Smashing the Glass | Jewish Wedding Blog

Inspired Jewish Weddings

Home > JDate couple

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

by

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. . . 

Jewish wedding at Warren Weir at Luton Hoo UK_0045

Jewish wedding at Warren Weir at Luton Hoo UK_0068

  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.

Continue ReadingContinue Reading

A Vera Wang Bride for an Elegant Jewish Wedding in the Hamptons, Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa, New York, USA

by

Jewish-wedding-Gurney’s-Montauk-Resort-Seawater-Spa-New-York-USA
We see a lot of beach weddings at Smashing The Glass, but this one really goes all out with the seaside theme! NYC-based Jessica (@jessschein) and Evan (@evanschein) wanted to get married in Montauk in the Hamptons, their go-to weekend getaway from their hectic lives in the city. They chose Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa for its extraordinary views of the ocean — and the stunning sunsets over the water. Totally stunning, right?!

Jessica and Evan wanted to keep their day open, airy, and focused on the gorgeous setting. To complement their surroundings, the pair opted for a very nautical white and navy blue color scheme.

You’ve got to check out their out-of-this-world” blooms all in white — there’s something so dramatic about keeping the flowers to a single color.

And Jessica and Evan’s chuppah for their outdoor ceremony continued the theme — light and airy, it was adorned with the most beautiful white flowers — hydrangeas, orchids, and more — with sheer white side panels, so as not to interfere with the ocean view in the background. Doesn’t it look romantic against that backdrop?

Photographer A Day of Bliss did a wonderful job documenting the day, and the couple sing their photographers’ praises not only for their flawless shots but also for being fantastic to work with on the day. Videographer Keith Brady Media captured the feel of the day perfectly too!

Jessica looked so elegant in her lace fit-and-flare Vera Wang gown, with an exquisite long train. She and Evan wanted their day to be sophisticated and chic with modern flair, and it really was. Now over to the bride…

  Jewish-wedding-Gurney’s-Montauk-Resort-Seawater-Spa-New-York-USA Jewish-wedding-Gurney’s-Montauk-Resort-Seawater-Spa-New-York-USA

Jewish-wedding-Gurney’s-Montauk-Resort-Seawater-Spa-New-York-USA

Jewish-wedding-Gurney’s-Montauk-Resort-Seawater-Spa-New-York-USA
How we met

Jessica, the bride: “I am so happy my teacher is going to be my Aunt!” — (Evan’s 8-year-old niece, and yes, Jessica’s former preschool student) said, the night Jessica and Evan got engaged.

Our story began in October 2012, on a little known dating site, called JDate.  However, I was already part of Evan’s family — he just did not know it yet!

Let’s rewind…

I came across Evan’s profile, and after going back and forth with the usual 21 questions, we realized it was a very small world.  It turned out that I was a preschool teacher at the school Evan’s niece attended.  But wait, there’s more… Evan’s niece did not just go to the preschool where I taught, I was actually Evan’s niece’s teacher — 2 years earlier!

Evan told me that he needed to get his niece’s approval before committing to a date. (I thought to myself that the chance of going on their first date lay in the hands of a 4-year-old!) As it turns out, I got an A+ rating, his niece saying, “Miss Jessica was the best teacher ever!” This was a fact confirmed by Evan’s brother and sister-in-law, who later admitted they always wanted to set me up with Evan. The rest is history!

Continue ReadingContinue Reading

Real Jewish Brides – Mel: Top Tips for a Jewish Wedding… and my wedding is this Sunday!

by

Mel  will be marrying Mitch this Sunday 18 March 2018, in a Jewish wedding 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 members club VIB Club. Not yet a member? Come join us here!


The final countdown

As I write this it is two weeks until the big day. 2 weeks! 73 weeks ago we got engaged and now there’s just a fortnight until I’m married. Cannot. Believe. It.

Everyone said to me when we set the date that time would go quickly. It was well over a year away so felt like plenty of time. They were right. Time has disappeared. Brides — cherish your planning time; it will be over in a flash.

How am I feeling?

For the last few months everyone has asked me the same question; “Not long now until the big day. How are you feeling?”

I’ve lost count the number of times I’ve been asked this. And every time I say the same thing; I get flutters of excitement, anticipation, nerves and fear. It hasn’t quite dawned on me yet that I’m getting married. I’m not sure when it will feel real — I’ll have to get back to you on that one.

Jewish-wedding-Hotel-Ocho-Toronto-Canada_0046
Image by  Daniel Clements from Laura and Steve‘s Jew-ish wedding

Continue ReadingContinue Reading

Real Jewish Brides – Mel: The Chance To Be Creative

by

Mel  will be marrying Mitch on Sunday 18 March 2018, in a Jewish wedding 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!

FAMOUS SIMILARITIES

What do I have in common with Albert Einstein, Ben Stiller, and Lisa Kudrow (aka, Phoebe from Friends)? Other than being Jewish, we are all left-handed.

As well as allegedly being more likely to have a higher IQ, they say left-handed people are more creative than right-handed people. How true this I don’t know. But it does (kind of) set the scene for this blog.


Image by Stacey Able from Melinda and Tobin’s wedding
Continue ReadingContinue Reading

Real Jewish Brides – Mel: Choosing The Right Menu for our Jewish Wedding

by

Mel  will be marrying Mitch on Sunday 18 March 2018, in a Jewish wedding 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!


Food glorious food

Imagine you’re arriving in New York. What’s the first thing you would do? Visit Times Square? Go shopping? Stroll round Central Park?

Mitch and I went to New York in 2015. “Mel, what did you and Mitch do when you arrived in New York?” I hear you cry.

We ate.

Then got on a train to Hoboken in New Jersey. For one reason and one reason only. Not to visit the United Synagogue of Hoboken. Nor to visit the Hoboken Historical Museum. But to visit one of my dream places. Somewhere to tick off my bucket list.

Carlo’s Bakery.

For those of you who have watched Cake Boss will understand why. Or simply if you have an appreciation for delicious baked goods. Travelling all that way meant that it was only right to sample a selection of sweet treats; Cupcakes. Cookies. Brownies. Cannoli’s. Carlo’s famous lobster tails (not actual lobster). There is a Carlo’s Bakery on Times Square which would have been easier, quicker and arguably a much more sensible option. But of course I had to visit the original bakery. We did also pay the Times Square bakery a visit (Read: several visits).

I would be lying if I said this one wasn’t of the main reasons I wanted to go to New York…

I am a massive foodie. I love food. Luckily Mitch loves food just as much as I do — a recipe for a happy relationship!


Image: Blake Ezra from Lauren and Mark’s Jewish Wedding (Catering by Food Story)
Continue ReadingContinue Reading