Category Archives: Inside Scoop

Mazel Tov With A Bang!

Last week, the all new and refreshed Wedding Yentas launched and in order to celebrate the Yentas reboot, a hearty mazel tov is in order. But with old traditions come new ones and that’s why it’s so exciting to feature Mazel Tov Stone, the gotta-have-it of under-the-chuppah Judaica.

A California couple accidentally discovered The Mazel Tov Stone while attending a family member’s wedding rehearsal. The bride began to panic that the glass wouldn’t break under her groom’s foot, so her quick-thinking relative who also happens to be a stone sculptor, ran to his car and delivered her a slab of limestone to guarantee a sturdy surface on which glass would cleanly and beautifully break. And just like that, Robb and Lisa had woven a new concept on an old tradition. Beach wedding on the sand? Garden wedding on the grass? A wimpy groom with a soft shoe (don’t worry, we won’t tell)? No problem! The Mazel Tov Stone will make sure the glass breaks!

The Mazel Tov Stone is also a great commemorative piece from your wedding, just like your photos, your ketubah, and the shards of glass you might keep for decorative purposes. Since the stone is cut in a beautiful shape of your choice and can be completely customized with your names, date, flourishes, border, and font, it’s a reflection of you as a couple from your wedding day.

I love the fact that you can literally get married in any location in any state, and know that your wedding still has a place in Israel. Hmmm?? How can you be in both places at once? The customized stone is Jerusalem limestone, hailing all the way from the motherland. It’s derived from the same quarries that produced the stone used to build the ancient temples in Jerusalem. Talk about a permanent piece of rock! Having this stone beneath your feet is sure to provide you the same strength and stability that Israel’s rich history has endured. Warm fuzzies, right?

Mazel Tov Stone is part of The Wedding Yentas family, and it’s such an honor to have them as an elite vendor here on the site. You can check them out in the Vendor Directory either under Judaica Stores or Chuppot.

So, say “mazel tov!” for all of us Yentas on our new home, and say “mazel tov!” to yourself for a beautiful marriage that will start with a big bang!

GOTTA HAVE IT: Colorful Shoes

Nothing screams style like a bride in a colorful pair of shoes. WWCBD? (What Would Carrie Bradshaw Do?) Ask your photographer to snap some photos of just your ankles and shoes so you can pay tribute to your fabulous feet and stylish stems. Love love LOVE colorful tootsies peeking out from under the dress. On a day that’s full of tradition, take a walk on the wild side in some color! Go big or go home. Wear ’em loud and proud. Kick up your heels and smile for the camera: you are one beautiful bride!

colorful-shoes-peeking-through-wedding-dresses!

colorful-shoes-peeking-through-wedding-dresses!

colorful-shoes-peeking-through-wedding-dresses!

Kate’s Dress Inspires Jewish Brides

It’s a sure bet that we’re going to start seeing Kate Middleton wannabe dresses, styles, and accessories all over Wedding Land. And why not? Girlfriend was gorgeous! The Princess Bride could not have looked more stunning with her simple, feminine hair that flowed down, her natural and fresh makeup, and of course the dress, oh That Dress, by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

It is The Wedding Yentas opinion that The Dress definitely lived up to expectations. How difficult it must be to be a bride where people even have expectations of your dress, and then to pull it off flawlessly, well, kudos to Kate. It was the perfect combination of traditional, royal wedding-wear and young, fresh, modern bride. Her arms and shoulders were conservatively covered per Westminster Abbey’s required tradition, but Kate’s beautiful fashion sense still shone through in her neckline, skirt, and style of lace. She really was absolutely breathtaking.

And as a Jewish bride, you may have something in common with her! No, you are probably not going to inherit the Queen of England as your grandmother-in-law and certainly no one is putting bets into Vegas on the length of your first public kiss at Buckingham Palace, but it’s likely you may wish to have or be required to have your shoulders covered for your Jewish wedding. And like Kate, you don’t have to sacrifice style for modesty.

In case you missed it, last year The Wedding Yentas published a great spread on how to rock a bolero jacket or shoulder covering with your wedding dress. Here’s another glimpse into the professional photo shoot that helped so many of our readers learn about dressing fashionably and pleasing a rabbi.

Mazel tov to Kate… and mazel tov to you!

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Unless you’re shopping for your wedding dress at a Victorian-themed costume shop, most of the wedding gowns you’re seeing at mainstream bridal salons include some sexy attributes or cuts that reveal a lot of epidermis real estate. Whether you’re just not comfortable with how the dress fits your upper body or if there are dress code restrictions by which you must abide, The Wedding Yentas are here to reassure you that on your big day, you can look like a dream without living through any couture nightmares.

Many Jewish brides are unable to show their shoulders or open backs, specifically during the ceremony portion of the wedding. We understand that very traditional and observant brides will wear dresses that have sleeves and high collars the whole day. These styles of dresses are gorgeous and absolutely ideal for Orthodox weddings. However, for brides who practice a more reform or conservative denomination of Judaism, it’s possible that the synagogue, rabbi, or the bride’s own personal beliefs will guide her to keep her shoulders covered during the ceremony, but uncovering them for the reception. Always make sure to check with your rabbi first to make sure you’re on the same page regarding wedding attire.

Instead of buying an additional reception dress, The Wedding Yentas have you covered for shoulder covering ideas. Gone are the days of shawls made out of yarn that clash with your raw-silk gown. We have found boleros for you that are stylish, modern, and provide the modesty you need to meet your one-and-only under the chuppah. These boleros are so good-looking, you’ll want to keep them on for the party, anyway!

On May 2, 2010, The Wedding Yentas produced their first ever photo shoot that included a fantastic team of wedding vendors that get 5 out 5 stars (of David) in our little blue and white book. You can expect to see more shoots like this in the future where we assemble a team of some of the best wedding vendors in the industry to show our readers just how to combine style with tradition. Producing these events gives brides a chance to see the latest and greatest in Jewish wedding planning while spotlighting vendors who are experts in their field. We hope you enjoy this 2-part feature because we are so excited to present to you The Bolero Look Book for Jewish Brides!

All of the boleros we feature can be made to order and purchased via the links below. We are showcasing artists who provide excellent customer service along with high-end product. We are happy to endorse these boleros and their talented creators!

Shauna’s World Online Store
Shauna’s World offers classic boleros with quality lace and fashionable details that complement any style of wedding gown.

Mary and Angelika’s Etsy Store
Mary and Angelika graced our models with their vintage-style boleros, featurng feminine details that would make Marie Antoinette squirm with jealousy. Forget diamonds; ruffles are a girl’s best friend.

Uptown Urban Craft’s Online Store
Uptown Urban fit right in with this rural photo shoot. The boleros provide a modesty that is both adorable and chic, allowing any bride to feel like she’s walking down a runway instead of an aisle.

Gertie B’s Etsy Store
Gertie B gets an A+ for her delicate boleros! A bride who wears these boleros feels graceful and ladylike, as lace is the epitome of bridal.

Our phenomenal photographers were Eight20 Photography, Chelsea Elizabeth Photography, Araxi Photography, and Photography by Tara Rochelle. They captured the models in the boleros perfectly, providing you a glimpse of how stylish you can look in your traditional wedding!

Alison Franchi of Le Petit Gardenia provided a table scape that would make Butchart Gardens envious! She assembled gorgeous bouquets for the brides and dreamy details all around. She is quite the floral artist and really helped set the tone of the shoot.

Susie Chhuor worked her magic on our three models and did a terrific job enhancing their beauty, creating a natural, feminine look. The makeup looked just as great at the end of the shoot as it did when Susie applied it.

Special Occasion Hair by Natascha designed hair styles that stayed in tact all day and emphasized the bridal look we wanted our models to showcase. Her diverse works of hair art definitely complemented the flowing styles we were featuring.

The fabulous designers behind these boleros provided us quality fashions and we couldn’t be more obsessed with them! On Wednesday, we’ll talk more about our awesome day and give you a behind-the-scenes view of the photo shoot, so visit us on May 12th to see how exactly The Wedding Yentas produced this day!

Faking It

Nothing says “a girl in love” like a bride who bats her eyelashes on her wedding day. That’s why the beauty secret weapon award goes to … drum roll, please… the false eye lashes!

According to celebrity makeup artist, Christian Zamora, “no bride should be without false eyelashes, be they strips, half strips or individuals. Lashes make the eyes pop in photographs, and we all want to see the love and joy in the bride’s eyes.”

He recommends Sephora Flirt-It Lash Duo because you have control of the length and fit of the lash to make it complement your natural blinks.

Before deciding if you would be a good candidate for false lashes, you should wear them around for a trial run. Yes, lashes are exactly like a new pair of heels — you’ve got to break them in! Or, in this case, break your eyes in. At first, lashes can feel annoying and big if you’re not used to wearing them, but like most things you wear for the first time, you get used to them after a while.

In case you want to practice yourself before you wear them on the big day, here’s how you can apply false lashes:

1. Examine the lash band. Decide whether or not it will comfortably stay on your lid. You can trim the band to make it fit any way you like.

2. Check the adhesive. Some lashes come with adhesive strips already on the band, while others come with it in a tube. If yours comes separately in liquid form, use a small toothpick or bobby pin to help you apply the glue to the lash band. Allow the adhesive to sit for a few seconds before applying.

3. Apply the lashes by holding the lash band inward, making it curve to the shape of your lid. Apply it as close as possible to your natural lashes, but not on the lashes themselves. If you are using individual lashes, apply them to the outer portion of your lash line first, then work your way inward.

4. After the glue has dried and the lashes are firmly in place, you can add another coat of mascara, and eye liner to make the lashes blend in.

People who have never worn lashes are sometimes concerned that taking them off is painful! Put your fears aside: it does not hurt! Eyelash glue is not permanent or hard. In fact, it is more like a tacky glue that has just enough adhesive to keep your lashes secure and stable through extensive wear, while still making removal an easy and pleasant experience.

One of the reasons you should consider wearing false lashes on your wedding day is for dramatic and noticeable eye beauty, yes, but also for the practical purpose of avoiding a messy and ugly spectacle: runny mascara! With false lashes, you don’t need to wear much mascara, if any at all. Your eyes will show beautifully in photos, adding the extra bridal sparkle to your overall look.

To be perfectly honest, there’s not much more you can do to feel prettier and girlier on your wedding day (other than wear a good bra or a rockin’ heel). So slap on the lashes and blink your way into happily ever after!

Make Your Ring Go Bling!

When purchasing your diamond engagement ring, it’s important to take into account the four Cs known as cut, clarity, color, and, of course, carat. But what about after the ring is purchased, you’ve said “yes!”, and it resides on your finger? There’s still one more C for you to put into action: clean!

There’s nothing sadder than a sparkly diamond ring that turns less sparkly from day-to-day wear. From the things you touch to the handwashing you do, it’s inevitable that your ring will get dirty and grimy. We’re not suggesting you take off your ring every time you wash your hands. Sure, it may stay less foggy, but no level of sparkle is worth the accidental tip of the ring down the sink drain. So never ever take off your ring near a sink, especially in a public place!

Instead, commit to cleaning your ring a couple times a month to keep up the bling. You don’t have to take it to a jeweler every single time. Believe it or not, at-home cleaning methods work just as great.

From Real Simple magazine, here is a gem of a step-by-step guide that will help you keep your rock looking shiny and new!

1. Soak the ring
To loosen dirt and grime, let the ring sit for 20 minutes in a solution of 1 cup warm water and 1/4 cup ammonia.

2. Rinse the ring in soapy water
Wearing the rubber gloves, transfer the ring from the ammonia solution to a bowl of warm water and a little dishwashing liquid. Swish the ring in the bowl.

3. Scrub the ring
Using the toothbrush, gently scrub the ring, working the bristles into the nooks and crannies between the diamond and the setting.

4. Rinse in warm water and leave to dry
Be certain to rinse all soap from your ring. Lay it on a piece of tissue to dry.