Category Archives: Real Jewish Weddings

Real Weddings | San Francisco, CA

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Alison in Real Jewish Weddings

The dating site that works, JDate, brought Drew and Rebekah together in 2006. The first date went so well, Drew thought of texting Rebekah “last first date?” after their departure, but didn’t want to scare Rebekah off so he texted “WOW” instead. How cute is that? While Drew thought Rebekah could be the “one” after the first date, it took Rebekah until the second date where they visited the Museum of Modern Art to realize that this relationship could be long term.

A few years after they met, Drew took Rebekah to an art gallery where she noticed red roses and a couple paintings hanging on the wall which spelled LOVE and another which had 2 numbers painted on it, one being the current day’s date and the other being the day Rebekah and Drew first met. At this point Drew guided Rebekah to one final painting on the wall and got down on one knee as Rebekah turned around to him and Drew asked “Will you marry me?” just as the painting had read. Next to the painting was a bottle of red paint and a brush which Rebekah used to check the “Yes” box on the painting. After leaving the gallery with her new fiance, Rebekah was yet again surprised at the restaurant where they had their first date, when both Drew’s family and Rebekah’s Mom and Dad (who live in San Francisco) surprised them at the table to celebrate!

Their wedding day was full of the same joy and surprise that Rebekah and Drew had experienced all along. The Bedeken greeted people as they came to the wedding which was then followed by the wedding ceremony. The reception quickly followed and began with a raucous round of Jewish dancing. Unfortunately for Drew, several of his friends who were tasked with lifting him up on the chair in celebration were rookies at tradition and oops! Drew came tumbling down, but the spill didn’t keep anyone from partying the rest of the night away!

Mazel tov, Rebekah and Drew!

Venue- The St. Regis San Francisco
Photographer- Julie Mikos Photographer
Wedding Coordinator- Natalia Guillen
Floral Design-Floramor
Ethnic Band- Klezmania
Dance Band & Entertainment- Pop Fiction

real-jewish-weddings-|-san-francisco,-ca

Real Weddings | Newport Beach, CA

Posted on June 14, 2011 by Alison in Real Jewish Weddings

Lisa and Jason’s love story started with Jdate and brought them to a proposal on a bluff overlooking the San Diego coast two years later. In August of 2009, Jason’s middle brother, a rabbi, married them in Newport Beach, CA. Having Jason’s brother officate instead of being a groomsman was more meaningful to the couple and made for a truly heartfelt ceremony.

Because of their love for the beach and its significance, Lisa wanted an ocean view wedding location. Also, she wanted to treat her guests to a perfect Southern California view becuase a lot of the guests were coming from the Midwest and spending time in Orange County as part of their summer vacation after the wedding. She chose contrasting coral and black for her summer wedding to add elegance and a fun pop of color to the ocean view setting.

Mazel tov, Lisa and Jason!

Photographer- Tamarack Studios
Venue- Newport Beach Marriott Seaview Terrace and Newport Coast Ballroom
Florist- Commerce Flowers
Cake- Rockwell’s Bakery
Videographer- Imagique by Daniel Boswell
Entertainment/Music- Wayne Foster Entertainment
Dress- Amy Michelson at Mon Amie Bridal Salon
Shoes- Via Spiga
Favors- Sweet Ambs cookies
Yarmulkes/Invitations/Stationery- Lori Rosenberg of Alphabetically Yours
Bridesmaids’ Dresses- Jcrew
Ketubah- Ketubah Store

real-jewish-weddings-|-newport-beach,-ca

Mazel Tov With A Bang!

Posted on June 8, 2011 by Alison in Featured, From The Yentas, Inside Scoop, Real Jewish Weddings

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!

Real Weddings | Dominican Republic

Posted on June 7, 2011 by Alison in Real Jewish Weddings

Why not tie the knot in paradise? Carly and Seth had the right idea when they chose to have their destination wedding in the Dominican Republic! The family rented a few adjacent villas which made gathering the wedding party much easier. Initially the ceremony was to take place on the cliff overlooking the ocean. Last minute changes had to be made due to the rain, and a second ceremony site was assembled in one of the larger villas. The cocktail hour and reception dinner took place at the Beach Club at Sea Horse Ranch. It’s a beautiful restaurant and bar with panoramic ocean views.

Overall, the wedding had a very relaxed vibe that was all about the pampering. The guys had some cigars they brought in, and made a cozy smoking lounge on the patio outside. One of the most remarkable things about this wedding was that the mother of the bride, Joan, brought in all the decorations for this 1920s Shanghai-themed wedding. Additionally she made all the desserts in the weeks leading up to the wedding, froze them, and packed them in a suitcase to travel to the wedding. Joan is also a successful Interior Design in HK, so she created all of the table linens and lamp shades by hand. She brought twelve checked bags full of decorations!

Venue- Sea Horse Ranch, Sosua Dominican Republic
Photographer- Gene Kosoy
Wedding Planner- 4TW, Richard Webber
Ketubah- MP Artworks
Glass- Mazel Tov Glass
Bride’s Dress- Claire Pettibone

real-jewish-weddings-|-dominican-republic

Real Weddings | Scottsdale, AZ

Posted on May 31, 2011 by Alison in Real Jewish Weddings

Mike and Kelly met the second week of her freshman year at Arizona State University. Who knew standing in line at Einstein’s Bagels would lead to a marriage? With Michael being from Northern California, and Kelly from New Jersey, it’s hard to believe that two people from opposite sides of the country would have so much in common! Mike proposed four years into their relationship with a beautiful customized ring featuring a family stone. After a two-year engagement, their big day finally came, and it was a perfect weekend joining the East and West Coast families.

Not only was Mike and Kelly’s wedding a symbolic merging of the two geographical backgrounds, but with Mike’s Jewish background, and Kelly being raised Roman Catholic, they knew they wanted to ensure both traditions were honored. During the ceremony, the couple performed the lighting of the unity candle and the traditional breaking of the glass, and two close family members performed readings, one, a verse from the Bible, and the second, the traditional seven Jewish wedding blessings. Mike and Kelly were married by her Uncle Ron, a Magistrate from Alaska.

Mazel tov, Kelly and Mike!

Venue- DoubleTree Paradise Valley Resort in Scottsdale, AZ
Photographer- Tara Keator Photography
Florist- Flowers by Jodi
Cake- Piece of Cake
Videographer- Legacy Videography
Bride’s Engagement Ring and Wedding Band- Derco
Groom’s Wedding Band- Weisfield Jewelers
Entertainment Music- Got You Covered!
Bride’s Gown- Casablanca at I Do, I Do Bridal
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist- Kensington Makeup
Invitations / Stationery- The Wedding Accessory Superstore
Bridesmaids’ Dresses- Val Stefani at I Do, I Do Bridal
Tuxedos- The Wedding Accessory Superstore
Honeymoon Travel- Riu Palace at Cabo San Lucas