Smashing the Glass | Jewish Wedding Blog

Inspired Jewish Weddings

Home > Brides of Berkhamsted

A Stella York Bride for a Winter Jewish Wedding Filled with Warmth at The Grove, Chandler’s Cross, UK

by Leave a Comment

Sophie & Josh, The Grove, UK

We love it when a couple assembles a fabulous team of Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendors to make their Jewish wedding the day of their dreams – and that’s exactly what today’s couple did.

Sophie, who works in account management for a marketing agency, and Josh, a chartered accountant working at a fintech company, made it official at The Grove in Hertfordshire, a local spot that was truly the perfect fit for their glam winter wedding.  

Their overarching goal was “a stylish wedding with a room filled with love and warmth” – and judging by the moving photos by Paul Toeman and video by #STGvendor Denee Motion – both of whom Sophie and Josh adored working with – they achieved it and then some.

#STGvendor Big Day Designs “were so helpful and produced the most stylish and beautiful stationery and invitations,” and two fabulous #STGvendors came together for an epic night of music: Eitan Freilich served as Sophie and Josh’s chazzan, and The Function Band handled the rest. Both were “absolutely incredible.”

In Sophie’s words, “Eitan helped us with options as we were not sure beforehand what we would like, although we did know we wanted to have the songs to tunes of songs that we know.”

As for The Function Band – the lead singer of which happens to be Josh’s first cousin – “they really went over and above what we were expecting for us both and our families,” not only providing the kind of music that kept guests on the dancefloor all night long but also helping in coordinating the day.

There’s so much more to say about this beautiful wedding, but we’ll turn you over to Sophie – who looked so elegant in Stella York – for the rest…

Sophie & Josh, The Grove, UK Sophie & Josh, The Grove, UK Sophie & Josh, The Grove, UK Sophie & Josh, The Grove, UK
How we Met

Sophie, the bride: We met in our first year of uni (Nottingham Trent) and started going out in second year. We have been together for 8 and a half years and bought our first home together in January 2021.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

A Destination Jewish Vineyard Wedding with Breathtaking Scenery at Eureka Estate, Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa

by

Hannah-and-Darren-Eureka-Estate-Cape-Town

Today’s fab Jewish wedding is giving us serious travel FOMO! Smashing The Glass Brides Club member Hannah, the head of weddings at Jimmy Garcia Catering in London, and Darren, the general manager of a bar in Chancery Lane, chose to wed in the groom’s home country of South Africa in no small part thanks to the nation’s positively breathtaking scenery.

And their decision to wed at a vineyard in Cape Town’s magnificent wine region did not disappoint! As an events professional in London, the bride felt strongly that she wanted her own wedding to be very different than the ones she works on – and we’re pretty sure this stunner of a big day fits that bill. Where else can you have your chuppah overlooking lush valleys of grapes amidst rugged mountain ranges?! We’re obsessed with the captivating imagery from photographer Gavin Casey and videographer Josh Hundermark.

Naturally, we love all the personal touches these two put into their big day – there’s WAY too many to list here, but we’re especially enamored with the tequila bar (with a neon sign that read “Until death do us party”)!

Now over to Hannah, who has the kindest words to say about her time in Brides Club:“I was surrounded by like-minded ladies, each creating their own unique weddings all around the world, and it was hugely comforting.” Doesn’t get much better than that!

Hannah-and-Darren-Eureka-Estate-Cape-Town Hannah-and-Darren-Eureka-Estate-Cape-Town Hannah-and-Darren-Eureka-Estate-Cape-Town Hannah-and-Darren-Eureka-Estate-Cape-Town
How we met

Hannah, the bride: We were invited to a charity dinner hosted by one of our mutual friends. We had never met, and this all changed when Darren asked this friend of ours to point out one girl at the event, that knows how to have fun. Our friend pointed me out and with such confidence, he made a beeline in my direction and captivated me with his South African accent and charm.

Continue ReadingContinue Reading

A Stella York Bride for a Family-Centered Jewish Wedding at The Waldorf Hilton Aldwych, London, UK

by


We are totally and completely in awe of Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Claudine Hartzel’s exquisite photos from today’s gorgeous Jewish wedding. The way she captures the emotion, the details, and of course the Israeli dancing (there are some seriously unmissable action shots below!) – Claudine’s work never fails to bowl us over.

Another thing that consistently gives us the warm and fuzzies? When a couple prioritizes incorporating family into their big day. Danni, who works as a fundraiser for a Jewish charity, and Sam, an accountant, did just that, from having their parents help out with the planning to including as many family members as possible in their procession to the chuppah.

Both the bride and groom’s fathers drive black cabs in London, and in honour of their dads the pair opted to incorporate black cabs as a motif – love how they included a little black cab on their invitations!

And we love that Danni opted to pair her Stella York dress with her mum’s veil – which, with a few alterations, fit seamlessly into her bridal style. We’ll let her take things from here…


How we met

Danni, the bride: Before getting married we had been together for six and a half years. We met while at university, Sam came up to Leeds to surprise my housemate (and bridesmaid) and we got chatting… a few months later we met again and started going out. We’ve been together ever since.

Continue ReadingContinue Reading

A Stella York Bride for a Winter Wonderland Jewish Wedding at Warren Weir, Luton Hoo, UK

by

Don’t mind us, we’re busy picking our jaws up off the floor after seeing today’s stunning Jewish wedding portraits in the snow. Almost enough to make you rethink that summer wedding, are we right?!

When Mel, a project manager, and Mitch, who works in IT, first chose Chiko Photography, they were drawn to a photo of his with a couple under an umbrella in the snow. Who would’ve thought they’d get to recreate it themselves?!

This is also a special wedding for us because bride Mel was one of our blogging brides but not only that, Mel was also a founding member of our Club for Jewish Brides, and as such, she and Mitch were the very first couple to ever use our own-brand (and super gorgeous!) smash glass pouch for breaking the glass under their chuppah!

We loved following Mel’s wedding planning journey, and we’re so glad to hear that the feeling was mutual. Mel found several of her amazing wedding vendors through Smashing the Glass, from their incredible videographer, STG Recommended Vendor Denee Motion,to another much loved STG Recommended Vendor XS Showband, best known as pioneers of the wedding flash mob!

XS Showband provided entertainment throughout the day, but we can’t take our eyes off Denee Motion’s fantastic video of Mel and Mitch’s very own musical wedding flash mob, just before their ceremony started. They wanted a special surprise for their guests, something to make sure their day really stood out, and we think this more than did the trick. You’ve got to check it out for yourself!

Do also take a moment to read through Mel’s fabulous account of her planning and prep, there are some really useful tips and a generous helping of super advice at the end. Over to Mel now (and by the way we think she looks SO elegant in her lace fishtail gown by Stella York. . . 

Jewish wedding at Warren Weir at Luton Hoo UK_0045

Jewish wedding at Warren Weir at Luton Hoo UK_0068

  Jewish wedding at Warren Weir at Luton Hoo UK_0062
How we met

Mel, the bride: We met on JDate in 2013. After chatting for a while we met for a drink. Our second date was an eight-hour lunch! I thought if someone can keep me engrossed in constant conversation for that long without getting bored then I am on to a winner.

Continue ReadingContinue Reading

Real Jewish Brides – Mel: A Whole New Kind Of Shopping

by

Mel  will be marrying Mitch on Sunday 18 March 2018, in a Jewish wedding at Warren Weir at Luton Hoo, UK.

THREE FACTS: (1) Mel and Mitch met online on JDate (2) Their Jewish wedding will be classy and traditional with plenty of modern touches  (3) Mel is a member of Smashing The Glass’s private Jewish & Jew-ish Brides Facebook Group. Not yet a member? Come join us here!


Dresses: ✔

I recently ticked off one of the most stressful tasks so far… finding bridesmaid’s dresses! âœ” A couple of months prior, my mum also found her dress, and I said ‘Yes to the Dress’ earlier this year.

Now that I and the important ladies in my life have found a dress for the wedding, and having been to all the appointments, I have built a good insight into how to approach finding the perfect dress.


Continue ReadingContinue Reading