We held our small, emotionally charged Jewish wedding at my husband’s parent’s beautiful home in North London. Their home is absolutely stunning, warm and welcoming with a gorgeous garden – the perfect wedding venue. As I was 6 months pregnant, finding a dress was beyond difficult (try telling London boutiques that you’re expecting and need a dress within 4 weeks). But all the planning and attention to detail was worth it.

Bridesmaids: my best friend since I was 11 years old, my good friend who I met on day one of living in London 9 years ago and maid of honour, my sister. Before leaving I gave them these stunning Nicky earrings in gold from one of my favourite jewellery brands, MeMe London. I wore the same ones but took off the encrusted jacket and kept the studs simple.

Seeing my brother James for the first time that day…

The Badeken

Many traditions come together as part of our wedding ceremony, one of which is the Badeken. This is the first time Dan and I saw each other on the day of the wedding (not at the end of an aisle as with other weddings) so it was hard to hold back the tears. I’d seen him briefly in his suit when we went to collect it from Hugo Boss but I was so taken aback at how handsome he looked. Here Dan covers my face with a veil and Rabbi Miriam says a blessing. No one else is present.

The Chuppah

We married under a canopy held up by four poles. In keeping with the garden theme, we wanted minimalist birch tree posts with flowers adorning each of the sides. A Chuppah represents the shelter and privacy of the loving home that we will create. Just as the walls of our home protect us, so too do the walls of the Chuppah. Our parents, Chazan (the Hebrew singer) and Rabbi join us here.

Circling & Wine

I walked around Dan seven times under the Chuppah which traditionally represents building a wall of love around our relationship. It symbolises the wholeness and completeness we cannot attain separately. Of course I lost count on my third circle and baby moved non stop the entire time (probably dizzy).

Two ‘Kiddush’ cups of wine accompanied the blessings. It represents our desire to create a loving home, our obligations to one another and to humanity. I told you it was emotionally charged! Our mum’s gave us our sips then Dan and I gave each other one. First taste of alcohol in 6 months.

The Readings

To personalise our wedding we each decided to pick one reading dedicated to the other. Philip eloquently read ‘Carrie’s Poem’ from Sex and the City. As a surprise, Dan chose Drake’s ‘Hold On’ (with a customised verse at the end) read brilliantly by his sister. I couldn’t stop laughing in the beginning of her reading but by the end most of us were in tears.

Carrie’s Poem – A Wedding Reading

His hello was the end of her endings
Her laugh was their first step down the aisle
His hand would be hers to hold forever
His forever was as simple as her smile

He said she was what was missing
She said instantly she knew
She was a question to be answered
And his answer was “I do”

Drake - Hold On

I got my eyes on you
You’re everything that I see
I want your hot love and emotion endlessly
I can’t get over you
You left your mark on me
I want your hot love and emotion endlessly
Cause you’re a good girl and you know it
You act so different around me
Cause you’re a good girl and you know it
I know exactly who you could be
Just hold on, we’re going home
Just hold on, we’re going home
It’s hard to do these things alone
Just hold on, we’re going home

Smashing the glass…

Husband and wife…

Tables

We wanted big tables of 10 with different sized peonies, avalanche roses and eucalyptus in jars as mismatched centre pieces with pillar candles. For the linen, I wanted ivory table cloths with sage green napkins with little eucalyptus leaves inside each. I loved the contrasting colours in keeping with our garden theme. Along the sides of the room we kept things simple with big jars of baby’s breath flowers.

Rosie wrote each of the table settings in her gorgeously creative handwriting. Overall I took my inspiration from my lovely friend Dani at The Social Kitchen.

Food & Drink

Canapés were served on the lawn with our favourite white and red wines and soft drinks whilst Dan and I took ten minutes to regain our thoughts and take everything in. A tip we’d taken from lots of other newly weds who said how important it was to take a few moments to yourself.
My favourite rose Moët and Chandon magnums were on hand to keep guests topped up for the toasts. For lunch we had a simple meze platter to start (falafel, hummus, lambs lettuce, taramasalata etc.) followed by a trio of mini burgers. We wanted minimal fuss when it came to food so at the last minute decided against the chicken and veg fine dining dish and instead went for hearty burgers and chips. For dessert we gave three served on a plate. Berry cheesecake, apple and toffee crumble and creamy white and milk chocolate mousse.
 

Decor

Not On The High Street’s Wedding Styling section quickly became one of my favourite websites in the run up to wedding. We used them for a few finishing touches like these wedding table numbers (£50), this wedding direction sign and this brilliant entwined finger print tree where guests could include their fingerprint ‘leaves’. We even chose our Shopshire Petals confetti from there.
 
 

Our favourite #MoetMoment…

Feeling very pregnant and tired by now…

With thank you to friends and family.

Also a thank you to Moët and Chandon, Prada, Not On The High Street, Estée Lauder, Clinique, Seduire Clinic, The Flower Lounge, The Chuppah Company, Sassoon, Melanie’s Caterers and Laura Ashley.

Our day was captured by the lovely Lorna at Story Wedding Photography.

Thank you to my new mother and father in law for hosting the wedding – it couldn’t have meant more to us.

Thank you especially to my bridesmaids who on the morning of the wedding, after I’d dramatically ironed a huge hole in my wedding dress (pregnancy moment), kept me sane. Why I felt the need to take an iron to my dress I still don’t know…

And to Dan, my husband. Thank you for realising I had no veil 10 hours before the wedding and going to find one. I love you, always.