10 minute read
Editor’s note
A booming, but confusing wedding season
After COVID-19 forced the postponement of many weddings in 2020 and early 2021, this summer marked a season of return.
According to a study published in The Knot and reported by The Atlantic, nearly half of the couples who scheduled weddings for 2020 postponed the celebration until this year or later. That also means many couples who got engaged in the last year and a half are competing to have their nuptials in the same time frame as those who already postponed. As one photographer told The Atlantic in a June article, “It’s two years of weddings in one year.”
This means vendors and venues are getting booked further in advance than in a typical year, among other obstacles, surely leaving many families confused and stressed. Even more challenging now is contending with the Delta variant and increased COVID-19 cases throughout Ohio and beyond. As I write this in mid-August, it’s unclear whether postponing or canceling major events like weddings is going to be the trend this fall, or if implementing more restrictions – like strict face mask and vaccination requirements – will be able to save the celebrations.
That said, when we plan ahead for an issue of Jstyle Weddings, we always aim to both focus on trends in season, but also timeless tips for planning a beautiful and loving ceremony and party. This issue is no diff erent – we off er both expert advice for couples looking ahead to weddings as soon as this fall, and for those planning however far ahead is needed to savor their big day. It’s my hope that any couple, family or wedding guest can fi nd something within these pages that relieves a little stress or brings about some excitement.
For example, in our wedding planning feature, a planner and garment alterations professional provide tips for dealing with the unexpected the day of the wedding. In our desserts feature, cake designers explain the elegant wedding cake styles popular today, as well as why it’s never a bad idea to have several dessert options. Another story is about hiring and working with a wedding photographer, where professionals give advice for identifying a photographer who can capture the scenes you’ll most want to remember.
As always, this issue also includes spotlights on three weddings that took place locally this year. While all the couples featured had to make some alterations or sacrifi ces to their imagined perfect day to accommodate challenges brought on by the pandemic, each expressed joy and excitement about how the day turned out, as well as their future together. If you enjoy stories of love (who doesn’t?) or are looking for insight into what a 2021 wedding in Northeast Ohio can look like, I encourage you to check them out.
Whether you are planning a wedding for this fall or 2023, a small backyard ceremony or a bash of epic proportions, I hope you are able to do so safely and that this issue of Jstyle Weddings provides some ideas for how to make it happen.
Periodical Supplement to Cleveland Jewish News, August 27, 2021
Fashion. Trends. Love.
Fall 2021
On the cover
Victoria Goldfarb and Joseph Rosen share a moment on their wedding day at Cleveland Botanical Garden on July 10, 2021. Their wedding was offi ciated by Cantor Kathryn Wolfe Sebo. Today, the couple lives in Shaker Heights and attends The Temple-Tifereth Israel in Beachwood and B’nai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike. Cover photo by Genevieve Nisly Photography
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To read The Atlantic story and The Knot study, visit bit.ly/3xTb7id
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VOL. 145 NO. 38 CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS (ISSN-00098825) is published weekly with additional supplement issues in February, March, April, June, August, September, October, and twice in December, by The Cleveland Jewish Publication Company at 23880 Commerce Park, Suite 1, Cleveland, OH 44122-5380. Single copy $1.25. Periodicals Postage paid at Cleveland, OH and at additional mailing o ces. POSTMASTER: send address changes to the Cleveland Jewish News, 23880 Commerce Park, Suite 1, Cleveland, OH 44122-5380.
A unique and memorable venue • Professional event planning services • Modern, upscale catering Upgrade to include animal encounters • Patio available for ceremony and desserts
Victoria Goldfarb & Joseph Rosen
Wedding Day July 10, 2021 Cleveland Botanical Garden | Cleveland
Today Ages: 29 and 28 Hometown: Shaker Heights Synagogues: The Temple-Tifereth Israel and B’nai Jeshurun Congregation
How did you meet?
We have been mutual family friends for years, but we were seated next to each other at the Kahan family’s seder table five years ago. Sparks flew, a few months later we went on our first date and the rest is history.
Do you have any interesting stories to share about getting to know one another?
We had fun and got to know each other a little more each day through travel, spending time together at home, eating and getting to know each other’s family and friends. Our first Halloween together we bought costumes and every snack in the grocery store around the corner. We learned how to make sushi and pasta together, Joey came to love red wine, and on one of our dates early in the relationship, we ordered chicken wings in our sweatpants because Tori figured that if Joey was truly going to be a long-term partner, he would have to accept and appreciate this side of her early on, and luckily he more than did.
How long did you know each other before you got married?
We dated for almost 5 years before we got married.
When did you know you wanted to marry your partner?
Victoria: I wouldn’t say there was a particular moment when I knew I wanted to marry Joey, as that feeling grew more and more over the course of the time we’ve been together, but I knew I wanted to commit to dating him when he visited me at the elementary school where I still currently teach. Only a few months into getting to know one another, he came and listened to my curriculum night presentation and gave kind, genuine feedback. Then when we were leaving school, one of my students came up to hug me in the parking lot. When we got in the car, (Joey) seemed truly touched and expressed how much he valued and respected that I teach and thought that I was a wonderful person. That meant so much to me and made me really take him seriously and move forward with him.
Joseph: It was pretty early on in the relationship. I don’t know that there was an exact moment, but the more time we spent and experiences we had together, the more sure I was. I knew when we became official and she cooked me a special dinner that I could see it forever.
What was the best part of wedding planning?
We definitely enjoyed the food and cake tastings together, but we loved planning the details with our closest family (especially the mother of the bride). It was a special time and our vendors were incredible.
How did the pandemic a ect your wedding plan and wedding day?
We were originally planning to get married on July 11, 2020, but postponed our wedding celebrations to this summer, when we celebrated on July 10, 2021. We definitely adjusted our mindset and expectations, but in the year that we postponed we purchased our first home and our beautiful puppy, Willow, together. We were very grateful that we could safely have our event when we did this summer. It was very special to both of us that we got married in the gold wedding bands of each of our grandmothers who are no longer with us before switching to our new wedding bands. We were honored to enmesh both of our pasts with our future together in this way.
- Victoria and Joseph
Was there any spot-on advice you received prior to the big day, either in terms of the wedding or lasting relationship?
We received lots of thoughtful advice leading up to the wedding. We were advised to make sure we take a step back during the wedding to really take it all in and enjoy the moment, and that suggestion truly helped us both be present and make the most of each moment of the day. We’ve also been told not to go to bed upset with one another.
What were your favorite moments of the day?
We were so grateful to be able to celebrate our marriage safely with our closest family and friends, the weather was absolutely beautiful and we truly enjoyed every minute of the day. The ceremony and ketubah signing were some of our favorite parts of the day because they both felt so intimate and special. Looking at each other, at our parents and siblings under the chuppah with us, out to the group of people who came to support us, and then up at the blue sky that had been sandwiched between two weeks of rain felt surreal, yet so peaceful and sacred. My (Victoria’s) dad telling me he was proud of me moments before he walked me down the aisle was a memory I’ll always cherish. We felt so loved and had a truly magical day we will never forget.
Were there any con icts between the two of you or your families in the planning process? Did either of you have to make any sacri ces?
We could not be luckier to have families that mesh and have now blended together so well. Part of what bonded us were our family values, and that translated into a very smooth and fun planning process. Especially after the pandemic, we were all so grateful to even have our wedding that Joey and I truly only felt love and support with the decisions that we made with our families during the planning process.
Planning
• Engagement: March 31, 2019 • O ciant: Cantor Kathryn Wolfe Sebo • Wedding Colors: White and Ivory • Dress: Savin London from Bella Bianca in Chicago • Wedding Rings: Gold wedding bands were a family heirloom, new wedding bands from Gottlieb & Sons • Jewelry: Gottlieb & Sons • Veil: Bella Bianca • Shoes: Manolo Blahnik • Hair: Katie Blasius • Makeup: Lindsay London and Kim Pfeifer • Bridesmaids Dresses: A blend of designers in a blush and neutral palette • Groom’s Formalwear: Armani • Groomsmen: Generational Tux • Bouquet/Flowers/Chuppah: Stems Fleur • Ketubah: Lindi Gold • Photographer: Genevieve Nisly Photography • Videographer: Eventide Cinema • Planner/Consultant: Caitlyn Burkart of Caitlyn
Leigh Events • Ceremony/Reception: Cleveland Botanical Garden • Cake/Sweets: Michael Angelo’s Bakery • Catering: Marigold Catering • Rehearsal Dinner: Music Box Supper Club • Invitations/Stationery: Noteriety Invitations • Music/Entertainment: Music City Sound • Rentals: Event Source • Accommodations: Hilton Cleveland Downtown • Registries: La Bella Vita, Bloomingdale’s and Crate & Barrel • Honeymoon: Cancun, Mexico • Extras: Baci Designer escort display; Swensons food truck for late-night food
