Paperless Post Archives - Smashing the Glass

A Lee Petra Grebenau Bride for an Exuberant Jewish Wedding at Cavalli Estate, Cape Town, South Africa

13/09/2019 by Karen Cinnamon Leave a Comment

If we had to pick one word to sum up Isa and Daniel’s Jewish wedding, it would be “exuberant!” From the bright colour palate to that gorgeous chuppah, to the abundant florals to the joyful expressions on the face of the bride and groom – not to mention the wild dancing and the spirited beachside couple’s shoot captured so beautifully in photographs by John Armstrong and on video Vision on Fire – South African couple Isa, a doctor, and Daniel, a solicitor, went all in on their big day.

We’re obsessed with their vibrant colour scheme – the couple wanted to use warm, bright shades to create an inviting atmosphere reflecting the spirit of love and celebration that embodied the day, with liberal use of the bride’s beloved bright pinks. Even Isa and Daniel’s gorgeous ketubah by Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor ByTessa incorporated the bright pink floral theme, and it could not be any lovelier.

And these two had a chuppah unlike any we’ve seen before – sure, there were stunning bright florals, but what really bowled us over is not the outside of this chuppah but the inside: Isa and Daniel decorated the underneath of the canopy with photos of their families through the generations, including those who couldn’t be physically present on the day – what a special way to literally envelope yourselves in the people who love you most!

There’s so much more to say about this wonderful wedding, but the time has come to turn you over to Isa, who looked nothing less than ravishing in her gown by beloved Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Lee Petra Grebenau, working with the designer herself at her studio in Israel – we’re totally not surprised to hear Isa say that getting to work with the wonderful Lee made the dress decision a non-brainer…

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How we met

Isa and Daniel, the bride and the groom: In 2016, Isa was busy with her medical internship and Daniel was running around the court rooms with his law practice. A mutual friend sent Daniel Isa’s number. They had never crossed paths before their first date and it took Daniel an entire weekend to come up with “Hi Isa, a mutual friend sent me your number, would you like to go for a drink this week?” We eventually met on our first date and we ended up talking for hours and Isa had that smile. Daniel had to leave for Hong Kong but the talking continued.

One year later Daniel arranged for Isa to meet him in Cape Town and they went to Babylonstoren wine farm under the false pretence that Daniel was on a media panel talking about high profile legal cases. Instead, Daniel popped the question and Isa, although a little suspicious, responded with Daniel’s favourite words “of course yes”

A Vesselina Bride for a Romantic Boho Jewish Wedding at Hebrew Order of David Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa

12/08/2019 by Karen Cinnamon

We’re obsessed with the romantic boho vibe Batia and Darren created for their gorgeous South African Jewish wedding. The bride, a makeup and lash artist, and the groom, a musician and sound engineer working in sales, crafted the most gorgeous day, filled with soft colours, plenty of succulents, and rustic wooden elements galore.

We love their sweet, simple chuppah – and it just goes to show you don’t need to go all out for something mega-opulent to create a gorgeous floral chuppah. A simple wooden structure wrapped in just the right amount of delicate roses and soft green vines – done! The bride’slate grandfather’s tallis formed the canopy, which is such a beautiful touch. Photographers Splendid Productions and videographers White Motion Films captured everything so perfectly.

Batia’s wonderful dress from Vesselina Pentcheva carried on the boho fairy tale theme, with a soft, flowy cut and wonderful 3D rose lace and hand stitched pearls. We’ll let her fill you in on the rest of the details of her wonderful day…

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How we met

Batia, the bride: We met at a mutual friends house 8 years ago and the rest is history!

A Gucci Bride for an Intimate and Elegant Destination Jewish Wedding at the Great Synagogue and the Four Seasons, Florence, Italy

29/04/2019 by Karen Cinnamon

We love it when a couple does their Jewish wedding their way (it’s our mantra after all), and that’s just one of the many reasons we’re so smitten with family nurse practitioner Lauren and director of sales Abraham’s gorgeous destination wedding in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

First off, we love that Lauren stayed true to herself ad opted to marry in a totally chic – and not traditionally bridal – Gucci dress she bought off the rack from Neiman Marcus! It just goes to show, you absolutely don’t have to do the big white gown thing for your big day if it doesn’t speak to you.

We also think it’s fantastic that Lauren and Abe opted to keep their wedding super intimate – they had just 24 guests! There’s something to be said for surrounding yourself with your nearest and dearest – and only your nearest and dearest – on such a special day.

It doesn’t get much better than the majestic Great Synagogue of Florence, where the chuppah took place, and the reception venue – the Four Seasons of Florence – was pretty epic in its own right. It was all captured wonderfully by award-winning photographers D2, Donatella and Damiano, whose natural, atmospheric photos captured all the love and emotion of the day so perfectly.

Also, these two have an unusual – and beautiful – how-we-met story. Seriously, you don’t want to miss this one!

Now over to the bride…

How we met

Lauren, the bride: Our story is quite special. Abe’s ex-wife, named Lauren, and her now husband Ron made the introduction.

I was a close friend of Ron’s for many years, who then started dating Lauren. Ron had met Abe on numerous occasions, as Abe and Lauren have two sons together, Leon, 10 and Felix, 8. Abe and Lauren have a great/friendly/healthy relationship and still admire one another.

Upon meeting Abe, Ron had said to Lauren, I think I have the perfect girl for Abe. I was having dinner with Ron and Lauren and actually met Leon and Felix that evening, when they made a text introduction with Abe and I – an hour later I met Abe and never laughed so hard in my life, and from then on we have been together.

A Maggie Sottero Bride for a Taco-Fueled Destination Jewish Wedding at Ex-Convento San Hipolito, Mexico City, Mexico

27/03/2019 by Karen Cinnamon

Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Luz Weddings does it again. We’re totally obsessed with their fab captures of this epic destination Jewish wedding, from the artsy minimalist couples’ shoot to the fantastic emotion of Lian and Amir’s big day.

The LA-based couple wanted something different, and did they ever find it in Mexico City! Their venue, former 17^th-century convent called Ex-Convento San Hipolito, is not only totally breathtaking, it also has a secret, ultra-meaningful Jewish history that the couple’s rabbi revealed to them on the day.

We’re experiencing some serious FOMO drooling over Lian and Amir’s incredible kosher Mexican catering menu – we’re talking ribeye tacos, quesadillas, churros, and even an LA-style fruit cart! (Fittingly enough, the groom wore taco socks.)

Oh, and did we mention there’s an exquisite papercut ketubah by Israeli artist Enya Keshet, purchased from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Ketubah.com?

Now over to Lian, who looked so elegant in both of her gorgeous Maggie Sottero gowns…

How we met

Lian, the bride: Amir and I went to the same high school and had seen each other here and there, but never really spoke or hung out. Fast forward 15 years, my mom’s cousin was having a big party at his house, which I wasn’t planning on going to since my birthday was the day before and I wanted to go out with friends.

The moment I walked in the party and saw Amir, something inside me screamed ‘Yes’! When we said ‘hi’ to one other, it was more of like, ‘oh hey long time no see what was your name again?’ We hit it off right away and spoke all night, with both our families’ eyes watching us – which was so funny. It was great and he turned out to be the best birthday present ever.

A Made With Love Bride for a Destination Jewish Wedding in Tropical Paradise with an Orchid Chuppah at the Conrad Hotel Koh Samui, Thailand

22/03/2019 by Karen Cinnamon

We’ve got just the thing to get you in the mood for Spring… a stunner of a Jewish wedding right on the beach in gorgeous Koh Samui, Thailand!

Kamina, a marketing specialist and yoga teacher, and Warren, a management consultant, planned the perfect laid-back boho day, and they went all out on the tropical paradise vibes — we’re talking an orchid chuppah, bright tropical flowers everywhere (even in the bride’s hair, natch!), and an all-day outdoor celebration right on the beach. Transport yourself via Julian Abram Wainwright’s exquisitely styled photography and Juno Wedding Films’ wonderful video.

These two also had some of the coolest wedding desserts we’ve seen, ever. For starters, they rented out a traditional Thai banana pancake cart — um, yes please! And Kamina’s 9-year-old cousin, who happens to be a little baking prodigy, made the couple a gorgeous coconut wedding cake (with just a bit of help from the grown-ups) — wow!

Now over to Kamina, who looked so cool (in all senses of the word!) even in the Thai heat in her Made With Love dress…

A Meaningful Venue

Kamina, the bride: We decided to get married in Koh Samui, Thailand at the Conrad Hotel. Samui is a special island for us – it was my late father’s favourite place. My parents own a villa resort on the island, which is where they renewed their vows on their 25th wedding anniversary, and also where we held an intimate funeral ceremony for him. The Conrad Hotel is part of the Hilton group, which is where my father worked most of his life, so that was really special as well to keep the venue in the Hilton family – that would have meant a lot to him.