Category Archives: Real Jewish Weddings

Real Weddings | New York, NY

Posted on January 11, 2011 by Alison in Real Jewish Weddings

For Heather and Mark, there was lots of falling. There was falling in love. There was falling snow. And there was falling hearts of those who have no idea about a love like this one. They were married in February on a snowy, but crisp day in New York. Heather and Mark did not want to walk around outside in the snow prior to their wedding, so they arranged for beautiful portraits inside The Ritz Carlton hotel before heading to their wedding venue, The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers.

Heather and Mark are a quick to kibbitz couple with a sense of humor and a happy glow about them. Chuckles fluttered the ceremony when Heather tried to put on Mark’s ring. It didn’t go on without a fight, so Mark quipped to the guests, “Sorry I appear to be bloated!” which was met with laughter from all who attended. While they were wrapped in their tallit, Heather was almost hysterical with laughter as their rabbi sang the Prayer of the Seven Blessings to the tune of “I Had the Time of My Life” from Dirty Dancing. They also put a little spin on the tradition of breaking the glass: Heather, not Mark, broke the glass at the end of the ceremony!

Mazel tov, Heather and Mark!

Venue – The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers
Coordination – Emily Burley
Photographer – Photography Verdi
Floral Design – Atlas Floral
Entertainment – Manhattan Swing
Rabbi – Jen Krause
Makeup – Raychel Wade
Transportation – Gold Crest Limo
Hotel Accommodations – Ritz Carlton

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Real Weddings | Costa Mesa, CA

Posted on January 4, 2011 by Alison in Real Jewish Weddings

There’s always that mutual friend that deserves an extra wink as you take a stroll down the aisle to the chuppah. For Todd and Taryn, their mutual friend confirmed that they really were b’shert. The magic started in downtown San Diego when a group of pals brought them together. Friends recall that the two spent the entire night huddled in the corner from the moment they met, gabbing about Israel, languages, and whatever else they discovered they had in common. From (almost) day one, they were committed to a long-ish distance relationship, as Todd and Taryn lived in different regions of Southern California. You could say it was fate or an alignment of stars, but one week after Todd and Taryn met in San Diego, Taryn received an email from Jdate. It was an email introducing her newest match, a 25-year-old Jewish boy from Carlsbad named Todd. Sound familiar? He was the same Todd she had met just a week before through a friend. The same Todd she had already received a phone call from to arrange a date for the following weekend. Jdate wanted the two to contact each other, but Todd and Taryn beat them to the punch.

An endless number of weekends were spent driving back and forth to see each other, traveling together, and getting to know their families. Love was just easy for them.

Above all else, Todd and Taryn wanted a traditional Jewish ceremony, incorporating some of the rich elements of a culture that they both adore. So, it was easy to choose the place where they’d exchange vows. The couple wed at Temple Bat Yahm, where Taryn grew up attending Shabbat services, religious school, and so many family celebrations. A day full of personal touches, rich traditions, and loving warmth sealed the deal for two perfect people beginning a lifetime of pure happiness.

Mazel tov, Taryn and Todd!

Ceremony Venue – Temple Bat Yahm
Reception Venue – Celebrations by Turnip Rose
Coordination – Events by Denise
Photographer – Joel Austell Photography
Videographer – Scott Video Productions
Floral Design – Jenny B Florals
Rabbi – Rabbi Mark Miller
Cantor – Cantor Jonathan Grant
Ketubah – Barbara Goldstone
Entertainment – California Band
Hair – Michelle at Flawless Faces
Makeup – Miguel Andrisani
Jewelry – Margaret Elizabeth Jewelry
Printing – The Printery
Bridal Gown – Dori Anne Veils
Bridesmaid Dresses – Priscilla of Boston
Groom and Groomsmen Attire – Men’s Wearhouse

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Real Weddings | Ispwich, MA

Posted on December 30, 2010 by Alison in Real Jewish Weddings

What do you get when you have a Jewish bride, an Indian groom, lots of supportive and happy family, and a beautiful backdrop? Well, you get a wonderful interfaith and intertradition wedding!

Lauren and Pranay fused their Jewish and Indian backgrounds in their wedding ceremony at The Crane Estate in Massachusetts. They stood under a handmade chuppah/mandap that various siblings and family members held. Both sets of parents gave readings which included both Jewish and Indian segments. They signed the ketubah, a Jewish custom, but incorporated an Indian custom of taking seven steps. We love that Lauren and Pranay stayed true to their own heritages, and married them together as they also married their lives into one!

Mazel tov, Lauren and Pranay!

Venue – The Crane Estate
Photographer – Shang Chen Photo
Catering – Swartz Catering
Florist – Hamilton Gardens
Entertainment – Brandy Band
Bridal Gown – La Reine Bride
Ketubah – Miriam Karp

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Real Weddings | Lausanne, Switzerland

Posted on December 23, 2010 by Alison in Real Jewish Weddings

Persistence is the key to romance. In this case, it helped Nadja and Alex seal the deal for a walk to the chuppah. Nadja had arranged a Jewish event and sent out an email to the entire community. Alex knew of Nadja and saw the invitation as an opportunity to get to know her. He replied and said he would attend, but also asked Nadja if she was up for a coffee date before the event. Her response “Great, see you at the event!” But that wasn’t enough. What did that response mean exactly? Was she not into him? Was she avoiding the question? So, Alex kept trying and she finally accepted the invite. After that first date they clicked, and, well, here they are starring in Real Weddings!

Nadja and Alex make a beautiful couple with big smiles and sparkling eyes. And it’s clear that everyone sees their love just as strongly through the joy that bounces out of the photos. A warm and festive wedding day spilled from their big hearts!

Mazel tov, Nadja and Alex!

Venue – Hotel Beau Rivage
Photographer – Magnus Bogucki
Videographer – Roni Ulmann
Floral Design – Meylan Fleurs
Catering – Hotel Beau Rivage
Band – Creation Band London
Ketubah artist – Dan Rubinstein
Makeup – Snezana Avramovic

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Real Weddings | Marina Del Rey, CA

Posted on December 21, 2010 by Alison in Real Jewish Weddings

What a way to ring in 2009! David proposed to Amanda on vacation in Jamaica just before the new year started. From the moment they started planning their wedding, the couple knew the direction they wanted to take their interfaith wedding. David is Jewish and Amanda is not, but it was important to both of them to have a rabbi marry them in an effort to honor David’s heritage. Rabbi Ian Adler did an amazing job of making sure the non-Jewish side of the family understood every single word of Hebrew and every tradition during the ceremony.

Amanda crafted a sparkly and shiny style for her wedding. Crystals adorned anything and everything that would or wouldn’t stand still. Working for an online company and having wholesale access to these materials, this DIY bride sourced products from all over including custom-made linens direct from China. Amanda planned every large and small detail down to the color of the scatter crystals on the tables and enlisted the help of friends and family to string together all the crystal strands that hung on the centerpieces. Even the chuppah was complete with hanging crystals. The bride and groom decided decorate the ceremony in all white flowers to contrast the dark fall colors of the reception.

After the ceremony the guests entered a room dripping in crystals and candle light. After the grand entrance, everyone was treated to a lavish 5 course meal and a late night reception filled with fun surprises all evening. The bride had organized a special Halloween themed candy buffet, complete with caramel apples, a photo booth, and an ice luge. The biggest surprise of the night was when the bride changed into her reception dress and serenaded her new husband to “At Last” by Etta James. The VJ (Video DJ) was amazing and kept the dance floor packed all night as he worked his way through the decades with music and music videos into the wee hours of the morning.

Mazel tov, Amanda and David!

Venue & Catering – Ritz Carlton Marina Del Rey
Coordination – Jackie Sorkin
Photographer – Pix of Life
Rabbi- Rabbi Ian Adler
Floral Design – Anza and Del Amo Florist
Bakery – Vanilla Bake Shop
Reception Entertainment – Props Fx
Draping and Ceremony Lighting – Bob Gail Special Events
Ketubah – MP Artworks
Invitations – Checkerboard
Kippot – Best Kippah
Jewelry – InspiredSilver.com
Bridal Gown – Bridal Elegance Salon
Bridesmaid Gowns – Bari Jay
Groom & Groomsmen Attire – Nino Ferretti
Hair & Makeup – Vincent Ford
Cake Topper – Toppers with Glitz
Candy Buffet – Custom Candy Buffet Bars
Photo Booth – Cheesy Photobooths
Ice Luge – Crystal Creations Ice Sculpturing