by Rebecca Druckenmiller

I love the elements of a Jewish wedding, they’re steeped in so much history and tradition…..and frankly many of them are so much fun!

Many of you of course know about the horah, but an unfamiliar tradition for some may be the Mezinke Tanz, which is derived from the tradition Krenzl dance.

You may know this tradition as a “crowning”. 

Rachel and Josh had a traditional crowning at their wedding as Rachel was the last child in her family to be married.  It is tradition that when the last son or daughter is married, the mother and father are seated in the middle of the room the couple place crowns of flowers placed on their heads while their family and guests dance around them. 

It’s an incredibly celebratory tradition and really makes you feel the love in the room as you watch their friends and family approach them in the circle to whisper wishes of love and support. 

Mazel Tov!

Congratulations to Rachel, Josh and their parents!

photo by Philip Gabriel Photography

 by Karen Peterkin

This morning I was greeted by the “Clinton Weather Forecast” on my favorite morning news show. 

I couldn’t help but giggle; it went a little overboard, but signaled to me what “famous” weddings mean for people in various countries. 

I have heard the reports over the past few days about Chelsea Clinton visiting a famous designer’s New York Store (Vera Wang) and recently heard that the area in which they’ll be married has been deemed a “no fly zone” and that reporters have been crawling around that community for weeks now. 

There is such anticipation with such a celebrated wedding.  Mostly I think it’s curiosity to see how the money will be spent (an estimated 2 million dollars!) 

Not many of us can imagine what it is like to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a dress…or two…or three, or what it’s like to spend hundreds of thousands on flowers, or on food and beverage alone. 

 But I’ll admit while I’m curious to see how a celebrity affair will take shape- what it will look like, what the photographs will communicate about the style of such a grandiose event-

I am equally interested to see the culmination of “real life” weddings (clients of ours, friends and family members…members of the Queen of Hearts Staff!  hee hee)

I anticipate every wedding I go to, as a guest or as a wedding planner. 

 I love seeing their vision for their wedding come together. 

It’s all about the love, really and truly. 

I’m a romantic and I love seeing families joined together for one day with one purpose- celebrating the union of two people, two families.  Whether they are celebrities or not!

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But by the moments that take our breath away.”

I’ve heard this quote a thousand or more times and never REALLY gave it much thought … until I took a look at the images of photographer Cliff Mautner from Shira and Jacob’s recent wedding at the historic Crystal Tea Room

Cliff captured so many extraordinary moments from Shira and Jacob’s wedding that I needed to share a post of just beautiful moments…

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Several weeks ago we were interviewed for a Philadelphia Inquirer article on unique engagement session locations…

Our clients Teresa and Chris as well as their photographer Joy Moody were also featured…it JUST focused on unique shots and locations… {and only showed one image of their shoot}

I know there was SO MUCH more to share…..

We ALWAYS suggest clients always schedule an engagement shoot with their photographer…

- we find that most couples are not comfortable being themselves, playful and affectionate in front of a camera

- it gives the photographer a chance to get to know you, your ‘good side’ and how you and your fiance respond to each other

- it gives the couple a change to get to know the photographer

- you’ll also get some great images of you and your fiance which can make a great guest book for your wedding, photos to display at your wedding or images for a save the date or wedding announcement

We also wanted to share more of Joy’s images of  Teresa and Chris as they were unique – they really showed the two of them doing something fun…..Shopping at Reading Terminal Market, cooking together, spending time with the dog…..things they really enjoy!

It also captured the fun silly side of the two of them….

Enjoy…..

Thanks Joy!

If you like these, you’ll LOVE the wedding images…..

We learn some of the greatest tips from our clients….

I’m working with a couple for their August wedding, and recently the groom’s aunt from Southern California planned the bridal shower….

We thought we’ve seen it all… traditional showers, couples showers, kitchen shower, wine shower…

This was a Day of Service – all the guest {both men and women} participated in a community service project where they weeded, cleaned up flower beds and planted new flowers for a local horticultural society…

At the end of the day of service they planting a tree in honor of the couple…

The wrapped up the day with a great family meal…

I’m LOVING this idea…