Category Archives: Real Jewish Weddings

It’s so special to meet your b’shert through a friend’s introduction, and Mary Catherine and Ben’s is a story of another match that worked!

They simply enjoy spending time together and enjoying the simple things in life. As Ben said, “Mary Catherine likes cooking and I like eating her cooking”.

Mary Catherine and Ben were married at the Mason Murer of Fine Art. Their ceremony was around the corner from the reception. The setting was unique because it was surrounded by unique pieces of photographs and paintings. The backdrop of their entire reception was in front of their favorite piece of art in the entire museum: the giant painting of the horse.

It was such a beautiful wedding day as Mary Catherine and Ben were joined by friends and family who traveled from near and far. Their wedding day was a masterpiece and these two are quite the artists of love!

Mazel tov, Mary Catherine and Ben!

Photographer:  Tessa Marie Weddings
Caterer: Affairs to Remember
Floral Designer: Boukates

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Even though they were born in the same hospital, grew up less than 15 minutes from each other in Los Angeles, and both went to college at UCLA, Becky and Eric’s paths didn’t cross until years after they moved to New York, and even then it wasn’t until a chance encounter during a night out with a mutual friend.

They dated seriously for a year and one week after their anniversary, Eric tricked Becky into thinking they were having dinner with friends. Instead, Eric proposed to Becky at home and then took her to one of her favorite restaurants for a celebratory dinner. When they arrived back at their apartment, Becky realized that this was just the beginning of Eric’s master plan. As soon as she opened the door, Becky was greeted by 20 of their closest friends, who had gathered for a surprise engagement party.

Becky and Eric traveled to Los Angeles from New York to celebrate their wedding day with family and friends. They decided to have a traditional Jewish wedding, including a Kaballat Panim and Chatan’s Tisch before the ceremony, followed by the signing of the Ketubah and the Bedeken. Becky circled Eric at the beginning of the ceremony before they joined their parents and the Rabbi under the chuppah.

The food-minded couple envisioned an epic cocktail hour, which Pat’s Catering helped them make a reality. Guests enjoyed an abundance of delicious tray-passed hors d’oeuvres, along with three stations attended by chefs serving potato latkes with assorted toppings, sliders, and Eastern European Jewish classics. Becky and Eric designed the “Jewish Station,” which included corned beef, pastrami, smoked turkey, stuffed cabbage, kasha varnishkes, kishka, and chopped liver. Even though their guests stuffed themselves silly during the cocktail hour, they were able to work up an appetite for dinner during the lively and sweaty hora.

Mazel tov, Becky and Eric!

Venue: Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel
Photographer: B&G Photography
Florist: Ixora Floral Studio
Jeweler: The Jewelers of Las Vegas
Ceremony Music/Band: N’Demand
Lighting: George’s Lighting
Caterer: Pat’s Catering
Wedding Dress: Anna Maier/Ulla-Maija
Shoes: Kate Spade
Veil : Bridal Veil Falls
Earrings: Anzie
Hair: Amanda Tuller
Makeup: Gabi Militello
Officiant: Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe Bernhard
Invitations/Stationery/Yarmulkes: Designs & More
Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale
Ketubah: Ketubah.com
Photobooth: Hollywood Photo Booth

Unlike couples who envisioned every detail of their wedding before ever becoming engaged, Jackelyn and Zachary were more free-spirited when it came to planning their big day. They knew only that they wanted a fun and different event that was meaningful and special to them. They enlisted professional planners and designers to interpret their many unique preferences into one cohesive look that matched their unique personalities.

Jackelyn’s favorite memory of her wedding day was the first look before the ceremony. She and Zachary met in a private room overlooking a garden. She walked up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. Both cried and laughed together for a few private minutes. The time together before walking down the aisle was truly special.

Jackelyn also loved getting ready at the synagogue with her family. Her mother, sister, cousins, sisters-in-law-to-be and mother-in-law-to-be prepared in the bride’s room throughout the day. Jackelyn was surprisingly calm and enjoyed her time with “the girls”. Her relaxed demeanor surprised her as it was very different than she thought she’d feel.

The couple’s favorite detail was the giant mirror that displayed their table seating assignments. Jackelyn recommends that future brides take time to take in the little details like that, and to take mental pictures of every moment, no matter how small it may seem at the time. The day goes by too fast. And remember that the most important thing about your wedding won’t be the minutiae, rather, it will be the memory of having all of your loved ones in one room, celebrating the beginning of your new lives together!

Mazel tov, Jackelyn and Zachary!

Photographer:  chipgillespie photographer
Event Planner: Something to Celebrate
Floral Designer: Darryl & Co.
Cake Designer: Alphorn Bakery
Hair Stylist: Blush & Co
Cinema and Video: Evoke Videography
Makeup Artist for Bride, MOB, and MOH: Blush & Co
Caterer: Rice Epicurean Catering
Musicians: Sauce The Band

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Can’t help loving the timeless and classic style of this Los Angeles wedding! Want to know how to do it up big while keeping it tasteful? Hire the same dream team that Faith and David did! Here it all unfolds! One of L.A.’s premier wedding bands kept the guests in motion and The Luxe on Sunset is well-versed on Jewish weddings, so they have the whole routine down pat while still accommodating each and every individual event. B&G is a personal favorite of The Wedding Yentas as the photography is top notch and the team behind the camera is just a blast to work with (love ya!). Lighting makes a world of a difference at a wedding reception, so please make sure to take note of the beautiful work by AV Masters! A bride is not a bride without her bridal gown and Lisa Litt of Lili Bridals takes care of each and every one of her brides, maids, and moms. Faith is absolutely stunning so it looks like she got the usual treatment from Lisa and her team! A wedding like this one is a well oiled machine thanks to DB Creativity at the helm. I always say that if the budget allows, a wedding planner should make your experience so much lighter and happier.

Faith and David’s exquisite wedding is a perfect example that you don’t have to have a gimmick to your wedding. High-end design and a good time make the event a success!

Mazel tov, Faith and David!

Photographer:  B&G Photography
Venue: Luxe Hotel Sunset Boulevard
Lighting: AV Masters
Event Planner & Florist: DB Creativity
Band: De Bois Productions
Dress Store: Lili Bridals
Bridesmaids’ Makeup & Hair: Soreya Yann
Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Lisa had been on JDate casually looking around checking out the goods. She had gone on a few dates, but nothing serious came out of them. One night, while at home sick, she got an IM from a guy whose first question didn’t have to do with a web cam… Major bonus points! What started as an informal chat back and forth turned into hours and hours of conversation online. Lisa was definitely intrigued and agreed to meet Kevin for a drink the next week.

They dated casually for the next month or so, but really became more of best friends. Then Kevin went out of town for a week and when he got back, they realized that something incredible was just about to happen.

To celebrate their two-year anniversary, they planned a trip to San Francisco. While hiking at Land’s End on a gorgeous sunny morning, Kevin got down on one knee (very close to a cliff!) and told Lisa he loved her and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. You know what the next question was, and her answer was obviously a hearty YES!

They started to plan right away and eight months later, truly had the wedding of their dreams! The are as happy as ever and loving being a family of three — yes, three. Kevin officially “adopted” Lisa’s dog, Elsie, on their wedding day!

Mazel tov, Lisa and Kevin!

(p.s. Look closely! You may spot Desiree and yours truly as bridesmaids! And even Baby Yenta and Mr. Yenta are part of the bridal party! Not only are you about to enjoy looking at a beautiful wedding, but we were honored to be by the side of a beautiful couple, our dear friends!)

This JDate couple knew they wanted a traditional and personal wedding day. Before the ceremony, Lisa and Kevin got together with immediate family and the bridal party to sign a beautiful, modern ketubah. The chuppah ceremony immediately followed and they used Kevin’s tallit and kiddush cup, and they both circled each other at the beginning of the ceremony.

The vision for the wedding was a blend of rustic and modern details with a major emphasis on yellow and grey. If a wedding could be in the theme of an Anthropologie store, then that was the plan for the event.

Lisa and Kevin designed simple floral arrangements, so as to not take away from the giant chandeliers and romantic feeling of the room. Therefore, it was all about the small details, and they made sure they kept with the theme: tablecloths, kippot, candy cups, escort cards, framed signs, favors… they all were carefully planned.

The dessert table was always a dreamy vision in their heads that finally came true. Wedding cake, cupcakes, cakepops, marshmallows, macarons, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate covered pretzel rods, frosting shots,and gum balls all adorned a beautifully styled dessert buffet. And, while not on the actual dessert table, a rainbow sprinkled challah was the focus of blessing before food service began.

Lisa and Kevin’s wedding was intimate, as they hosted about 50 people. They were surrounded by their family and closest friends, and felt very loved. Because of the small crowd, they originally thought they could do without having a DJ, and thankfully that silly idea got replaced by a fantastic woman who really kept the party lively, the guests entertained, and most importantly, created a super fun dance party all night long!

Photographer: Elizabeth Zuluaga Photography
Venue: The Villa
Day of Coordinators: Lindsey Sundy and Ronna Sundy
Florist: McCann Florist
Cake and dessert table: Cakes by Rumy and A Little Nosh
Wedding Bands: Wilson’s Jewelry
Bridesmaid Dresses, Wedding Dress. and Sash: David’s Bridal
Makeup Artist: Esther Jacob
Hair Stylist: Tina Gocke
Favors: Candied Cakes
Music: I’m a Girl DJ
Videography: Wedit
Officiant: Rabbi Glenn Ettman with Temple Sinai Palm Desert
Invitations/Stationery: Woo Paperie
Invitations/Stationery Design: Kevin Daniels, the Groom
Groom & Groomsmen Tuxedos: Friar Tux
Ketubah: Urban Collective