on May 3rd, 2011 | Real Wedding Stories
Shira Weinberger’s wedding photography portfolio is quite diverse. She has photographed couples of many ethnic backgrounds and wedding ceremonies and receptions of all sorts of styles. She also has traveled far and wide to turn her clients’ wedding day moments into images – images that all share one thing: Shira’s ability to convey not just the happening of the moment but also the mood, the feeling, the emotion. Shira shared with us some of her images from a recent wedding that was closer to home, in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn NY, and as you can see for yourself these images are full of soul.
The dancing at Saadya and Mushky’s seems to have had a lot of flips and tabletop dancing – a leibebidig atmosphere.
Ordinarily, I would now tell you something about the chosson and the kallah and their wedding day, but instead I’ll share with you Shira’s words and her impressions from the wedding shoot:
On the day of Mushky and Saadya’s wedding, I awoke with a smile on my face. Three years ago, I shot Mimi’s (Saadya’s sister) wedding, so I was already familiar with a large part of the family and was very anxious to see everyone again. I had also met Saadya three months before at Shloimy and Marcy’s wedding (again a referral thanks to Mimi).
Saadya travels all over the world as a Chabad Rabbi to places far afield like Cambodia and Nepal. On the wedding day, he had just returned from Israel, where he was taking part in Taglit (Birthright), a program that sponsors trips for young Jewish people from all over to visit Israel. He was so enthusiastic about Israel and I felt great joy to see how much love he holds towards my people and country. It was also so much fun to talk to him in Hebrew (I was so impressed by his fluent Hebrew.) Saadya is one of the rabbis of the Chabad-Lubavitch community, and as such, the wedding took place in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, the official headquarters of the Chabad movement worldwide.
I heard a Rabbi once half-jokingly declare that one should never marry for love. Of course, we all marry for love, but what he meant was that we should not marry for the type of love or infatuation that is at its height at the wedding day. We should marry instead for the type of love that will build over the years, and so on the wedding day, it will be in fact at its starting point. I was reminded of this because Saadya met Mushy only three months before the wedding, after Mushky’s roommate introduced them . Of course, their love for each-other was clear and abiding, but at the same time I could see that it will be a love that will deepen with each passing day as they build their lives and families together. It is that innocence and purity that I found undeniably inspiring- that need to capture not only what lay before my lens, but also a hint of the depths that will be.
To see more of Shira Weinbereger’s photographs, do check out her blog.
Wedding Details:
Venue: Razag Ballroom
Flowers: Mimulo
Music: Nagila Orchestra with Eli Marcus.
Make Up: Susan Horowitz
Hair: Daniela Chayo
Dress: Custom made in Italy
Shoes: Stuart Weitzman
Groom’s Attire: AM Bespoke
on April 29th, 2011 | Wedding News
The Talmud in Brachos (58a) brings a statement from R. Yochanan that a person should run to see a king, even a not Jewish king. There’s even a special blessing that one can recite upon seeing a king. (Blessed is the One who gave some of His honor to his creations.) In wake of the upcoming royal wedding of Prince William & Catherine Middleton millions of people around the world have been doing just that. The internet is abuzz with any and every detail of the wedding ceremony and reception and the planning process. The royal wedding, as it is officially called in the media, will be covered live on the monarchy’s own YouTube channel starting 10 AM Friday April 29th.
Even though the idea of royalty has long been an outdated one and the monarchs that still remain, like the British monarchy, are mostly symbolic, from the incredible attention that this wedding of William and Catherine has been gaining, it seems that the idea of royalty still retains some of its glamor and glory.
The kind of a wedding that this couple is about to have is certainly only possible with royalty – the elaborate details and the almost unbridled expenditure that has gone into every element of the wedding procession is indeed so rare that it is not surprising that it has grabbed the attention of so many people around the world, especially those of us ordinary people trying to plan a wedding on a tight budget.
Here are some of the elements that went into the royal wedding planning process:
Getting the Cavalry ready:
Special Commemorative china:
The Royal Pastries:
Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton have chosen Leicestershire-based cake designer Fiona Cairns to create their wedding cake.
In addition, the couple have also asked McVitie’s Cake Company to create a chocolate biscuit cake for the reception at Buckingham Palace. The chocolate biscuit cake will be made from a Royal Family recipe and was specially requested by Prince William.
The Royal Choir:
The reception will be hosted by the queen at Buckingham palace:
on March 23rd, 2011 | Ideas and Inspirations
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!
on March 14th, 2011 | Wedding News
Frum shoppers in Brooklyn know Coney Island Avenue as the central commercial street in the neighborhood. In recent times, along with the many other kosher food stores and frum clothing stores, a number of bridal gown stores have opened up shop on the avenue – all within a few blocks of each other. The latest addition to the Coney Island Avenue bridal portfolio – ‘Tznius Princess’ (at Coney and J), makes it a total of six bridal dress shops that can easily be scooped out in a single day visit.
A bridal gown purchase or a gemach find is not an easy task for the frum bride. With the current wedding styles dominated by strapless gowns, it’s not always easy to find the dream dress. Not to mention that not every strapless can be ‘built up’. Often times the materials and the cut of the dress make it impossible to build the gown up in a way that looks stylish and natural. The ability to check out six bridal stores in one visit, simplifies the hunt for the perfect dress.
In addition to Tznius Princess, the other stores in the vicinity are:
Augenbraun’s (between K & L)
Bridal Direct (between P & Quentin)
Miri (between M & N)
Raquel (corner of N)
Esti’s (between P & Quentin)
And only a few blocks off Coney on Avenue M, you’ll find the seventh bridal boutique in the area – Lavan Bridal.
Happy Shopping!
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