Rachel and Cory
Imagine being at your wedding reception and your guests start throwing dishes to the ground. Well, in Germany tradition calls for the family and friends of the happy couple to break plates as a way to ward off evil spirits. The newlyweds are then required to clean it up together to symbolize the importance of working together through challenges. In Jamaica, the Bride is subjected to a “walk of shame” of sorts, where villagers line the street and call out negative comments if they don’t like her appearance (even sending her home to change). Rather than crying and handing “daddy’s little girl” over to her waiting groom, in Kenya, the Father of the Bride actually spits on his daughter when she leaves with her new husband as a safe way of not tempting fate by being too supportive of the newlyweds!
While many of these wedding traditions probably wouldn’t translate well into American culture, there are a few that are pretty common and actually expected at most weddings here.
The oldest recorded wedding vows were written in 1549, they included some of the same promises modern day couples make to each other today. Being true to each other through good and bad times, sticking it out through richer or poorer and of course the infamous “till death do we part” commitment. With people living longer and longer lives, that gives you plenty of time to make good on all those promises! Our photography team had the honor of capurting this beautiful Brooklyn wedding that included personalized vows and cultural traditions.
Rachel and Cory got married at Dumbo Loft in a beautiful Jewish ceremony. We started with the pair as they got ready at Brooklyn Marriott. Rachel was stunning in a strapless white gown and sparkly Toms for comfort (smart girl!) She met her fiance’ in Brooklyn Bridge Park for their first look. They spent some time alone for portraits before heading over to Dumbo Loft for their ceremony and celebration.
They exchanged personalized vows (that included stories about how they met and the things they loved about each other. After being pronounced Husband and Wife the groom stepped on a glass to break it, another common tradition in the Jewish community that pays homage to Jerusalem which is usually followed by shouts of “Mazel Tov” by attendants; meaning congratulations.
The reception included funny speeches and a whole lot of dancing. Of course no Jewish wedding is complete without the Hora (chair dance) in which the newlyweds are lifted off the ground (by very strong, and brave guest) while everyone dances around them.
Our photography team was honored to be a part of this awesome cultural celebration and look forward to experiencing and capturing many more!