Our Jewish wedding expert is back again to share some of her wisdom with all of our wonderful Bridebookers! Karen Cinnamon’s, founder of the amazing blog Smashing the Glass, last guest post guided us through the top Dos and Donts for a Perfect Jewish Wedding and this time she’s going even more in depth with all of her expert insight into what makes a truly great Jewish wedding. So whether you’re planning a Jewish wedding or not, read on to get some tips from a pro who really knows her stuff!

Bridebook.co.uk Karen Cinnamon at work — Karen Cinnamon in action by Babb Photo

“Simply put, a great wedding is about two people, in love, declaring that love in an individual way. So the short answer to what makes a truly fabulous wedding is don’t have a cookie-cutter day! Try and make decisions based on what makes you happy, not what friends, family, or the rabbi / priest recommend or what’s perceived to be sensible, suitable or the done thing.

Stay True to Yourself

During the planning process, do your very best to cut out the ‘white noise’ and tune into what’s really important to you and your partner. Think about the things you really love, not those you simply like, and if thats’s a certain style, colour, era, or even a piece of music, build a theme around it! The best weddings capture the heart, soul and style of the couple, so give your guests a glimpse into your life, and allow them to feel that that they’ve had a one-of-a-kind experience and were part of something special.

It’s OK to take inspiration from a blog, magazine, or another bride’s amazing taste, but add a pinch of your own magic to make it your own.

My Jewish wedding blog, SmashingTheGlass.com, showcases hundreds of creative and original Jewish weddings, and whilst each one is amazing and wonderful in its own way, I’ve selected 5 weddings that will always stick in my mind for their brilliance. Each wedding has a gorgeous story, personal details, and two people hopelessly in love.

Jessica and David

Jessica and David incorporated so many personal touches into their wedding… and it shows. From the patchwork chuppah made by all their friends and family, and sewn together by the groom’s mum, to the “Balkanistic” boogie band and the jukebox filled with 100 of the couple’s favourite songs that guests played between sets. This was a Smashing The Glass wedding to remember.

Bridebook.co.uk collection of 3 jewish wedding photos — By Alex Brenner via Smashing the Glass

Danny and Aaron

Danny and Aaron both work in the music and television industries, and loved the idea of riding down the aisle to their chuppah atop a tallit-wearing unicorn (or Jew-nicorn, as they dubbed it!) to the tune of Madonna’s ‘Like a Virgin’…so they did! What’s more Joss Stone (yes, THE Joss Stone) undertook the role of chazan, and a 16 person gospel choir was on hand for a few of the ceremony songs as well. Danny says, “you can create new traditions by adding a personal flare to the more traditional Jewish wedding rituals, making your wedding unique to you as individuals and as a couple.”

Bridebook.co.uk unicorn wedding — By Maya Myers Photography via Smashing the Glass

Sarah and Nick

Sarah and Nick got married in a smoked salmon factory in London’s Olympic Park, and traveled through the streets of the capital from their synagogue to reception in a red convertible Mustang. Oh and Sarah rocked a leather biker jacket and Ray-Bans over her Pronovias dress. These two have serious style.

Bridebook.co.uk cool and stylish jewish london wedding — By Reportage By via Smashing the Glass

Stacey and Jono

Stacey and Jono’s Jewish wedding was held on New Year’s Eve in an old arthouse cinema (the oldest still operating in the UK) and they invited their guests to sport fancy dress which made for a very inclusive, and genuinely special, atmosphere.

Bridebook.co.uk jewish couple at their wedding — By Martin Beddall via Smashing the Glass

Gena and Tony

Gena and Tony used an assortment of tissue paper honeycomb shapes, as well as paper garlands and a calico roof to create a chuppah that truly represented them. Gena also went for a supersize bouquet filled with flowers of every possible hue, glitter, ribbons, and pom poms, and what’s more, their very cute dog took centre stage during the ceremony too.

Bridebook.co.uk colourful wedding details — By Lara Hotz via Smashing the Glass

I’ll close with a brilliant piece of advice from Shiri, another Smashing The Glass bride who invited just 20 of her and her husband’s closest family members for brunch and then surprised them with a chuppah! Shiri’s brilliant words of wisdom are “the spiritual significance of a Jewish wedding is often lost in all the madness of putting it together. If there is one piece of advice I would give a bride it would be to try to experience the pure and blessed side of a Jewish wedding as much as possible”.

Happy Planning!

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