Category Archives: Real Jewish Weddings

On a gorgeous Sunday afternoon in late August, Rochel and Joel were married at the Harold Pratt House on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. The Orthodox Jewish wedding was a fun fusion of tradition and modernity. Bringing to life ancient Jewish rituals in the authentic 20th century décor of such a historic venue, the day’s celebration commenced with guests mingling during a laid-back cocktail style reception in the reception room. The bride greeted guests from her “throne” in the sitting room as the groom oversaw the signing of the ketubah during his tisch in the library.

The day captured the essence of the unique mix that is New York City by bringing together people from many diverse backgrounds, including guests from all across the Jewish spectrum, to celebrate the young couple and their love. During the intimate ceremony, the bride, in her modest, vintage inspired, lace wedding gown, walked down the aisle to the chuppah flanked by the loving atmosphere created by the couple’s closest family and friends. Shortly after the breaking of the glass, the celebration moved up the marble staircase for a dessert reception on the mansion’s second floor.

Customary Hebrew wedding music set to a modern dance beat played in the ballroom where men and women celebrated with traditional circle dancing and entertaining shtick. As a surprise climax, the groom serenaded his beautiful bride with a rendition of a classic hymn paying tribute to her as a woman of valor by enumerating a long list of her remarkable qualities. The celebration concluded and, in their first act as a newly married couple, the pair enjoyed a leisurely outdoor stroll down the concrete jungle of the iconic Park Avenue followed by a foray into the lush green paradise of nearby Central Park. Walking hand-in-hand as the sun started to dip in the sky was the perfect ending to such a lovely day.

Mazel tov, Rochel and Joel!

Photography: Leila Jacue – L&L Style Photography
Venue: The Harold Pratt House
Florist: Jane Packer
Videographer: Juan Marigorta — Estudios Tripolares
Caterer: Esprit Events
Dress: Lovely Things Exquisite Collection
Hair Stylist: Mel Paldino
Invitations: Paperless Post
Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal
Benchers and Yarmulkes: Benchers Unlimited
Ketubah: Enya Keshet for Gallery Judaica

True love can totally spark at a bar and thanks to the help of a good, mutual friend, Rachel and Glenn are married today. They were introduced early in the night by another friend who told Rachel she just had to hang out with this guy. Rachel was obedient, followed orders, and after exchanging glances and dialogue, they ended up on a brownstone stoop at 4 a.m., eating Mamouns Falafel and drinking a bottle of water as the flirting continued. Glenn took Rachel out dancing a few days later, and they officially danced their way into each others’ lives from that point on. They got engaged in December of 2009 just in time to ring in the new year!

What’s not to love about the following pictures? From Rachel’s glamorous bridal look to the photos capturing the essence of New York, this wedding is flurry of planning inspiration. We love the simple elegance of all white flowers, and the colorful lighting design adds sophisticated, festive flair to the venue’s grandiose Gothic architecture. And by the looks of it, Glenn and Rachel’s guests were more than happy to celebrate their special day with them, as the partying and dancing pulsated far into the night. It just goes to show, creating a vision from the ground up with your event team is the foundation for executing the wedding of your dreams.

Mazel tov, Rachel and Glenn!

Venue – Angel Orensanz Foundation
Photographer – Shira Weinberger
Coordinator – Xochitl/Always a Bridesmaid
Floral Design – Melarosa
Caterer – Above and Beyond
Entertainment – Doug Winters Music
Dress – Ulla Maija
Hair and Makeup – Nelson D’leon
Ketubah – TheKetubah.com

While planning her big day, Sarah was inspired by a myriad of wedding books and magazines along with a steady diet of My Fair Wedding with David Tutera and Say Yes to the Dress. The bride hoped to achieve a whimsical look to complement the florals, attire, and embellished table settings selected for the wedding. Sarah notes that the time she spent with her bridesmaids during their hair and makeup appointments prior to the wedding as one of her favorite parts of the day. She also looks back fondly on the moment she was walking out for their first look and saw Zack all dressed up, and was so excited to marry him. It was amazing to have all of their friends and family there to celebrate their love.

When asked to offer advice to future brides, Sarah shares, “If you can do one thing at a time, it helps keep you stress-free. We first got the venue, which set the date, and then with each vendor we worked with, we started and finished before working with the next one. Trying to do the flowers, invitations, photographer, cake all at once is a recipe for disaster. Also, try to enjoy the wedding. The whole night flies by in what feels like two minutes, but try to savor the whole night.”

Mazel tov, Sarah and Zack!

Photographer: Seth Roberts Photography
Ceremony Venue: Congregation Beth Ahabah
Reception Venue: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Hair Stylist: Rituals Salon and Spa
Floral Designer: Vogue Flowers & Gifts
Invitation Designer: By Invitation Only
Cake Designer: Katherine’s Confections
DJ: Choice Entertainment, LLC
Linens and Coverings: DC Rental

Editorial Partner: Two Bright Lights

A wedding way high up, you can almost say “I do” in the clouds? That was the wedding for Jeni and Eric who love the outdoors and got married at Heavenly Lake Tahoe. They chose the unique location because it is one of their favorite areas to visit and vacation and the beautiful surroundings allowed them to incorporate their DIY ideas among a simple mountain feel. Plus, how much work do you need to do when the environment is naturally beautiful?

Elements of their love were sprinkled into the wedding details, rounding out a wedding theme that represented them to the core. Starting with the wedding ceremony itself which overlooked the Lake Tahoe area with the most gorgeous views on a clear day, lush flowers and rustic materials were used to wedding-ify the picture-perfect spot. With a purple and sage green color scheme, they made the beautiful look even more beautiful — they were smart to choose colors that wouldn’t fight the environment and instead, play up the splendor of the ambiance that Mother Nature created. With a fun summer wedding, Jeni and Eric offered colorful flip flops for guests so they could dance and celebrate without painful feet! And a biking-themed groom’s cake sparkled as a personal touch as one of the couple’s many joys.

Mazel tov, Jeni and Eric!

Photographer: Eric Asistin Photography
Venue: Heavenly Ski Resort

Editorial Partner: Two Bright Lights

Dani and Adam both attended the University of Pittsburgh and happened to meet in 2007 on the day that Dani was moving into Adam’s apartment complex. They became fantastic friends and eventually Adam moved in with Dani… and three of her girlfriends. They eventually became a couple and Dani’s parents adored Adam. Adam’s mom died of cancer not too long after they became a couple and Dani was there for him through every step of the way. They both moved to Orlando together for work where Adam is an engineer and Dani has played some royal characters at a very happy place with a mouse!

Mazel tov, Dani and Adam!

Photographer: A Magic Moment
Event Planner: Eventfully Yours
Floral Designer: Greenery Productions
Ceremony Music: Harpist Christine MacPhail
Reception Venue: The Peabody
Cake Designer: Party Flavors Custom Cakes
Band: John Parker Band
Officiant: Rabbi David Degani

Editorial Partner: Two Bright Lights