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A Rita Vinieris Bride for a Timelessly Classic Jewish Wedding at Congregation B’nai Israel in Boca Raton, Florida, USA

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Shayna and Jared, Congregation Bnai Israel, Boca Raton, Florida, USA

Shayna, an ICU/Critical Care Registered Nurse, and Jared, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, dreamed of a timeless, classic Jewish wedding – and they found the perfect venue in Boca Raton’s Congregation B’nai Israel, where their vision came to life. The couple opted for a chic black-and-white palette, accented with texture, all-white flowers, and clear acrylic details. The duo’s sweet puppies were also lovingly incorporated into their celebration, appearing on cocktail napkins, the cake, signature drinks, and favors.

We can’t get enough of the couple’s super cool clear acrylic chuppah, adorned with delicate white orchids that seemed to float down the columns and covered by Shayna’s grandfather’s tallit.

When it came to their ketubah, Shayna and Jared knew they wanted a piece of art that they could proudly display in their home. They turned to Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor ketubah.com to find a beautiful piece that perfectly captured their love – and report that the process of selecting and ordering their dream ketubah couldn’t have been simpler. Their cantor suggested a fantastic idea: framing the ketubah before the wedding. Working with a local framer, they selected custom framing and matting in advance, knowing they’d return for glass and the finishing touches after their mini-moon. Don’t miss it in the luminous photography from Savannah Michelle and wonderful trailer by Timeline Video Productions!

Now over to Shayna, who looked so glam in her Rita Vinieris gown…

Shayna and Jared, Congregation Bnai Israel, Boca Raton, Florida, USAShayna and Jared, Congregation Bnai Israel, Boca Raton, Florida, USAShayna and Jared, Congregation Bnai Israel, Boca Raton, Florida, USAShayna and Jared, Congregation Bnai Israel, Boca Raton, Florida, USA

A South Florida Wedding

Shayna, the bride: We got married at Congregation B’nai Israel in Boca Raton. Getting married in South Florida at any time is risky with weather, so we knew from the get-go that we were aiming for an all-indoor, formal event.

We don’t practice a particularly religious lifestyle regularly; but truly appreciate the values and tradition behind a Jewish wedding ceremony and we felt it was important to incorporate in our day. Especially after the tragedies that occurred on October 7th, we felt it was a mitzvah to celebrate such a beautiful simcha in such a holy space. It was very special to have a yellow chair on the bima, and ribbons on the door, honoring the hostages and their families.

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5 of Our Favorites: Sun-drenched Jewish Weddings in Spain

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Jade and Andy‘s Jewish Wedding in Spain | Photo by Signe Dzile Photography

Welcome back to “5 of Our Favorites,” where we highlight five stunning Jewish weddings, all curated around a unique theme. This week, we’re taking you to the sun-soaked landscapes and rich cultural heritage of Spain with 5 of our favorite Jewish destination weddings in Spain.

From the historic charm of Seville to the sunny splendor of Marbella, it’s no wonder so many Jewish couple choose Spain as the perfect setting for a destination wedding full of passion, tradition, and romance. 

We’re so excited to share these breathtaking Spanish weddings with you, and hopefully inspire your own destination celebration in this beautiful country!

Rebecca & Emmanuel, Villa Luisa, Seville, Spain

Rebecca and Emmanuel‘s Jewish Wedding in Spain | Photo by Juan Luis Morilla

Rebecca and Emmanuel’s Andalusian Fantasy Ashkenazi-Sephardi Jewish Wedding at Villa Luisa, Seville, Spain

We love it when a couple lets their Jewish wedding locale set the stage for an ultra-memorable celebration – which is exactly what Parisian duo Rebecca, a physiatrist, and Emmanuel, an epidemiologist, did when they chose to make it official in Seville, Spain!

Rebecca & Emmanuel, Villa Luisa, Seville, Spain

Rebecca and Emmanuel‘s Jewish Wedding in Spain | Photo by Juan Luis Morilla

The pair chose Andalusia not only for its fabulous East-meets-West architecture and delectable cuisine, but also for its rich Jewish history, in tribute to the bride’s Sephardic heritage.

Rebecca & Emmanuel, Villa Luisa, Seville, Spain

Rebecca and Emmanuel‘s Jewish Wedding in Spain | Photo by Juan Luis Morilla

And their amazing wedding planner, Charlotte Ricard-Quesada from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor La Fête – who Rebecca and Emmanuel found right here on Smashing The Glass – brought their dreams to life exquisitely – on a super tight timeline, no less! Charlotte’s fluency in Spanish and experience planning weddings in Seville made the process a breeze, and she connected the pair with many of their fabulous vendors – including their breathtaking venue Villa Luisa, which captures the splendor of old Andalusia in all its glory.

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Jade and Andy‘s Jewish Wedding in Spain | Photo by Signe Dzile Photography

Jade and Andy’s Cabana Chic Jewish Wedding with a Mirrored Chuppah at the Park Hyatt, Mallorca, Spain

HOW dreamy is Jade and Andy’s destination Jewish wedding in marvelous Mallorca?! Their venue, Park Hyatt Mallorca, is just BEYOND — it may be a hotel, but it feels like an ultra-glam villa. Of course, the stunning natural surroundings — mountains AND oceans — don’t hurt.

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Jade and Andy‘s Jewish Wedding in Spain | Photo by Signe Dzile Photography

We’re obsessed with the super cool mirrored silver chuppah — cleverly set up to reflect the gorgeous grove of olive trees in the sunken garden surrounding the ceremony space! We also love how Jade and Andy opted to seat their guests in a square formation on all sides of the chuppah, to enhance the intimate feel of the day — such a nice idea, especially if you’re having a smaller wedding like these two did.

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Jade and Andy‘s Jewish Wedding in Spain | Photo by Signe Dzile Photography

Weddings don’t come much more photogenic than this one, and Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Denee Motion absolutely made the most of the cinematic surroundings — the aerial shot that opens his epic trailer is unforgettable.

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An Elbeth Gillis Bride for a Modern and Sophisticated Jewish Wedding at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, London, UK

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Cool chuppah alert! London couple Tamara, who works in marketing, and Reuben, a broker, opted to skip out on flowers (partly to avoid aggravating the bride’s hay fever), and did they ever find the perfect way to craft a standout chuppah, no blooms required.

Letting their venue, the stunning St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, set the tone, Tamara and Reuben opted for a simple, elegant Perspex chuppah, covered with Reuben’s grandfather’s tallit. It was the absolute perfect complement to the Art Deco-style ballroom where the wedding took place – as was the couple’s choice of black linen and Perspex candelabras for the tables at the reception.

Music was a top priority for Tamara and Reuben, and they found the perfect fit in the amazing Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Sensation Band, who handled both production and live music throughout the night, with Guy Barzily who blew everyone away with his chuppah singing and simcha set. The duo wanted a mix of 80s, 90s, and soul for the dancing sets, and Sensation delivered that and so much more.

The couple’s photographer, the incredibly talented David Pullum, captured everything flawlessly – and Tamara and Reuben report that he was an absolute dream to work with throughout the day.

Now over to Tamara, who looked so chicly elegant in her Elbeth Gillis dress…

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How We Met

Tamara, the bride: We had mutual friends and our paths had crossed in our teenage years but we “officially” met on JSwipe nearly 8 years ago.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

Ketubah 101: Everything You Need to Know about the Ketubah

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Alana and TJ‘s Jewish Wedding | Photo by EFEGE

Your ketubah is more than just a piece of paper—it’s a beautiful, meaningful document that represents your love, commitment, and the unique story of your marriage. But if you’re just diving into the world of Jewish wedding planning, you might be wondering: What exactly is the significance of a ketubah? Do we really need one? How do we pick the right one for us?

To answer all these questions (and many, many more!), we sat down with Adam Paskow, founder of Judaica brand Tchotchke, to get the lowdown on all things ketubah. 

Evilish Eye Ketubah

Tchotchke, best known for their playful menorahs, mezuzahs, and kiddush cups, has just launched their brand new ketubah line. Featuring whimsical designs with a nod to tradition, each piece is designed for couples who feel that Judaism is an expression of ourselves and the spaces we inhabit. Based in New York City and shipping internationally, Tchotchke’s ketubah designs are some of the coolest we’ve seen—and we see a lot!

Papercut Ketubah

Whether you’re looking for guidance on selecting a design, navigating different text options, or even choosing the best pen for signing, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for your ultimate ketubah crash course.

Ketubah 101

Alana and TJ‘s Jewish Wedding | Photo by EFEGE

What is a ketubah?

Simply put, a ketubah is a Jewish wedding contract. It was originally created to financially protect women in case of divorce or widowhood, and ensure that the wife was properly cared for throughout the marriage. For most of us these days, it’s more of a symbolic representation of a couple’s union.

Why should we get a ketubah?

The reason to get a ketubah has evolved for most of us—what was once a legal document, for many people, is now a personal artifact from the most magical and transformative day of your life. We believe that couples should have a ketubah they want to hang proudly in their home not only for sentimental reasons, but also to celebrate their Judaism, regardless of what Judaism means to them. It’s our responsibility to fill our homes with Jewish art to preserve our history, customs and culture.

Full Cup Ketubah

What does a ketubah say?

We have many options of ketubah text to choose from, as well as an option to write your own. While these days, different denominations have different requirements and allowances for ketubah text, it is essentially a contract between partners on their wedding day, stating their obligations to each other. Some denominations use text that is relatively standardized, for example, an Orthodox ketubah does not generally differ from couple to couple, whereas a secular couple may choose to write their own ketubah, treating it more like an extension of their vows.

Petals Ketubah

Can we have a ketubah for our interfaith wedding?

Absolutely. We have an interfaith text option that celebrates mutual respect, understanding and compassion for each other’s beliefs while recognizing that shared religion isn’t a necessary ingredient for a healthy, happy, fulfilling union.  

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An Anne Barge Bride for an Elegant Jewish Wedding Featuring Tradition with a Twist at Temple Emanu-El, Closter, New Jersey, USA

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Yael and Josh, Temple Emanu-El, Closter, New Jersey, USA

We love it when a couple puts their own spin on their Jewish wedding ceremony – which is exactly what Yael, an enterprise relationship manager at LinkedIn, and Josh, a vice president at Alphasights, did when planning their big day at Temple Emanu-El in Closter, New Jersey.

The couple’s Judaism was central to their day, and we adore the way they put their own spin on classic traditions. Working with their rabbi, Yael and Josh crafted a bespoke ceremony that was totally them – including circling each other 3.5 times each, having women involved in the ketubah reading and Sheva Brachot, and having Yael say a statement of betrothal to Josh.

Amy Sims Photography captured the day so beautifully, and the couple’s videographer, Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Kiss the Bride Films, caught all the love, emotion, and energy of the day in their unmissable trailer.

This wedding was full of so many special touches – from an ice sculpture shot tower to a 45-minute hora set to Yael’s ultra-elegant Anne Barge gown purchased at Kleinfeld – but we’ll turn you over to the bride for the rest of the details…

Yael and Josh, Temple Emanu-El, Closter, New Jersey, USAYael and Josh, Temple Emanu-El, Closter, New Jersey, USA Yael and Josh, Temple Emanu-El, Closter, New Jersey, USA Yael and Josh, Temple Emanu-El, Closter, New Jersey, USA
How We Met

Yael, the bride: The short answer is Hinge. The longer answer is that Yael saw Josh on Hinge and noticed he went to Vanderbilt, where her best friend Hannah went. Figuring Jews at Vanderbilt must know each other, Yael sent a screenshot of Josh’s profile to Hannah, who gave Yael a thumbs up and said “he’s one of the good guys.” We both work in Account Management.Continue ReadingContinue Reading