Manolo Blahnik wedding shoes Archives - Page 3 of 3 - Smashing the Glass

A Vera Wang Bride for a SUPER Luxe Jewish Wedding with a 20-Person Bridal Party and Epic Chuppah at Bacara Resort & Spa, Santa Barbara, California

29/11/2017 by Karen

OK, we do not say this lightly: prepare yourselves. Seriously, Adriane and Sam’s super luxe Jewish wedding had us rubbing our eyes in disbelief, because it’s genuinely one of the most INCREDIBLE (note the gratuitous and well-earned use of all caps) real weddings we’ve ever featured on the blog. No exaggeration, this wedding is truly something else. There are not enough adjectives in the thesaurus to describe just how divine it is.

Editor Karen found this beauty on Instagram and immediately knew it HAD to grace the Smashing The Glass pages.

Where to start? The dà©cor was simply out of this world, which is no surprise, given that the wedding brought together some of California’s most coveted wedding vendors. The epic two-night celebration took place in dreamy Santa Barbara, California, at Bacara Resort & Spa, with its beautiful view of the ocean. Night one had a whimsical, boho-chic aesthetic (and a two-hour silent disco), while the second night boasted a stunning, clean all-white formal design with an abundance of white orchids and a stunning display of hanging lights.

Their chuppah was the stuff of fairytales, with a romantic, rustic walkway (those doors!!) leading to a showstopper of tumbling flowers and lit candles. It is genuinely gasp inducing and spine tingling in equal measure.

We don’t have enough words of praise for wedding planner Kate Carlson Event, florist Butterfly Floral and LIV Entertainment for forming what is every bride’s dream team and creating something so special it looks pulled from the pages of Vogue. Just amazing.

Words don’t really do any of this justice, but fortunately the happy couple had the one and only, yes THE Jessica Claire (!!) on hand to capture the magic (pro tip, if you’re going to have a larger-than-life wedding, make sure you have one of the world’s best photographers) as well as incredible videographer, David Medill, whose gorgeous, cinematic wedding video you can watch above.

Bride Adriane looked like a Hollywood A lister in her perfect blend of bridal and sexy Vera Wang gown, and with her expert hair and makeup artist team at her side. Adriane also layered phenomenal pieces of jewelry from her own bohemian-chic jewelry company, JAE Jewelry, which she co-owns with her sister, so she really knew her stuff (and you guys should totally check it out)!

Adriane had no fewer than 17 bridesmaids, two bridesmen and one maid of honor, making it a 20-person-strong bridal party!!

OK, if we don’t stop gushing now, we never will. Ladies and gentlemen, please get your best Pinning fingers ready, and give it up for bride Adriane and her fabulous writeup.

How we met

Adriane, the bride: We met at a mutual friend’s birthday in Palm Springs, California. We immediately connected and our story continued from there…

A Creative Indoor Forest Jewish Wedding with a Ritva Westenius Bride at One Embankment, London, UK

05/06/2017 by Karen

Oh Genna and Seth, where to start? What a wonderfully cool and creative wedding these two had!

But we have to start somewhere, so what better place than with the venue design? This included effectively transporting a magical woodland into an urban, London venue – the beautiful One Embankment. You genuinely have to look hard to realise that the chuppah did not, in fact, take place in an enchanted forest. We are also seriously into those stairs leading to the chuppah – what an entrance!

The wedding was submitted by illustrious kosher caterer, Food Story, for whom Genna and Seth had nothing but glowing praise, and, being very familiar with their work, we have to agree!

Genna looked every bit the breathtaking bride in her astoundingly gorgeous Ritva Westenius gown, which was made just for her (and wow, it really shows), and STG Vendor Sensation Band entertained the crowd with a spectacular live music soundtrack, working very closely alongside the bride and groom in the run-up to their Big Day (that’s an STG Vendor for you!)

Genna and Seth did not see or speak to each other for a whole week before the wedding, and, literally surrounded by friends and family at the chuppah, were totally overwhelmed with emotion and excitement. We think this is an absolutely wonderful idea for those who possess the self control, and it clearly made the moment even more special and electric for them.

You can check out all the details below, including all the images by Earthy Photography, the moving, vintage-inspired movie by videographer, Mariage a la Mode, and beautiful words by the gorgeous bride, Genna.

How we met

Genna, the bride: I wouldn’t call this a romantic fairytale story… Seth and I have know each other for 15 years. We had a first kiss when we were just 14, then again aged 16, where I totally and utterly fell for Seth but the feeling wasn’t quite mutual.

Eight years then passed without speaking or bumping into each other, until we met again at a friend’s party. After an awkward conversation, and a lot of drinks, we set another time to go on a date, and the rest was history.

A Ritva Westenius bride for an Italian Garden-themed wedding at Home in London, UK

20/09/2016 by Karen

Today’s bride, Katie, is just the cutest, and what amazing fashion choices — a W-day gown from Ritva Westenius (she chose it as she was after something pure, spiritual and simple to reflect the chuppah), dusty pink Manolo Blahnik‘s, and then fired up her look with a sparkly belt, headpiece and earrings for the evening party. So so chic!

The venue is very special too. It’s Katie’s childhood home and it set the scene for a truly intimate and meaningful day. The symbolism of their Jewish wedding was so important to these two, and they honoured a traditional Jewish wedding ritual that I’ve seen only a few times on the pages of Smashing The Glass: they spent the entire week before the wedding apart. They didn’t speak, they didn’t even text! In Katie’s words, this made the day so much more special, and it really did remind them of what the day is all about. Katie’s brother, Ben, spoke under the chuppah, and I love what Katie says about their chuppah design too:

We felt the beauty of the chuppah should come from what is happening underneath rather than what it looks like. We wanted it to be pure and spiritual allowing our guests to focus on the ceremony rather than the chuppah structure itself.

Another detail that was evidently very important to these two was their Italian garden theme. They both spend a lot of time in Tuscany and love that part of the world and they wanted to bring Italiana into every corner of their wedding! They brought their ideas to life with the help of Ben Krieger from Outrage Events, and an incredible Italian feast by Food Story including spaghetti meatballs, tiramisu, and of limoncello! The beautiful themed stationery, designed by one of our much-loved Smashing Suppliers, Emily & Jo, was even printed in Italian, and home-made olive oil favours alongside oodles of fresh herbs and lemons were placed on every table. You could literally see, touch, taste and smell Italy!

The stunning photography is by another of our hugely talented Smashing Suppliers, David Pullum Photography. And there’s also a fabulous film by Atmotion too.

So all that leaves me to say is… Cin Cin. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

How we met

Katie, the Bride: We met through a friend and started talking on Facebook in that classic way ?

Ravit & Sam | Elegant & Intimate Israeli ‘white wedding’ at Beit Andromeda, Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Israel

03/02/2015 by Karen

I always feel a flutter of excitement whenever I blog an Israeli wedding. Perhaps it’s because I’m half Israeli and spent all my childhood summers, and the first 3 fabulous years of my twenties there, or maybe it’s just because it’s such an enthralling and entertaining place and this vibe is embodied in all of the big days that take place there.

Regardless Ravit and Sam’s white-themed destination do is no exception. They’re a super stylish couple from Toronto, with really great taste. I’d like Ravit’s emerald green Mahnolo Blahnik shoes AND her floral hairpiece please. And Sam looks dapper in his tux and Ferragamo shoes. Grooms, take note — this is a great look!

The beautiful images come from Alexey Kudrik who has captured all of the love and details. BE Group TLV, STG’s latest Smashing Suppliers, were the meticulous wedding planners (just read what the bride has to say about them at the end of the post).

Sit back and enjoy your invitation to the sun with Ravit & Sam’s wonderful Israeli wedding.

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Dana & Stuart | Autumn city rustic Jewish wedding at the spectacular Angel Orensanz Foundation, Lower East Side, New York City

19/06/2014 by Karen

Dana and Stuart’s wedding has Autumn completely wrapped up. Long farm tables with flowers and candles, orange and cream colours with pops of russet inspired by Dana’s amazing auburn hair, and a total sense of joy, warmth and tenderness thoughout.

Our bride is so very elegant but at the same time clearly having the time of her life… That smile – it’s so infectious! And what’s one of my favourite moments? When Dana swaps her jewelled Manolo Blahniks for white low top Converse when the former falls off during the Hora – so down to earth! I also love the little creative details like classic movies of their favourite Hollywood icons playing in the background during the cocktail hour.

Oh… and have you ever heard of ‘Dudesmaids’?! Dana had two – see them posing with the girls above?!

All the fantastic photography is by the one and only Karen Wise.