Category Archives: Real Jewish Weddings

Sara and Ben met in Jerusalem while she was living there and he was visiting on vacation. Sara was taking classes in Jerusalem, and while Ben was in town, he wanted to sit in on a class, since he had attended the same school a few years earlier. One morning in January, Sara walked into her usual class and a cute guy was sitting next to her regular seat. They struck up a conversation and ended up being chevruta (study buddies) that day, but spent most of their study time chatting and getting to know each other. By the end of class, they had exchanged emails. After Ben returned to the US, they started getting to know each other first on email and Gchat, and then long hours over the phone. Several months later, when Sara arrived back in NYC, Ben was waiting for her at the airport with a bouquet of flowers. They’ve been together ever since.

Sara and Ben wanted their wedding to be honest to their values and their backgrounds. Sara is from Los Angeles and Ben is from New York. The wedding was held in Pasadena, CA, but they made sure to incorporate elements of New York, too (they ended the chuppah ceremony with “I Love LA” and made their grand entrance to “New York, New York.”) Whenever possible, Sara and Ben tried to select vendors that were local (the cake was from a Chinese bakery Sara grew up going to), green and/or recycled (eco-suede kippot, rings from Sara’s grandmother), and incorporating friends and family (Sara’s junior high friend made the invitations; Ben’s family’s rabbi flew in from New York to lead the ceremony; Sara’s mom made the chuppah).

It was important to the couple to be married in a traditional Jewish ceremony that infused a spirit of inclusivity and pluralism. Sara comes from a mixed family, and many of the guests were not Jewish; those who are represented different streams of Judaism. A program accompanied the ceremony to explain the rituals, and the rabbi also provided fun and interesting commentary. They were able to incorporate their good friends and family in ways that would make them comfortable – for example, those who knew Hebrew said the sheva brachot, while other read the English translations. Ultimately, they were both proud of holding a ceremony that was welcoming to a diverse group of people.

Sara says her favorite moment was the bedeken, where the rabbi led a guided meditation for the couple to truly see each other before Ben veiled Sara.

Mazel tov, Sara and Ben!

Photographer: bycherry photography
Venue: Castle Green
Coordinator: La Bella Dia
Florist: Flowers by Leah
Cake: Fortune Bakery
Videographer: Today’s the Day
Caterer: Simply Elegant
Dress: Dolly Couture
Veil: Custom-made by Bridal Veil Falls
Makeup Artist / Hair Stylist: Kelly Zhang
Officiant: Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky of Ansche Chesed in Manhattan
Invitations / Stationery: Fresh Baked Paper Goods
Yarmulkes: eco suede kippot from Jessy Judaica
Ketubah: Melanie Dankowicz ; ketubah text was Gordon Tucker’s ketubah text
Honeymoon Travel: Registered for Argentina honeymoon on honeyfund.com

Cindy and Andrew, another JDate success story, got engaged where it all began for them. Andrew took Cindy for a walk to the place he first fell in love with her and proposed to her with sentimentality and sweetness.

Judiasm was a big part of their ceremony. Cindy’s rabbi, who performed her baby naming, was a big part of how they chose their date. They weren’t thrilled with getting married on a Sunday, but it was very important and special to have him perform their ceremony so they made sure to make the wedding for a date that would work for him. The rabbi also made the wedding ceremony special for all of the guests by explaining each tradition and making the customs accessible to Jews and non-Jews alike.

Cindy and Andrew had eight nieces and nephews from 18 months to six years old in their wedding ceremony, so it’s no surprise that anything that could happen did! As everyone was getting ready to walk down the aisle, Cindy’s four-year-old nephew who was a ring bearer caused a delay with an unexpected bathroom emergency. Kids will be kids! But that was the only hiccup and with so many kids involved in the wedding party, that’s not too shabby at all!

Mazel tov, Cindy and Andrew!

Photographer:  Scott Hopkins Photography
Venue: Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa
Floral Designer: Flowers by Freshcuts
Band: Michel Jons Band
Yarmulkes: Etz Chaim
Ketubah: Ketubah.com
Invitations/Stationery: Noteworthy Designs
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bridals by Lori

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Love is brewin’! After all, for Emilee and Matthew, it all started at a Starbucks! And just like the warmth and richness of a good cup of quality coffee, so was their wedding! Emilee’s goal was to create an intimate wedding that was truly special and meaningful. She wanted it to be beautiful, elegant, simple, and classic. To achieve this, for starters, they had 30 guests in attendance. It was very important to Emilee amd Matthew to incorporate some of the traditional aspects of a Jewish wedding ceremony. The chuppah, Ketubah, and breaking of the glass were all customs that were part of the day. The couple designed the ceremony around the idea of the chuppah. They picked four words that are the foundation on which they chose to build their relationship: Love, Communication, Teamwork, and Laughter. Matthew’s step father wrote a poem for each word. Emilee and Matthew’s fathers read the poems as their mothers placed the stones in each of the foundation pots of the chuppah. Another way Emilee and Matthew made the ceremony interactive and special was by having each of their siblings and their siblings spouses read one of the 8 blessings. And to top it all off, they were married by Matthew’s father, a true honor for all of them.

Mazel tov, Emilee and Matthew!

Photographer: Ashfall Mixed Media
Venue: Oxford Exchange
Florist: Alta Fleura
Cake: Alessi Bakeries
Musicians: Caleb Hyers and Ryan Tatum with Caleb Hyers Band
Ketubah: Anna Abramzon Studio
Hair and Make Up: Collective Creations
Editorial Partner: Two Bright Lights

Emily and Noah met unexpectedly and grew close over time while bonding over food and Emily’s rescue dog, Sammy. After graduating, moving on with careers, and buying a house together, Emily came home one day and found Noah dressed ever so handsomely and flowers strewn about their home. He dropped to one knee with a proposal of marriage that could not be refused. Emily, of course, quickly said yes! The evening was celebrated with a romantic and elegant dinner cooked by Noah and a bottle of Champagne to finish off the joyful celebration.

Emily wanted to be a summer bride and so 14 months later, the two were joined by 160 of their beloved friends and family as they shared their wedding vows inside of the 1880s historical building, which was originally, a pickle factory. The ceremony embraced both their cultures and traditions with a Jewish-Christian interfaith ceremony.

The wedding gown captured Emily’s style from head to toe: classic and elegant. The silk organza a-line gown had a strapless sweetheart neckline with a natural waist. A satin ribbon was adorned with an intricate floral detail that was feminine and delicate. Her dark hair was swept back into a simple chignon and covered with a simple tulle bubble veil. She carried a bouquet of white peonies, her favorite flower.
The groom wore a navy blue suit. The sunshine yellow polka dot tie popped on his crisp white shirt. He carried a simple white handkerchief and wore a yellow billy ball on the lapel of his jacket.

Once the couple met at their chuppah, standing side by side, Officiant Cynthia Black took them by the hand and brought them under and blessed their chuppah. “May your home be a shelter against the storms, a haven of peace, a stronghold of faith and love”. With that, their interfaith Jewish-Christian wedding ceremony commenced. The couple’s parents were brought forward to give their affirmation of the others’ child and accepting him or her as a new member of their family. The guests gave their affirmation as well reminding the couple that they don’t belong to one another alone but to a larger community of family and friends who love them and wish them well. The kiddush cup from Noah’s youth was used for the wine ceremony and the Shehecheyanu was recited giving thanks at the joyous blessing of the long awaited life event for this couple.

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktails and appetizers in the poolside courtyard surrounded by antique roses and gorgeous greenery while the couple took a few private moments to celebrate the Yichud. Once the couple returned the wedding festivities began. Old friends and family enjoyed catching up before dinner and dancing in the main courtyard.

Mazel tov, Emily and Noah!

Photographer: Kathlyn Dragna Photography
Venue: ZaZa Gardens
Officiant: Cynthia Black Ceremonies
Event Planner & Floral Designer: The Wedding Studio
Wedding Band: The Texas T’s
Cake: Cake Art
Wedding Stationery: Perfect Pear Designs
Bride’s Dress: Amsale Bridal purchased at Nordstrom
Bridesmaid Dress Store: Bella Bridesmaid
Wedding Favors: Brown Coffee San Antonio

Vicky and Eric were married on a beautiful Sunday in June at the Boston four Seasons hotel. After a tough decision, Vicky decided that her bridesmaids would wear black dresses and added a simple prop: purple parasols. Including a prop like parasols is great for photos, adding a splash of color and personality!

The Jewish details all come together to convey the beautiful traditions. The Bedeken was very emotional and when Eric danced toward Vicky she couldn’t hide her tears. At the beginning of the ceremony when Vicky circled around Eric seven times, there was a beautiful singing of a Jewish chant and the atmosphere was mystical.

Mazel tov, Vicky and Eric!

Photography: Nir Landau Photography
Venue & Caterer: Four Seasons Hotel
Benchers and Yarmaluke: skullcap.com
Wedding Bands and Engagement Ring: Levy Jewelers
Hair Stylist: Sharon Mcardle at Tete a Tete Salon
Dress Store: Le Dress
Floral Designer: Winston Flowers
Band: Wilson Steven’s Productions
Make-up: Stacey Frasca, Studio 28