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What Happened When I Spent a Day at a Top London Bridal Boutique

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Photo by Voyteck Photography

Mirror Mirror has long been one of my very favourite London bridal boutiques – from their fabulous range of handpicked designs to their bespoke service to their familiarity with all the ins and outs of Jewish weddings, there’s really no place like it. And it isn’t just me who thinks so – Mirror Mirror is a fan favourite with Smashing The Glass’s UK brides, and we’ve been privileged to feature many of their weddings right here on the blog. 

Photo by Voyteck Photography

Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to spend a day at Mirror Mirror living out the dream wedding dress shopping experience myself and filming some fun Reels about it – and everything was so fabulous, I truly wish I had occasion to get married all over again (to Mr. STG, of course!) just so I could take home one of their exquisite gowns for my very own. 

Photo by Voyteck Photography

If you have ever wondered what it’s like to wedding dress shop at THE go-to destination for London’s Jewish brides, I’m so thrilled to take you along with me – read on to check out the fab Reels I created with the Mirror Mirror team and to hear why Mirror Mirror’s truly got it all!

A Day in the Life

With an exceptional range of 8 international designers, showcasing styles from classic minimalism to soft boho vibes to super-glam opulent gowns, plus in-house alterations, accessories, stunning chuppah cover-ups and 34 years of excellence dressing brides and celebrities, Mirror Mirror is one of the very best boutiques for Jewish brides. 

Photo by Voyteck Photography

I’ve visited Mirror Mirror many times since founding Smashing The Glass, but this was the first time I’d had a chance to try on one of their lovely gowns.  From the warm welcome I received the moment I walked in, I couldn’t have felt more at home. 

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Spend Your Honeymoon in Caribbean Paradise at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, the Caribbean’s Ultimate Kosher Travel Destination

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If you’re looking for a positively swoon-worthy honeymoon destination that combines luxury, romance, fine kosher dining, and adventure, let us introduce you to Grand Hyatt Baha Mar.

Grand Hyatt Baha Mar is not only one of the most stunning properties in the Bahamas but is also the only luxury hotel in the Caribbean offering a full range of in-house kosher dining options. Continue ReadingContinue Reading

Win a Romantic Night For Two at the Pan Pacific London, A Haven of Serenity in the Heart of the City

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Freya and David‘s Jewish wedding at the Pan Pacific | Photo by Dominika Miechowska

If you’re looking for a luxurious haven in the heart of London to host your Jewish wedding, Pan Pacific London is the absolute perfect venue – and I’m so delighted to be able to offer you the chance to win an overnight stay at this stunning luxury hotel that combines Singaporean hospitality with London design.

Located in the center of the City in One Bishopsgate Plaza, Pan Pacific London‘s location is unrivaled. Juxtaposing the best of old and new London architecture, One Bishopsgate Plaza showcases not only a modern bronze tower, but also the 144 year old One Devonshire House. Add in some serene Singaporean flair, and you’ve got the perfect backdrop for a Jewish wedding.

Freya and David‘s Jewish wedding at the Pan Pacific | Photo by Dominika Miechowska

Naturally, Pan Pacific London is known for its world-class service. The hotel’s events team are passionate about working with each and every couple to plan a day tailored to your individual needs and tastes. 

The hotel’s dedicated Event Emporium – the only one of its kind in the city – is an immersive experience that turns those important occasions into sensory experiences. Absolutely no detail is spared during inspirational one-on-one sessions; from the softness of the linen to the curation of personalised menus and the scent of the room, there are no limits other than your imagination. Pan Pacific London’s dedicated Celebrations Connoisseurs are ready and waiting to help you create a bespoke Jewish wedding that will exceed your wildest dreams. 

Focus on Wellbeing

Part of what makes Pan Pacific London special is its focus on bringing serenity and wellbeing to the bustling City. Nowhere is this better encapsulated than in the hotel’s world-class SENSORY Wellbeing, a destination floor dedicated exclusively to holistic health and featuring the most technologically advanced hotel gym and facilities in London.

Enjoy a personalized approach to everything from treatments to customised exercise, and access to an expert team of health professionals available to help you achieve your specific goals.

Oh, and did we mention the epic infinity pool with sweeping panoramic views over Bishopsgate Plaza?! There’s no place better to relax before (or after!) all the chaos of the big day. 

Fine Dining, Singaporean Style

Pan Pacific London is also home to a variety of fine dining options, including Straits Kitchen, showcasing Singaporean cuisine and featuring the largest Chinese wine offering in London.

The Orchid Lounge is an inviting living room offering light snacks and refreshments throughout the day as well as a seasonally-inspired Afternoon Tea collection, paired with the finest English sparkling wines.

Ginger Lily brings the bar culture of Singapore to the City, serving up cocktails in lively and luxurious surroundings. And Straits Bar offers one of London’s largest mocktail menus – come check out the 12 new mocktails they’ve recently debuted!

A JEWISH WEDDING AT THE PAN PACIFIC LONDON

Whatever your style and event needs, Pan Pacific London’s got it covered with their comprehensive packages. Inspired by the sculptures located in Singapore’s Gardens By the Bay, their collections – Fern, Lotus, Moongate, and Dragonfly – are designed to deliver on your perfect day. You can see full details of all the options here. 

A Range of Spaces

Pan Pacific London’s got a fantastic range of gorgeous spaces to meet your unique needs, whether you’re having a big bash or an intimate wedding of just your nearest and dearest – or anything in between!

Pacific Ballroom

With exclusive access from Bishopsgate Plaza via a glass escalator and lift, Pan Pacific’s majestic double-height subterranean ballroom (the only one within the Square Mile) is nothing short of extraordinary. Featuring contemporary design, the Pacific Ballroom is the quintessence of grandeur and grace.

Offering a neutral color palette, Swarovski crystal chandeliers, and state of the art technology that allows you to share special moments in the moment, globally – so perfect for spread-out Jewish families! – the ballroom is an unrivaled venue for larger celebrations. It can accommodate 280 for dinner and dancing or 400 for a ceremony or standing reception. 

Pacific Ballroom Foyer

Flooded with natural daylight that cascades through the glass escalator, the Pacific Ballroom Foyer is a dedicated pre-function area offered in conjunction with the ballroom. The space provides a dedicated cloakroom and private washroom facilities. It can accommodate 280 for a standing reception. 

Green Dragon

Located on the fifth floor and offering magnificent views over Bishopsgate Plaza through floor to ceiling windows, Green Dragon, which represents good fortune, is perfect for intimate occasions. Possessing a neutral palette for ease of styling, and coming accompanied with a separate private pre-function area, Green Dragon is a unique choice for those looking to do things differently. It accommodates 40 for dinner and dancing, or 50 for a ceremony or standing reception. 

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9 Must-Have Treats for Passover 2023 + Win A Passover Snack Bundle {with Kayco Kosher}

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Believe it or not, Passover 2023 is just two weeks away(!) – and this year, there are more awesome food products to make sure your holiday is as delicious as it is meaningful than ever before.

The days of feeling deprived during those eight chametz-free days are long gone, and there’s no excuse to eat boring Passover food when there are options like Pistachio Orange Macaroons, Chili Lime Tortilla Chips (no kitniyot involved!), and Tuscanini Sparkling Sicilian Lemonade to be had. 

I am beyond psyched about the revolution in Passover food that’s been taking place over the past few years – it’s easier than ever to have your Passover, your way!

That’s why I’m so thrilled to be teaming up with KAYCO Kosher, who are behind leading kosher brands including Manischewitz®, Tuscanini®, Heaven & Earth®, Gefen®, and Haddar®, to share with you some of the wonderful Passover treats new and returning for Passover 2023 – and to give one lucky winner a chance to try some awesome kosher-for-Passover goodies! Click here to enter and win!

Whether or not you’re the lucky winner, be sure to look for my top 9 picks at your local grocery store or kosher market. They’re all certified kosher-for-Passover, and, matzah aside, they’re gluten-free too. Which making them a great choice not just during the holiday but year round when you need to eat wheat-free!  

Passover Cooking Resources Galore 

If you’re looking for ideas on how to use new-to-you Passover products – or are just generally seeking some menu inspo for the holiday or beyond – head over to Kosher.com, the #1 destination for kosher cooking and conversation.

 

Whether you’re a new cook or a gourmet chef, Kosher.com is THE destination for top-quality recipes by award-winning chefs, original videos that teaching cooking techniques, addictively entertaining cooking shows, and articles containing everything from ideas for everything from holiday meal planning to kosher wine pairings. New shows and content drop regularly – and you can be sure there are plenty of awesome new offerings for Passover 2023.

Kosher.com is for everyone interested in Jewish food, whether or not you keep kosher – so do check out all their fabulous resources, for Passover and all year round!

Brand New for Passover 2023

1. Tuscanini Sparkling Sicilian Lemonade 

Tuscanini has long been known for bringing the best of Italy to the kosher world, and their new Certified USDA Organic Sparkling Sicilian Lemonade – new for Passover 2023 – is a taste of liquid sunshine. 

It’s made in Sicily’s “Lemon Riviera” from the world’s finest lemons, which are naturally sweeter and less acidic than crops grown elsewhere. Packaged in an attractive glass bottle, this drink is ideal for formal dining, parties, and holiday tables. 

Sparkling Sicilian Lemonade is just one of Tuscanini’s delectable kosher-for-Passover Italian imports Another exciting new offering for 2023, Tuscanini Chopped Calabrian Chili Peppers feature top-quality red chili peppers in olive oil imported from Italy, packed in a premium glass jar. And Tuscanini’s Red and White Premium Italian Cooking Wines are the perfect way to enhance the flavor of just about any Passover dish. 

2. Gefen Sliced Pickled Beets

Also new for Passover ’23, Gefen’s Sliced Pickled Beets are a delicious new take on a traditional Passover favorite. Cooked, peeled, and sliced for your convenience, these beets are amazingly crips and fresh-tasting. They’re the perfect effort-free, health-conscious option to add versatility to many dishes and sides throughout the holiday.

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Win a Once-in-a-Lifetime Romantic Getaway at the Glamorous 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 and then some.

Ivi and Ben’s Jewish wedding at Kimpton Fitzroy London  | Photo by Fire & Ice

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, central Bloomsbury location, and luxe accommodations for the two of you as well as your out-of-town guests.

Ivi and Ben’s Jewish wedding at Kimpton Fitzroy London  | Photo by Fire & Ice

Kimpton Fitzroy London offers the perfect blend of modern comfort and classic elegance, and it’s the absolute perfect place to spend a romantic night in high style.

Danielle and Rob‘s Jewish wedding at Kimpton Fitzroy London  |  | Photo by Mike Garrard

That’s why I’m so excited that we’re teaming up with Kimpton Fitzroy London to offer one lucky couple (and you can be single with a plus one, engaged, or married to enter) a chance to experience the luxuries of the hotel.

The lucky winner will be treated to a once-in-a-lifetime stay including all of the following:

  • An overnight stay in a luxury suite
  • Champagne and sweet treats on arrival
  • Pre-dinner cocktails in Fitz’s Bar
  • 3-course dinner with a bottle of wine in the Galvin Bar & Grill
  • Breakfast the following morning
  • The total prize value is £1300 !

Read on to find out how to enter!

All about Kimpton Fitzroy London

Originally built in 1898, Kimpton Fitzroy London offers the perfect package of historical charm, opulent elegance, and bespoke service fit for the Jewish wedding day of your dreams. And we love the flexibility the property offers: it’s equally suited for an intimate micro wedding or a classic Jewish celebration with up to 200 guests, and everything in between.

Needless to say, Kimpton Fitzroy London also offers sumptuous on-site accommodation for your guests, with over 300 beautifully appointed guest rooms designed to provide maximum comfort. The hotel also boasts several luxurious suites that are perfect for bridal parties – there’s no place more elegant to get ready on the big day!

A Jewish Wedding at Kimpton Fitzroy

Did we mention that the wonderful weddings team at Kimpton Fitzroy London is incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Jewish weddings? 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 Jen and 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!

Ivi and Ben’s Jewish wedding at Kimpton Fitzroy London  | Photo by Fire & Ice

Depending on your needs, you’ll have your pick of a range of delightful spaces – from the dramatic ballroom to eight-intimate rooms and four restaurants and bars, all flooded with natural light and historic details at every turn. With a capacity of up to 200 for a seated dinner and dance floor, or 350 standing, there’s plenty of space for the kind of big bash beloved by the Jewish community.

Ivi and Ben’s Jewish wedding at Kimpton Fitzroy London  | Photo by Fire & Ice

The centre of the property is the ballroom, a grand event space perfect for a standout Jewish ceremony followed by a beautiful reception, boasting a private entrance on Bernard Street, original 19th-century architectural details, a full wall of windows, and a mezzanine gallery.

And the adjoining Palm Court is the most magical backdrop for reception drinks, with a soaring glass ceiling that floods the room with light, comfortable clusters of seating, an outdoor terrace, and lots of gorgeous greenery — the vibe is conservatory meets lounge meets members club, and it is exactly as fabulous as it sounds.

Kosher Catering

Whether you’re looking for fully certified kosher catering or a delectable kosher-style menu, Kimpton Fitzroy London has got you taken care of. They’re partnered with popular London kosher caterer Ben Tenenblat, serving up modern, innovative KLBD-certified meals, as well as Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Adam Nathan Catering, who provides bespoke kosher-style menus fit for the day of your dreams. 

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