Jewish Wedding Info » Ideas and Inspirations

Elements of Royalty

Naomi — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 21:50:51 +0000

Luxurious, extravagant, and for most over the top, these multi-purpose stands created by a company based in Canada – Meravo Events, are certainly striking. The design is definitely imaginative and inventive, and for the couple that is attracted to opulence, these extraordinary, multi-function pieces can be used for a Chuppah or a bridal backdrop or simply as a statement-making decor element. The same piece can start out as a backdrop by the kallah’s chair, then reassembled for Chuppah and then used as grand entrance decor for the dancing.

Print Your Own Letterpress Invites

Naomi — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 03:19:23 +0000

Do you find letterpress as enchanting as I do? There’s something about the simplicity of colors, the rustic feel, and the spirit of tradition and old-time craftsmanship that makes letterpress prints absolutely delightful. Letterpress wedding invitations have become very popular in recent years with trendy brides, but I haven’t seen it catch on as much within Jewish orthodox or modern orthodox circles. You’ll find plenty of printers in your area that now offer letterpress printing if you’ll do a simple web search, but I would like to tell you about a kind of do it yourself option.

There are printing studios that offer their customers printing press time for rent. (One such studio is The Arm in Brooklyn, NY, where you can rent a press for $20 per hour.) These printing shops also offer classes for beginners. These classes will guide you through the basics of letterpress printing and the various materials that can be implemented for a desired result.

One can also take a slight shortcut with the help of Boxcarpress.com which will make photopolymer plate based on your image file. Together with a base which will hold your plate and inks of your choice you’ll be able to print just like a pro when you’ll go to a rentable press near you.

To discover the world of letterpress printing, visit briarpress.org.

BHLDN Decor | Part 2

Naomi — Thu, 05 May 2011 20:28:36 +0000

Yesterday we heard the news about the new addtion to the BHLDN product line which has EXPNDed from wedding dresses and jewelry to include a complete (and growing) line of wedding and party decor, which has tons of fun wedding paraphernalia and accessories from nature-inspired tabletop and serving ware to mood-setting candles, to festive decorations and fanciful stationary. Just browsing the shop makes you want to throw a party. Any couple out there who has an open Sheva Brachos night? You don’t know me, but can I make your sheva brachos anyway? ….Oh, well. That’s alright. My sister is seriously dating a guy. …Hopefully, there will be an engagement party to put together. …The problem with engagement parties is that they are made too soon after the engagement – no time to plan. …Hmm, I think I am getting carried away…

Back to BHLDN. If you’re tired of the sleek, the modern, the square plates, the near neon colors, then you’ll love the BHLDN down-to-earth, some with a nature motif, some with a vintage feel, some americana-flavored but totally charming wedding provisions. To check out the new stuffs, click here.

Here are some of the things there that caught my attention:

At Home LeChaim / Vort

Naomi — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 19:33:33 +0000

Yael at Culinary Kosher shared wonderful pictures of an engagement party (vort) held at home. These photos beautifully illustrate how a space – in these photos a large living room – can be turned into an elegant venue for a vort. Simple and classy food displays, enticing dessert tables, and charming salad-bar stands can be achieved with almost any flat surface. There’s no one way to set it all up, but when the elements are harmonized together, the overall effect is delightful.

Personalized elements will give your set up an extra measure of put-togetherness and attentiveness to detail. There are many ways to personalize. It does not necessarily have to be the food. It may be personalized napkins, cards, or any other accessories.

Individual salad cups and individual portions in general are definitely an extra effort but sure add to the sense of elegance. And another note: even if you’re hosting a party at home, don’t skimp on the wait-staff. A waiter is not as expensive as you may think, and will alleviate much of the burden and will also help maintain a state of cleanliness throughout the evening.

Levels – not only maximize space but more importantly heighten (pun intended) the feeling of order and harmony amongst the displayed foods.

You can never have too many mini-desserts! (Don’t ask your dietitian.)

If you have recently hosted a simcha and would like to share with us your planning process and ideas (and of course, pictures!) please email us to team@chossonandkallah.com. We’d love to hear from you!

Sketching the Dress

Naomi — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 21:13:32 +0000

Vera Wang every once in a while posts on her blog a few notes about the thinking behind the designs of some of her gowns. These notes are usually accompanied with her sketches. I really enjoy comparing the sketches to the finished product. And although, I am sure that the sketches that Vera publishes on her blog are chosen to match the finished gown, it still fascinates me to see the drawings.

From the Spring 2011 Collection

Fern - two-piece silk gazaar gown with multi tiered peplum bodice and cascading peplum skirt with layers of tissue organza in a ‘ladder’ technique.

Flora - Tulle and tissue organza ball-gown with floral sea bead embroidery on bodice, draped skirt with floating floral motifs.

Fawn – a light and airy mermaid gown with cascading layers of Chantilly lace applique and soft tissue organza blossom flange skirt.

From the Fall 2010 Collection

Eliza is a tulle ball-gown with with floating Chantilly and Alencon lace applique bodice, softly tucked skirt with swirling pleated organza insert.

Eloise – One-shoulder tissue taffeta A-line gown with asymmetrically draped bubble skirt.

To see more of these sketches, visit Vera’s Blog.

Wedding Photography – Presentation & Packaging

Naomi — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 20:57:55 +0000

You can’t judge a book by its cover. And a wedding album is no different. But no one ever said that good things can’t come in beautiful packaging. There are some photographers who present their clients with an album in a box provided for them by the album making company, and some who put a bit more effort to make sure that their album creations feel like keepsake treasures in every way possible. Here is a sampling of appetizing packaging that caught our eyes.

Clayton Austin

…more on Clayton’s blog.

Amanda E. Photography

…more on Paperie Boutique.

Just a Spoonful of Honey

Naomi — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:20:06 +0000

It has been said, that long term contentment and satisfaction is better achieved through small but frequent treats than through big, flashy ones that are only enjoyed but rarely. Similarly, small, spontaneous gifts can do amazing things to heighten a sense of loving in a relationship. These small, random treats represent something very profound. They say: I am constantly thinking of you, of your feelings and of ways to make you smile. Big things really can come in small packages. This time of year, a small jar of honey can pack a lot of sweetness. Here’s an idea: pack a small, adorable jar of honey, a really sweet card, and warm wishes into a mailer and send it to your honey. There are plenty to choose from; here are just some few examples.

Available at Exclusive Party Gifts. see more at www.exclusivehoneygoods.com

Available at Exclusive Party Goods. more at www.exclusivehoneygoods.com

Ketubah Gallery | Paper-Cut Ketubahs

Naomi — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:35:55 +0000

To explain my fascination with papercuts, I have to get biblical.

‘Tapuchei Zahav B’Maskiot Kesef‘ – golden apples within silver ‘perforated encasements’ [maskiot] (Mishlei 25:11). A description of a jewel artifact where the golden apple on the inside is concealed within a silver net-like container as such that when viewed at the right distance the gold that peeks through the tiny outlets in the silver creates a gold / silver effervescence. Thus the jeweler, the author of this ancient ornament uses the silver, although a metal of lower value, to enhance the gold hidden inside, cloaks it with mystery, and creates an artwork altogether ethereal. (See beginning of Moreh Nevuchim [Guide to the Perplexed] by Maimonides for an explanation of this verse and the meaning of the parable.)

Similarly, by cutting, puncturing the paper, the artist whose medium is the papercut, reveals through the delicate paper-turned-into-lace a depth, another dimension, another layer. A papercut reminds us that a visual artwork is but a window into the ideas and feelings expressed through it; it reminds us to look beneath the paper, to read between the words.

With this introduction, I present you with Ketubahs adorned with the above described method. (Bare in mind that the beauty of papercuts is often difficult to capture with the photograph.)

Enya Keshet

Enya Keshet, White Moon Palace - $900

From the artist: A large papercut ketubah of stunning detail, depicting an intricate palace front with an arch stretching over ornate columns. The fantasy peacocks with heart sprinkled tails holding a necklace of diamonds represent a couple cherishing each other equally in love and esteem; the fruit bearing palm tree that stands high calls to mind stability, longevity and confidence; the three pomegranates, full of good qualities, bring the thought of the triple thread that will never break (Ecclesiastes 4:12), testifying for the strength of the bond of marriage.

Jerise Fogel

Jerise Fogel, Fall Colors Papercut Ketubah - $375

From the artist: This ketubah features a background with cranberry, brown, dark green, and other fall leaf colors, and a handcut papercut design with the couple’s monogram below.

Archie Granot

Archie Granot, Commissioned Ketubah, in 14 Layers of Paper

Archie Granot, Commisioned Ketubah in Teal

From the artist: This ketuba within a papercut in teal, minimalist and contemporary in style, is backed by red paper that is reflected by the mirror backing.

Karen Shain Schloss

Karen Shain Schloss, Celebration Ketubah - $300

From the artist: Depicting holidays from the Jewish year, it begins with Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippor, moves through Sukkot and Simchat Torah, onto Purim and Passover, through Lag B’Omer and Tisha B’Av – the ketubah serves the contemporary couple commemorating the progression of the year’s holy days, with reminders of Torah and Shabbat.

Karen Shain Schloss, Entwined - $300

From the artist: An arbor of grapevine branches with a never-ending knotted heart border within -intricately cut from an original papercut design by Karen Shain Schloss. Laser-cut on acid-free ecru paper. Mounted on customer’s choice of colored background: Burgundy, Moss green or Peppered Bronze.

Ruth Stern Warzecha

Ruth Stern Warzecha, Gefen Papercut - Winter - $300

From the artist: On this intricate papercut, the circular ketubah text sits within a square of meandering grapevines. The vines are bordered by a verse from Jeremiah 25:10 in English and Hebrew traditionally sung at weddings. Four delicate cornices anchor the square papercut.

There are many more beauties out there. I gathered here a small morning sample. Feel free to comment with your papercut favorites. Or if you had a papercut ketubah for your wedding, please share with us a photo or two. You can do any of these by emailing us: team {at} chossonandkallah.com or on our Facebook page.

Etsy Excursions: Placecards

Naomi — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 20:03:02 +0000

A wedding is full of moments of anticipation and excitement, and one of these for your guests is when they gather around the table that has the seating cards all laid out in neat rows on it to find their name, their place in this labyrinth of place cards. Most halls provide place cards that you can use, but if you want to accentuate and heighten the sense of anticipation in your eager-to-find-their-seat guests, here’s a few custom place-card ideas that caught our eyes on Etsy – the place that’s always teeming with fun and tempting paraphernalia.

Wine-bottle Cork Place Card Holder

Great for wine lovers. There are many variations on this idea.

Butterfly Seating Cards

These are great for a small dinner party like Sheva Brachot, where each card can be placed by a setting.

Black and White Place Cards

Contemporary. Should only be used if they match the overall theme

Pearl Place Cards

From the same seller. Elegant, classic.

Custom Place Card Holder and Favor Container

This here is a plastic round box that serves as a place card and a container for a small wedding favor or perhaps a personal message.

Comes in variety of colors; can be customized and printed and stuffed by the seller.

Are you planning on doing anything out of the ordinary to seat your guests? Do share with us your ideas and, if possible, pictures too.

Personalized Water Bottles

Naomi — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:17:35 +0000

If you’d like to add a personal touch to your wedding, here’s a lovely idea that works as well at a wedding as at any other simchah: Custom Water Bottle Labels.

MyOwnLabels.com lets you design all sorts of labels and other printables that can enhance a simchah or party. Choose from a bunch of labels and customize to your liking or desired effect. You can use these to surprise a couple on their Sheva Brachot or to share with guests at your son’s Bar Mitzvah.

Click on the link, and you will also get free shipping on purchases over $50:

Free Shipping

Engagement Rings 2010

Naomi — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:09:30 +0000

As you can imagine, the jewelry business has been victim to our economic slip-slide. According to the preliminary data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, however, 2009 hasn’t been as bad as one would expect. Jewelry and watch sales only dipped 1.6 percent over 2009. And guess what sector of this nearly 60 billion dollar industry has been providing the much needed support? You’ve got it – everything bridal. Bridal jewelry – engagement rings, wedding bands, and all sorts of other jewelry that are gifted around the wedding and showered upon the bride or her maids -sells well in all economic environments. The size of the ‘rock’, however, has shrunk. According to a recent survey of jewelers by the National Jewelry magazine, the average bride has shifted down a notch in the size of the diamond. If the bride of the previous would on average go for the 2 carat, last year she’d tone it down to a 1.5. The good news in general for the consumer is that diamond prices have been on a continuous downward trend, especially for the larger ones. They are ,however, expected (acc. to IDEX) to start their slow, upward climb this year. As far as the shape and color: round diamonds still continue to be the most popular shape, and yellow is the most common choice for brides who like their diamonds to have color, followed by blue. Color stones continue to grow in their popularity.

Ok, enough about the numbers. There are thousands of beautiful engagement rings out there; just walk down 47th street and you ask yourself: why do I only have two eyes or how come a girl only gets to pick one of these? One just can never get enough. So here are some more eye-candy.

Corona Ring from Cento Collection by Roberto Coin. Starts at about $15,000. (ouch) Cento diamonds feature 100 facets.

Frome the Amelia Collection by Krrk Kara

Natasha Scroll Ring by Penny Perville

From the Bicolore Collection by Michael M. Gold and Platinum.

By Richard Landi

By Unique Settings of NY (at UniqueSettings.com)

Table Numbers

Naomi — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 02:58:46 +0000

Sure the hall will usually provide the table numbers, but why not let your style spill over and touch even the mundane details. Here’s some ideas we recently stumbled upon. (Some images are via StyleMePretty.com – a truly magnificent glance onto wedding beauty.)

Kosher Wedding Cakes

Naomi — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:40:19 +0000

The wedding cake has become so much a wedding symbol, that it rivals the wedding ring itself. Is it really ‘official’ without the cake? Pick up any bridal magazine and its cover will display either a bride with her designer gown or that one of a kind wedding cake (the price of which may not be much less than that gown.) These are the essential wedding symbols. In the kosher wedding world the cake hasn’t quite matured to this degree of prominence and most likely will not. But more and more couples are adorning their wedding reception with these skyscrapers of sweetness. It makes sense that just as the wedding ceremony itself is a strikingly distinct and unique procession that the feast that follows it should have its own unique features. Fine dining and flowers can be found at many coroporate events, so too music. Here’s where the wedding cake comes in to give a wedding signature to the wedding party. As the kosher wedding cake customer base grows, so too there’s an increased number of wedding cake designers whipping up original, creative, sometimes whimsical wedding cakes. Here are a few that caught our attention.

Bright, happy and colorful.

This one reminds me of Versaille.

The cakes above are by Gallery of Cakes of Aventura, FL (under KM – Kosher Miami supervision.)

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Another beauty with a 'French' feel.

This one is by Chantilly, which is a popular name here in New York (even if you haven’t heard of it, in all likelyhood you’ve had their desserts as they wholesale many of their products to caterers.)

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Classy yet fun.

Very contemporary, elegant. Tasteful colors.

Chocolate Swirls always have a hypnotic effect on me.

These great cakes are by Zelda’s of Skokie, IL; they make a lot of great treats and they do it with love.

……………..

Also in the Chicago area you’ll find extraordinary wedding creations by Sarelle Weiner of Edible Gems by Sarelle. Some of her cakes and pastries are truly inventive and whimsical.

Monogrammed cake. Who says a wedding cake needs tiers?

Gift boxes are a common contemporary cake theme; but this one looks just scruptious.

Not your typical wedding cake.

Why is it that everything looks so much cuter in small?

Wedding Cake minis.

Wedding Toons

Naomi — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:04:31 +0000

These custom made wedding greeting cards are just loads of fun. These colorful humoristic creations were made by Mira Scharf, an illustrator and a cartoonist in NYC, and can be used as invites, thank you cards, save the dates, or just for fun. The artist custom-makes a whimsical, cute and simply happy-looking representation of the couple on any background of choice that can be used in oh-so-many interesting ways. Available at her Etsy shop.

White House State Dinner

Naomi — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:39:54 +0000

If the White House is hosting a dinner, you can be sure that it has been planned, designed, prepared to every minute detail. Food, colors, flowers, music – all have been thoughtfully selected for the occasion and the guest list – in this case India’s Prime Minister Singh and other dignitaries. Here’s what they came up with, perhaps you can get some ideas from the pros.

The Tent Entrance

A tent makes for a great and a flexible venue; there’s just so much one can do with a tent. Tents are especially great in the summer when surrounding outdoor areas can contribute to the overall ambiance. (Too expensive for most folks to decorate and air-condition properly.) A long corridor from the entrance extends the time it takes the guests to make their approach increasing their excitement as they stride along its carpeted floor.

The Dinner

The crowd, despite its numbers, does not overwhelm the decor. The suspended chandeliers connect with the tables giving a unified feel to the entire room. The most important factor in decor is holding together a unified theme or feel.

Green, Purple and Gold

The colors used here are intentionally strong and contrasting to add some ‘Indian’ tones to the event.

Personalized Wedding Programs

Naomi — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 02:21:18 +0000

Found this idea here: Quick & Easy Wedding Ideas at PrintMyRibbon.com (towards the bottom of page) that I think may be of interest to some people. Many couples print a wedding program. In more secular circles with large processionals the wedding program tells the guests who’s who walking down the aisle. At weddings where the guests are from both orthodox and non orthodox walks of life, many couples publish a mini overview of the wedding ceremony, its basic parts and their meaning. Printmyribbon.com does exactly what its name claims it does, namely printing whatever it is you want onto a ribbon.

Calligraphy by Cara

Naomi — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:29:33 +0000

If you’re fond of hand lettering, (or almost anything handmade for that matter) as I am, you’ll find these handwritten invitations by Cara Buchalter of Octavine Illustrations simply stunning. The letters seem to be imbued, even soaked with feelings ethereal and timeless. When done by hand, the letters (in my eyes) just seem to cloth themselves with richness that is subtle and yet complete, that is rarely found in printed invites.