Category Archives: Real Jewish Weddings

I am so excited to share the wedding of one of my best friends! Alison and Jordan’s vision for their winter-in-Chicago wedding was was classy, romantic, and warm. It may have been c-c-cold outside, but the warmth was felt all around inside!

They tried to keep the theme classical to fit with the history of the venue, which was the Chicago History Museum. Alison and Jordan really envisioned making it a “destination” wedding since so many people were coming from out of town, especially Jordan’s family and our friends from Los Angeles. They accomplished this by providing Chicago-themed welcome bags at the hotels, a deep dish pizza rehearsal dinner event, and a morning after brunch to show appreciation for everyone’s attendance during the holiday season. Since Alison and Jordan are foodies, they were really focused on having good food throughout the weekend and a party where people danced the whole time. Toward the last hour of the reception, servers tray-passed mini Chicago dogs to guests who were already stuffed from the delicious smorgasbord, but were happy to enjoy a gourmet version of a Chi Town delicacy. The energized band was well-recommended and they really rocked all-night, including a really awesome Horah!

Prior to the wedding, Alison and her dad were going back and forth sending each other youTube videos of potential father-daughter first dance songs. Both were pretty picky and it took a while to agree on one. Meanwhile, Jordan went to Chicago for business and saw Alison’s family without her. Alison’s dad shared a song he wrote for Alison and the two of them covertly worked with the band to surprise Alison with it for their dance. Alison’s dad worked with the band in their studio to score and perfect the song. At the wedding, Alison was super shocked and was very touched by the presentation of this original song. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house (this Yenta cried big happy tears, fyi!).

Alison and Jordan are proud of their heritage and wanted to make sure their wedding day was filled with Jewish traditions. They used Jordan’s maternal grandpa’s tallit in the chuppah and Alison’s parents’ kiddush cups. They both circled each other at the beginning of the ceremony and stood with both their parents, Jordan’s sister (also a bridesmaid), and Alison’s brother (also a groomsman) under the chuppah for the ceremony. It was a truly beautiful and unique wedding day that Alison, Jordan, and all of their friends and family enjoyed!

Mazel tov, Alison and Jordan!

Photography: Jason Kaczorowski Photography
Ceremony & Reception: Chicago History Museum
Event Coordinator: Big City Bride
Dress: Panache Bridal
Makeup Artist: Amy Spagnoli
Floral Design: Kehoe Designs Floral Design & Event Decor
Transportation: Chicago MiniBus Travel
Band: Becca Kaufman Orchestra
Cake: Amy Beck Cake Design
Catering: Blue Plate
Cinematography: Highway 61 Films
Preparation Hotel: The Drake Hotel

After meeting on a blind date in Los Angeles, Tamar and Paul had a feeling that this was going to be something very special. Meeting just four days later for a second date proved that this couple was meant to be and Tamar and Paul became inseparable, engaged, and married!

Tamar and Paul were married in Tampa, Florida at the Tampa Marriot Waterside Marina and Hotel. Their wedding was filled with love and happiness. Families and friends traveled near and far to help the lovely couple celebrate their special day.

Mazel tov, Tamar and Paul!

Photographer: Aaron Lockwood Photography
Venue & Caterer: Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina
Videographer: Dunn Right Films
Music: Bob Macar with Southtown Fever
Makeup Artist: Linny Correa of Colours by Linny
Invitations: Nancy Shaw
Ketubah: MP Artworks
Yarmulkes: Greenfield Judaica

Editorial Partner: Two Bright Lights

It could have been fate… Or possibly JDate! Dara and Michael met online in June 2010. It began with Dara messaging Michael “Are you really here?” She was sure that there were no Jewish men in Kansas City that either A) she didn’t already know or B) that would meet her standards. But there was Michael (or should we say ‘one hot doc’ according to his Jdate name?). He was in his second year of residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Dara, having been born in Kansas was working in medical sales, praying she would meet a doctor. Her mother is still kvelling.

It only took a little over a year for Michael to propose to Dara. He said he knew the day they met. She on the other hand, took a little more convincing. But luckily Michael is very persistent and Dara is grateful for that.

Dara and Michael were married in Kansas City and it was a true fairy tale wedding. They had family and friends in from all over the world and were honored that Michael’s childhood friend, Rabbi David Baum, officiated the ceremony. Between the three piece trio, DJ, and band, the night was full of action and excitement. Unfortunately Michael had a lot of family in Israel that were not able to make it to the United States, so one month after the wedding, Dara and Michael went to them! They had a reception at the Dan Carmel in Haifa. It was absolutely breath taking. (And of course, Dara was so happy that she got to wear both of her wedding dresses twice!)

Mazel tov, Dara and Michael!

Venue: The Intercontinental Hotel
Photographer: One Tree Photo
Florist: The Fiddly Fig
Cake: Icing on the Cake
Videographer: Baysinger Films
Jeweler: DigsRox
Entertainment/Music: DJ Ashton Martin and The Patrick Lentz Band
Dress: Maggie Sottero (Adeline)
Bridesmaids Dresses: Nordstrom
Bride’s Party Dress: Black Tie Optional
Yarmulkes: Best Kippah

Cayla went to a friend’s graduation party in San Diego in June 2006. The friend said to Cayla, “come to my party, there will be TONS of cute, Jewish guys!” Cayla went to the party and met a guy named Dave. They got to know each other that night and before leaving the party, he suggested they connect on MySpace. After returning back to school at ASU, Cayla and Dave started messaging each other over MySpace and then on the phone. After a few days, Dave fessed up and admitted that he was Dave Chipp. They had met at the party, but the guy she met and spoke with at length at the party was Dave G … not Dave Chipp. They both believed fate was on their side and after over three years of being together, Dave surprised Cayla with an overnight trip to Casa del Mar and proposed overlooking the Pacific Coast.

Dave and Cayla always say that the year they were engaged was the most fun! There was so much to celebrate along with so much love surrounding them. Rabbi Geller (who was also Cayla’s Bat Mitzvah rabbi) guided them in writing and designing their own ketubah and turning their broken glass into a mezzuzah to be placed in their future home. The ketubah ceremony was the most meaningful experience and there was not a dry eye in the room.

Mazel tov, Cayla and Dave!

Photographer: Stacey Adams Photography
Venue & Caterer: Luxe Hotel Sunset Boulevard
Coordinator: Allyson Levine with Bob Gail Special Events
Florist: Bob Gail Special Events
Cake: Vanilla Bake Shop
Wedding Bands: Los Angeles Diamond Factory
Engagement Ring: S. Silverberg Finer Jewelers
Entertainment: Jump Start with Bob Gail Special Events
Dress, Sash & Veil Boutique: Lili Bridals
Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist: The Studio Agency
Officiant: Rabbi Geller with Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills
Favors: Donation made to the National MS Society
Invitations/Stationery: Copper Willow
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Lili Bridals
Groom’s Tuxedo: Groom: Malibu Clothes
Yarmulkes: Skullcap
Ketubah: Urban Collective
Honeymoon Travel: Mari Marks, Travel Consultant

Happy to share with you Jenny and Allen’s classic wedding of blush pinks and a candle-lit ceremony aisle. Subtle details made this wedding so beautiful and full of warmth. Another nod to classic style was a card catalog set-up for escort cards. It’s always fun to think of a different way to present your guests’ table assignments before they enter the reception space.

Also, check out the bouquets. Succulents. Yes. Succulents are huge for current wedding floral designs. They add texture and a splash of color to almost arrangement, and whether in your bouquets or in your centerpieces, succulents totally work!

Mazel tov, Jenny and Allen!

Photographer:  Sarah Maren Photographers
Venue: The Citizen Hotel
Floral Designer: Blooms by Martha Andrews
Event Planner: Kate Miller Events
Cake: Freeport Bakery
Makeup & Hair Stylist: Jenifer Haupt
DJ: Sound Image Entertainment

Submitted via Two Bright Lights