Category Archives: From The Yentas

Go Hug Your Mom

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Alison in From The Yentas, Witty

Ten years ago, before I was a bride and before I even met Mr. Yenta, my mom turned 50 and was in the middle of treatment for breast cancer. I was only a college student with a zillion other concerns on my mind and not even at home to be by her side or fully understand the stresses of watching a loved one go through cancer. I knew she would beat it and she did. For that, I am so grateful.

Five years ago, my family participated in the Revlon Run/Walk for Women’s Cancers in Los Angeles celebrating my mom’s victory!

Things have changed a lot in those ten years: I graduated college, I went on lots of ridiculous dates, I met and married my wonderful husband, I started and ended at a few different companies, I started The Wedding Yentas, and I had a daughter of my own. Thank goodness she beat that cancer biatch and she’s around to be able to witness all of these milestones.

Today is her 60th birthday!

I think back to one of my main milestones, my wedding, and try to think how it would have been different to experience it without a Jewish mother. Who would’ve nagged me to make sure I bring my Spanx to each dress fitting? Who would’ve looked over each contract with a careful eye to make sure that my guests were getting enough to eat? Who would’ve told me I was ridiculous for harping on dumb things? Who would’ve been so, so, so generous with shower gifts or her time at vendor meetings? I know how lucky I was to have my mom so involved in my wedding and am thankful to have had that experience with her.

My mom and me the morning of my bridal shower. It was such a fun experience with her!

My mom takes my arm as we are about to walk down the aisle at the wedding rehearsal and we got gussied up for the rehearsal dinner later that night!

I also know that not every bride is in my position to have her mama by her side, so my wish is for every bride to have a special mom-like woman along for the ride who will take on the duties and role of a Mother of the Bride. Whether it’s an aunt, a grandma, a best friend, or a cousin, women should have a mentor; You should be able to count on someone wise, who loves you, but is just objective and fearless enough to play a good round of Devil’s Advocate/Jewish Mother.

So on her big birthday (omg she’s going to kill me for this), I want to wish my mom a happy day and year ahead, and thank her for kicking cancer’s ass ten years ago and being part of my life for the past decade. There will only be more exciting things to share together and while they may not be as beautiful or consuming as a wedding (you SO know what I mean, ladies!), I know the importance of my mother’s role in my life and I hope all of you Yentas also have a lady you can hug who’s been just as important during your wedding planning or other big life moments.

For the past few weeks, my mom and dad have been jetsetting to celebrate another big event; not only is my mom turning 60 today, but next month, they celebrate 40 years of marriage. It was their wedding album that gave me the wedding obsession bug, and, hence, The Wedding Yentas as we know it. And while they’ve been off galavanting through some of the world’s most beautiful cities, I’ve missed her! Chatting through opposite time zones makes it tricky to catch up, and Baby Yenta has definitely been without her Mimi for far too long. She comes back home today (Happy birthday from TSA! Here’s an intrusive pat down that may as well be a pap smear) and I’m so excited to celebrate this big birthday with her.

Thanks for being born, Mom.

Important moments from my wedding day with my mom by my side.
Photos by Eight20 Photography

Gwendolyn Tundermann Photography says:
May 21, 2013 at 10:19 am PDT
What a beautiful and inspiring woman! Happy birthday!
sharon says:
May 21, 2013 at 11:08 pm PDT
Thank you very much for the beautiful tribute. We have shared so many wonderful occasions & moments—and there’s no stopping us. We have way more to share. Being able to be by your side as you planned your wedding & then walk you down the aisle was a highlight of my life. Of course you’re glad I was born or else YOU wouldn’t be here. And by the way, the TSA only had to feel me around my ankles (?)!
Love you very much! Mom

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Your Futuristic Wedding

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Alison in From The Yentas, Planning

My husband and I went to an amazing wedding of our closest friends this past weekend. It was the epitome of lovely and as usual, weddings put us in a nostalgic mood for our own wedding, which was almost five years ago. We were talking about what our wedding would be like if we were getting married NOW; as in, in 2013 instead of 2008.

While our wedding was one of the best days of our lives, would it be different if it were being planned now? Yes. In 2008, it was perfect, so I’m not regretting much of anything. But it’s interesting to think about what the aesthetics might be like, who the vendors would have been, and the make up of the guest list in our fake 2013 wedding.

Take the guest list, for example. There are people in our wedding photos who are no longer as close to us for various reasons (changes in life, distance, etc.). More importantly, there are lots of people MISSING from the photos because we hadn’t met or reconnected yet. One reason we wish we could do it all over again is so that we could include those people who, just five years ago, were not present in our inner circle of wedding guests. We’ll make sure they make the list for the 50th anniversary party in 2058. They’ll arrive by flying car, right?

Photo booths were just coming into play in 2008. I wish I would have had one! I had no idea it was a “thing!” And now that I get the privilege of reviewing hundreds of weddings a year for publication on The Wedding Yentas, I now feel inspired to wear colorful peep toe heels at my fake future wedding! I wore white sandal heels and looking back, I wish I’d worn a pop of color on my shoe. There are vendors I’ve connected with since that I would have hired because I’ve come to love them as people as well as their work. Little things would have been different. Other things would stay the same. Loved my venue, for example (Spanish Hills Country Club) and I’m still obsessed with our florist (Happy Flowers).

When it comes down to it, your wedding day is really a snapshot in time. It’s a living museum of who’s important to you and what your style is like. Embrace the timeless traditions you will uphold and make your mark to represent you and your partner as a couple. Your wedding will be the most perfect reflection of you … ON YOUR WEDDING DAY. You’ll fast forward years later and find that things would be different if you were doing it all over again and that’s OK! Make your wedding day the best version of life as you know it. You’ll have fun reminiscing about what you’d change and what you’d keep in years to come.

So all this is to say: Put your heart and soul into your wedding — that’s fine! But don’t fret about making sure you’re making all the right choices to represent your lifetime as a couple. In a handful of matters, trends will be different, priorities will change, and your lives will be going in unpredictable directions. Care only about the moment of now.

The only thing that really stays the same over time is who you kiss goodnight at the end of the day.

This photo would have been more adorable if I’d been wearing a hot pink shoe! (photo by: Eight20 Photography)

marzipan says:
May 2, 2013 at 8:40 pm PDT
A fellow blogger here, found your site via Drupal,
and I have a piece of advice: write more. Honestly, you seem like
you’re tailoring the entire article around the video. It’s evident you know a lot, so why
not use your knowledge to write something more substantial and keep the video as something secondary (if there at all)?

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Your Wedding Photos Last A Lifetime

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Alison in From The Yentas, Inside Scoop, Jewish Traditions

As many friends of The Wedding Yentas community know, my grandfather passed away on April 3 and even though it was expected and he was 92 years young, it’s still a difficult and sad time for my family. He was an accomplished man who ran a successful business, was a father to three daughters, loved his five grandchildren, and enjoyed his three great grandchildren (one of them is Baby Yenta!), indulged in chocolate, cheered on his favorite baseball team, and kept an orderly and organized home.

He lived a very full life. He served as a mail carrier in the army during World War II and was involved in some of the most historic battles and landmarks. He traveled extensively and was extremely philanthropic, especially in the Jewish community and within the synagogue he heavily funded.

If there’s one thing the Jewish people know how to do, it’s a funeral. Two days after my Grandpa passed away, all the people who loved him — and it was a lot! — filed into the chapel of a well-known Los Angeles Jewish memorial park. After some Jewish prayers, heartfelt eulogies, and an Honor Guard that presented my Grandma with a commemorative flag for her fallen soldier, it was all over and everyone caravanned back to the home my grandparents shared to partake in — no surprise here — a perfect and delicious deli spread. The remainder of the afternoon and evening was a wonderful party filled with good conversation and good food, an event my Grandpa would’ve definitely enjoyed. The Jews do it right: mourn, bury, eat. It’s comforting, socially and emotionally.

Besides the people, the one thing that traveled from the funeral to the “after-party” was a science fair-like poster board filled with photos from my Grandpa’s life and the people who loved him. I love looking at the photos of him as a strapping young man in the army, near the age he met my Grandma. I also love revisiting memories for which I was present in photos that memorialize him the way I remember him as a little girl.

And even with a rich life of experiences and crowds of loved ones, what’s that one photo in the middle of the poster board?

His wedding photo.

Taken April 20, 1947 by a now unknown photographer, never blogged, never shared on Facebook. This photo is the center of a poster board which is meant to recap his full life. Without even strategizing or analyzing, it was understood that the most important photo to represent his life as we knew it was the photo that showcased him next to his bride, my Grandma.

People, this is important: why am I telling you about my Grandpa who passed away? Because your wedding photos will be a recap of what’s considered the most important day of your life. You will have many important days: the day you get promoted at work; the day you run your first marathon; the day you receive the key to the house you just bought. And if there is a camera available on those other important days, will the output of the camera be at the center of your funeral science fair poster board?

It’s no secret I’m a wedding junkie and I’m lucky enough to review hundreds of weddings a year to publish on The Wedding Yentas. I have many friends in all fields of the wedding industry. I love flowers like the next girly girl and I think music makes or breaks your party. But let me be real for one second: your photographer better be good. You must love your photographer so that you are comfortable getting all nakey-nakey before you put on your dress and feel totally cool with kissing your partner a zillion times throughout the day on camera. You have to adore your photographer’s work and trust the technical and artistic credentials that sealed the deal for you. Do not try to save money on your photographer. Save money elsewhere. Or, choose a photographer within a reasonable budget. But do not hire a photographer based on dollar signs — or lack thereof — alone. Choose your photographer because you are obsessed with your photographer. Hire a trained professional who specializes in weddings (and bonus points if he or she has shot Jewish weddings!). Be absolutely sure that any money exchanged buys you the most phenomenal wedding photos.

What I love most about my grandparents’ wedding photo is that it could be anybody, really. Go look at your grandparents’ wedding snapshots. I bet they look just like mine. There are variations on the location and the dress, of course, but I think that’s the special part about Jewish families: everyone’s photos look the same; the people are just swapped out. Is that my Aunt Frieda or yours? Who knows. All Uncle Louises look alike.

I love my grandparents’ photographer because he captured them in a magical time during which all members of The Greatest Generation seemed to sparkle. That “I just got back from war not too long ago and I am ready to conquer the world with this pretty lady by my side” look. There was no Photoshop. There was no Instagram. There was no blogging. It was just a photographer, his camera, and his subjects. And from that came a handful of photos of a young couple in love.

That young couple aged and the bride remains with us. The groom, that handsome son of immigrant parents groom, is no longer alive, but his face lights up the photo the way it did throughout his whole life.

One day, you’re going to die. There will be a deli platter. And hopefully, right smack in the middle of a science fair poster board, there will be a photo of you and your life-long love taken on your wedding day by the best photographer you knew.

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Noshing At Tiffany’s Styled Shoot — The Wedding

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Alison in Bridesmaids, Featured, Flowers, From the Expert, From The Yentas, Planning, Styled Shoot

It was important to me, as the producer of Noshing At Tiffany’s, to make sure that in addition to capturing the brilliant details created by the dream team of vendors, that we also create a mock wedding that would not only showcase the beautiful and artistic elements, but also highlight major Jewish traditions that you’d likely see or experience at your Jewish or Jew-ish wedding.

So, let’s take a walk down the aisle together as we watch our models (who are real-life husband and wife!) Runya and Jason get married with their (new) friends, Yana and Jonathan serving as their best man and maid of honor!

It all starts with some portraits of this good looking crew!

After portraits, it’s time to sign the ketubah! The ketubah is called Jerusalem Love Tree and is by Anna Abramzon. We love how it’s a modern and whimsical piece of art, but still matches the Tiffany’s blue vintage theme. The couple signed the ketubah and their wedding party served as their witnesses. In real life, remember, your witnesses should be Jewish, non-blood relatives, and don’t forget to use an archival pen, not a Sharpie or Paper Mate.

Once the ketubah ceremony is finished, it’s time to head over to the chuppah ceremony! Happy Flowers set up and decorated the chuppah in addition to the creative flower duties. Even on a blustery day, the chuppah held up and stood strong! The bride and groom stood under the chuppah together, shared some wine in the kiddush cup, got wrapped in the groom’s tallit, and of course, the big finish was stepping on the glass!

There is so much more that takes place in a real chuppah ceremony, but here we are focusing on some of the photogenic snippets. “Mazel tov” to the “married” (again to each other) couple!

After the ceremony, it’s time to celebrate! How about some merriment around a stylishly decorated table, brilliantly designed by Cynthia Alexander of An Enlightened Event? We’ve already gushed over the details of the table, but now it’s time to talk about what happens at the table.

Toasts to the bride and groom! Snuggling as “newlyweds!” And Ooooo-ing and Ahhhh-ing over the decor! Yes, this is definitely a brunch party like no other.

There’s still nothing like a real Jewish wedding and there are plenty more REAL ones in store as The Wedding Yentas receives submissions daily. If you’d like to send your waiting in for review, please email alison @ theweddingyentas dot com for details. I’ll need your wedding photos zipped or sent through Dropbox, a full vendor list with links, and a blurb about the day. Photographers and other wedding pros may also submit via Two Bright Lights.

Producing Noshing At Tiffany’s was a total blast and I’m still pinching myself that this team came together and made this much beauty. Are you inspired to design your own vintage wedding?

Photographer: Erin Saldana Photography
Venue and Catering: Stonehaus at The Westlake Village Inn
Styled Shoot Designer and Wedding Coordinator: An Enlightened Event
Bride and Bridesmaid Dresses & Accessories: Mill Crest Vintage
Floral Design & Chuppah: Happy Flowers
Event Design and Rentals: Pretty Vintage Table
Tuxedos: Friar Tux
Blue Chocolate Covered Strawberries: Bobalu Berries
Rolls Royce: Classy Chassis
Dessert Topper and Servingware: Bling Diva Designs
Paper Food Cards and Paper Table Number: Fla-de-Dahs
Ketubah: Anna Abramzon Studio
Hair Stylist: Hair of the Bride, Helena Van Zandbergen
Makeup Artist: Sam Salk
Linens: Ventura Rental Party Center

Wonderful Models: Runya Simon, Jason Simon, Yana Ward, Jonathan Bluth

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Noshing At Tiffanys Styled Shoot – The Fashion

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Alison in Bridesmaids, Featured, From the Expert, From The Yentas, Inside Scoop, Inspiration Boards, Planning, Styled Shoot

Paula Cooperman of Mill Crest Vintage shares with us today her vision for the fashion showcased in our Noshing at Tiffany’s styled shoot. As a leading boutique and stylist in the vintage clothing industry, Mill Crest Vintage provided handfuls of options for our beautiful models, Runya and Yana, to wear based on the inspired era and film, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. We were so lucky to be able to play dress-up with such beautiful dresses and accessories! It is truly every girl’s dream! I personally enjoyed examining the vintage dresses and imagining the stories behind them, as they are both original pieces. What fun!

The Breakfast at Tiffany’s Style

The legendary classic style of the wardrobe in Breakfast at Tiffany’s still influences fashion half a century later. Not only did it secure Audrey Hepburn as a style icon, it also made several chic items as famous as the movie itself.

The Bride:

For the bride, we chose this amazing 1950s Alfred Angelo lace vintage wedding dress for its classic lines and whimsical style. The tea length vintage wedding dress is done in a soft white floral lace-adorned net over two layers of tulle and a magnificent silk satin lining.

The sheer lace bodice features a scooped neckline in the lace, which is trimmed in pearls. The silk satin lining, which shows through the lace, offers a sweetheart neckline. Thirty self-covered buttons groom the back and six self covered buttons detail the long sheer sleeves. The full, gathered skirt, which is lined in silk satin and two layers of tulle, falls from just below the natural waist and features a beautiful lace floral design in the sheer net overlay. Paired with a chic crown style headpiece with attached veil, the look is timeless and classic.

The Bridesmaid:

Audrey Hepburn wore a fabulous little black cocktail dress that is now often referred to as “the definitive LBD.” We chose this fabulous authentic 1950s little black vintage dress, which was designed in the pique of the fashion’s era.

The dress is done in a silk linen blend for our beautiful bridesmaid. The bodice features a banded V-cut neckline and sweet capped sleeves. The skirt, which falls from the cinched waist, finishes just below the knee. We paired it with a petticoat to show fullness. Accessorized with a simple chic velvet headpiece, over-sized black sunglasses, iconic vintage pearl necklace and black gloves, we were able to capture the iconic style of Holly Golightly with ease.

Both dresses are currently available at Mill Crest Vintage and personalized bridal consultations are available by appointment.

Wonderful Models: Runya Simon, Jason Simon, Yana Ward, Jonathan Bluth

Provillus Side Effects says:
April 10, 2013 at 8:42 am PDT
Great site! I really love how it really is simple on my eyes and the articles or blog posts are well written.
I’m wondering how I might be notified whenever a new post has been created. I have subscribed to your RSS which should do the trick! Have a great day!
Alison says:
April 10, 2013 at 9:39 am PDT
Not to worry! A new post always hits The Wedding Yentas Monday through Thursday with occasional Friday posts! Check back each week day for something new! Thanks for following!