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A Lazaro Bride for an Interfaith Jewish-Catholic Wedding at Castello di Meleto, Tuscany, Italy

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Danielle and Greg, Castello di Meleto in Gaiole, Chianti,Tuscany, Italy

We love a Tuscan wedding – and today’s is really something special. New Yorkers Danielle, a manager at a boutique management consulting firm, and Greg, the COO and CCO at a hedge fund, are passionate travelers and dreamed of a wedding surrounded by rolling vineyards and world-class wines.

It’s no easy feat to plan a wedding from thousands of miles away, and the couple turned to Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor The Tuscan Wedding to help make the day of their dreams a reality. In Danielle’s words:

The Tuscan Wedding team truly exceeded all expectations. Daniela and Katia were our main planners, and their combined expertise, creativity, and connections brought our vision to life. Daniela’s industry knowledge and relationships paired perfectly with Katia’s fresh ideas and unwavering support. They truly listened to what we wanted and turned it into reality. Thoughtful, kind, and full of great energy, they struck the perfect balance between offering guidance and letting us shape our dream wedding. By the end of it all, they felt more like lifelong friends than just our planners.

Danielle and Greg themed their day around The Tuscan beauty surrounding them, showcasing the bold colors and stunning natural landscape. They incorporated lots of local color with details like an espresso bar after dinner and a surprise appearance by an opera singer during dinner. Their gorgeous ketubah from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor ketubah.com was chosen to beautifully complement the wedding’s color scheme. Don’t miss all the special details in the stunning photos and video by Aberrazioni Cromatiche Studio!

Read on for the full story in Danielle’s own words…

Danielle and Greg, Castello di Meleto in Gaiole, Chianti,Tuscany, ItalyDanielle and Greg, Castello di Meleto in Gaiole, Chianti,Tuscany, Italy Danielle and Greg, Castello di Meleto in Gaiole, Chianti,Tuscany, ItalyDanielle and Greg, Castello di Meleto in Gaiole, Chianti,Tuscany, Italy
How We Met

Danielle, the bride: We first met in January 2020 at Perry Street, a restaurant in the West Village, during Restaurant Week in Manhattan. Our mutual friends had organized a big dinner to take advantage of the great deals at some of the city’s best spots. After dinner, we spent the night bar-hopping through the West Village, talking, laughing, and getting to know each other. That night, we both started to feel like there was something worth exploring. A few weeks later, Greg asked Danielle on their first date—a New York Rangers game at Madison Square Garden. Sitting in the stands, caught up in the energy of the game, it became clear that this had the potential to turn into something special.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

A Lee Petra Grebenau Bride for a Romantic Enchanted Garden Jewish Wedding at Villa Miani, Rome, Italy

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Get ready to fall in love with Natalie and Marc’s epic Jewish wedding in Rome. The UK-based couple wanted a spring destination wedding surrounded by blooming flowers, and they found everything they wanted and more at the breathtaking Villa Miani, nestled atop a hill with sprawling gardens and a panoramic view of Rome.

Natalie and Marc knew a destination wedding was a big ask for our guests, so they prioritized making it as seamless as possible – and they turned to the best of the best to help make it happen, Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Elegante by Michelle J.

In Natalie’s words,

Elegante by Michelle J exceeded every expectation. Michelle thought of everything—details I didn’t even know existed—and her team coordinated the entire day with such precision and care that everything felt seamless. They turned what could have been a stressful process into a joyful experience, and their expertise allowed us to simply enjoy the day. For anyone seeking a wedding planner, I can’t recommend her enough.

We’re also head over heels for the duo’s exquisite invitations, created by Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Big Day Designs. Featuring whimsical illustrations inspired by Villa Miani, they set the tone for the big day so perfectly.  

Read on for all the details of this fabulous day – including Natalie and Marc’s touching tribute to the hostages – and don’t miss the wonderful images from photographer  Alex Wysocki and trailer by videographer Waterfall Visuals!

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How We Met

Natalie, the bride: Marc first messaged me in 2019 to set up a date, but he ended up cancelling and never rescheduled! Then, a year later in 2020, he reached out again and suggested a socially distanced walking date. I decided to give him another chance—it’s not like I could pretend to be super busy during that time. But he cancelled again!! Claiming he had Covid. At that point, I decided, No way am I giving this guy another chance.

Fast forward to June 2021. Marc’s good friend was having a birthday party, and somehow, both Marc and I got invited—his friend and some of my friends had conspired to make this happen. I went to the party, had a great time, and made a point of ignoring Marc the entire night. I could feel him looking at me, but I avoided eye contact. Eventually, he worked up the nerve to come over and ask me out again. I said no, reminding him he’d already cancelled on me twice.

Marc spent the rest of the night trying to convince me to give him another chance. Finally, I gave in and when we did set a date, we met for drinks at the Ham Yard Hotel (the same place he later proposed) and the rest is history.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

A Berta Bride for a Jewish Wedding at Borgo Stomennano, Tuscany, Italy

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There’s no question that Tuscany is one of the world’s most gorgeous destinations for a Jewish wedding – and Yael and Joel’s special day is just beyond!

After recovering from a serious car accident, the couple knew their top priority was spending quality time together with their loved ones – and so they decided to make a full wedding weekend of it at beautiful Borgo Stomennano, a picturesque historic estate nestled in the rolling hills of Tuscany.

The couple’s photographer, Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Ronen Boidek, captured the day in all its glory. Yael says that Ronen “has so much talent and has this special capability to catch the essence of people’s personalities in his pictures,” and we couldn’t agree more!

Yael also looked absolutely radiant in her stunner of a gown by beloved Israeli bridal designer Berta – read on for the full story in her words…

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How We Met

Yael, the bride: We met at the wedding of our good friends Jenija and Steph in Tel Aviv, in 2017. Jenija and Yael went to kindergarten together and Joel and Steph met playing tennis together as kids while on holiday in Israel, a few decades ago.

Bride and groom thought we’d be a great match and had planned to seat us next to each other on their wedding at the singles table, but we already ‘found’ each other a few days before at their pre-party at the bar and have been inseparable ever since.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

A Marcella NYC Bride for a Dreamy Jewish Wedding at Villa Corsini, Florence, Italy

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There’s something about a Tuscan wedding – and we’re head over heels for the beautiful Jewish destination wedding of American couple A and S.

Both professional musicians with busy schedules, these two knew they could use some help making the wedding of their dreams a reality, and they turned to Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Primavera Dreams. In the couple’s words,  founder Luba

was instrumental in implementing our wedding vibe/atmosphere. We wanted it to feel luxurious but not too stuffy, casual and comfortable but also elegant, colorful but also classic. Luba and Yael helped execute amazing events leading up to the wedding for our guests that allowed them to get to know each other and bond.

We also love that bride A opted for an off-the-rack dress from Marcella NYC rather than a traditional wedding gown – a great reminder that there are lots of fabulous out-of-the-box (and budget-friendly) options when it comes to bridal fashion.

We’re obsessed with the exquisite photos by Michael Zennaro – scroll on to take in ALL the gorgeousness for yourself!

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How We Met

The bride: We actually first met (as friends) in high school at a summer music program, but reconnected about 10 years later living in New York City.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

An Elie Saab Bride For a Tuscan Jewish Wedding Full of Love, Lemons, and Local Charm at the Great Synagogue of Florence and Villa Maiano, Tuscany, Italy

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Aviva and Alan, Villa di Maiano, Fiesole, Italy

There’s nothing like a Tuscan wedding – and Aviva and Alan’s is one for the books! These two went all out in embracing the local color and charm of their oh-so-scenic environs, from the majestic Grand Synagogue of Florence where the chuppah took place to the dreamy reception at Villa di Maiano, nestled in the rolling hills of Tuscany.

Planning a destination wedding abroad is no easy feat, and Aviva and Alan wisely chose to work with planner extraordinaire Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Elegante by Michelle J to make their dream Jewish wedding weekend a reality.

Michelle brought in a team of nine coordinators who all worked to ensure that the couple and their guests were incredibly well looked after, not only on the wedding day but throughout the wonderful pre- and post-wedding events Aviva and Alan hosted for everyone.

Michelle also worked with the couple’s florist, Il Giardino delle Fate Flower Design, to style every space in a unique and beautiful way – don’t miss it all in the wonderful images by David Bastianoni!

Now over to the bride…

Aviva and Alan, Villa di Maiano, Fiesole, Italy Aviva and Alan, Villa di Maiano, Fiesole, Italy Aviva and Alan, Villa di Maiano, Fiesole, ItalyAviva and Alan, Villa di Maiano, Fiesole, Italy
Venue

Aviva, the bride: We married at the beautiful Florence Synagogue where we hosted a pre-ceremony reception in the gardens, tisch in the synagogue entrance hall and a stunning ceremony with a small orchestra in the synagogue itself.

Following the ceremony, our planner had arranged transportation to drive all of our guests to Villa di Maiano, which is in a small town called Fiesole, about 15 minutes’ drive away and in the hills just above Florence. The venue is in a beautiful setting with spectacular views of the city and the surrounding countryside.Continue ReadingContinue Reading