Like so many couples in 2020, Elyssa and Adam had to drastically rethink their wedding plans after the pandemic broke out. These two also have the additional challenge of working on Broadway, which has been especially hard hit, with theaters set to be closed for no less than a year: Elyssa is an actor and playwrightcurrently producing a digital benefit concert through her Jewish theatre company, Ahava Theatre, and Adam is a Broadway musician currently teaching virtual piano lessons during the pandemic.
But the couple made the most of a tough situation by putting together a gorgeous micro wedding in Elyssa’s mom’s backyard, complete with a heartwarming ceremony, a chuppah handmade by the groom, the bride in a repurposed white prom dress, and the most stunning ketubahby Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Nava Shoham.
Even though it was very different from the day they’d originally planned – and Elyssa and Adam do still plan to have a big celebration next summer on the one-year anniversary of their micro wedding – they say opting to get married now was “the best decision we ever made.” And it’s easy to believe after scrolling through the Erica Marie Photos’ joyous, emotion-filled images.
Now over to the couple…
How we met
Elyssa, the bride and Adam, the groom: Adam’s stepdad and Elyssa’s uncle were childhood friends in Brooklyn in the 60s! In 2015, Adam met Elyssa’s aunt and uncle and coincidentally they were both in Cambridge, MA for the summer doing theatre. Elyssa’s aunt Amy and Adam’s mom Debi thought it would be a great idea for them to meet because of their shared interest in music and theatre!
Venue and wedding plans
We got married in Elyssa’s mom’s backyard in Plainview! We were supposed to get married at a country club in June but had to move our wedding due to COVID like so many other 2020 couples. We initially pushed our wedding celebration to November 2020 and then to August 2021.
We have been together for 5 years and engaged for almost 2, so we were ready to get married and decided to get married in August 2020. Even though it was much different than what we planned, it was the best decision we ever made! We do still plan to have the big celebration next summer on what will technically be our one year wedding anniversary.
Invitations
Pre-pandemic, we worked with Blueberry Invitations in Canada. They were marvelous and our invitations were stunning. Too bad they have the wrong date!
Hair + Make-up
Elyssa did her own makeup for the ceremony and Monica Healy from Bella Luna did her hair!
Dress
Elyssa’s dress was from Macy’s. It was originally a prom dress by Sequin Hearts!
The handsome groom
Adam wore a suit that he had custom made in Thailand where we went in December 2018 shortly after getting engaged!
Ceremony
Our favorite part of the ceremony was when the cantor shared our answers to the question why we love each other! We said similar things about each other and both cried!
Adam created our chuppah from scratch!
Ketubah
Our ketubah was made by Nava Shoham and it was absolutely stunning. Nava is wonderful and we love our ketubah so much.
Flowers
Elyssa held a bouquet and wore a flower crown while Adam had a boutineer. Beautiful Beginnings Florists did a beautiful job! Elyssa always dreamed of wearing a flower crown and Beautiful Beginnings Florists made a perfect one!
Photographer
Erica Marie Photos captured our special day. We know her though Elyssa’s cousin and she is so lovely. We took the video with the ring light Elyssa uses for self-tape auditions!
Food and Cake
We got our cake from Bare Naked Bakery! It was gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and extremely delicious.
Honeymoon
Unfortunately, we are unable to go on a honeymoon because of COVID but next summer we hope to go on a 2 week Eurotrip!
Advice to couples currently planning their wedding
We spent so much time worrying about things for our big wedding celebration and then none of it mattered because it was all canceled due to COVID-19. All that mattered, and all that will ever matter, is our love for each other and the life we build together as a married couple.
ELYSSA & ADAM’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK
Photography – Erica Marie Photos
Ketubah – Nava Shoham
Hair – Monica Healy
Flowers – Beautiful Beginnings Florists
Cake – Bare Naked Bakery
Stationery/Invitation – Blueberry Invitations
Rabbi – Cantor David Katz
If you’re a Jewish or Jew-ish bride-to-be, you’ll want to join Smashing The Glass’ Brides Club. Guided by the world’s number 1 Jewish wedding expert, Karen Cinnamon, Brides Club is the private community for Jewish and Jew-ish brides that removes wedstress and indecision and gives you what you need to plan with confidence during these uncertain times. Join our Brides Club here.
Great post!