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A Same-Sex Summer Camp Jewish Wedding at Forest Lake Camp, Chestertown, New York, USA

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Eliana and Baylee, Forest Lake Camp, Chestertown NY, USA

How fun is it that today’s couple, Baylee, the founder and CEO of an AI company, and Eliana, who works in HR strategy in the financial industry, opted to hold their Jewish wedding at a summer camp?!

The couple wanted more than just a few hours to spend with their guests, so they invited their loved ones to the spend the weekend with them at Forest Lake Camp! Instead of a formal rehearsal dinner, Baylee and Eliana held a welcome barbecue for all of their guests – and pre-wedding, everyone loved the range of activities available onsite, from swimming to hiking to tennis. 

We also love that the duo opted to write their own ketubah text, and read it aloud to each other as their vows during the ceremony – plus the fact that on their way down from the chuppah, guests lined the path and threw flowers at Baylee and Eliana for a colorful recessional! Don’t miss the wonderful photos by Kristen Tomkowid of Little But Fierce Photography.

Read on for all the details in the brides’ own words…

Eliana and Baylee, Forest Lake Camp, Chestertown NY, USAEliana and Baylee, Forest Lake Camp, Chestertown NY, USAEliana and Baylee, Forest Lake Camp, Chestertown NY, USAEliana and Baylee, Forest Lake Camp, Chestertown NY, USA

How We Met

Eliana & Baylee, the brides: We met in 2017 at a University of Pennsylvania LGBTQ+ alumni event.

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A Same-Sex Jewish Wedding Celebration Extravaganza at Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El, Plantation, Florida, USA

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Sam-and-Mark-Temple-Kol-Ami-Emanu-El-Plantation-Florida-USA

This wedding is just chock full of Jewish joy – and we are here for it! It was a no-brainer for Sam, an attorney and the Vice President of Instruction and Online Education for BARBRI, and Mark, the Cantor and Co-Senior Clergy at Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El in Plantation, Florida, to marry at their home congregation – where Mark just celebrated his 30th anniversary as Cantor!

Sam and Mark worked with Beverly Diane of Beverly Diane Party Consultants to plan the day – or rather, multi-day wedding celebration extravaganza – of their dreams, and in the grooms’ words, “She understood the assignment and really wanted to capture “us” authentically when designing and planning.”

The wedding weekend started with a Shabbat service and dinner, followed by a day of togetherness with loves ones from near and far a the couple’s home.  Sunday was the big day, with a morning ceremony followed by a brunch for all the guests. In the evening, the duo wrapped things up with a 5-course dinner party for their closest loved ones, featuring toasts and roasts from guests and an impromptu musical welcome speech from the grooms. The whole day was filled with so much love and laughter, beautifully captured on photo and video by Bells and Whistles Studios.

Read on for all the details in Sam and Mark’s own words…

Sam-and-Mark-Temple-Kol-Ami-Emanu-El-Plantation-Florida-USA Sam-and-Mark-Temple-Kol-Ami-Emanu-El-Plantation-Florida-USASam-and-Mark-Temple-Kol-Ami-Emanu-El-Plantation-Florida-USA Sam-and-Mark-Temple-Kol-Ami-Emanu-El-Plantation-Florida-USA
How We Met

Sam, and Mark, the grooms: We first met in 2009 at a guest house in Key West while both in other relationships. In 2020, Sam reached out to Mark out of the blue (both were single by then). After catching up, we discovered that, by pure coincidence, we had both made reservations at the same guest house in Key West where we originally met, a few weeks apart. The rest is history.Continue ReadingContinue Reading