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

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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. . . 

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  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.

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A Mori Lee Bride for a City Chic Jewish Wedding at St. Pancras Renaissance, London, UK

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Okay, how much do we love Natasha and Tal’s wisteria chuppah?! SO romantic, and yet somehow also understated, since the couple kept everything else about the structure super simple. What a great reminder that you don’t necessarily have to go all out and do something super dramatic and involved to have a beautiful, memorable chuppah at your Jewish wedding.

There’s so much more that was beautiful and memorable about this day, too — you’ve got to check out Smashing the Glass Recommended Vendor David Pullum’s photos of all the action. But if you just see one, make sure it’s the pic where Natasha’s being tossed six feet in the air (!) on a tablecloth – scroll a bit, and you won’t miss it. It’s pretty dramatic, and we’re not even a little surprised that guests are still talking about it.

From that photo alone, you can probably guess that Natasha and Tal had a pretty rockin’ party. That was partly thanks to Smashing the Glass Recommended Vendor The Function Band, who the couple describe as “truly show-stopping.” They made sure the dance floor was packed all night, and guests are still remarking on their fantastic performance.

Now we’ll turn you over to Natasha, who looked stunning in her Mori Lee dress…

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Jewish wedding St Pancras Renaissance London UK_0019

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A London Venue

Natasha, the bride: We got married at St Pancras Renaissance. We were struggling to find a venue that we agreed on. We walked up to the front of the venue and were instantly wowed. We walked around imaging the photographs and knew it was going to be the one.

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A Yolan Cris Bride for a Dreamy Outdoor Destination Jewish Wedding at Givat Brenner in Rechovot, Israel

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Where to begin with today’s positively divine Jewish wedding? This one is chock full of clever ideas and sweet traditions — and did we mention that the couple are basically models? Oh, and the venue’s not bad looking either! Eye candy all around today!

Robyn, an area manager and one half of @tworealfoodies, and Josh, a property surveyor, live in Manchester but had their hearts set on an Israeli wedding with a fairy tale garden vibe, and that’s exactly what they got at Givat Brenner. Take one look at Ronen Boidek’s breathtaking photos and we think you’ll agree.

Beautiful Robyn, who looked just like a fairy tale princess in her lace gown from Yolan Cris, is lucky enough to have grown up with some of the best Jewish wedding musicians around: Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor The Portnoy Brothers, who specialize in performing at chuppahs. Naturally, they sang at Robyn and Josh’s — and their father, who happens to be a rabbi, married the couple!

Speaking of keeping it in the family, Robyn’s family has the most beautiful chuppah tradition: when her parents got married, her mum handmade a canopy from her own mother’s wedding dress. Afterward, the couple embroidered their initials on it. From then on, the canopy was passed from relative to relative, with new initials added each time it was used. Robyn’s and Josh’s are the latest additions. Wouldn’t this be a wonderful tradition to start?

We haven’t even gotten to the sweet “message in a bottle” favors/place cards Robyn handwrote (and stuffed!) for every single guest, but we’ll let her tell you more about that — along with all the rest of the details of this dreamy day…

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Destination Jewish Wedding Givat Brenner in Rechovot, Israel_0116

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How we met

Robyn, the bride: We met when we were 12 years old at Habonim summer camp. We went to summer camp every year together until we were 16, when we went to Israel on tour for a month. Those were definitely some of the best summers, with friendships and memories that last a lifetime. We stayed close but didn’t become “official” until after we finished University in Nottingham in 2012 and have been together ever since.

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A Pnina Tornai Bride for an Ultra-Chic, Ultra-NYC Jewish Wedding at Liberty Warehouse, Brooklyn, USA

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Good morning, lovelies! Today we have an absolute stunner of a Jewish wedding to share with you, and also a special treat for you US brides and grooms: the fab photography and videography studio behind today’s super-glam shots, NYC-based Fred Marcus Studio, is offering members of our VIB Club a free engagement shoot  (just click here to become a VIB [Very Important Bride] and enjoy ALL the benefits!)

Fred Marcus Studio is just one of hundreds of vendors, handpicked by me, who offer VIB’s a 10% discount or special gift. There’s also a wonderful private VIB Facebook community, too, where me and my team are on hand to advise you with your wedding plans, day or night — however and whenever you need assistance, along with SO much more goodness — it’s a hive of activity! If you haven’t joined yet, don’t delay as we’ll be closing membership for this quarter shortly.

So now, onto today’s EPIC wedding. This ultra-chic Jewish W Day is basically a big fat love letter to one of the greatest cities in the world: New York. Having spent their entire relationship in the city, there was no question that Kira, a grad student, and Mark, who works in finance, would wed anywhere else.

The pair got married at Liberty Warehouse in super cool Redhook, Brooklyn, with an outdoor ceremony looking out on the water–and onto the Statue of Liberty! How much more quintessentially NYC can it get?

Well, let’s see… Kira found her gown, a show-stopping custom Pnina Tornai, at Kleinfeld, the ultimate New York wedding dress shopping destination–just like on Say Yes to the Dress.

And the couple had a six-layer cake from NYC cult favorite Momofuku Milkbar, which you may know for such iconic creations as Crack Pie and Cereal Milk Soft Serve.

Even their invitations got in on the act, with a map of NYC lining the envelopes and the city skyline adorning their rehearsal dinner invite.

The couple wanted a party where no one sat down, and thanks to Smashing the Glass Recommended Vendor Hank Lane they found their fab wedding band, led by Bobby Attiko, who kept their guests dancing all night–it is the city that never sleeps, after all! Now I’ll turn you over to bride Kira for all the details…

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Jewish wedding Liberty Warehouse, Redhook, Brooklyn, USA_0002

Jewish wedding Liberty Warehouse, Redhook, Brooklyn, USA_0002 Jewish wedding Liberty Warehouse, Redhook, Brooklyn, USA_0002 Jewish wedding Liberty Warehouse, Redhook, Brooklyn, USA_0002
An NYC Wedding

Kira, the bride: we got married at Liberty Warehouse in Redhook, Brooklyn. We really wanted a New York wedding since our whole relationship has taken place in NYC, and we also wanted somewhere on the water since water is always our happy place. When we found out the only date left at LW for a June 2017 wedding was our 5th anniversary of meeting, we knew it was meant to be!

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Sisters Doing it for Themselves at a Quirky, Converse-Filled Jewish Wedding at Rosewood London, UK

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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. 

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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.

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