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The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Ketubah You’ll Still Love in 50 Years {with Melanie Dankowicz}

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Flowery-Lace-Ketubah-in-gold-by-Melanie-Dankowicz

Photo by Owen Billcliffe

So much of wedding planning is about curating a perfect moment in time. Gorgeous flowers, delicious cake, music that gets everyone on the dance floor – it’s all so special, but at the same time so fleeting. 

But your ketubah? That’s forever.

Connection Ketubah with orchids by Melanie Dankowicz

Your ketubah is more than just a formality – it’s one of the most meaningful parts of a Jewish wedding. It’s at the heart of your big day, a reflection of your values – and if you choose wisely, it’ll also be a piece of art you’ll delight in seeing on your wall every single day for years to come. 

Garden Ketubah in Rose Gold by Melanie Dankowicz

Elizabeth and Bernie‘s Jewish wedding | Photo by Maya Myers

To help you choose a ketubah that’ll still make your heart skip a beat on your 50th anniversary, we chatted with renowned papercut artist Melanie Dankowicz. With her decades of experience creating exquisite Judaica that blends tradition and contemporary elegance, Melanie knows exactly how to design a ketubah that will stand the test of time. Read on for her top tips on choosing one that’s just right for you. 

Photo by Stevie Dee

Quality is Everything

You and your partner are in it for the long haul – and your ketubah should be, too. Your ketubah should last as long as your marriage (and then some). That’s why Melanie emphasizes choosing archival-quality materials. The paper, inks, and finishes should all be designed to last – no fading, yellowing, or crumbling allowed.

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From Tel Aviv to Mayfair: Galia Lahav’s London Flagship Brings Israeli Bridal Style to the UK

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Smashing The Glass brides have long been enamored with Israeli bridal fashion – and over the past nearly two years, we’ve been seeing more and more couples looking to bring a little Israeli flair into the big day by incorporating Israeli style and supporting Israeli businesses.

If that’s you – and you’re based in the UK – we’ve got some exciting news: Israeli luxury bridal brand Galia Lahav, beloved by the many STG brides who’ve chosen the mega-talented designer for their own weddings and global icons alike (think Beyoncé, Paris Hilton, Jennifer Lopez, and Simone Biles), has opened its first-ever UK flagship store right in the heart of London’s iconic Mayfair.

London’s Most Luxurious Bridal Destination

Located in a historic Mayfair building that was once home to none other than Audrey Hepburn, Galia Lahav’s London flagship brings the most luxurious bridal shopping experience to the heart of the UK.

A 3,800 square foot haven of elegance and intimacy, it offers unparalleled service, exclusive in-store events, and bespoke gown customization options, all within a lavish and intimate setting designed to make brides feel truly special.

With its sleek, modern aesthetic and swoon-worthy collection of gowns, the store offers an extraordinary experience that blends Galia Lahav‘s signature craftsmanship with cutting-edge luxury.

Team STG had the chance to visit the store in person, and even as bridal fashion shopping connoisseurs who’ve seen a lot over the years, we were truly blown away by just how impeccably curated every single detail is. This really is the luxury bridal shopping experience of your dreams.

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The Art of Displaying Your Ketubah {with Love Letters}

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If you’re the kind of person who curates your home like a Pinterest board – a palette of soft neutrals, clean lines, and a minimalism aesthetic – but find it hard to add a touch of Jewish pride that actually fits your space, you’re not alone.

Traditional Judaica holds deep beauty and meaning, but it doesn’t always fit the kind of home you’d see in Architectural Digest. And so many ketubahs feel more like they belong in your bubbie’s apartment – rich with history, but not quite the clean, modern vibe so many of us are drawn to now. So instead of being displayed, they’re often rolled up or tucked away, when really, they deserve their own special place.

That’s the problem Love Letters Ketubahs set out to solve.

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10 Unexpected Facts about Kimpton Fitzroy London

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Are you looking for a London Jewish wedding venue that’s stylish, luxe, and boasts ultra-personal service from a team that knows Jewish weddings inside and out? Kimpton Fitzroy London ticks ALL those boxes – plus some more that you probably wouldn’t expect.

Since opening in 2018, Kimpton Fitzroy London has fast become a favourite venue for STG couples – and it’s easy to see why, between its array of stunning event spaces (including spots perfect for your tisch and badeken), central Bloomsbury location, and luxe accommodations for the two of you as well as your out-of-town guests.

Perhaps most important of all, the wonderful weddings team at Kimpton Fitzroy London is incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Jewish weddings, and their level of serve and attention to detail is truly second to none. We can’t say it any better than real Jewish bride Ivi, whose incredible wedding we featured on STG:

The Kimpton Fitzroy is an absolutely rare gem – its glamorous opulence yet intimate warmth sets it worlds apart from the conventional swanky hotels a stone’s throw away in Mayfair. What we treasured the most is the loving way all of the hotel’s staff made us feel like royalty on our big day. No requests were too big or too small, we were met with smiles and genuine well wishes all day, we truly felt the hotel’s joy and pride of hosting us on the most special day of our lives. We are still pinching ourselves that we managed to get married in such an exceptional and luxurious venue. The Kimpton Fitzroy London will eternally be special to us and we cannot wait to return to spend our first wedding anniversary there!

But beyond the basics, there’s so much more to Kimpton Fitzroy London – and today we’re thrilled to be sharing some of our favorite unexpected facts about this one-of-a-kind London Jewish wedding venue. Read on for all the details!

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Ketubah 101: Everything You Need to Know about the Ketubah

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Alana and TJ‘s Jewish Wedding | Photo by EFEGE

Your ketubah is more than just a piece of paper—it’s a beautiful, meaningful document that represents your love, commitment, and the unique story of your marriage. But if you’re just diving into the world of Jewish wedding planning, you might be wondering: What exactly is the significance of a ketubah? Do we really need one? How do we pick the right one for us?

To answer all these questions (and many, many more!), we sat down with Adam Paskow, founder of Judaica brand Tchotchke, to get the lowdown on all things ketubah. 

Evilish Eye Ketubah

Tchotchke, best known for their playful menorahs, mezuzahs, and kiddush cups, has just launched their brand new ketubah line. Featuring whimsical designs with a nod to tradition, each piece is designed for couples who feel that Judaism is an expression of ourselves and the spaces we inhabit. Based in New York City and shipping internationally, Tchotchke’s ketubah designs are some of the coolest we’ve seen—and we see a lot!

Papercut Ketubah

Whether you’re looking for guidance on selecting a design, navigating different text options, or even choosing the best pen for signing, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for your ultimate ketubah crash course.

Ketubah 101

Alana and TJ‘s Jewish Wedding | Photo by EFEGE

What is a ketubah?

Simply put, a ketubah is a Jewish wedding contract. It was originally created to financially protect women in case of divorce or widowhood, and ensure that the wife was properly cared for throughout the marriage. For most of us these days, it’s more of a symbolic representation of a couple’s union.

Why should we get a ketubah?

The reason to get a ketubah has evolved for most of us—what was once a legal document, for many people, is now a personal artifact from the most magical and transformative day of your life. We believe that couples should have a ketubah they want to hang proudly in their home not only for sentimental reasons, but also to celebrate their Judaism, regardless of what Judaism means to them. It’s our responsibility to fill our homes with Jewish art to preserve our history, customs and culture.

Full Cup Ketubah

What does a ketubah say?

We have many options of ketubah text to choose from, as well as an option to write your own. While these days, different denominations have different requirements and allowances for ketubah text, it is essentially a contract between partners on their wedding day, stating their obligations to each other. Some denominations use text that is relatively standardized, for example, an Orthodox ketubah does not generally differ from couple to couple, whereas a secular couple may choose to write their own ketubah, treating it more like an extension of their vows.

Petals Ketubah

Can we have a ketubah for our interfaith wedding?

Absolutely. We have an interfaith text option that celebrates mutual respect, understanding and compassion for each other’s beliefs while recognizing that shared religion isn’t a necessary ingredient for a healthy, happy, fulfilling union.  

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