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What happens when a Rabbi and a Priest officiate as a duo for a Jew-ish wedding ceremony? Something very special…

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Priest Rabbi Jewish Wedding[Image: Alison Conklin Photography]

Jon from NewYorkFilmWorks recently contacted me to share one of his favourite wedding films from 2013: the Jew-ish wedding of Rachel and Rich.

Jon from NewYorkFilmWorks: This wedding had such a feel-good energy; it’s funny, it’s uplifting and you can feel how much they love each other. It’s really interesting because it was officiated by the best duo I’ve ever seen at a wedding: a Monseigneur (Priest, essentially) and a Rabbi – these guys KILLED it.

Rachel, the bride, lost her father, Jerry, a few years ago – the Monseignor touched upon that and mentioned how beautiful and sunny the day was (I remember that week was rainy and even on their day the forecast was for rain all day).

Rachel and Rich are very caring and loving to each other and close to their family. The final three shots of the film are his mum, her mum and the sky – signifying her father in heaven – all three watching and taking part in their union as they signed the ketubah (that’s the last sequence of the highlights as the music starts to wind down). After all the feel good energy of the rest of the highlights, I aimed to guide the viewer through a reflective and touching moment to end with.

https://vimeo.com/59336244

Thank you for sharing this with us Jon. It’s a total must-watch for a heart-melting Monday feeling.

Film — Jon Armendariz | NewYorkFilmworks
Venue — The Brownstone, New Jersey, USA
Photography — Alison Conklin

A House of Savin Bride for an English Spring Garden-Inspired Jewish Wedding with Bridgerton Vibes at One Great George Street, London, UK

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Katy and Jordan, One Great George Street, London, UK

Gorgeous chuppah alert! If you love a floral chuppah, this is one Jewish wedding you’ve got to see. Londoners Katy, an advertising creative, and Jordan, who works in politics, describe the aesthetic of their big day at One Great George Street “as if Bridgerton and an English spring garden had a baby,” and we are all about it.

Katy’s colorful gown – she went for an exquisite handpainted dress from House of Savin, featuring beautiful pastel blossoms in shades of blue, lilac, pink, green, and white – formed the basis for the couple’s color scheme for both the chuppah and the entire day. Don’t miss it in the images by Ela Tatiana Photography!

Music was a huge priority for Jordan, and so the couple went for the best of the best: a 10-piece band from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Jam Hot Showband. The couple can’t stop raving about how incredible Jam Hot was to work with.

This wedding is chock full of fabulous details – there’s the irreverent Jewish wedding ceremony guide Katy and Jordan put together for their guests, and the duo’s surprise entrance to the song “Where Is My Husband” with Katy on mic and Jordan holding plastic water guns full of tequila – but we’ll let the bride herself fill you in on the rest…

Katy and Jordan, One Great George Street, London, UK Katy and Jordan, One Great George Street, London, UK Katy and Jordan, One Great George Street, London, UK Katy and Jordan, One Great George Street, London, UK

How We Met

Katy, the bride: Jordan and I met on Hinge in 2020 after the first Covid lockdown. But Katy was not the first David to meet Jordan.

Back in April 2019. A good 17 months before we matched on Hinge. Katy’s mum sends her a message…

“I met your future husband today.”

I reply with, “elaborate woman”

“Gorgeous guy…possibly working with us. We may offer him a job.”

“Name please”

“Jordan Newfield.”

Hmmmm. That name rang a bell. Ah yes. 4 months earlier we’d matched on Jswipe. Didn’t go anywhere though, because this ‘gorgeous guy’ ghosted Katy. He CLAIMS he went travelling. Huh. Yeah. Sure.

I’m sure you’re wondering, ‘Did Katy’s mum hire him?’ Well according to Jordan he never heard back. Still, Katy’s mum definitely called this one.

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Elmley Nature Reserve: The Perfect English Countryside Venue for a Jewish Wedding Weekend Near London

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Picture yourself standing under a gorgeous outdoor chuppah framed by sweeping marshland, celebrating your newlywed status in a magnificent Victorian barn, and spending some quality time surrounded by your favourite people in one of England’s most extraordinary natural settings. And the best part? It’s all taking place just over an hour from London. 

Image by Lisa Jane Photography

If this sounds like your dream wedding, allow us to introduce you to Elmley Nature Reserve. Set within 3,300 acres of protected wilderness on the North Kent coast, this exclusive-hire venue offers all the magic of a destination wedding while still being easily accessible from London. 

Whether you’re planning an intimate celebration or a full wedding weekend, here’s why Elmley Nature Reserve deserves a place on your venue shortlist.

Image by Tash Busta Photography 

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A Multicultural Persian-Jewish Wedding Celebrating Unity, Love, and Connection at JW Marriott Grande Lakes, Florida, USA

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Victoria and Jake, JW Marriott Grande Lakes, Florida, USA

Victoria and Jake incorporated meaningful symbolism throughout the entire celebration, from pomegranates on their invitations, representing abundance in both cultures, to custom-designed kippahs. Every tradition was intentionally chosen to reflect not only where the couple came from, but also the life they are creating as husband and wife.

They began with a traditional Sofreh Aghd, the Persian wedding table filled with symbolic elements representing love, prosperity, health, and a joyful marriage, which they followed with a Jewish ceremony beneath the chuppah, symbolizing the home they would build together.

Not that Victoria and Jake stinted on style – this was one seriously elegant wedding, centered around a monochromatic palette of soft pinks with the most stunning florals. We also love that the duo “wanted the celebration to feel less like a formal reception and more like guests had stepped into a vibrant Middle Eastern beach club—where everyone was welcomed, every culture was celebrated, and no one wanted to leave the dance floor.” Don’t miss the incredible energy in the exquisite photos by Vadim Pastuh.

One of the most meaningful moments happened during the reception, when Victoria and Jake danced with the American, Israeli, and Persian flags, in a beautiful celebration of surrounded by love, joy, and unity. In Victoria’s words, “Our wedding was a reminder that love transcends labels, borders, and traditions.”

Read on for the full story in the bride’s own words…

Victoria and Jake, JW Marriott Grande Lakes, Florida, USA Victoria and Jake, JW Marriott Grande Lakes, Florida, USA Victoria and Jake, JW Marriott Grande Lakes, Florida, USA Victoria and Jake, JW Marriott Grande Lakes, Florida, USA

Venue

Victoria, the bride: Jake and I chose the JW Marriott Grande Lakes because it offered everything we were looking for in a wedding venue. The staff was exceptional—attentive, professional, and dedicated to making every detail seamless. The expansive resort also allowed our guests to enjoy both privacy and the full resort experience throughout the weekend. It was especially important to us to select a venue close to a major airport, making travel convenient for our family and friends flying in from across the country.

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Klezwoods

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Klezwoods is a modern instrumental klezmer band based in New England who helps progressive wedding couples bring their Jewish and non-Jewish guests together on the dance floor with a rich tapestry of klezmer and adjacent music. For over 15 years, we’ve lit up dance floors at the Kennedy Center (Washington DC), Fenway Park (Boston), and Fairmount Water Works (Philadelphia), and we’d love to fire up yours!

Worried you might not get your entire guest list dancing, especially your non-Jewish guests?

We were built for one thing: getting every guest—Jewish or not—into the biggest hora of their lives to celebrate your marriage. 

Are you a mixed-faith couple introducing Jewish customs to part of your new family? Have complex family dynamics around different levels of Jewish observances you’re trying to respect? 

Our clarinetist and cantor Becky can help you through the entire process (ketubah, mikvah, liturgy, etc.).  

If a white-glove experience from our first call to your final dance is important, book your free Discovery Call today to see how we can be the musical soundtrack for your big day!

Live Music Services:

Guest arrival • bedeken • tisch • ceremony • cocktail hour  • hora • reception

Additional Services:

Jewish Customs Advisor • DJ Sam and Live Horns (your playlist accentuated with 2-3 brass players) 

Languages Spoken: 

English • Español (intermediate) • Português (intermediate)

Contact Us / Book a Discovery Call:

klezwoods.com