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A Grace Loves Lace Bride for a Simple, Elegant Rooftop Jewish Wedding at Skybar, Miami, Florida, USA

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Mariana-Jonathan-Skybar-Miami-Florida-USA

Picture you and the love of your life standing under an airy chuppah adorned with greenery, against the sparkling backdrop of the Miami skyline. Sound good? We thought so… and so did today’s couple, Mariana and Jonathan. Mariana, a digital project manager originally from Brazil, and Jonathan, a data analyst and South Florida native, live in Miami and wanted to showcase their city at its finest.

Their rooftop venue, Skybar, definitely did the trick! The pair wanted something outdoorsy, simple, and elegant, with urban chic flair and lots of greenery, and Skybar delivered. Plus, they were able to take advantage of the beautiful December weather and wed under the stars! Don’t miss the fab setup in the pics from Cortiella Photography.

Not only was this wedding ultra-stylish (how good did Mariana look in her gown from Grace Loves Lace?!), it was also a meaningful testament to how the couple has grown together Jewishly – read on for the full story in Mariana’s words…

Mariana-Jonathan-Skybar-Miami-Florida-USA Mariana-Jonathan-Skybar-Miami-Florida-USA Mariana-Jonathan-Skybar-Miami-Florida-USA Mariana-Jonathan-Skybar-Miami-Florida-USA
How we Met

Mariana, the bride: Mariana and Jonathan met the modern way: by swiping right on Hinge in October 2020. They later found out that they had attended the same small party in honor of Israel’s 70th birthday in 2018, but they never saw each other there. Jonathan had a cat in 2018, and Mariana is deathly allergic to cats; Mariana was still converting to Judaism, meaning she wouldn’t be able to date Jonathan since she was undergoing an Orthodox conversion. Guess there’s nothing like good timing when it comes to a relationship.

Their first date was a success: Jonathan invited Mariana to join him for a private ballroom dance class, and after putting her dance skills to a test, they both headed out to a local hummus place for some dinner. Jonathan, a born athlete and dancer, believes if you can’t connect on the dance floor, it won’t be a good match. He forgot Mariana is Brazilian, and Brazilians know how to dance.

Jonathan knew Mariana was the one right away. It took Mariana a month to come to the same conclusion, but after some thinking she came to terms that Jonathan and Cocoa had been her final destination all along. Oh yes, there is a special third-wheel in this relationship, and he is the most adorable chocolate labradoodle there is: Cocoa, or as Mariana likes to call him Cocoa Remelento.

Jonathan proposed to Mariana late Summer of 2021. Jonathan took Mariana for a little weekend getaway, and popped the question with Mariana’s dream ring! He did forget however to ask Mariana if she would marry him, to which she answered after glimpsing at that beautiful ring: “But are you going to ask me to marry you?”. Guess emotions took over and Jonathan got a little forgetful!

A few of Mariana and Jonathan’s favorite memories together are taking Cocoa for walks in the Morningside Park, going to several performing arts shows, visiting different museums, exercising on a daily basis, Mariana having Jonathan try Brazilian food, and lots of quality time on Shabbat.

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A Monique Lhuillier Bride for a Vogue-Worthy Jewish Wedding at Villa Sola Cabiati, Italy

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Get ready to be wowed by the fabulous Jewish wedding of Marta and Nick. We see lots of gorgeous weddings here at Smashing The Glass, but this one truly looks like it could’ve stepped out of the pages of Vogue.

It doesn’t hurt that Marta and Nick chose to wed at  Villa Sola Cabiati on Lake Como – one of the world’s most stunning locales – which they picked not only for its beauty and history but also because it was a central spot for gathering their friends and family from all over the world.

With such an incredible venue, it was only natural to let the setting set the theme, and indeed Marta and Nick opted to keep their day timeless and traditional, in shades of ivory with occasional pops of blue. We’re totally and completely obsessed with their wonderful floral chuppah – don’t miss it in the exquisite editorial-style photos from Roman Ivanov.

And then there’s the dress – Marta had visions of Grace Kelly vibes, and that’s exactly what she found in the Emilia gown by Monique Lhuillier Bride. With long sleeves, a high neck, and lace all over, Marta couldn’t have looked more elegant. We’ll turn you over to her for all the rest about the big day…

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How we Met

Marta, the bride: We met the old fashioned way – online.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

A Lilian West Bride for an Autumnal City Jewish Wedding at the Pan Pacific London, London, UK

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Freya & David, Pan Pacific London, London, UK

Happy 2023! We’re starting off the new year with a bang in the form of a truly FABULOUS London Jewish wedding – prepare to be wowed by the super-stylish nuptials of Smashing The Glass Brides Club member Freya and David!

For their chic, urban, autumnal nuptials, these two chose one of our very favorite venues, Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Pan Pacific London (which they found right here on STG!). Freya and David can’t stop raving about the stylish space and exquisite service – and once you have a look at the magazine-worthy photos by Dominika Miechowska, you’ll see why.

In Freya’s words, “Between their devoted venue floor able to be split in two for both the ceremony and reception in one place, and their incredible Singaporean menu, it was the perfect place for us. I cannot stress enough how fabulous the wedding team were – small things I had not even thought about, they had a plan for on the day. Nothing was too big of an ask and they made the day go off without a hitch.”

We loved following Freya’s wedding planning journey during her time in Brides Club, and we’re so thrilled that the group helped her find so many of her wonderful vendors, from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Dimitria Jordan, who designed the pair’s on-the-day stationery and signs, to Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor The Happy Chuppah People, who supplied their lovely chuppah, to Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Ink With Intent, the artist behind Freya and David’s egalitarian ketubah illustrated with autumnal flowers.

This really is one very special wedding – read on for the rest of the story in Freya’s own words…

Freya & David, Pan Pacific London, London, UK Freya & David, Pan Pacific London, London, UK Freya & David, Pan Pacific London, London, UK Freya & David, Pan Pacific London, London, UK
How we Met

Freya, the bride: We met on Tinder! Dave was about to move to London for his masters degree and I was already here, working in legal research. We met up three days after he arrived from the US and simply did not want our first date to end; a casual coffee in Marylebone turned in to dinner and drinks in Shoreditch, which turned in to seeing each other at least five times a week.

After graduation, he had to go back to the US for work – so I followed and started my PhD in St. Louis in international law. Four years, a pandemic, another across the world move, and a ginger cat later, I feel so lucky to have spent nearly every single day since with my best friend.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

A Gemy Maalouf Bride for a Jewish Wedding Inspired by Italy at Loseley Park, Guildford, Surrey, UK

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Get ready to be blown away by the seriously stunning Jewish wedding of Jessica and Ross. The pair, who live in Surrey, initially wanted to get married on Lake Garda in Italy, but opted to stay closer to home due to the uncertainty of the pandemic.

In the end, they put together a one-of-a-kind wedding at Guildford’s Loseley Park that combined the very best of English countryside chic and Italian glam, and we are OBSESSED. From naming all our tables after favorite towns around Lake Garda, to playing Italian classical music, to serving Aperol Spritz followed by a four-course Italian meal for dinner, the Italian theme carried through the day.

Even Jessica’s exquisite gown stuck to the Italian theme: with the help of the wonderful team at beloved Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Mirror Mirror Bridal, she made it official in the ‘Capri’ gown by designer Gemy Maalouf, which she knew was the one even before she got engaged! The dress, featuring a V-Neck, A-Line style and plenty of intricate beading and 3D flowers, was an absolute knockout – and Shamel at Mirror Mirror Bridal “was an absolute angel in turning the dress into ‘my’ dress.” Don’t miss it in the luminous pics by Meg from Wild Fern Photography!

Another thing we love is that in lieu of a traditional gift list, Jessica and Ross set up a contribution found for their honeymoon with Prezola, since they didn’t need anything for their home but dreamed of an amazing honeymoon (they’re going to Thailand in January!) and loved the idea of having their family and friends be a part of it.

There’s so much more to say about this wonderful wedding, but we’ll let Jessica take it from here…


How we Met

Jessica, the bride: We met on Tinder almost 7 years ago in December 2015. It was the time between Christmas and New Year so were both bored at home with nothing to do so happened to be swiping. A couple of days after we matched, we met on a typical London rainy night on London Bridge. As we lived on opposite ends of London – Ross being in south London and me living in north-west London, it seemed like the only suitable place between us.

We walked along the Thames in the pouring rain trying to find somewhere to have a drink. I remember Ross ordering a vodka and diet coke and was horrified, but he still managed to charm me. (Now we can happily share a bottle of wine together, I’ve taught him well!) We spent the whole night talking, not wanting it to come to an end. We met again for our second date just two days later and have been inseparable ever since. We haven’t gone one day without speaking to each other since that first date.

We fell in love over a shared passion for good food, love of dogs, and travel. I certainly wasn’t a sports enthusiast, but we quickly fell in love nevertheless.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

A Morilee Bride for a Jewish Wedding Where Tradition Meets Modernity at Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, Springfield, New Jersey, USA

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Mindy & Neil, Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, Springfield, New Jersey, USA

We are beyond thrilled to be featuring the New Jersey Jewish wedding of our wonderful Brides Club member Mindy today!

Mindy, a fourth grade teacher, and Neil, a digital marketing specialist, crafted the most exquisite celebration combining tradition and modernity – and we love the way they managed to honor family heritage and stay true to Jewish customs while crafting a day that was totally them! They combined a hora with a choreographed first dance, mixed Hebrew and English music, and used two kiddush cups under the chuppah: one from Mindy’s grandfather and another new cup, symbolizing the beginning of her life together with Neil and the start of their own family. You can see it for yourself in the stunning images from Yael Pachino Photography.

One other touch that made Mindy and Neil’s wedding extra special was the fact that they had live wedding painter and Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Jordana Sklover on hand to craft a beautiful painting of the day in real time! The pair decided that a painting of their wedding would be a wonderful gift to each other, and getting to see the finished painting at the end of the night was a wonderful way to cap off the celebration – plus, guests enjoyed watching Jordana’s creation come to life in front of their eyes throughout the wedding. Jordana Sklover also painted the couple’s custom ketubah, featuring an illustration of the Jerusalem skyline, honoring the important role Israel plays in their lives.

There’s so much more to say about this wonderful wedding, but we’ll let Mindy – who looked SO elegant in her fit and flare gown by Morilee take it from here…

Mindy & Neil, Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, Springfield, New Jersey, USA Mindy-Neil-Temple-Beth-Ahm-Yisrael-Springfield-New-Jersey-USA Mindy & Neil, Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, Springfield, New Jersey, USA Mindy-Neil-Temple-Beth-Ahm-Yisrael-Springfield-New-Jersey-USA
HOW WE MET

Mindy, the bride: We met on JSwipe and quickly realized that we both love Israeli and Mediterranean food. After dating for six months, we created a shared foodie Instagram, @shakshakingitup, devoted to reviewing hummus, falafel shakshuka, and avocado toast. We spent the early days of the pandemic watching all 30 seasons of the Amazing Race in order to prepare for our lifetime of adventures together.Continue ReadingContinue Reading