Today on the blog we’re introducing our 2nd gorgeous bride from our crop of 2018 and 2019 Real Jewish Brides! Please give a warm welcome to Jennifer who will be marrying Charlie on 5th August 2018 at Dartmouth House in Mayfair, London, UK
THREE FACTS: (1) Jennifer and Charlie first met when they were just 17 years old! (2) They are planning an intimate elegant black tie trad(ish)ional Jewish wedding incorporating plenty of personal touches, their sense of humour, and love of all things rose gold (3) Jennifer is a wedding photographer herself so is planning her wedding as an industry insider!
How We Met
Charlie and I met when we were 17 years old. We shared our first kiss on the tennis courts in Hampstead Garden Suburb. Six months later, I was cruelly dumped in the window seat of a coffee shop in full view of every school girl and boy in Highgate Village.
Ten years later, having successfully avoided each other – despite living in the same postcode – our paths crossed once again in the Steeles pub on Haverstock Hill. All it took was one misinterpreted pat on the knee for Charlie to think I was interested (again) and before I knew it we were on our second ‘first’ date.
One month later we went away on holiday together, where I essentially forced Charlie to be my boyfriend. Our history allowed us to skip those first few awkward months of dating. There were no doubts about where our relationship was going. We share such similar values and goals; it was as if we were meant to grow up apart to meet again at the right time in our lives.
The Proposal
One September morning, I opened our front door to find a suitcase with the first of many notes I would receive that day. Charlie thought his instructions were perfectly simple; my response to them as an obsessive planner was hysteria and mild panic.
Several hours and several notes later, having been for lunch, to a salon and checked into the Rosewood, the anticipation that Charlie would propose had reached its peak. Over dinner at Chiltern St Fire House, I became convinced that this was the moment. He was going to propose!
Dessert arrived, alongside a distinct lack of proposal. It may have been the drinks, or the emotional rollercoaster of a day full of surprises, but I struggled to contain my disappointment. He later told me this was the most agonising moment of his life, as he had to sit there with the ring in his pocket the whole time!
One incredibly quiet cab journey later, on opening the hotel room door, one last note lay on the coffee table. By the time I had opened it and read the words ‘Turn Around’, Charlie was on one knee. Before me was my grandmother’s engagement ring, originally designed by my grandfather and beautifully remade in rose gold.
Many, many YES’s later, as I embraced my fiancà© for the first time, I heard the distinctive sound of a camera shutter coming from the bedroom. The intimacy of the most important moment of my life so far was being shared with the one and only Paul Toeman (of PTP). Paul and I have worked together for many years, and I am so glad he was there to capture a moment that went by so quickly. Every time I look at the pictures, I’m there all over again.
The best suppliers for our trad(ish)ional Jewish Wedding
We will be getting married on 5th August 2018 at Dartmouth House in Mayfair. Our wedding will be intimate (100 people), elegant (black tie) and, above all, personal. We both want a trad(ish)ional Jewish wedding, incorporating our sense of humour, our love of all things rose gold and the best suppliers in town.
It was so important to me to find a venue in London that I had never worked in, which was no mean feat! After meticulously researching online and speaking with venues on the phone (which is a great way to find out what they will and won’t allow and really helps to whittle them down), we finally had a select list to choose from. Dartmouth House blew us away; we knew it was perfect venue to combine elegance and fun in one beautiful space.
Photographer & videographer: an easy choice!
Having worked for Paul Toeman Photographers for the past six years, I have photographed countless Jewish weddings. This does not make me an expert at all, however I definitely went into the planning stage knowing exactly which suppliers I wanted to be part of our day.
Paul will of course be taking the pictures and the wonderful team at Denee Motion will be filming every moment. In my opinion, Denis and his team are one of the best in the business. Every time I watch one of their trailers, I’m an emotional wreck (in all the good ways!).
Entertainment & Design
When we started talking about how we pictured our wedding day to be, we both knew we had to have a live band. As our venue is intimate, we are using a DJ Live (singers, percussion & DJ) provided by the The Function Band. Every time I work with them, they have the guests out of their seats dancing all night, which is exactly what we want.
In the last year, my lovely friend Alice has started her own company, Event Bureau who do everything from stationery, floristry and event design. When I asked her if she would take on our Jewish wedding, she absolutely jumped at the chance, and her vision is so in line with ours. For our wedding, Alice is designing our invitations, information cards for the ceremony, the chuppah, table plan and menus.
Hair + Makeup & Toastmaster
Hair and makeup was a no brainer for me, it had to be Camilla J Collins. I have known Camilla for years and she did my hair and makeup for a family wedding in 2016. I cannot wait to have her with me on the morning of the wedding. I am also treating my mother, sister and step-Mum to hair and make up by Camilla, so they will feel just as fabulous as I will on the day!
A good toastmaster is a must for a smooth running wedding. Jamie Paskin is my absolute favourite MC; he’s fresh, modern and completely dedicated to making sure everything happens as and when it should. I know that our wedding is safe in his hands.
What Marriage Means To Me
Marriage, to me, is two people choosing to make a life together. It is a commitment to love, respect, cherish and support each other for life and through life.
Click here to read all Jennifer’s planning posts to date.
Jennifer & Charlie’s Wedding Vendors booked so far:
Photography — Paul Toeman Photographers
Videography – Denee Motion
DJ Live – The Function Band
Hair + Makeup – Camilla J Collins
Venue – Dartmouth House
Design – Event Bureau
Toastmaster – Jamie Paskin
