are going on. Paul came over to our flat one evening and met with Tom and I and my parents and we laughed like old friends, it was such a relaxed evening, it was a very easy decision to be made. Denee Motion will be capturing every moment on film, every time I watch one of their trailers – I am an emotional wreck (in a good way!).
What Marriage Means to Me
Marriage to me is a forever; it is two people choosing to make a life together. It is a commitment to love, respect and support each other always. Forever building memories together.
Click here to read all Jay’s planning posts to date.
Jay & Tom’s Wedding Vendors booked so far:
Videography – Denee Motion
Band – Function Band
Flowers — Funky Flowers
Photography – Paul Toeman Photographers
Venue — The Hyatt Churchill Hotel
Can’t wait to film this fab couple!