Totem Archives - Smashing the Glass

An Elegant Country House Jewish Wedding at Fennes, Essex, UK

23/10/2025 by Karen Cinnamon Leave a Comment

We love a country house Jewish wedding, and Carla and Ben’s is simply divine! Essex’s Fennes was the dreamiest spot for this very special day, with its timelessly romantic vibes and picturesque grounds.

The verdant outdoor environs made the ideal backdrop for the couple’s striking acrylic outdoor chuppah, delicately adorned with white flowers – the juxtaposition of the contemporary chuppah design with the traditional style of the venue is just perfection.

When it came time to choose a photographer to capture their special day, Carla and Ben knew that only Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Kate Swerdlow would do. In the bride’s words, “Kate has been a part of my family events since my bat mitzvah in 2011. Having her as my wedding photographer 14 years has been so special to me and my family and we couldn’t be more grateful to her. She captured our day perfectly, we smiled all the way through looking back at our wedding pictures and we love them so much.”

We’re also delighted that the duo found the colorful ketubah of their dreams – which now adorns the walls of their bedroom – through Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Ketubah.com.

Read on for the full story of this magical day in Carla’s own words…

How We Met

Carla, the bride: We met on a dating app!

A Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Bride for a Spring Jewish Wedding in Lilac and Sky Blue with Lots of Love for Israel at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, London, UK

06/10/2025 by Karen Cinnamon Leave a Comment

Between the horrific terrorist attack in Manchester on Yom Kippur and the second anniversary of October 7 coming up tomorrow – even as we enter into the joyous festival of Sukkot – this is shaping up to be a hard week. Like so many times throughout our history, we’re required to take on the difficult task of holding sadness and joy all at once. And today we’ve got a beautiful Jewish wedding that encapsulates exactly that balancing act.

Though the UK-based couple wed at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Park Lane, London, Israel is always close to Shera and Jared’s hearts, and their love for the country was a key theme running throughout the big day – from a tallit purchased by the bride’s parents on a trip to Israel just days prior to October 7 to Israeli flags on the dance floor to a moving Misheberach for the IDF under the chuppah and a heartfelt tribute to the groom’s late friend Jake Marlow, who was murdered at the Nova Festival.

We’re obsessed with all of the love and emotion that come through in every shot from the couple’s photographer, Devon Shoob, and every frame from their videographer, Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Michael Pearl. His trailer is truly something special – do give it a watch!

We’ll let Shera fill you in on the rest of the details…

How We Met

Shera, the bride: Our story started over 10 years ago where we both had met at our Jewish youth movement, Jewish Lads’ and Girls’ Brigade (JLGB).

Having known each other for a couple of years, it wasn’t until we were both older where, like many young Jews today, we matched on JSwipe. At the time, our connection was nothing more than just a couple of messages to each other with a waiting response time of about 3-5 working days!

A few months went by and to our surprise, we were both interrailing across Europe at the same time. The waiting response time had decreased to 5 minutes where we were both non-stop messaging trying to coordinate how our paths would cross.

It wasn’t until we had both returned and reunited back at JLGB Summer Camp that year, where we both had that funny feeling you get in your belly and it definitely wasn’t from the camp food. Our feelings became clear about one another and at that point, we knew it was something more than a friendship. 7 years later, Jared got down on one knee in Thailand and now after 8 years together, in May 2025, we became Mr and Mrs Bourne.

A Suzanne Neville Bride for a Timelessly Classic Jewish Wedding in Tuscany at Villa Oliva, Lucca, Italy

07/07/2025 by Karen Cinnamon

There’s nothing like a Tuscan wedding – between the gorgeous scenery, the brilliant sunshine, and, of course, the food, there’s no wonder it’s one of the most popular destination spots for STG couples. And Katie, who works in PR for interior and lifestyle brands, and Jamie, who works in sales, had a truly unforgettable Tuscan Jewish wedding.

We were so thrilled to hear that they found their wonderful venue, Villa Oliva, right here on Smashing The Glass – and it’s easy to see why they fell in love with the verdant grounds at first sight.

Katie and Jamie’s photographer, Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Alessandro Colle, and videographer, Alte Vedute, “went above and beyond, and they captured every single moment possible! We trusted them and were happy to follow their lead, and we’re thrilled with the results!”

Read on for all the details of this magical day in the bride’s own words…

Professions / notes for Emily –

Jamie works in sales, whereas i work in PR for interior and lifestyle brands.

How We Met

Katie, the bride: We first met when we were 16 on an Israel tour! We became best friends, and over time, we ended up becoming boyfriend and girlfriend. 10 years later, Jamie proposed!

A Sassi Holford Bride for a Rustic, Summery Jewish Wedding in Portugal

03/02/2025 by Karen Cinnamon

Get ready for a stunner of a Jewish wedding! Emma, originally from London, UK, and Billy, who hails from Toronto, met while living in Amsterdam. Since they knew guests would be traveling for their wedding no matter what, they figured they might as well pick a very special destination – and their Portuguese countryside venue couldn’t have been any more gorgeous.

Featuring rustic vibes and earthy tones playing off the vineyard setting – and a table plan made from custom Portuguese tiles in a green and cream color scheme – this wedding was just beyond. Don’t miss the luminous photos by The Framers.

We also love the fact that the couple used Emma’s great grandfather’s tallit as their chuppah canopy, along with Billy’s grandmother’s kiddush cup – so meaningful.

We’ll turn you over to Emma – who looked so glam in Sassi Holford – for the rest of the story…

How We Met

Emma, the bride: We met while living and working in Amsterdam in October 2019. Continue Reading

A Saint Bridal Bride for a Romantically Rustic Outdoor Jewish Wedding Weekend at Jardines De Alfabia, Mallorca, Spain

18/11/2024 by Karen Cinnamon

Get ready for a truly fabulous Jewish wedding! UK couple Katie, a yoga teacher, and Tom, who works in recruitment, held their big day at Mallorca’s beautiful Jardines De Alfabia, and it was positively overflowing with Spanish charm, vibrant colors, and, above all, tons of Jewish joy.

The couple worked with their planner, Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Elegante by Michelle J, to plan an unforgettable wedding weekend in Mallorca with their nearest and dearest, including a Friday night welcome party and a day of lounging by the pool Saturday prior to the main event. In Katie’s words, Michelle was “absolutely amazing – none of it would have been possible without her.”

We’re obsessed with the stunning floral chuppah, Katie’s gorgeous boho lace dress by Saint Bridal, and the duo’s wonderful wedding stationery, featuring an illustration of the venue (complete with the couple’s dog on the steps) by Anna Jayne Designs, and designed and printed by Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Bigday Designs.

Photographer Violeta Minnick and videographer Soul Weddings captured the day so beautifully – read on for all the details in Katie’s own words…