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A Lee Petra Grebenau Bride for an Elegant Jewish Wedding at Holkam Hall, Norfolk, UK

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How gorgeous is Lucinda and Zac’s fabulous Norfolk Jewish wedding?! The setting, the chuppah, Lucinda’s fabulous gown by Israeli designer Lee Petra Grebenau… It’s all just perfection, as you’ll see if you scroll through Andy Davison Photography’s wonderful images.

Lucinda, an optometrist, and Zac, who works in finance, pulled off a wedding that was not only beyond-words beautiful, but also an awesome party! That was in large part thanks to the couple’s band, Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Jam Hot, who started with an awesome Israeli dancing set and went on to keep the dance floor packed all night.

In Lucinda’s words, “I think I can say on behalf of every guest at our wedding that Jam Hot Showband really were the highlight of the event. We keep on trying to think of another excuse to have the band again for another party, they created memories that we are forever grateful for and will never forget.” Doesn’t get much better than that!

We were also pleased to hear that Lucinda and Zac also bought their ketubah from much-loved Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Ketubah.com –they wanted something they could hang in their home as a work of art, and needless to say they found just the thing.

Now we’ll hand you over to Lucinda…

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How we Met

Lucinda, the bride: Zac and I met when we were about 15 years old on holiday, Zac being from London and myself from Nottinghamshire, we were just friends until around the age of 17. Around this age, Zac took me on our first date in London, we started out as a long distance relationship through university. Once I graduated, I moved to London and we have since bought a house and moved in together, and then got married 2 years later, despite all the odds with covid. We had been together for over 8 years before we got married.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

Luxe Winter Jewish Wedding Inspo at the Four Seasons Hampshire, UK

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You know what doesn’t get enough love? Winter weddings, that’s what. Sure, you don’t get the long daylight hours, and you might find your selection of flowers a tad more limited. But there’s something just so magical and cozy about holding your Jewish (or Jew-ish) wedding in this under appreciated season.

That’s why we’re so delighted that master wedding planner and Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Michelle Jacobs of Elegante by Michelle J decided to spearhead a gorgeous Jewish wedding-themed shoot that’s basically an ode to the winter wedding. 

Set at #STGvendor Four Seasons Hampshire, a gorgeous luxe countryside venue that’s not far from London but feels a world away, the shoot brought together a fantastic team of wedding professionals, including some other beloved #STGvendors like stationer Bigday Designs, makeup artist Philippa Louise, bridal boutique Mirror Mirror London, and Judaica purveyor Contemporary Judaica!

Being a classic country venue, Four Seasons Hampshire‘s obviously got beautiful gardens and grounds (how magnificent is the Walled Garden?!) – and Paulo Santo Photography took full advantage of that fact in capturing some sublime couples’ shots like the one above.  

But Michelle and her team really wanted to showcase the venue’s incredible indoor event spaces – and just how memorably they can be dressed up for a totally unique Jewish wedding. (If you want to see what Four Seasons Hampshire looks like for a summer wedding, check out the incredible Jewish wedding of Jessica and Philip that we featured a couple years back!)

Featuring jewel tones and luxe textures, this shoot is 100% pure winter magnificence. 

And as if we couldn’t love this shoot any more, Michelle even worked in one of our very own smash glass pouches – doesn’t get much better than that!

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Bringing the Hamptons to the UK: Jewish Wedding Inspo on Osea Island

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Eight months into the pandemic, and I think most of us are experiencing some serious wanderlust. So today, we’re taking you on a little holiday to the Hamptons, navigated by master wedding planner and Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Michelle Jacobs of Elegante by Michelle J, who spearheaded this gorgeous Jewish wedding-themed shoot!

Wait, sorry, this actually isn’t the Hamptons – despite what you might assume from the chilled out ocean backdrop, the soft beachy color scheme, and the Adirondack chairs! But we ARE headed off on a fabulous journey that will be of particular interest to all of you UK couples out there dreaming of an immersive destination wedding but hesitant to make plans abroad, thanks to Michelle and a fantastic team of wedding professionals, including some other beloved #STGvendors like stationer Dimitria Jordan, makeup artist Katy Angelidi, florist Gabriella Shemtov, and bridal boutique Mirror Mirror London, and Judaica purveyor Contemporary Judaica!

Today’s destination is actually the UK’s magical Osea Island! A small, privately owned island just off the Essex coast and accessible via a tidal causeway (and only a little more than an hour from London!), Osea Island is offered for exclusive hire for weddings and special events – and it’s truly a venue like none other. 

Michelle and her team fell in love with the cool, casual vibe and Hamptons-style interiors abundant on Osea Island – and she should know, as the planner involved with this incredible Jewish wedding featured on STG last year – and we’re betting you will, too. 

There’s something incredibly calming about these exquisite photos, courtesy of Stuart Wood Photography – thanks to the idyllic setting, tranquil coastal color palette, and sophisticated yet understated design scheme – and who couldn’t use a little bit of that right now?

Even though Osea Island isn’t far from London at all, it really does feel like another world – and as such, it’s absolutely the perfect option for couples in the UK who want the feel of an immersive destination wedding without the hassle (and, in COVID times, uncertainty) of international travel.

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A Pronovias Bride for an Elegant Rustic Israel-Meets-Tuscany Jewish Wedding at Achuza Beit Hanan, Israel

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We’re so excited to be featuring the magnificent Jewish wedding of our beloved STG Brides Club member Davina, a hotel developer, and Adam, head of digital product for a legal publisher! These two had a positively dreamy destination wedding at Achuza Beit Hanan.

We adored following Davina’s planning journey in Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club, and we’re so touched to hear her kind words about the group:

Talking to the other girls getting married in Israel was a massive help. I could ask anything on the group and get advice, like my virtual bridesmaids… I also met some amazing girls who are now really close friends.”

Davina also found a bunch of her incredible vendors through Brides Club, including Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Emily & Jo, who helped the couple craft a pretty, classic design featuring their monogram that they were able to send both by post AND digitally, for their further-flung friends and family.

And then there’s Davina’s gown, which is pure, classic bridal glamour. Although she visited a number of bridal boutiques, Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Mirror Mirror was the uncontested winner – and the place she found the Pronovias dress of her dreams. Davina can’t stop raving about the impeccable service she received from the whole team at Mirror Mirror, from the moment she stepped in the door through the final fitting.

Davina found the perfect match for her gown in an elegant pair of heels from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Emmy London – not only did the lace on the shoes match her gown, but Davina raves that the heels were comfortable, too!

Keep scrolling for some serious wedding magic – we’re positively head over heels for the simply magical photography from Haim Afriat and videography by Nir Tenenbaum.

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Davina and Adam, Achuza Beit Hanan, Israel
How we Met (both sides!)

Adam, the groom: About 2 years ago I was at a Shabbat dinner with some friends at the Marriott in Regents Park, London. On arriving I met and chatted with a friend named Lisa, while also noting a large attendance. During the evening, my attention was drawn to one of Lisa’s friends, who didn’t stop smiling and laughing. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I thought she was stunning!

At the end of the night I was determined to find her, as I feared I may never see her again. Searching through the crowd I found her and we had a quick conversation that ended with me suggesting that we meet again. Two years later, I’m very excited to be marrying that girl, the beautiful Davina.

Davina, the bride: My flatmate, Yael suggested we go to the 2016 CJL Shabbat dinner with some of her friends. We arrived at the Marriott, Regents Park to find the room packed with more than 300 young people. We looked for Lisa, Yael’s best friend and saw her talking to a guy, so we just said hi and moved on. I noticed he was wearing a very nice original grey and burgundy jacket and had amazing blue eyes.

At the end of the evening, I was talking to some friends when Yael told me that she was going home. I was about to pick up my coat to leave, when the guy with the grey and burgundy jacket stopped me and told me that Yael was looking for me. I reassured him, said that she found me and continued my route.I was on my way out when Yael, said to me “I think Adam wants to talk to you”. I looked at whom she was referring to and thought “Why not?” I asked her to wait 2 minutes so I could find out what he wanted. I didn’t know that this would be the first conversation with my future husband!

Three days later (yes, 3 days… what the hell was he doing?!) he added me on Facebook and invited me for a date. As I was travelling that week we had to wait until Sunday to meet. We couldn’t wait to see each other, so we started writing in the first week and didn’t stop. Two years later on the 29 September 2018 Adam surprised me by going down on one knee and asking me to marry him in a very romantic setting with candles and rose petals everywhere.

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An exclusive first look at Emmy’s exciting new collaboration with Corinthia London {Live with Emmy}

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If you’re a regular STG reader, you might be aware that I’m just a little bit obsessed with Emmy London, my go-to source for breathtaking luxury bridal and event shoes and accessories. From pretty hand embellished beaded peep toes, to sky high stilettos adorned with Swarovski crystals and mother of pearl shell, Emmy London’s designs are the perfect accessory for your big day. 

While past collections have drawn inspiration from destinations and architecture all over the world. Emmy’s latest collection has its roots right here in London, at the Corinthia Hotel! Celebrating the brand’s local heritage, the brand-new Corinthia collection reflects the inspiring interior of this luxury space, which blends historical references and modern touches to perfection. 

Designer Emmy Scarterfield will be chatting with me live on our Smashing The Glass Facebook page this Tuesday, 5 March, showing off the new collection and walking us through the design process, from moodboard to first sketch to finished product. She’ll also be demonstrating how she applies her luxe trims to the shoes! Continue ReadingContinue Reading