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Home > Chiko Photography > Page 3

Real Jewish Brides: Introducing Mel + Mitch… how they met to the present day

30/05/2017 by Smashing The Glass

Today on the blog we’re introducing our 3rd gorgeous bride from our crop of 2017 and 2018 Real Jewish Brides! Please give a warm welcome to Mel who will be marrying Mitch on 18th March 2018 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!

REAL-JEWISH-BRIDES_Mel
How We Met

Mitch and I met on JDate (yes, we are one of those couples!) in 2013. I had not long come out of a long-term relationship so I joined with the main intention of just knowing that there were people out there and that I wouldn’t be single forever! I didn’t for one minute think that I would end meeting the man I was going to marry — funny how things come along when you least expect it. After a month or so I was actually going to delete my account — until I received what can only be described as an essay from ‘mitch2302’. I thought, if this person has taken the time to look through my profile and made the effort to write a long message, the least I could do is respond.

Going on a first date — particularly never having met the person before — is quite unnerving. I suggested a nice gastro pub for a drink near where I lived. I always think that a drink on a first date is the best option as you’re less committed to spending long there if you weren’t feeling it, compared to if you go for dinner (call me crazy!).

Three hours later, we were still talking but it was time to go, with so much still to say. Our second date was four days later. This time we went for lunch. Eight hours later we were still in the same spot, chatting away like we had known each other for years. I left still wanting to know more about him #GoodSign.

People in common…

Being Jewish, it doesn’t take long to come across mutual friends. We did the usual “do you know such-and-such?” Little did we know just how ‘close’ we were — it turned out his parents are best friends with my aunt and uncle and have known each other since they were 16! *Cue MIL-to-be insane excitement*

We chose to keep my last name a secret at first (that would have given the game away) so that Mitch’s mum didn’t get too ahead of herself and call my aunt and cry with excitement that she will be related to her best friend of 40 years — bearing in mind I met his parents after the fourth date so marriage was definitely not on the cards yet. Sadly, my identity was revealed – I was practically quizzed when I first met Mitch’s parents. His mum then decided to have a Facebook stalk (as you do when you meet someone for the first time) and found me. Luckily, she honoured our wishes not to tell my entire family we were dating until we were ready.

After a few more dates, we became ‘official’. And then gave Mitch’s mum ‘permission’ to call my aunt — she was probably more excited about this than knowing Mitch had a girlfriend.

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“My best Jewish wedding photo” by Chiko Photography

11/10/2015 by Karen

A weekly series where  I ask some of the world’s best wedding photographers to pick out their favourite shot from their Jewish wedding portfolio. This week it’s the turn of  Chiko Ashkenazi    from Chiko Photography.

Chiko-Photography

‘Winter Wonderland’ by  Chiko

Taken in London — a city that is never usually peaceful or quiet… yet at 1am on a Sunday night I was given  the opportunity to capture a classic and timeless wedding photo. It could have been taken directly out of a Hollywood film set. It’s romantic and pure and there is something very powerful in capturing a moment like this.

Few feelings in life compare to those you get when you see a fresh, untouched snowfall. The sight is stunning, the landscape peaceful and the feeling is sublime — all contribute to  making  a great setting on a wedding day.”

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Natalie & Olivier | Elegant Jewish wedding at the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem, Israel

11/09/2015 by Karen

Waldorf-Astoria-Jerusalem-wedding
Today I’m blogging a beautifully  elegant affair from the heart of Jerusalem  that shows you  that you don’t necessarily have to incorporate a rainbow of colour or an abundance of details to have the wedding of your dreams. A destination wedding  in Israel’s historical capital city, Natalie and Olivier’s  white-on-white minimal theme is thoroughly  timeless and  perfectly set against the glorious backdrop of Jerusalem.

Minimal it may be, but  will you just look at that custom-designed  Inbal Dror  wedding dress?  I give you full permission to be green with envy over it — it’s absolutely gorgeous.

Not only is Natalie  an incredibly beautiful bride, all glowing skin and glossy locks, but her and her French husband Olivier were one of the first couples ever to hold their wedding at the brand new  Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem, the city’s latest luxury venue.

Simple, elegant, fun, and relaxed — this wedding is perfectly executed in every way. Photography is by  Chiko  who’s making his debut appearance today on STG. Welcome to ‘Club Smashing’ , Chiko!

Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem wedding
Choosing to marry in Jerusalem

Natalie, the bride: I was born in Jerusalem and it is a very special place to me, it has a lot of sentimental value and is a really unique place. We loved the idea of the  Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem because it was brand new. We were the first or second wedding there and the decor is just fabulous so there wasn’t much that we  needed to do in terms of styling.

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