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Today’s UK Jewish wedding at Cheshire’s Merrydale Manor is a true feast for the eyes… Felicity and Jacob knew they wanted their wedding to be elegant from the get-go, and did it ever deliver!
As a style-conscious bride, finding the perfect dress was important to Felicity – and in the search for The One, she went to 15 bridal shops before finding the gown of her dreams at Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor The Wedding Club in London: an off-the-shoulder satin number in ivory by Millanova. With a heart-shaped neckline, draped bodice, and open back with lace-up closure – not to mention a long train – it more than fit the bill. Don’t miss it in the fabulous photos by David Pullum Photography.
Felicity and Jacob weren’t all about the aesthetics, though – they also wanted to make sure their wedding felt like a party, and they turned to Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor The White Keys to bring the atmosphere. The couple went for a 14-piece band, and they couldn’t have been more thrilled with their decision. They knew they wanted something a little different than the standard Jewish wedding band, and as soon as they saw The White Keys’ Ibiza heritage set they knew they’d found their match!
We’ll let Felicity take it from here…
How We Met
Felicity, the bride: Me and Jakey were childhood sweethearts. We have been together for 15 years since 2008 and finally tied the knot in October 2023. We met in school and have been soul mates ever since <3 he is my number one!
Married at the Manor
Our venue was Merrydale Manor, Cheshire, we fell in love with the venue as soon as we visited with its amazing grounds, and the manor which was attached was perfect for all our family!
An Elegant Wedding
This was a weird one, with my own style I am quite controversial with my own fashion sense. I typically love bright colours and different items of clothing, but when it came to my wedding I wanted something very classy, I wanted that elegant bridal look for myself and both the flowers and everything else I picked!
My wedding planner was Clare Spieler Events. She was absolutely amazing; without her I would’ve crumbled! She made everything so seamless and effortless and no worries throughout planning and on the day!
Hair + Makeup
With this again I was a nightmare. I had around 12 makeup trials with different girls, but finally found Jennifer Gooding. She was incredible. I wanted something very natural where I still l looked like me.
A Millanova Dress
My dress was from The Wedding Club in London by Millanova
Finding a dress was difficult for me. I think I was possibly one of the only brides who went to around 15 bridal shops, yes 15!!! At first I wanted glitz and glam, something very fitted, but after trying dresses on I went for the complete opposite. In the end I went for something very classy and elegant, it was a dream off-the-shoulder satin wedding dress in ivory with a heart-shaped neckline, draped bodice, and an open back with lace-up closure, with a long trail! I felt like a princess!
Accessories
Again wanted to keep everything very classy and elegant. I wore pearl earrings – something very classy that I would also wear again from Tiffany & Co. My veil from Knutsford Wedding Gallery was simple, elegant, with a trim to match my dress. I didn’t want anything that would take away from my dress. For my jewellery, I wore something borrowed, my mums necklace and bracelet.
Bridesmaids
I had 6 bridesmaids. I wanted them in colours to match the theme, something very elegant and classy. I got their dresses from Victoria Lou Bridal and picked the multiway dress in champagne. I picked this dress as it was versatile and they could all wear it in a different way that they wanted.
Ceremony & Chuppah
I recently lost my grandpa before my wedding. He was the most special man in my life and I wanted him to be very close to me during the ceremony, so I used his tallis and his kiddish cup to drink out of during our ceremony <3
My favourite part of the ceremony was our singer (chazzan) JJ Hodari, his voice and the songs we chose made it extremely emotional and very special!
With our chuppah design we went for white and green flowers using gypsophila to create a wild but at the same time classy chuppah!
Our music choice
We used the The White Keys, WOW were they amazing, I cannot explain how phenomenal this band are! We had a 14 piece band and boy was it worth it. When me and Jake picked our band, we wanted a band that no one we knew had had, as we wanted something quite different.
We fell in love with The White Keys after seeing their Ibiza heritage set, we knew it was exactly what we wanted as we wanted a proper Ibiza style party !! Amy and the guys were absolutely incredible from beginning to end of the night!
Flowers
Our florist was Verdure Floral Design, they are perfectionists and extremely creative. My bouquet was something elegant and simple using white roses, and the same for the bridesmaids, just a little smaller. Our table centre pieces were a similar theme to our chuppah, using white roses, with lots of gypsophila and candles galore!
Videographer
Our videographer, John from New Venture Wedding Films, was incredible. I cannot recommend him enough, he is a perfectionist.
Food and cocktails
We used Celia Clyne Banqueting and Jonny Cocktail for our cocktails. He is the best, and brings the party to a wedding. Jonny and his team get involved with all the guests and even get on the dance floor bringing shots and all the vibes to the party!
Honeymoon
We went to Thailand for our honeymoon in February, we picked Thailand after visiting Bali a few years ago where we actually got engaged, we wanted a similar vibe. It was truly amazing. We visited the following areas in the most amazing hotels Bangkok – The Siam Hotel Chang Mai – The Four Seasons Phuket – Anantara Layan Phuket
Advice to couples currently planning their wedding
My only advice would be to work together! Help each other so there is less stress. Plan everything well in advance so you dont leave anything last minute and make LIST after LIST so nothing is forgotten and each thing gets ticked off, which makes you feel so much better.
FELICITY & JACOB’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK
Photography – David Pullum Photography
Band – The White Keys
Bridal Boutique – The Wedding Club offers a free appointment and 10% discount off accessories to all members of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club
Videography – New Venture Wedding Films
Venue – Merrydale Manor
Planner – Clare Spieler Events
Bride’s dress – Millanova
Bride’s accessories – Knutsford Wedding Gallery Tiffany & Co
Bridesmaids – Victoria Lou Bridal
Hair + Makeup – Jennifer Gooding Hair by Carla Foranx
Flowers – Verdure Floral Design
Catering – Celia Clyne
Cocktails – Jonny Cocktail
Invitation – Paperless Post
Chazan – JJ Hodari
Smash The Glass Pouch – Smashing The Glass Etsy Shop or join Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club and get one for free!
If you’re a Jewish or Jew-ish bride-to-be, you’ll want to join Smashing The Glass’ Brides Club. Guided by the world’s number 1 Jewish wedding expert, Karen Cinnamon, Brides Club is the private community for Jewish and Jew-ish brides that removes wedstress and indecision and gives you what you need to plan with confidence during these uncertain times. Join our Brides Club here.
