Author Archives: Alison

{Real Jewish Weddings} Jersey City, NJ

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Alison in Real Jewish Weddings

From the Bride, Lauren: Andy & I decided to get married in our hometown of Jersey City, on the banks of the Hudson River, across from lower Manhattan. We held the ceremony in the observation tower of the Liberty Science Center, which happens to be in walking distance of our 1885 brownstone. The private penthouse, enclosed in a pyramid of glass, sports breathtaking panoramic views of Liberty State Park, Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. And since the sky is visible through the glass ceiling, the venue was perfectly suited for the traditional Jewish wedding we were planning.

There was never a question in our minds as to the location of the reception. Andy owns one of Jersey City’s top restaurants, Satis Bistro, in the historic Paulus Hook neighborhood. Satis was our original date place and has become our home away from home. We couldn’t think of a better place to celebrate our marriage and share our passion for great food.

We were extremely pleased with our talented florist and cake decorator who furthered our vision of simple elegance with a touch of playfulness. We opted for an untraditional cake design which told the story of our long-distance relationship, between Boston and New Jersey. The cake was a stack of old-school suitcases and satchels with badges indicating the places we had spent time together while dating. It was topped with bride and groom sculptures. We also included sculptures of our stuffed animals, aka, our kids: Shrek and Green Monkey. You know you’ve found the perfect match when the most random things in your lives are in sync. In our case, our dolls both happened to be green.

Mazel tov, Lauren and Andy!

Photography: Meridith Desmond Photography
Ceremony Site: Liberty Science Center
Reception Venue: Satis Bistro
Music: Jeff Meltzer
Ceremony Florals: Antheia
Reception Florals: Joseph’s Florist
Hair: Marissa Warner
Makeup: Ashley Levandoski
Dress: Kleinfeld
Cake: Cake & Co.

And don’t forget about the Blue Nile gift card that’s up for grabs! Check out the Leave Nothing To Chance app and then get your entry on!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sponsored by Blue Nile: Use the Leave Nothing To Chance Style App and Win Diamonds or a Gift Card!

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Alison in Contests and Giveaways, Featured, Sponsored Post

This is a sponsored post and all opinions belong to Alison of The Wedding Yentas.

I love technology. We can talk on the phone while seeing others on the opposite end. We can communicate with friends across the world and stay in touch through social media. And now, there’s an application that analyzes your personality and declares what kind of jewelry your husband/mom/friend/boyfriend/sister/anyone-else-who-loves-you should buy you.

Blue Nile, the largest online retailer of certified diamonds and fine jewelry, has just come out with a brand new platform that uses a scientific algorithm to analyze your responses and Facebook data to identify your fashion personality. It’s called Leave Nothing To Chance because, appropriately, when it comes to jewelry, you don’t want your gift-givers crossing their finger and hoping you’ll love what they buy you. When it comes to jewelry, let’s be real: hope is not enough.

You can find out if you’re a “Jet Setter,” “Queen Bee,” or “Understated Beauty” in order to see what kinds of jewelry pieces match that title. It will then issue a personalized infographic about your style along with a few gift recommendations, which you can customize and share on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. Or, you know, just absolutely leave open on your sweetie’s computer — OOPS! There are 30 different personalities and it is surprisingly accurate!

Here’s what my results look like and I pretty much agree.

By now you should know I’m a big fan of comedy. If people or activities don’t make me laugh, forget about it; I’m done! But the Leave Nothing To Chance app made me laugh SO HARD. And I wasn’t even drinking!

Each question is worded very casually and fun, so it doesn’t feel like you’re taking the SAT (which would have been horrible for me because the guy behind me during the SAT had the most horrific nose whistle and I was distracted the entire time. Especially on the math section. Hmmm. But hey! I went to college and it all worked out. GO CATS!). It’s fun to be guided through a survey that asks tongue-in-cheek lifestyle questions, such as, “Skinny dipping at night with friends or a good book and a warm bath?”

After you answer each casual and fun question, there’s a segue statement and that’s where the comedy gold is. Snarky, sassy statements about my personality made my peacock feathers present themselves and I was satisfied with the zingers.

I would say you should have fun with this app just for the sass factor alone, but that’s not the only reason.
Those who participate will be entered to win a three carat diamond tennis bracelet. The winner will be contacted by email on Dec. 30.

Did you read that right?

You guys. You could win diamonds.

OK, hear me out.

If you use the app — and you should because it’s more fun than a lot of the other things you do to procrastinate on the computer — you can automatically be entered to win a three carat diamond tennis bracelet.

One more time in case you’re squinting from the idea of shiny things landing in your lap for free:

You could possibly win a three carat diamond tennis bracelet.

I don’t know how to make this clearer!

BUT, because I love you so much and because Blue Nile thinks that The Wedding Yentas is the best Jewish wedding blog ever, all of you get discount codes to buy stuff. Discount codes are seriously my favorite thing in the world. Every time I buy things online, I Google a discount code for the store just in case I can save more cash. It’s always so empowering when I’ve searched high and low to find a code and it actually works! No searching high and low here. Just straight ahead. Or in the next paragraph.

*Discount Code: BNAPP2013
It’s good for 10% off Blue Nile jewelry from Nov. 29, 2013 – Dec. 31, 2013. Enter the code into the “Reference Code” box at checkout.

One more thing — because it’s the season of giving and Blue Nile and I feel extremely generous — you can also enter to win a $50 gift card to Blue Nile!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have fun! And I hope the jewelry you receive is JUST what you wanted!

*Terms and conditions: Valid on select regularly-priced jewelry excluding loose diamonds, settings and Build Your Own Diamond Jewelry™. Offer not valid on sale merchandise, gift certificates, Monique Lhuillier jewelry, back-ordered items, polishing cloth, and jewelry cleaner purchases. Reference code BNAPP2013 must be entered in cart or mentioned over phone at time of purchase.Offer may not be combined with any other offer, cannot be applied retroactively, and applies to US customers only. Void where prohibited. Offer expires 11:59pm PST 12/31/2013. The offer terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Other restrictions may apply.

Sweepstakes is open to all international buyers that BlueNile ships to. Winnings will be in the form of an online promo code that you can enter at checkout. Please check this link: to see if BlueNile ships to your destination country. Thanks & Good luck!

When Do You Send Thank You Cards for Wedding Gifts?

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Alison in Ask The Yentas, Inside Scoop

I often receive emails from readers about the little things. I am always happy to help however I can! This one came in recently and I thought it was a great example of a really good question needing an equally good answer.

Dear Alison,

I was hoping to get your take on thank you cards for wedding gifts and when to send them. We have just started to receive some gifts for our wedding next month and it feels weird to wait until after the wedding to acknowledge our receipt of them. What do you think?

If I do choose to send a thank you card for a gift sent now, should I also send another thank you card after the wedding thanking the guest for coming?

-Abby

*************************

Super good question!!! Write them as you get them. Much less daunting task than waiting until after the wedding. It’s totally acceptable to get wedding gifts early and it’s even more acceptable to write as you get them. The person who’s sending the gift likes it, too, because they feel good knowing you’ve received it and it’s safely in your home.

Thank them and do your spiel and if they’re coming to the wedding and say something like: “We are so looking forward to celebrating with you Next month/in a few weeks…”

If they’re not coming say something like: “We will miss you on the big day, but please know your thoughtfulness is so appreciated…”

And if you don’t know yet because you haven’t received their RSVP, just say something very neutral like: “The wedding day will be even sweeter thanks to your thoughtfulness, and we are so excited!”

After the wedding, you’ll write these same sentiments but just make them past tense.

Hope this helps!

Big fat mazels and love,
Alison

From The Expert: Bridal Jewelry Is Not Something You Select At The End Of Your Journey

Posted on November 20, 2013 by Alison in From the Expert

Event venue? Check. Photographer? Band or DJ? Check, check. Florist? Rings? Check, check, check. Dress, check? Rabbi? Of course!

You’re on your way – mazel tov! No doubt you’ve taken great care in selecting all of the above. And what necklace will you wear? Aha – haven’t thought of that one yet?

It’s a common scenario: brides immediately choose the place, the music, the florist, the photographer, the caterer and the dress and then exhale for a while. The other stuff can wait, right? Sure, some of it can.

But not everything should. If you have a family heirloom that your mom and your grandmother wore as brides, you’re all set – just make sure your neckline works with Granny’s necklace. But if that’s not the case, perhaps your jewelry should be a priority as well. After all, you won’t need the band, the venue, the flowers or the dress after your wedding day, but if you wear beautiful jewelry, you’ll wear it over and over again.

And what bride doesn’t want beautiful jewelry? Once you know what you’re wearing, it’s time to think about jewelry. What type of neckline do you have? If it’s high and lacy, you may not need a necklace, but knockout earrings and a bracelet may be in order.

If you have a sweetheart neckline, something simple works best so as not to make the look too complicated or fussy. A classic, simpler neckline can handle a bolder necklace that makes more of a statement.

Is your dress ivory? White? Bone? All the subtleties of color can be enhanced and reflected in a custom-designed suite of jewelry that’s as unique as you as a bride. Some aquamarine, blue topaz or even turquoise in the piece can serve as your something blue. A bracelet will complement the necklace and earrings. Maybe you need a bold piece for the rehearsal dinner and a more traditional suite for the wedding itself.

What if you want to wear your mother’s pearls or your grandmother’s cameo for sentimental reasons, but they just don’t conjure up the image you have in mind? A good bridal jewelry designer can incorporate those pearls or other elements into a new piece that’s fresh and exciting, but respectful of your family’s tradition and history.

And there’s always the challenge of trying to please everyone! Coordinating jewelry for the bridesmaids and flower girls is the perfect thank-you gift – and you know they’ll be wearing exactly what you want! Sometimes brides have the same necklace made for each bridesmaid with a little something extra for the maid of honor. Sometimes brides commission a different piece for each attendant, based on tastes and personal styles.

Finally, you mustn’t forget mom and his mom! Once they’ve chosen their outfits, surprise them with jewelry as well. Jewelry is the finishing touch that literally lights up the ensemble and makes everyone sparkle. By commissioning pieces for yourself and your attendants and mothers, you unite the bridal party in a beautiful and lasting way.

The advantage of collaborating with a designer – instead of buying something mass-produced and on a rack somewhere – is that you can commission exactly what you want, within your budget for your wedding. When you confer with a designer, he or she will get a feel for your style (photos and descriptions help) and the two of you will work together to create the perfect complement to your perfect day.

*****************************************Emily Kuvin designs her jewelry to be simple, elegant and original. Her collection comprises of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings. She specializes in working with individual clients to make unique custom pieces for any occasion.

Emily’s pieces are made primarily with semi-precious stones, fresh water pearls and Venetian (Murano) glass beads. Findings and accents are 14 karat gold, sterling silver, vermeil, or gold-filled. Emily personally selects her materials from all over the world, from countries including India, Israel, Germany, Italy, and here in the United States.

A self-taught jewelry designer, Emily began her jewelry designing in high school and continued to refine and develop her aesthetic and skills over the years. After college and graduate school in journalism, Emily worked as a television news anchor for several years, then went to law school and practiced law as an attorney and a corporate communications executive. Once she concluded that her true passion is jewelry design, Emily chose to make this her full-time career.

Emily lives in the Boston area with her husband, two children, and two dogs. Check out Emily Kuvin Jewelry Design on Facebook to stay up to date!

{Real Jewish Weddings} Chicago, IL

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Alison in Real Jewish Weddings

Andrew and Lilly met through friends and were so inseparable that night, that even the bartender was joking with them about their instant connection. They began dating shortly after that. Less than a year later, the groom followed the bride all the way from Los Angeles to Chicago. That is how she knew he was a keeper.

Andrew proposed on their 3rd anniversary following a gorgeous dinner on the 16th floor terrace of the Trump Tower Hotel. He was especially nervous that night, as the ring, which he had arranged to be shipped to their apartment on the day of the proposal to avoid Lilly’s sneaking around and finding it, had gotten lost at the post office. Luckily, after a few hours of terror, the ring was located. Needless to say, poor Andrew looked so nervous that night that Lilly quickly figured out what was going on. That only made the proposal more special and meaningful, and the amazing moment was marked with tears and laughter.

Andrew and Lilly’s goals for the wedding day were mainly to focus on the occasion as a celebration of their love and the start of their new lives together. Details such as great food, an elegant yet low-key atmosphere, and a band that would keep everyone on their feet till the early hours of morning were extremely important to the couple.

Mazel tov, Lilly and Andrew!