Category Archives: Real Jewish Weddings

From the Bride: Jay and I met at a comic book store. We wanted this common passion of ours to be the theme for our celebration, but we wanted it to be classy and somewhat subtle. We love Batman and one of his main villains, Poison Ivy, who manipulates plant life, became our floral inspiration. We wanted it to look as if she had taken over our wedding. Our venue was so beautiful that we didn’t want to compete with the natural beauty so we decided to just go with it as much as possible.

I was born in Israel and grew up in a Jewish home and that part of my identity was very important to me, but even within my heart I wasn’t exactly clear about how to incorporate it into our wedding. Jay wasn’t raised religious, but enjoys my family’s traditions and even visited me in Israel while I was getting my MA there. But when you break it down, our parents have the same core values about family, love, and the basic humanist golden rule. When we realized that we actually probably have more in common than not and went soul-searching to discover what we really wanted to express in the public manifestation of our love, we ended up having a somewhat traditional Jewish Wedding. We chose the symbolic gestures and tradition that we could identify with, such as having a chuppa and breaking the glass, and had the privilege of working with an amazing rabbi and his wife. They helped us modernize some of the traditional text and highlight the things that were important, meaningful, and relevant to us.

Mazel tov, Miriam and Jay!

Photographer: Choco Studio
Venue and Caterer: Dawn Ranch Lodge
Hair & Makeup: Kira Lee
Florals: Lila B Design
Officiant: Rabbi Gershon, Interfaith Rabbi
Ketubah: Tsili Pines for New Ketubah
Cake: Giorgi’s Wedding Cakes
Invitations, Programs, Save the Date Cards: Katie Rutherford
Dress: Elizabeth Dye from The English Dept in Portland
Cape: Cape and Crown Creations

For a magical, outdoor wedding, Sara and Konrad chose a private estate in Connecticut for the backdrop of their “I do” kisses and declarations. With sprawling lawns and romantic trees, the couple was surrounded by loved ones who matched the natural surroundings in beauty. They used a little enhancement like lights around their environment to create a glowy, romantic mood. Everything about the wedding had a rustic, yet rich feel. Sara’s curls looked natural and not at all “done up,” the chuppah under which they made it all official matched the natural greenery of the outdoors, and a whimsical sign that welcomed their guests to their wedding created a personal touch. Special style nods go to the chalkboard menu and the clothespin strung escort cards — the epitome of rustic chic! The details spoke loud and clear through simplicity and love.

Mazel tov, Sara and Konrad!

Photography: Chelo Keys Photography
Caterers: La Cuisine
Rentals: MitchCo Tent and Party Rentals
Hair: Echo A. Salon

Sabrina and Todd were introduced at a business networking event and bonded by celebrating their recent divorces. Todd proposed during a trip to Florence, Italy where he lived during college.

The wedding itself was quite an event! Diego Val of NBC’s The Voice sang live for the processional and recessional. Personalized touches, inspired by their engagement in Italy, included customized shot glasses that read “Salute!” and a pasta station catered by Aaron’s Catering. Groom’s cake by Sugar Sweet Dreams Cake Company was a red velvet globe with pins on countries the couple had visited together with a personal inscription at the base.

Following the ceremony, the venue’s 5,000-square-foot wooden deck was transformed into his and hers lounges for guests. The groom’s side enjoyed a cigar roller and a boys’ bar offering tequila and scotch while Goodfellas projected on the wall. On the other side, ladies enjoyed a sweets station, mojito bar, and the Audrey Hepburn classic Sabrina. The garden area was lit up with a chandelier floating over the dance floor, food stations, and a mix of lounge furniture, royal and cocktail tables were used to provide seating for guests while maintaining a “party all night long” vibe.

Mazel tov, Sabrina and Todd!

Photographer: Daniel LaTeulade Photography
Event Planning and Design: Twenty7 Events
Floral Design and Chuppah: Ines Naftali Flowers
Venue and Bar: Villa 221
Tables and Furniture Rentals: Bubble Miami
Chair Rentals: GreatHire USA
Cinematography: LaFrance Films
Cake and Dessert Station: Sugar Sweet Dreams Cake Company
Ceremony Music: Diego Val
DJ: EMG Artists
Caterer: Aaron’s Catering
Ketubah: Ketubah.com

Carolyn and Daniel’s wedding was at Garfield Park Conservatory, one of the largest and most stunning conservatories in the nation — a giant greenhouse that displays landscape art under glass. There’s no doubt that the couple’s love can only blossom from here! Womp womp. OK, bad joke, but seriously, how beautiful is this venue? The couple met in the dorms while in undergrad at University of Chicago and still reside in the neighborhood, so Chicago really is a place where their love continues to grow.

It’s nice when a groom is involved in his own wedding! Daniel made the chocolate truffle favors and he fully designed his bride’s engagement ring and damask wedding pattern using computer software. He also wrote the ketubah text, and his grandfather’s tallit (prayer shawl) was hung over him and Carolyn in the chuppah. Also sweet to note: Carolyn’s bouquet had sweet peas (her grandparents call her “Sweet Pea”) and the wine used in ceremony was made by her family.

Mazel tov, Carolyn and Daniel!

Photographer: Heather Parker Photography
Venue: Garfield Park Conservatory
Caterer: Jewell Events Catering
Floral Designer: Color and Company
Dress Store: A’Lamour Bridals
Band: Jeff Sandler Orchestra
Calligrapher: Ketubahs by Marion Zimmer
Makeup Artist: Lee Orlian
Officiant: Rabbi Abe Friedman
Bakery: Austrian Bakery

Editorial Partner: Two Bright Lights