The majority of submissions that land in my inbox are from photographers, which is wonderful as I get to sample all the most creative and inspiring new photography and Jewish weddings out there. However there is something very special about receiving an excitable email from a recently married couple, bursting to tell me all about their big day (especially when they’ve drawn inspiration from Smashing The Glass in the run-up to their wedding!). I recently got an email just like this from Erica all about her sensational Lower East Side W-day, and it was only made better by the fact that this venue has to be one of the most jaw-dropping I’ve ever seen.

Some say that there is something theatrical about a wedding… well if that’s the case, today’s venue is the perfect stage. It’s the phenomenal Angel Orensanz, the oldest surviving synagogue in New York City. With a Beethoven inspired atmosphere, some scintillating kaleidoscopic creations by the lighting designers, lots of Jewish traditions, and  Brett Matthews‘ immense photography, your eyes are in for a treat with this New York knockout!

VENUE
Erica, the Bride: I heard about this Smashing The Glass through endless searching of the internet for inspiration for Jewish weddings. I didn’t want a cookie-cutter wedding and wanted as much individuality as possible, which is how I came across the blog.

We chose to get married at The Angel Orensanz Foundation, and decided upon this venue because of its beautiful architecture and deep-rooted Jewish history (it was built in 1849 and is the oldest surviving synagogue in New York City). The first time I saw the space, I was sold. It didn’t hurt that Sarah Jessica Parker got married there and often frequents the space. I love aesthetically satisfying spaces with culture and tradition. The juxtaposition of the gothic/cathedral look and the modernity of the art space they hold on the third floor seemed really exciting to me and I knew that the photos would last me a lifetime.

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