If you’re a fan of Anthropologie, then you’ll be excited about the Gown sale going on at BHLDN right now. Many accessories are on sale too.

Cassini’s Muse Gown Reg: $1,600 now $800

Quite often, weddings, which are planned months in advance, get caught up in some unpredictable nature event (like this Blizzard wedding in Chicago last year or the Blizzard of 2010 in NY). For Jewish families a wedding is more than a celebration with friends and family, more than a lifecycle milestone; a wedding is a beginning of fresh branch within the House of Israel. It takes more than gusty winds to put the brakes on this occasion. Mazel Tov to the new couple!

Contact the Daf Yomi Commission at (212) 797-9000 ext 267 at least two weeks before the wedding date.

You can see a preview of some of the dresses in the store here.

Lotus Bridal’s seamstress, with many years of experience at Kleinfeld’s, specializes in professional dress build-ups.

Date:
Thursday, August 9 – Monday, August 13

Location
Lotus Bridal
1822 Avenue U
Brooklyn, NY 11229

Tel: 718.332.4385

This dress is made by Vue Designs of Grand Rapids, MI and is available from her Etsy Shop. Here’s a picture of the dress from the seller. You can request the dress to be made in a variety of fabrics and colors.

A historic European hotel and a popular event and concert space, Grafenegg offered everything the couple was looking for and more. Inside and outside, the castle and the grounds make for a romantic wedding setting as well as a dramatic backdrop for Claire’s remarkable imagery.

Once they decided on the venue, Miriam and Michael took a personal approach to wedding planning, and as you can see from the photos here, they did a wonderful job at it too. The weather, thankfully, cooperated as well, and the wedding ceremony was conducted outdoors in the castle gardens on a sunny and breezy, perfect spring day.

Miriam’s bouquet was composed of a variety of flowers, all circling a central Protea flower. For table centerpieces, Miriam used blossoming branches surrounded by a mix of spring flowers which added natural freshness and liveliness to the affair.

The wedding cake was part whimsy part symbolism. Since the couple’s last name is to be Mandelbaum, which is “chestnut tree” in Yiddish, a decorative chestnut tree full of happy little blossoms topped their simple, ecru wedding cake which was surrounded by their favorite animals on all sides.

Wedding Vendors:

Hair and Make-up: Julia Hrdina
Bride’s shoes: Roberto Festa
Bride’s earrings: Neuner Schmuck
Band: Frejlech Klezmer
Catering: Joshua’s Foodart
Cake: Demel (Anika Post)
Location: Grafenegg
Ketubah: Ketubah.com
Wedding Dress: Kerstin Lehmann, Berlin
Veil: Zussa

Miriam, who a year before her engagement to Anshel ran a marathon to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, is a daughter of Rabbi Daniel and Susan Lapin of Mercer Island, WA. Miriam trained through the winter – six months of continuous running routines, through rain and snow – to partake in the marathon. {You can see a small diary of her efforts here.}

Miriam’s slender bouquet of Calla Lilies and roses of lavender and white and with its open-stem design is modern yet timeless. The curve of the Calla Lilie’s petal makes it a truly feminine flower.

We also heart the orchid flower clip – a simple, unpretentious, full of summer and very feminine hair accessory that is a rare diversion from the traditional sparkle and shine kallah crown.

Less common, but nevertheless not unusual, is the FLOPS option, where the chosson’s side also takes care of the Sheitel for the kallah.

If you decided to use FLOP, get this simple FLOP wedding checklist. If you are still not decided on how to split the expenses, read these notes on splitting your wedding costs. If you already made up your mind, feel free to speak it below, in the comments!

1. Benjamin Adams Renee at Bellissima Bridal
2. Touch Ups by Benjamin Walk – Shirley at Shoes.com
3. Keeden by Kate Spade at Bellissima Bridal
4. Hey Lady – Daddy’s Girl – Shopheylady.com
5. Gigiritz by Stuart Weitzman at Zappos
6. Flirt by Coloriffics at Zappos
7. Fifi Vanessa at Bellissima Bridal
8. Hey Lady Princess Buttercup at Shopheylady.com
9. Touch Ups by Benjamin Walk – Breeze at Shoes.com
10. Dyables – Isla at Zappos
11. Naughty by Stuart Weitzman at Zappos
12. Loeffler Randall Zuri Rosette
13. Evelixa by Nina at Zappos
14. Electra by Nina at Zappos
15. J.Crew - Valentina satin d’Orsay.

{The author of this blog post is in no way attesting the tznius factor of the shoes depicted above.}

Malka and Gershon were married in January of 2012, with their chuppah held, as tradition would have it, in front of “770″, and the reception at the elegant Razag Ballroom some few blocks away in Crown Heights.

I particularly like the old-world-inspired setup of the chosson/kallah table with the frames and a grandfather clock. It appeals to me so much more than the traditional glitz and tulle backdrop; it’s got personality.

You can enjoy a longer slide show of the wedding beautifully set to music, here.

The Wedding Team

Photography: White Rose Kallah
Wedding hall: Razag Ballroom
Catering: Razag
Flowers: Mimulo
Bridal gown: Bridal Secrets
Band: Choni Mileki
Jewelry: Gift from aunt Arlene
Videography: Shaul Lilove

Brooklyn’s Monica’s Bridal will hold its annual sample sale on February 14th and 15th. Up to 80% off on many dresses, shoes, veils, headpieces, and accessories. Only sale items will be shown on the sale dates.

When:
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
11 AM – 7 PM

Wednesday, February 15, 2012
11 AM – 7 PM

Where
Monica’s Bridal
1655 Sheepshead Bay Road
Brooklyn, NY 11235
(718) 646-5400

Designers Include:

Allure, Allure Couture, Enzoani, Blue By Enzoani, YSA Makino, Pronovias, Elie Saab Bridal, Badgley Mischka Bridal, San
Patrick, Justin Alexander, Justin Alexander Couture, Casablanca, Casablanca Couture, Maggie Sotero, Avine Perucci, Stuart Weitzman, Mandalay, Marchessa Notte, Jovani and many more!!

The November 6th wedding of Marina and Alex at the Jewish Center of Manhattan Beach may have seemed like an ordinary Orthodox wedding, but in truth was anything but that.

The two met in February of this year at a Shabbaton for Russian speaking Jews, an annual event jointly organized by Chamah Organization, Lubavitch Youth Organization, and Bris Avrohom. The 2011 Shabbaton, which attracted 700 people at various stages of observance, was an inspiring event permeated with warmth and emotion. Numerous guest lecturers from around the country shared their Divrei Torah and Chizuk; many of the attendants were moved to tears. A special performance by Avrohom Fried electrified the audience.

A few years prior, Marina, who lives in Staten Island, got involved with a local Jewish-Russian Learning Center, run by Rabbi Eli Kogan, while Alex, who resides in New Jersey, traveled to Israel to study in the Mayanot Yeshiva in Jerusalem and later attended Bris Avrohom. Judaism was continuously playing a more central role in their lives. It was at the Chamah Shabbaton that their indivdual paths crossed and since then became permanently intertwined.

Venue: Manhattan Beach Jewish Center
Catering: New York Kosher Caterers
Photography: Glatt & Art
Music: Rambam Orchestra

image by M.Kruter

All eyes are on the bride during the wedding, but a bridal gown is more than just an outfit that the bride wears for a day; it becomes a part of the memories of one of the most special days in a couple’s life.

The first decision a bride and her family will have to make is their budget. While brides often end up going over their budget when they find a dress that suits them perfectly, it is still helpful to begin the search with at least some sort of budget in mind.

The price tag of a wedding dress may vary greatly. At Bridal Secrets of Cedarhurst – a popular destination for wedding gown shopping, dresses range from $599 – $2,500 and up. Many brides spend upwards of these amounts.

Ruth Jankowitz of Beauty and Beyond in Baltimore on the other hand, suggests spending as little as possible on the wedding dress since it will most likely be only worn once.

Another option that brides have is renting a wedding dress. Although it is tempting to buy a dress and keep it for the memories, it is not necessarily the most prudent decision. Rebecca, a recent bride we spoke to, encourages brides to rent a dress instead of purchasing one. “You don’t need it as a keepsake,” she said. “You have a million other wedding memories.”

Once a bride establishes her budget and decides whether to rent or to buy, the next step is to actually select a dress. One of the decisions the bride will have to make then is how much to follow the current trends. While it may be tempting to wear a gown that fits the current trends, it is important to also consider how a certain style will look a few years from now in wedding photos. Fortunately, selecting a gown that is both trendy and classic does not have to be a contradiction with the continued popularity of styles such as eye-catching ball gowns, regal A-line princess gowns, and vintage-looking slim gowns made of or embellished by lace.

image by SimchaVision

Brides are also finding ways of combining the classic and the trendy. Miriam, one of the brides we spoke to about the experience of selecting a wedding gown, bought one that she described as classic but with a “modern twist” which was added by its high collar.

“The bride’s choice of gown always projects her image on the day of her wedding,” – says Joy Lieber of Bridal Secrets – “That may be influenced by her age, her body type and her self confidence. She may want to look Sophisticated, Demure, Whimsical or Fashion Forward.”

Ultimately, choosing the wedding gown is up to the bride and should therefore reflect her own tastes and preferences instead of simply being an expression of the current trends.

{Stay tuned for Part 2 where we will discuss some of the current trends in more detail.}

Flowers die, and food spoils, invitations are thrown away and sometimes used as a great substitute dustpan, but pictures can last forever. I didn’t care much about the minute details of my wedding. All I wanted was gorgeous pictures, because pictures would be all I would have to remember my wedding day by.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get that. The photographer my in-laws hired, had done a beautiful job on a previous family wedding, but for my wedding they sent a crew member, not the head photographer – and he had no idea what he was doing. He was unenthusiastic (he didn’t even bother to ask my name, or anyone in the wedding party’s name), a little creepy, and had no imagination for posing. I actually told him to stop posing me (or whatever he was attempting to do) and I did my own thing. He got all excited and was like “Wow, this is great, like out of a bridal magazine” and I was thinking, what the heck, you’re a wedding photographer, you should know such posing cold!!

I also wanted a lot of candid shots to capture the essence of the wedding, I’m not so into stoic family portraits… didn’t get that either… It’s a good thing I looked that good by my wedding so a total fiasco was slightly averted.

I had several other issues with my pictures, and after a year of marriage I still have not selected photos for my official album, simply because I hate looking at my wedding pictures. When I got my proofs a month after blissful marital utopia (ye, it took that long to get them)  I had full-blown meltdown on my husband, his first time experiencing me sobbing uncontrollably… fun stuff to put it mildly. It’s a sad cautionary tale. The one thing I wanted for my wedding I didn’t get, but at least I can pass on a few tips for looking into photographers.

1. Know what type of pictures you want – artistic, classic, candid shots, and the like.
2. Ask for recommendation, look at other people’s proofs, note what you like and don’t like.
3. If there are certain pictures or poses you want taken , make a list so you don’t forget. (make that list even if you remember EVERYTHING)
4. Make sure you know which photographer you will be getting if there is a crew of photographers.
5. Know what’s included in your “package”: how many  hours of photography, what format you’ll receive the proofs in, how many photos allotted in the master album (photographers rake it in this area, so know what you’re getting for how much.
6. If you’re not comfortable with the photographer by the actual affair, pause a moment, evaluate what’s not going right and try to rectify the situation, talk to the photographer, don’t just let it pass by (like I did).

Here’s to you only reading this tale and never experiencing it. MAZAL TOV.

Photo credit: DeusXFlorida

In case you’re experiencing the symptoms related by this courageous woman, consult your Ob Gyn-NY, Ob Gyn-NJ. In Long Island, The Women’s Therapy Center deals specifically with these issues.

The wedding of Bluma Lazar, daughter of Rabbi Berel Lazar, Chief Rabbi of Russia, and Isaac Rosenfeld, son of Rabbi Yehoshua Rosenfeld – a shliach in Bogota, Colombia’s capital was an event that was significant beyond the family circles of the new couple. A wedding of such distinctly orthodox nature – a sea of black hats and kapotas, Jewish music and dance, and even government provided security, in Russia’s capital, which, being outside the Pale of Settlement, was a place basically off-limits to Jews until a little over one hundred years ago, would be unimaginable even twenty years ago.

The wedding celebrations were attended by almost two thousand guests from around the world – Russian dignitaries and oligarchs, such as Acting Chairman of the Federation Council Alexander Torshin, big-name philanthropists like George Rohr, Lev Leviev and Eduardo Elstein, hundreds of Chabad shluchim, and many others. Masterfully orchestrated by Fleischman Productions, a Kfar Chabad based event planning company, the wedding chuppah and reception was held in the Sokolniki Convention center. Music entertainment was provided by Israeli musician Yishai Lapidot and a French musician Yoni Shlomo.

Thanks to Israel Bardugo – a photographer whose camera has captured a wide variety of themes and numerous events around the world, we can share with you visual highlights from this unique simchah.

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.

Below you will find some books which will guide you through your engagement, answer a variety of halachic questions and help you be prepared for your wedding and thereafter.

1. Made In Heaven

A Jewish Wedding Guide by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan

Inside you will find very well organized and detailed descriptions and explanations of laws, traditions and customs between the engagement and until after the chuppah. The author brings multiple opinions and sources and discusses varying traditions in different communities. There’s also plenty of practical advice and suggestions for the preparations and the arrangement of the wedding.
Hardcover: 234 pages
Publisher: Moznaim Pub Corp
ISBN-10: 0940118114
ISBN-13: 978-0940118119
Buy at: Amazon | Eichlers | Judaism.com

2. Choson and Kallah during their Engagement

by Rabbi Pesach Eliyahu Falk

This book concentrates mostly on the laws of tznius, yichud, negiah, and proper behavior during the engagement period and looks for solutions in questionable situations. This comprehensive work discusses all the practical applications of the halachos, in a clear and sensitive way.
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Feldheim
ISBN-10: 1583304711
ISBN-13: 978-1583304716
Buy at: Amazon | Eichlers | Feldheim | Judaism.com

3. The First Year of Marriage

Enhancing the Success of Your Marriage Right from the Start – And Even Before It Begins by Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski

Shanah Rishonah is a very important period in the lives of newlyweds. The first year builds the future family’s foundation. It’s like a mold that can be shaped, fixed and reshaped while it’s still fresh. As soon as it dries up, any changes to it are more difficult. In this book, Rabbi Twerski explains at the outset that every couple needs to understand the mechanisms of adjustment and change; that they must be aware of the differences in their upbringings and expectations. These life experiences are neither “right” nor “wrong,” but require honest discussion as the marriage takes root and differences surface. Rabbi Twerski’s insightful portrayals of everyday situations will make you say, “That’s us! How did he know?” He knows because he has counseled thousands of people and he knows the value of advance awareness and solid advice. This is a book that should be read by engaged couples, newly married couples, and their parents.
Hardcover: 211 pages
Publisher: Mesorah Pubns Ltd
ISBN-10: 1578194326
ISBN-13: 978-1578194322
Buy at: Amazon | Artscroll | Eichlers | Judaism.com

4. Head to Heart

What to Know Before Dating and Marriage by Gila Manolson

This book should preferably be read before you start dating, but it’s not too late to read even after you got married. The book goes over many topics where you have to find a distinct view on what you want to achieve by becoming a partner in life with someone else. It reminds you that before expecting the other person to change to fit you better, it’s you who should change first. This is a guidebook with checklists, a manual that looks at dating, love, and marriage from a Torah perspective and comes up with some surprising, and important, conclusions.
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Targum
ISBN-10: 1568719973
ISBN-13: 978-1568719979
Buy at: Amazon | Eichlers | Feldheim | Judaism.com

5. Two Halves of a Whole

Torah Guidelines for Marriage by Tehilla Abramov and Rabbi Yirmiyohu Abramov

Written by the author of The Secret of Jewish Femininity, and her husband, a rabbi and noted educator, Two Halves of a Whole aims to help couples understand each other better and promote shalom bayis (marital harmony).  It provides insightful and down-to-earth Torah guidelines for enhancing one’s marriage based on the authors’ years of experience teaching and counseling engaged and married couples. This book is especially unique in that it takes into account that shalom bayis is made by two people and is written for both husband and wife. The first section for wives, presented by a woman for women, and the second from a man to the men.
Hardcover: 210 pages
Publisher: Targum
ISBN-10: 1568710682
ISBN-13: 978-1568710686
Buy at: Amazon | Eichlers | Judaism.com

6a. The Garden of Peace

A Marital Guide for Men Only by Rabbi Shalom Arush

This is the English-language version of B’Gan HaShalom, a book that has become an overnight best-seller in Israel. A priceless guide that will transform your marriage! Rabbi Arush’s reputation precedes him and many are familiar with his other inspirational books.  In the Garden of Peace you’re invited to take a stroll through a delightful and refreshing garden, where tranquil thoughts, soothing words, and brilliant insights abound. This eye-opening book, written for men only, is the first of its kind. Direct, honest, down-to-earth, and practical, it describes the true path to peace between a husband and wife. This is an amazingly enjoyable and practical guidebook for men that want to be winning husbands.
Paperback: 348 pages
Publisher: Diamond Press
ISBN-10: 5495321065
ISBN-13: 978-5495321069
Buy at: Amazon | Eichlers | Feldheim | Judaism.com

6b. Women’s Wisdom

The Garden of Peace for Women by Rabbi Shalom Arush

Women’s Wisdom is the long-awaited sequel to the Garden of Peace, now written for the woman of the household. It will show you how to create and preserve a happy, healthy marriage. How can a woman build up her marriage so that it is one of peace and tranquility? What is the real meaning of love? What is the role of the wife in the home? Not only does this book present a beautiful, time-tested perspective on marriage, it also offers wisdom and insight on parenting, prayer, and motherhood. A vital read for every Jewish woman!
Paperback: 414 pages
Publisher: Chut Shel Chesed Institutions
ASIN: B003EW0OF2
Buy at: Amazon | Eichlers | Feldheim | Judaism.com

7. A Woman’s Guide to the Laws of Niddah

by Rabbi Binyomin Forst

This is a complete nidah encyclopedia. This book covers laws, customs, traditions and multiple opinions on various nidah topics. It’s very organized and is optimized for common use, when one needs to quickly look up a specific question or need to clarify how to do things right. Kallos will find valuable advice and answers for many questions in the special Kallah section. Kallah teachers choose this book as a single complete guide for teaching. It is complete, yet not too technical, so that one will not be overwhelmed by the material. It is authoritative, but does not claim to replace a competent Rav. It will remove unnecessary doubt and insecurity from countless delicate family situations, and let conscientious people know what to do, when to do it, and how to ask questions.
Hardcover: 373 pages
Publisher: Mesorah Publications Ltd (Artscroll)
ISBN-10: 1578191386
ISBN-13: 978-1578191383

Buy at: Amazon | Artscroll | Eichlers

Kwiat, one of the most popular brands in engagement rings, has been run by the Kwiat family of jewelers and diamantaires for over 100 years. Now in its fourth generation, Kwiat continues to dazzle brides everywhere with their fashionable jewelry pieces and engagement rings. The images above are from their Vintage collection, and since we adore anything vintage we just had to share a few of these rings for your viewing pleasure. The detail and the craftsmanship of these rings evokes old world quality and European charm.

Outside of their vintage jewelry styles, Kwiat sticks to timeless and classic designs. Their engagement rings’ settings are never overdone, and the quality of the stones is always superb. To see more of the collections online, see Kwiat.com, or visit their Madison Avenue flagship boutique in person – 725 Madison Avenue.

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:

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

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:

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!

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!

Kimber & Mitch from Famedia / Daniel Jankovic on Vimeo.

Enjoy this wedding trailer by Daniel Jancovic of Famedia.
Event planning and design by Under The Chuppah.
Venue: Nessah Synagogue, Beverly Hills, CA.

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.

Today Google posted on their blog about their new release: Google For Weddings. Anyone who’s been following Google in recent years knows that they have been getting involved in all sorts of projects from eBooks to Art to 3D Models. And now, it seems, they are going to help you plan your wedding. How? – you may ask. Well, with wedding tools and wedding templates.

Say you want to make a website, you can use Google Sites, but now you’ll have a bunch of new templates specifically designed for weddings. Say you want to create an invitation list with all the addresses, you can use a ready made form, which you can then email to be filled in by anyone you wish to invite. Other tools include: seating chart, music list, and a budget planner. You can also use Piknik to help design professional looking announcements, thank you cards, etc. It’s all there for you, together with wedding tips by Michelle Rago, who has recently collaborated on wedding projects with a number of big names like Style Me Pretty and the Wedding Salon.

In essence, most of it isn’t anything new. What’s new here is the central location, wedding focused features and a more user friendly interface.

Happy Planning!

See more photos by Scott Strazzante of the Chicago Tribune on his blog.

Clayton Austin

…more on Clayton’s blog.

Amanda E. Photography

…more on Paperie Boutique.

You can also see the ChossonKallah mobile at m.ChossonKallah.com.

You can help us test out the new, still fragile mobile version. If you get any errors, send us a note via our Contact Us page or comment here.

For more information about this event please contact:

Chavy Grunhut: (845) 238-4030
Leah Kraus: (347) 351-6271

When:
Motzei Shabbos January 15th: 10 PM – 12 AM
Sunday January 16th: 11 AM – 10 PM

Where:
Pointe Plaza Hotel
2 Franklin Avenue
Brooklyn New York

Possibly the first Chasidic wedding in China since World War II took place today at the Marriot in Shanghai as a New York businessman married a Belgian employee of a high tech company.

Ari Lauber of Brooklyn’s Ner Mitzvah has been living in Shanghai for approximately seven years and is known for his tremendous hachnasas orchim, feeding guests, making cholent and helping travelers to the area as he manages Ner Mitzvah’s interests in China. Reizy Weingarten of Antwerp moved to Shanghai for business five years ago but it was a traveler from Boro Park who suggested what should have been the obvious shidduch to Lauber, saying “If the two of you are the only heimishe yidden who live here, maybe it is a basherte shidduch?”

And indeed it was. Approximately 150 guests from various locations including New York, Skver, Antwerp, Israel and England flew to China joining 200 members of the Shanghai community for this landmark event. The wedding was catered by R’ Shulem Greenberg of Chabad, with R’ Akiva Asher Padwa head of the London Beis Din and a frequent guest of Lauber’s serving as Mesader Kiddushin.

Entertainer Lipa Schmeltzer was flown to Shanghai for the wedding as a gesture of hakaras hatov by a group of businessman who have enjoyed Lauber’s hospitality over the years. Schmeltzer was one of only six people who managed to get onto a Continental flight out of Newark when his flight was cancelled due to the blizzard.

“A heimishe wedding in Shanghai. It is just gevaldik,” said Schmeltzer in an exclusive interview with VIN News. “They are the only heimishe people here besides the shluchim. They both had to move to China to find a shidduch.”

Guests sleeping on the floor at Ateres Chaya Sunday night. (Photo: YiddishNews)

In Ateres Chaya in Boropark almost thirty people had to spend the night. A similar story in Ateres Avrohom in Williamsburg. After another wedding – of Moshe Shapiro and Jenny Cooper – held at the Rockwood Park Jewish Center in queens, the chosson’s parents, who flew in from Israel for the wedding, ended up staying the night after their rental car got stuck in the snow as they were leaving. Fortunately for them the hall had some mattresses left over from a student shabbatton held in the same building.

For those guests that did drive back home, the ride was an adventure, albeit a dangerous one. Visibility on the road was next to nil, the windshield wipers would get clogged with clumps of snow every few minutes, and cars and buses would get stuck numerous times on the way. Thankfully, eventually everyone got home safe with a fun story to share.

Here’s another snow storm snapshot that will make you smile. This one courtesy of MahNishmah.com. (Unfortunately, this couple’s relationship is sure to be a short one.)

If you went to the show, feel free to leave us a comment about your impressions.

Kitchen

Hamilton Beach Stand Mixer -$49 at Walmart – Online Only

Tramontina 6.5 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven – $33 at Walmart; Online Only

Crock-Pot Slow Cooker – 5.5 qt – $15 at Target

Basic Essentials 25 pc. Cutlery Set – $19.99 plus 10% off at checkout; Sears

Cuisinart Contour 13-Piece Stainless-Steel Cookware Set- Orig. $540 Sale: $170 at Chef’s Catalog

Bed & Bath

Pleated Square White Down Comforter – $39.00 – $59.00 at Walmart; Online Only

10 Piece Towel Set – $20 – 11 colors avail. at Walmart;

Cachet Reversible Comforter, Bed Skirt, and Shams Set – $62.99 at Designer Linens Outlet

We collected some Black Friday sale items and coupon codes that might be of interest to you. (Cyber Monday deals still to come.) The images below are clickable. Please note that the discounted prices may only be visible on some websites only after the onset of the website’s Black Friday Sale.

Kitchen Gear
{Free shipping is available almost everywhere during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, lookout for free shipping announcements on the website.}

KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

Tramontina 8-Pc Stainless Steel TriPly-Clad Cookware

Martha Stewart Collection Frying Pans, 9" & 11", Set of 2

Found a 6 Qt Kitchen Aid on Amazon for Only $249.99 after $50 rebate

Cuisineart 7 cup food processor - Reg: $149| Special: $69.99

Le Creuset Two in One

Martha Stewart Collection casserole - 2.75 Qt

. . . . . . . . . . . .

Sur La Table® 10-Piece Hard-Anodized Cookware Set On sale: $199.96

Whirlpool washer + electric dryer pair only $799.99 at Sears

Rival Slow Cooker $19.99 at Sears

Dinnerware

Gibson 20 pc Hollister PLatinum - Reg: $50 | Special: $24.99

Royal White 12" set of 6 (see other items in collection)

3 Qt Porcelain Tureen On sale: $31.96 at Sur La Table

. . . . . . . . .

Round Platter - On sale: $6:36 at Sur La Table

Ballet Jewels 5-Piece Place Setting $99

Vera Wang Fleurs 5-Piece Place Setting $99.99 at Wedgwood

Giftables

Pearl Bead And Fireball Bracelet $29.90

Luigi 5-pc. Wine Gift Set $29.99 at Target

Coupon Codes

3 Days Only: Take additional 25% off Sale/Clearance at Shoes.com with YAMS. Valid 11/24 – 11/26/10

• Gowns starting at $799
• Veils & Headpieces starting at $99
• Bridal Shoes starting at $19.99

Save up to 70% on select sample bridal gowns, headpieces, veils and accessories from top bridal designers at Kleinfeld’s Anniversary Blow Out Sale!
Offering the BIGGEST discount ever! Take an additional 25% off already marked down prices. No regular priced mechandise will be shown. Sample gowns only! Cash/Credit Card and Carry!

Last year over 300 brides attended the Kleinfeld sale event.

Last year, ChossonKallah.com was a sponsor Simcha Expo 2009. Once again, year, we are glad to be a part of Simcha Expo 2010. This year’s expo will take place at separate venues one week apart. The first show is this Motzei Shabbos, November 13th, in Lake Terrace, Lakewood, NJ. The second show will be held next Sunday, November 21, at the Inwood Country Club in Inwood, Long Island.

Locations:

Lake Terrace Hall
1690 Oak Street
Lakewood, New Jersey 08701

Inwood Country Club
50 Peppe Road
Inwood, New York 11096

If you are in the Parsha of planning a wedding or a Bar Mitzvah, we encourage you to attend the expo. ChossonKallah.com may be a great way for you to connect with all the various businesses in the wedding community; a chance to meet with many of these vendors face to face in the same room on the same day, however, is as informative as it is exciting. Exciting, because the Simcha Expo is a very well organized and decorated affair with beautiful displays and creative designs. (If you do attend the expo, feel free to drop us a line about your experiences there.)

For more information, visit www.SimchaExpo.com

The Wedding Salon is a bridal tradeshow that connects brides, planners and the press with the best vendors in the industry. This one-day event which is structured to look and feel like a luxurious wedding offers brides to be an unique opportunity to find out about the latest trends wedding dress designs, floral decoration, and other elements of wedding planning.

The Wedding Salon features companies in a variety of categories, including photographers, florists, venues, gowns and formalwear, wedding planning, catering, beauty services, videographers, wedding travel and honeymoons, and many more.

The Wedding Salon will be held at Manhattan Center Studios with an incredible lineup with everyone from Sylvia Weinstock to Shawn Rabideau to Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings. Bridal Reflections will treat our brides to an incredible couture fashion show featuring Ines Di Santo and David Tutera by Faviana. Brides-to-Be will enjoy beauty services by Yves Saint Laurent at Bergdorf Goodman, cocktails, cakes tastings and gelato tastings. The show will have some other amazing acts including aerial violinists performing from the ceiling of the Hammerstein Ballroom and much more. Amazing gift bags for each attendant.

(Please note: the food at this event is not Kosher.)

9:30 AM Crowd, waiting for the opening of the Fortune Wigs store in Brooklyn

Is it the latest iPhone? No. It’s the Fortune Wigs One Day Crazy Outlet Sale; and ladies looking to get a bargain wig for the holidays are making sure that they get there first. Sheitel shopping does weigh heavily on a family’s budget, and the idea of getting a quality wig at a deep discount has widespread appeal. Many wig retailers are running holiday sales at this time. Fortune Wigs’ sale is a one day only, ‘final sale’ event, only today – Sunday, Aug 5th. Are you going to be one of the fortunate ones to get a ‘cheap’ Fortune Wig?

Another famous wig sale is the Milano. Their holiday sales are held at various locations. To find the one near you, see their website. Happy Hunting!

Tony also took the newlyweds for a romantic outdoor photo-session about 2 weeks after they tied the knot, and we were privy to some of the images from that session. Here’s a small preview.