There is no bond like that between sisters and nothing demonstrates that more readily than Megan and Sam’s Jewish wedding. Yes, today’s real wedding is a bit of an unusual one, as it was submitted (and the report was written by) Dani Tucker, the founder of the amazing Social Kitchen, and sister of bride, Megan.
Dani runs one of editor Karen’s favorite Instagram accounts (which is saying something as Karen is a huge Insta-enthusiast) and there is a very moving story behind it all, paying homage to the sisters’ late mother.
Having met Dani several times, Karen absolutely adores her and we are big fans of her here at Smashing The Glass, and even more so after reading today’s touching write up.
Dani’s sister, Megan (the bride), wasn’t really into the whole wedding thing. She just wanted to be married and have fun at the wedding. So Dani planned the party of a lifetime for her dear sister. What an incredible gift, and what a phenomenal job she did all round. Dani organized every detail, with Megan deciding on her shoes (personalized Converse – we love it), the groom and the first dance. Probably not quite in that order.
Dani describes gorgeous bride Megan as “quirky, independent, strong and yet beautiful” – the wedding she planned completely reflected Megan and her new husband, Sam.
With everyone in Converse, even the rabbi, a sweet bar and a Shwarma goodie bag, this unique big day was planned with so much love and attention to detail, and Dani found so many wonderful ways to honor their mother.
Photography was provided by Chiko Photography and the beautiful film by AT Motion is below.
Let’s hand over to Dani to tell Megan and Sam’s story in the lovely and eloquent writeup below. Tissues at the ready, guys.
How they met
Dani Tucker, the sister of the bride: Megan and Sam met on Jcrush. Her work colleagues set up her profile and swiped for her – set up the date for her – he lived in Manchester, came down for the date and then a few months later, she went on holiday. He picked her up from the airport in London and never went back to Manchester other than to collect his things.
A London hotel venue
They got married at Rosewood Hotel London. The hotel had that quirky touch that the couple have, for example the hotel has a beautiful Labrador dog called Pearl who lives there.
Sisters looking out for each other
I wanted to give you a little bit of info of my role in this wedding. Megan is my younger sister. She is just the most amazingly individual character. She has never been interested in anything that is too girly and she has never one of those girls who has been dreaming of their wedding day or, for that matter, their wedding dress, especially NOT her wedding dress. She NEVER wears a dress EVER. She only ever wears jeans and a hoodie with Converse even at work, which is at 10 Downing Street and Parliament.
So when she got engaged she looked at me and said just do whatever you want. I was more than excited to be given this opportunity to be able to help make her day special and I made it my utmost priority to do so.
Our mother passed away four years ago and I couldn’t imagine how hard it must be to find yourself engaged and not to have your mom there to be able to ask her to help. I wanted to also make my mom proud, do this for her, as I know she would have wanted to have made this wedding as special as possible for my sister as she could have. I felt it was my duty to do so. It was my privilege. It was my honor.
As the designing, deciding and choosing started, I was really adamant not to make it my wedding! I wanted to make sure this was about Megan and Sam!
Invitation to wear Converse
The invitation design was something that we wanted to keep it simple and yet able to give it that edge, that quirkiness. We used brown cardboard like you find at the back of a notepad.
The invitation had blank ink writing with a purple letter “A” in the bottom corner which represented a note from our mom and dad – they would always use it say “I love you”.
The actual wording was a little unusual: “Followed by delicious food and questionable dancing – Lounge suit no tie (Converse preferable)”. Everyone came in Converse.
The important things
Megan had a her hair up to show off her the low back of her dress.
My sister didn’t even look in the mirror. She didn’t even care as long as we were all happy she was happy. She just wanted to be married. That was all she cared about. The important stuff, if you ask me.
A Pronovias dress
Megan’s dress and veil were from Pronovias. It was the fourth dress she tried on and it fit her perfectly. It had beading on the shoulders, but we had that all removed considering Megan was pushing the boat out by even wearing a dress.
The woman in the cubicles next to us had dreamed about this day and was sipping on champagne, while my sister didn’t even look in the mirror and came out moved around to test if she could move and sit in the dress. If that was OK, she was happy.
Then… just my sister and I had a surprise only the two of us knew, it was a shock to everyone. She changed after their first dance into a white pair of jeans and a white t-shirt that said ‘happy’ – she couldn’t have been happier in more ways than one!
Accessories to remember a lost loved one
Megan wore our mom’s earrings so she could have her with her and also wore a pair of purple glasses (purple being my mom’s favourite color) that were my mom’s, which we had made to fit Megan for the day.
Personalized Converse
Megan wore Converse, of course! She had plain all-white shoes with purple writing saying on one shoe ‘Meg & Sam Live Love Laugh’ and on the other ‘29.10.17.’
Even the rabbi wore Converse (which had Rabs Lew on them).
A wow-factor chuppah
I wanted the chuppah to have the ‘wow factor’ and yet be simple – have the a industrial look about it and cool factor. I really think we were able to capture that.
A cloud of eucalyptus leaves filled the room with its aroma and hanging Edison bulbs created a spectacular effect.
Special touches
We had several special touches for the celebration: Hanging dolls and trinkets under the chuppah that our mom made and our mom’s ribbons from her collection were used to wrap around each napkin and there were photos of our mom in Megan’s bouquet.
Other touches included a sweet table as you arrived for the chuppah, Polaroid escort cards and a vintage cream Vespa, hanging Edison bulbs halo over the dance floor that flickered gently as the night went on, confetti canons hidden in the ceiling and Shwarma in takeaway bags as people left.
Megan as you know wasn’t very involved in organising so we laughed the week before the wedding how in a classic wedding, the bride would usually do some thank yous at the end of the night. Who would she thank – she would have no idea? We were laughing so much! She would have to thank me and then pass over the microphone. She ended up thanking me and we all laughed on the night.
World-class musicians
Megan had Jonny Turgel and his choir at the chuppah with Muzika backing them up – they were beyond amazing. They sang like they were world class and as if they were coolest people on the planet. All wearing Converse and singing barbershop style.
Megan walked around Sam to The Lion King – Circle of Life.
Muzika sang Be Our Guest from Beauty and The Beast while people ate supper which was the best fun! We all danced!
We honestly never sat down, the music was just so good!
Phenomenal floristry
Miri was the florist. She was amazing to work with and has become a dear friend of mine through the process. We chose to go for more a wild look in the main room and to keep one of the arrangements just eucalyptus, so it was in keeping with the chuppah, but then bring in some flowers, orchids, pink roses, green viburnums, to name a few.
Delicious food
Food was a massive thing for us as my mom was a chef and as I am in the biz, so I wanted it to be delicious and amazing. We used Tony Page. My mom and Tony were friends and Tony was at hand all night at the wedding .
We went for tacos, tomato salsa, guacamole, butternut squash, served sitting in limes it looked very cool!
Beefburger with slow-roasted lamb slaw, fries, pickels, onion rings, cucumber salad, caramelised onions and tomato salad.
On the sharing table, we had beignets and blueberry, butterscotch and chocolate marshmallow sauce vanilla bean ice cream.
The beignets came in a wooden box, which looked amazing, too. There was then fruit and chocolates, tea and coffee on the tables.
At around 10.30 there was a shwarma bar that was set up out side the main room for people as they were leaving could have a take away on the way home. It was the hit of the night.
Huge shout out to Maddy Burns!
Dancing all night
Our entertainment was Muzika. They were absolutely incredible – they didn’t stop for one minute. No-one stop dancing for one second, there were people on the dancefloor the entire time showing such love and appreciation for life.
Advice to couples currently planning their wedding
Watching my sister be totally the one who just rocked up to her own wedding and being the one who just wanted to be married – she really has a point – we all get so tangled up in these things that really don’t mean very much in the long run of reality. I would love to take a leaf out of her book.
However, these beautiful things that I have absolutely loved creating, and to be able to give that special magical moment to my sister and her husband, has been the biggest blessing.
Do as much as you can before the day so you don’t have to think about anything on the day. Don’t be shy about asking any of yours vendors to show you again and again what you want until you’re sure you’re happy. Like I wasn’t sure which color seat covers to get – so I had them order in every color so I could choose. I wanted to get it right.
Eat something at your own wedding. don’t regret it even if its just a nibble, my sister ate her entire burger.
Take that moment, breath and take in the atmosphere, don’t let it just pass you by.
Think about how your guests walk through the event how you can make the experience special for them. That’s how I came up with some of my ideas like the sweet table as you arrived. I arrive at functions and by the time your ready for the reception you are like “where is the food?” so why not give people something to nibble on before?
Megan & Sam’s little white book
Photography – Chiko Photography
Videography – AT Motion
Venue – Rosewood Hotel London
Bride’s dress – Pronovias
Shoes – Converse
Makeup – Nikki Wolff Makeup
Flowers – Flowers by Miri
Catering – Tony Page
Band and production – Muzika
Invitations – Invitation London
Great Images look really fun wedding to shoot