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Your Engagement Ring, Your Way: Use 21st-Century Tech to Design the One-of-a-Kind Ring of Your Dreams with Lottie Leigh

25/02/2021 by Karen Cinnamon

Hands up: who’s sneaking a peek at STG while waiting to get engaged? If that’s you, we’ve got something really special today – a brand new, 21^st-century way of making the engagement ring of your dreams a reality.

The CAD Difference

When mega-talented London-based GIA-qualified jewelry designer Charlotte Leigh got engaged herself, she had a vision of what she wanted for her engagement ring – but working with a jeweler to turn her vision into reality proved trickier than she’d expected. Frustrated and feeling like there had to be a better way, she merged her tech know-how with her love for design and came up with a foolproof system using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and 3D printing to make sure every bride ends up with the ring of her dreams – no disappointments, no surprises, just a one-of-a-kind piece you’ll never want to take off.

But if your proposal’s already a thing of the past, don’t stop reading – Lottie Leigh also works with couples to create the wedding bands of their dreams (or any other special piece of jewlery, for that matter – necklace, bracelet, earrings, you name it), and if you’ve got any unloved heirloom jewelry tucked away in your drawers she’s got a fantastic jewelry remodeling service to turn those stones into something 100% you, using the same up-to-the-minute CAD approach to make sure your new piece turns out exactly the way you envision it.

Read on to find out exactly how Lottie Leigh works, what sets her process apart, and how you can get started on a journey to create the jewelry of your dreams!

The Forever Yours Journey

If you’re looking to create an engagement ring that’s thoroughly, completely you – whether together as a couple or as a surprise for your beloved – let Lottie Leigh take you on the journey of a lifetime.

The Forever Yours Journey is Lottie Leigh’s four-step path to your perfect engagement ring – and what really sets it apart is the fact that, before committing to your final design, you’ll get an actual 3D-printed model of your ring to try on. This ensures that it’s exactly as you imagined and gives you a chance to make any changes before the real one is made – so you can be sure the finished product will be exactly the way you want it, no disappointments! And no worries if you’re not based in London – the whole process can be done remotely.

Win a Romantic Night For Two at the Pan Pacific London, London’s Hottest New Luxury Hotel

19/01/2021 by Karen Cinnamon

I’m so delighted to offer you the chance to win an overnight stay in London’s hottest new luxury hotel: Pan Pacific London, opening in late spring 2021!

Pan Pacific London is the most exquisite modern urban retreat, located in One Bishopsgate Plaza in the heart of the City. Combining the Singaporean hospitality at the root of the Pan Pacific brand with contemporary London design, it’s truly the epitome of modern luxury.

The perfect spot for a quintessential City wedding, Pan Pacific London’s location at One Bishopsgate Plaza showcases the juxtaposition of old and new architecture that the City of London is known for. The hotel offers an array of distinguished spaces, perfect for everything from the biggest bash to an intimate gathering.

We’re obsessed with Pan Pacific London’s extraordinary customer service, with a dedicated Celebrations Connoisseur accompanying you every step of the way as you plan the day of your dreams. Their full-service Event Emporium will work to help you craft a bespoke day tailored to your individual tastes, with no detail spared. From the softness of the linen to the curation of personalised menus and the scent of the room, the only limit is your imagination.

A JEWISH WEDDING AT THE PAN PACIFIC LONDON

Offering everything from pre-wedding wind-downs on an exclusive wellbeing floor, to post-wedding brunches and intimate anniversary dinners, Pan Pacific London’s incredible events team is there to help you create ongoing memories that last a lifetime.

We’re in love with the hotel’s Pacific Ballroom, accommodating up to 250 for dinner and dancing. You’ll enter the majestic double-height subterranean ballroom (the only one within London’s Square Mile) via a glass escalator and lift – a preview of the grandeur and grace you’ll find inside. The ballroom’s elegant contemporary design features a neutral colour palette, Swarovski crystal chandeliers and state of the art technology that allows you to share your special moments globally in real time.

And for more intimate groups of up to 40 for dinner, the fifth-floor Green Dragon (the name represents good fortune) offers magnificent views over Bishopsgate Plaza through-floor to ceiling windows.

As far as food goes, choose from kosher-style catering by Pan Pacific London’s culinary connoisseurs, or choose from one of the hotel’s certified kosher catering partners.

The Songs You’ll Need for Your Jewish Wedding {Facebook Live with Kimpton Fitzroy London and Jonny Mosesson}

06/03/2020 by Karen Cinnamon

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 17, at 7:00 pm GMT (3:00 pm EST/12:00 pm PST), I’m so as excited as I’ll be going live at one of my very favourite London venues, Kimpton Fitzroy London, with the ridiculously talented Jonny Mosesson, the chazan I had at my own wedding!

A firm favourite with STG brides, Jonny is truly the very best – and when it comes to Jewish wedding music, his knowledge is positively encyclopaedic. And he’ll be sharing it all with us, as he performs a multitude of songs from different traditions that you may consider including at various points on your big day.

He’s here to help you choose the right music for your Jewish wedding, so this is your chance to ask away!

Interspersed with Jonny’s angelic singing will be a live Q&A, where you can ask me, Jonny, and the Kimpton Fitzroy London weddings team anything you’ve ever wanted to know about either Jewish wedding music OR this in-demand Jewish wedding venue. Definitely not to be missed!

We’ll be filming live from Kimpton Fitzroy London’s magical Palm Court, complete with a soaring glass ceiling that floods the room with light, comfortable clusters of seating, and lots of gorgeous greenery — the vibe is conservatory meets lounge meets members club, and it is exactly as fabulous as it sounds. Intimate yet fun, hip yet classic.

But that’s not all! Once we’ve wrapped up with Jonny, we’ll be launching straight in to Facebook Live #2 of the evening, a venue tour of the Kimpton Fitzroy London starting at 8:00 pm GMT / 3:00 pm EST / 12:00 PM PST.

Located oh-so-centrally in Bloomsbury’s Russell Square, the Kimpton Fitzroy London combines historic charm with modern luxury. It’s a mega-luxe, uber-stylish place, with every inch full of the chicest of contemporary details.

There’s no place like it for an urban glam Jewish wedding in London, and I can’t wait to take you along as I tour through all the stunning spaces on offer for your big day.

In between it all, we’ll be enjoying delectable canapés and drinks from Adam Nathan Catering, Kimpton Fitzroy London’s preferred partner for kosher-style catering.

A Gluten-Free and Kosher Pareve Wedding is a Piece of Cake! {with By the Way Bakery}

11/02/2020 by Sam Levitz

I Dream of Gluten-Free

Most 8-year-old girls dream about their perfect wedding dress, but there was only one wedding detail I had always been fixated on since I was a kid—the cake. Growing up gluten-free and dairy-free in a time where those allergens weren’t on anyone’s radar wasn’t easy. I had always assumed that when I got married I’d miss out on the tradition of having my groom feed me in front of a room filled with our friends and family. While it may not be the most important or even glamorous wedding tradition, it was something that I thought about often with a longing sadness. Just something else I’d have to miss out on.

I got engaged in October 2018, and while planning my November 2019 wedding all of the important details seemed to be easily falling into place. The venue was booked, the dress had been found, DJ secured, flowers chosen; one by one things were getting checked off the list—except for the wedding cake.

Why Andrea Hawkes is the Perfect Bridal Designer for Your Jewish Wedding

06/02/2020 by Karen Cinnamon

I’m obsessed with the cool, contemporary look of Andrea Hawkes Bridal. British designer Andrea Hawkes – who I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know over my years at STG – is at the forefront of British bridal fashion, and I couldn’t possibly recommend her precision-crafted minimalist designs any more highly.

Every Andrea Hawkes Bridal piece is designed and manufactured at her studio in London using the highest quality natural silks and lace, and the service you’ll receive at their Islington flagship is second to none.

I am consistently impressed by how meticulous and kind Andrea is, and how she truly goes above and beyond – nothing is too much for her! Plus, of course, she’s a stellar designer – while always being mindful of each bride’s individual needs. She’s the kind of person you just want to be around!

That’s why I’m so thrilled to bring you a Q&A with Andrea Hawkes herself all about her design ethos, how she got her start, and, most importantly, why her designs are just the thing for the Jewish bride looking for an elegant modern gown. If you’re looking for something sleek, simple, and totally stunning to wear on your big day, read on.

Smashing The Glass: Are there differences in what you see Jewish vs. non-Jewish brides looking for in a dress?

Andrea Hawkes: Our Jewish brides tend to go for a classic, refined yet modern look. They are often looking for more coverage/something that adds more coverage that they can take off later. Higher necklines, covered backs, and an overall more modest look and feel are also common asks. Jewish brides will usually wear a veil. In cases where they are adding an additional piece for more coverage during the chuppah, our Jewish brides are always seeking a seamless look that appears as one whole dress. Sheer coverage/lace is a popular choice with our Jewish and non-Jewish brides alike.

STG: Are there any styles that are especially popular with Jewish brides?

AH: Any of our strappy designs with a lace top or jacket are popular. India, with its high neck-line and long sleeves, is also a lovely option for a more classic covered look.

STG: What do you offer for brides looking for a more modest look?

AH: We have a varied selection of lace tops, capes, overskirts and veils that our brides can add to our dresses for an added layer of interest or indeed a more modest look. Our India dress with long sleeves and a high neckline, and Wallace also with long sleeves, and Juno with beautiful sheer coverage. Our made to measure service also means that if a bride would prefer to add a cap-sleeve, long sleeves, raised back or raised neckline, we are perfectly happy to do so. And if a bride has a specific idea and wishes to create a more modest look from scratch, we will work collaboratively with the bride to create her dream dress from initial sketch, toile and silk fittings, to the finished dress design.

STG: And how about for those brides who may need to cover their shoulders for the chuppah but might want a more revealing dress otherwise?

AH: We have a varied selection of lace tops, capes, overskirts and veils that our brides can add to our dresses for an added layer of interest or indeed a more modest look.The bride can then remove this additional piece revealing a whole new look underneath. We can build a lace top or overdress over the top of a strappy fitted design or something that is a little more open for the evening.We would of course make sure this looks integral to the dress – a seamless finish that would blend effortlessly into the dress as a whole.