Category Archives: Real Jewish Weddings

After three years of dating David popped the question to Sarah at home, overlooking their amazing view Seattle. The couple, who’d known each other since they were in high school through a mutual friend, knew they wanted a unique, yet traditional wedding which made for fun wedding planning. From attending summer camps and youth group events both David and Sarah loved Havdalah and wanted to find a way to incorporate that into their wedding. It was also a good excuse to have a Saturday evening wedding! Guests filled the sanctuary of the synagogue, where Sarah is a fourth generation member.

For the reception, the couple wanted a unique place where no one else had been married before. They chose an old train station in downtown Seattle that happened to be celebrating its 100th birthday! The bride and groom spent the entire night on a packed dance floor celebrating with friends and family.

Mazel tov, Sarah and David!

Photographer: Libby Lewis Photography
Wedding Planner: VOWS, Stephanie Wilson
Invitations: Valerie’s Invites
Ketubah: ketubah.com
Wedding Dress: Belltown Bride
Hair/Make Up: Salon Maison
Tuxedos: The Tuxedo Club
Cake: The Cake Lady
Flowers and Décor: Dennis Warshal
Limo/Party Bus: A Crystal Coach
Ceremony: Temple De Hirsch Sinai
Reception: The Great Hall at Union Station
DJ: E-Rock Entertainment
Yarmulkes: skullcap.com
Bridesmaid Dresses: Moms, Maids and More
Favors: Bruce’s Candy Kitchen

During junior year of college, Marissa’s good friend Georgia met Ben in a Philosophy class. Georgia was attached but felt that Ben was just too awesome not to date, so she made it her mission to set Ben up with one of her nearest and dearest. Though her set-up attempts were unsuccessful, Marissa and Ben did become friends along the way. After graduation, Marissa and Ben found themselves living just blocks away from each other in Philadelphia and with similar work schedules, which included Fridays off every week. Those Fridays turned in to standing lunch dates, which turned in to 7th grade style flirting, and soon enough, a full- fledged relationship.

For their wedding, Marissa and Ben were excited to share their Philadelphia home and their family traditions. Marissa is Jewish and Ben is Quaker. The ceremony included a chuppah (which Ben built himself), Jewish wedding prayers (performed by Marissa’s dad with the Kiddush cup from his own Bar Mitzvah), and the breaking of the glass (courtesy of ModernTribe, recommended by the Wedding Yentas), all within a Quaker silent meaningful worship. As part of the Quaker ceremony, Marissa and Ben exchanged their own vows without an officiant, also known as “self-uniting” marriage and then there was a period of silence in which attendees were invited to speak if they felt moved to do so. The silence was then broken along with the glass and a hearty “Mazel Tov” from the crowd! Marissa and Ben also mixed traditions with a Quaker wedding certificate decorated with Ketubeh-like embellishments. Similar to the Ketubah, the Quaker certificate is signed by the bride and groom, but in addition to the signatures of two additional loved ones, every attendee of the wedding signs it as everyone in attendance is considered to be part of upholding the marriage.

Mazel tov, Marissa and Ben!

Photographer: Conrad Erb Photography
Ceremony and Cocktail Venue: National Society of The Colonial Dames of America
Reception Venue & Caterer: Estia Restaurant
Cocktail Hour Caterer: Diverse Catering
Dress: Saks Fifth Avenue
Hair Stylist: Charlie Salon
Favors: Metropolitan Bakery
Invitations / Stationery / Wedding Certificate: Sarah Atwater Bourne
Groom’s Suit: J. Crew
Seating Chart: Marisa Geiger, friend of the bride

Rachel and Justin are lovely, relaxed, and very put-together people, so it’s no surprise that the same adjectives could be used to describe their beautiful Jewish wedding.

I love that the couple got ready and took photos in a modern location that looks great in pictures. The gallery art adds to the images of an already-gorgeous bride and groom! Let’s gush over Rachel: she looks incredible! I see her photos and instantly think: bridal model. For ultimate inspiration, the photos of the reception help confirm the beautiful purpley color scheme and delicately modern details. Fun touch for the end of the night: the Turkey to Go food truck {owned by a couple of the groomsmen}. Food trucks are the new photo booths. Think about it!

Mazel tov, Rachel and Justin!

Getting Ready & Photo Location: Le Meridien Chambers
Photographer: Erin Johnson Photography
Hair Stylist: Sara Grimaldi
Caterer: Oak Ridge Country Club
Event Planner & Designer: Amy Zaroff Events + Design
Floral Designer: Sadie’s Couture Floral and Event Styliing
Cake & Sweets Table Designer: Cocoa & Fig
Linens and Coverings: Linen Effects, Inc.
Equipment Rentals: apres
Makeup Artist: Andrea Holton

“It was another day in paradise” read Gili’s Facebook status. That was the morning the love of her life, Josh, asked her to be his. That was the morning before he slid her beautiful diamond onto her finger as he knelt on the wooden bridge over the water. Three months later, as the willow branches swayed in the wind and the sunlight lit up her vibrant curls like fire, she said “I do, forever.” Tears fell from her eyes as the man of her dreams stood before her, pledging his life to guide her, protect her and cherish her. As the two shared in Gili’s Jewish traditions, beams of sunlight danced across the lake. There, under a chuppah in her parents backyard, the two became one in front of their beloved friends and family.

Mazel tov, Gili and Josh!

Photographer: Olimb Photography
Flower Provider: Pennock Florists
Cake: Sugar Dreams Cakes and Things
Caterer: The Chef’s Garden
Dress: LOVE
Veil: Bridal Shop at the Avenues

******** THIS IS A STICKY POST THROUGH 2/29 ********
All of the MP Artworks ketubah couples are excited for your votes! We are one day closer to announcing our ketubah winners! Voting is open right now and goes through February 29 at 11:59 p.m. PST. The winning couple will be announced March 1. Find your ketubah couples here! Voting can take place on Twitter by mentioning your favorite couple and using hashtag #TWYGiveaway, The Wedding Yentas Facebook page, or the MP Artworks Facebook page, or the Ketubah Couples website page. Votes on any other page of The Wedding Yentas web site will not be counted.
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Jackie and Danny’s New York wedding featured traditional symbols and Jewish customs that mixed well with modern florals and fashion. A romantic ceremony in the sanctuary of the synagogue showed their guests a true pledge of love. Then, a spirited reception offered everyone a chance to celebrate Jackie and Danny’s new husband-and-wife status. This perfect Jewish wedding is photographed perfectly by Photography by Verdi offering fabulous inspiration shots. Can’t stop enjoying Jackie and Danny up in the chairs at their reception and the moments of Jackie walking down the aisle arm-in-arm with her parents are so touching.

Mazel tov, Jackie and Danny!

Venue- Temple Beth El of Great Neck
Photographer- Photography by Verdi
Caterer & Cake Baker- Cosmopolitan Caterers
Florist- Masters & Co.
Band- David Clark and the Renegades
Bride’s Dress- Dinah by Vera Wang at Bridal Salon
Tuxedo- RSVP
Hair Stylist- Metromodes
Make Up Stylist- Kristin Mavroson