Today on the blog it’s the 2nd post from Mel who will be marrying Mitch on Sunday 18 March 2018, in a Jewish wedding at Warren Weir at Luton Hoo, UK.
THREE FACTS: (1) Mel and Mitch met online on JDate (2) Their Jewish wedding will be classy and traditional with plenty of modern touches (3) Mel is a member of Smashing The Glass’s private Jewish & Jew-ish Brides Facebook Group. Not yet a member? Come join us here!
Involving our families
As I write this post, we are just 9 months away from our wedding. Planning is picking up again with our focus now on our invitations.
Throughout our planning so far, our family has been very involved; visiting venues, meeting vendors, giving their input, etc. Mitch and I are both really close to our parents so it’s important for us that they are involved. We are so lucky that our parents are happy for us to have the final say over everything.
I come from a fairly large family on my dad’s side. Mitch’s family is much smaller. Despite the size, we are both very close with our family and always have been. Family is one of the most important thing, and at our wedding, we obviously want all of our loved ones round us to celebrate the happiest day of our lives.
Fear becoming reality
It would be the worst thing in the world if someone close to us wasn’t able to be there with us. Unfortunately, that fear almost became a reality. Twice.
In October 2016, 4 days before Mitch and I got engaged, my uncle went missing. No one had seen or heard from him for 10 hours, which was very unlike him. With a lot of rallying around and the use of a private investigator, my uncle was found the next day; 15 hours after last contact. He felt ill at the wheel, pulled over and had suffered a major stroke.
It hit us all really hard. Particularly the fact that he was one of the healthiest people I know and life and soul of the family. Thank G-d he survived but his recovery is still ongoing.
History repeating itself
Fast forward 8 months to June of this year. It felt like history repeating itself where another family member, this time my dad, escaped a potentially serious accident. Driving along the motorway, his car was hit by a lorry, turned 90 degrees and pushed along the carriageway for a couple of hundred meters. Luckily he escaped unharmed but it could have been a whole lot worse.
Throughout my life, I have suffered the loss of three grandparents. Other than that, there have been no major events in the family. Within the space of eight months, my dad and uncle – two brothers – experienced potentially life changing events.
Putting everything into perspective
It really put into perspective for me just how important family is. I’ve always felt close and understood the importance of my family, but when things like this happen it really makes you appreciate everything you have, and the realisation that it can be taken away in a heartbeat.
When planning a wedding, it’s all about the details — where will you get married? What flowers will you choose? What will the dress be like? It’s all materialistic things. It’s so easy to get lost in it all and forget about what’s most important — marrying the love of your life surrounded by the people that are most important. Having a nice venue and beautiful Chuppah is a luxury. Money cannot buy family.
Appreciate those around you
In 9 months’ time, on Sunday 18th March 2018, I will ensure I take the time to stop and look around at the people that are around me, and be grateful for everything I have.
Click here to read all Mel’s planning posts to date.
Mel & Mitch’s Wedding Vendors booked so far:
Videographer — Denee Motion
Band – XS Showband
Photographer — Chiko Photography
Flowers — Alexandra’s Florist
Table decorations – Wedding Venue Decorators
Venue — Warren Weir
