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An E&W Couture Bride for a Vegan Country House Jewish Wedding at Offley Place, Hitchin, UK

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There’s nothing like an English country house Jewish wedding, and we absolutely love the way Amber, a research manager in fashion recruitment, and Sammy, an IT director, pulled off their epic celebration at the beautiful Offley Place in Hitchin.

With the most picturesque surroundings, a stunning outdoor chuppah adorned with white roses, and a fab vegan reception – featuring plant-based eats using ingredients from Israeli company Redefine Meat – this wedding was just full of joy and love. And we’re thrilled that Amber and Sammy found two of their fab team of professionals, Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendors Chazan Jonny Mosesson  and Rabbi Paul Glantz right here on STG!

Chiko photographed the day so perfectly, and CCS Video captured all the vibrant emotion of the day in their wonderful trailer. Read on for all the rest of the details in Amber’s own words!

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How We Met

Amber, the bride: We were best friends since school and at 21 we went on our first date and the rest is history! Continue ReadingContinue Reading

Your 8-Week Countdown Jewish Wedding To-Do List

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Gaby and Alex‘s Jewish wedding  | Photo by Mike Garrard Photography 

If you’re finding yourself a number of weeks out from your Jewish wedding, you’re probably feeling like things are getting really real, really fast. You might be finding yourself overwhelmed by how much there is still left to do.

No matter how hard you’ve worked in the months prior, those last couple of months of wedding planning can be really tricky – but never fear, we’ve got a plan that’ll help you through that last blast of wedmin!

The first part of this plan is an action list of what needs doing, period by period, week by week, while the second dives deeper into certain elements to ensure you’re totally and utterly covered (and then some!) during these last fabulous weeks of planning.

This action plan is slightly adapted from a resource we created for Brides Club, our membership community for Jewish and Jew-ish brides. Inside the community, we’ve got tons of helpful resources for every step of the way, a supportive community of fellow brides-to-be, Zoom chats with Karen where you can ask anything and everything on your mind, and so much more. We’ve got a free 7-day trial going, so do come see what it’s all about.

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Alberta and Scott‘s Jewish wedding  | Photo by Claudine Hartzel

8 Weeks Before

  • Begin working on your wedding vows, if relevant.
  • Make sure everyone in your wedding party has outfits.
  • Figure out what you’re wearing to your rehearsal dinner.
  • Put together a list of what you want to pack for your honeymoon.
  • Review playlist with band or DJ.
  • Arrange smash glass and smash glass pouch.

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Dani and David‘s Jewish wedding  | Photo by Derek Preciado 

6 Weeks Before

  • Make sure you’re updating your gift registry and spreadsheets as gifts arrive.
  • Figure out if you want a guest book, and make one happen if so.
  • Finalize details of your wedding ceremony.
  • Confirm details with all vendors.
  • Finalize ketubah witnesses.
  • Make shot list for photographer.

Chris and Benji, Shenley Cricket Club, London, UK

Benji and Chris‘s Jewish wedding  | Photo by Liam Smith Photography 

3-4 Weeks Before

  • Have a final meeting with your officiant.
  • Make sure everyone taking part in the ceremony understands what is involved.
  • Put together your seating chart.
  • Create your escort cards.
  • Create a wedding timeline.
  • Print wedding programs, if you’re having them.
  • Get your marriage license.
  • Pick a wedding hashtag
  • Get to know your wedding shoes! Feel them out, break them in… and if despite your best efforts they remain less than comfortable, consider investing in a comfier pair for the reception!

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Victoria and Judah‘s Jewish Wedding | Photo by Alex Knight Studio 

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Elegante By Michelle J

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The Elegante by Michelle J mission is to always create the most magical and memorable wedding days and weekends for my couples and their guests.

As a wedding planner with a niche specialisation in luxury destination weddings for UK and US based Jewish couples, I have visited, and had the privilege of working at, numerous overseas and UK venues.

I have also built fantastic relationships and effective collaborations with a whole host of extremely talented and professional wedding industry suppliers and I am passionate about sharing all of this knowledge, experience and passion to help create your dream wedding.

More and more couples are looking for a wedding weekend experience, and I bring my destination planning skills to all of the UK based wedding weekends that I plan in addition to my overseas weddings.

I provide a warm, friendly and personal service, coupled with meticulous attention to detail and creative flair.  The benefits to you of working with a UK based planner, include:

  • Ease of communication with opportunities for a more interactive and involved planning process and regular meetings — a more personal service,  I call it “ a hug, rather than a handshake”
  • I have the experience and contacts in the host country  — you only have to deal with/through me
  • I will assist with items an overseas planner would not normally handle including the Chuppah (ceremony planning and legalities),  guest list management, invitations and wedding day stationery and styling items, travel and accommodation logistics, entertainment (if bringing from the UK), likewise hair and make-up artists  
  • I am able to suggest ways in which to blend the host country wedding traditions with our own Jewish customs

Join our Members Club for Brides and save 10% on Elegante by Michelle J

A Lee Petra Grebenau Bride for a Romantic Enchanted Garden Jewish Wedding at Villa Miani, Rome, Italy

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Get ready to fall in love with Natalie and Marc’s epic Jewish wedding in Rome. The UK-based couple wanted a spring destination wedding surrounded by blooming flowers, and they found everything they wanted and more at the breathtaking Villa Miani, nestled atop a hill with sprawling gardens and a panoramic view of Rome.

Natalie and Marc knew a destination wedding was a big ask for our guests, so they prioritized making it as seamless as possible – and they turned to the best of the best to help make it happen, Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Elegante by Michelle J.

In Natalie’s words,

Elegante by Michelle J exceeded every expectation. Michelle thought of everything—details I didn’t even know existed—and her team coordinated the entire day with such precision and care that everything felt seamless. They turned what could have been a stressful process into a joyful experience, and their expertise allowed us to simply enjoy the day. For anyone seeking a wedding planner, I can’t recommend her enough.

We’re also head over heels for the duo’s exquisite invitations, created by Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Big Day Designs. Featuring whimsical illustrations inspired by Villa Miani, they set the tone for the big day so perfectly.  

Read on for all the details of this fabulous day – including Natalie and Marc’s touching tribute to the hostages – and don’t miss the wonderful images from photographer  Alex Wysocki and trailer by videographer Waterfall Visuals!

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How We Met

Natalie, the bride: Marc first messaged me in 2019 to set up a date, but he ended up cancelling and never rescheduled! Then, a year later in 2020, he reached out again and suggested a socially distanced walking date. I decided to give him another chance—it’s not like I could pretend to be super busy during that time. But he cancelled again!! Claiming he had Covid. At that point, I decided, No way am I giving this guy another chance.

Fast forward to June 2021. Marc’s good friend was having a birthday party, and somehow, both Marc and I got invited—his friend and some of my friends had conspired to make this happen. I went to the party, had a great time, and made a point of ignoring Marc the entire night. I could feel him looking at me, but I avoided eye contact. Eventually, he worked up the nerve to come over and ask me out again. I said no, reminding him he’d already cancelled on me twice.

Marc spent the rest of the night trying to convince me to give him another chance. Finally, I gave in and when we did set a date, we met for drinks at the Ham Yard Hotel (the same place he later proposed) and the rest is history.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

5 of Our Favorites: Multicultural Jewish Weddings Guaranteed to Blow You Away

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Nimisha and Sol‘s Hindu-Jewish Wedding | Photo by Roshni Photography 

Welcome back to “5 of Our Favorites,” our blog series where we celebrate the beauty and diversity of Jewish weddings from around the world. In this second installment, we’re excited to share 5 of our favorite multicultural Jewish weddings.

Jewish weddings are rich with tradition, but they’re also a canvas for blending cultures, customs, and celebrations. These multicultural weddings beautifully merge Jewish traditions with the unique cultural backgrounds of the couples, creating vibrant, personalized experiences that reflect their diverse heritages. 

We hope these five weddings inspire you to think outside the box and create a celebration that truly represents you and your partner’s journey. 

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Diana and Jonathan‘s Korean Jewish Wedding | Photo by Shai Ashkenazi 

Diana and Jonathan’s Korean Jewish Wedding at Villa Nona, Caesarea, Israel

Diana and Jonathan planned a wedding that perfectly fused Jonathan’s Jewish Israeli identity with Diana’s Korean American background – in addition to being impeccably stylish.

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Diana and Jonathan‘s Korean Jewish Wedding | Photo by Shai Ashkenazi 

Diana and Jonathan live in Seattle and opted to get married in Israel, where Jonathan’s family is. At first, Diana thought she could handle international wedding planning just fine on her own, but eventually she realized between the language barrier, time difference, and cultural differences she could use some help. Enter the couple’s fabulous wedding planner, Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Yael Kfir Frumkes. After a friend introduced Diana and Jonathan to her, they knew they needed her on their team. 

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Diana and Jonathan‘s Korean Jewish Wedding | Photo by Shai Ashkenazi 

This vision included not only a sophisticated neutral palette inspired by venue Villa Nona’s romantic Mediterranean vibes, but also a mix of Jewish and Korean traditions. Diana and Jonathan planned a unique chuppah ceremony tailored to fit their style, and followed it up with a traditional Korean Pyebaek ceremony. 

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Nimisha and Sol‘s Hindu-Jewish Wedding | Photo by Roshni Photography 

Nimisha and Sol’s Hindu-Jewish Wedding at Offley Place, Hitchin, UK

Nimisha and Sol’s Hindu-Jewish wedding is just beyond gorgeous! When the UK couple started wedding planning, their overarching theme was to craft a celebration that honored both of their traditions – Nimisha’s Hindu, while Sol is Jewish – equally.

Nimisha and Sol‘s Hindu-Jewish Wedding | Photo by Roshni Photography 

The pair crafted a bespoke ceremony blending both Hindu and Jewish traditions, with a Hindu priest and a rabbi co-officiating. They married under a gorgeous rustic canopy, blending the Hindu mandap with the Jewish chuppah, and we can’t get enough of the forest vibes Nimisha and Sol created with their color scheme of ivory, white, and green and candle holders, foliage, and lanterns throughout.

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Nimisha and Sol‘s Hindu-Jewish Wedding | Photo by Roshni Photography 

We also love that this wedding featured a big family dance, Bollywood-style, which everyone practiced for months – sometimes on Zoom! 

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