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A girl never forgets the first time she talks to a someone about Harry Potter.
I remember like it was yesterday… Jessica, one of my closest friends growing up, and I were sitting down on one of the couches in the backroom of our local synagogue. We were playing cards, gossiping about the latest drama, when a spunky redheaded girl, who was two years older than us and WAYYY cooler in every way, walked in and said, “I was up until 3am reading Harry Potter!” She climbed up onto one of the chairs next to us. My entire body tingled with the feeling of magic as we discussed the mystical world of Hogwarts.
A few years later, my parents decided to take us to Disney World. To be totally honest, I was not happy about it! The day we went to Magic Kingdom, I was even more pessimistic than usual. As we waited in line to for some ride that I had absolutely no interested in, I saw a familiar face. It was Adam! Adam was a year ahead of me in school, but way more in touch with himself. As I was playing it cool, acting as if I hated everything and anything that was within a 30 yard circumference, Adam was insanely happy. At the time, I could not have been more envious!
Over a decade later…
“I didn’t meet Adam until I lived in Philadelphia” Marla said beaming as she was talking about her fiance. I was shocked. As someone who grew up in the same Jewish Community as both Adam and Marla, I thought everyone knew everyone, no matter what school, synagogue or group they belonged to. I guess the world wasn’t ready for the amazingness that is Marla and Adam until five years ago.
Roughly five years ago Marla and Adam met, and the world has been a little brighter ever since. Best friends first above everything. They are one of the sweetest couples I have ever met. Marla and Adam have a spark between them that is not only beautiful, fun, loving but also magical in every way.
I have known both of them for as long as I can remember and am in awe of the incredible couple they have become. Both smart, ambitious and good to the core. Both Marla and Adam have the biggest smiles and the best of hearts. The first time I saw them together I thought “YES! That is what it is all about! That is what love is supposed to look like!”
When they are together, you can feel the bond and the love between them. It is truly an incredible thing to witness. Hogwarts and Disney World have nothing on the magic between Marla and Adam. They have more inside jokes and more fun than any two people I have ever met.
My wish for you Marla and Adam is to keep the magic and love alive. Keep loving each other the way you do, there is nothing like it!
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“There was something in the seriousness of Joel’s voice when he called me to tell me” The best man said as he pointed to the groom. ” I am going to ask Sam to marry me.” The room went completely silent. The best man looked at Joel. Joel looked at Sam. Sam smiled up at Joel and my heart melted entirely. Pure and unconditional love is the only way to describe it. The entire day was just filled with pure and unconditional love.
When I walked into the Maryland Science Center, the first thing I noticed was a veil on one of the dinosaurs in the lobby. Oh Sam, I thought as I smiled. The Science Center was the perfect venue for Sam and Joel to tie the knot. The rooftop tent ceremony was elegant and classic in every way. As Sam and her Dad, Ed, walked down the aisle, every guest was smiling their biggest smile. We laughed, cried and admired the view of the Baltimore Harbor while Sam and Joel shared their vows, made their promises and became husband and wife.
Sam and Joel are one hundred percent true to themselves in everything they do. It was evident in the way their friends and family spoke about them, the way they celebrated their commitment to one another and the way they loved each other with their entire hearts.
Sam and Joel are college sweethearts that matured together, grew together and adopted SOO many furry friends together. May 4, 2019 may have been the first day of their marriage, but they have been family from the very beginning. Sam and Joel have been best friends, and more importantly, partners through it all. It is obvious in every way that their life will continue to be fun, crazy and full of so much love.
Sam and Joel, my wish for you is to never stop loving each other in the fun, deep, pure and unconditional way you already do. Cheers!
Wedding Venders: Event Planner: Bella Momento | DJ: C & J Entertainment Agency | Venue and Caterer: Maryland Science Center | Brides Dress: Juliet’s Bridal | Bridesmaid Dresses: Jenny Yoo Julia Purchased at Nordstrom
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“This is actually where my Dad proposed to my Mom!” Crysta said with a huge smile on her face as she pointed to the park behind Independence Hall. And with that, my heart sighed. I was reminded of how important family is to this amazing and sweet couple. They wanted nothing more than to share their love story with their friends and family. They wanted nothing more than to spend their special day with all the people that matter the most. And they wanted nothing more than to laugh with each other for the rest of their lives.
As we walked around Philadelphia, Crysta and David sunk into each other with such ease and grace that it was obvious they are one heck of a match. In every move, in every touch and in every laugh, there was an abundance of love and admiration. The way Crysta’s eyes smile every time she looked at David made my heart turn to mush and my finger click the shutter as much as possible. Our session was even during the second half of the Eagles game and David didn’t complain once, that is how much he loves Crysta!
Even with the craziness of their work and school schedules, David and Crysta make one another a priority. They are a team, a united front to take on the world together and if you ask me, nothing is going to get in their way. They are both ambitious, extremely personable and kind in every sense of the word and I know they are going to have one amazing marriage and go on to have the most incredible family of their own.
Crysta said it best “your humor matches mine perfectly.” and what could be a better recipe for a happy life together?!
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“This…” said the Rabbi as he stood under the Chuppah, holding up a beautiful Jewish Wine Cup. “Is mine and Yossi’s Grandfather’s Kos (wine cup) which survived the Holocaust” the guests were quite. He continued as he poured the wine. “The Talit (a fringed garment traditionally worn either under or over one’s clothing by Jewish Males) that is part of the Chuppah above, was our Grandfather’s as well” and with that, he handed Sophie the cup to drink out of. In that moment, I watched Yossi and Sophie underneath the Chuppah, the Chuppah that Yossi’s father built. They were surrounded by four generations of family, all lined up on both sides of this incredible couple. The entire bunch of them, were completely encompassed by these beautiful family heirlooms that had survived the worst of days and I felt a direct connection to the past and an abundance of hope for the future. There is something so immensely special and something so breathtakingly meaningful about a wedding ceremony like Yossi and Sophie’s. Every detail was carefully chosen and every aspect represented a part of their heritage, their family and their hearts. As Sophie took a sip of wine out of Yossi’s Grandfather’s cup, my heart was full of pride, admiration and a feeling of unity.
Yossi and Sophie as a couple are amazing in every way imaginable. One of the most inspirational parts about them together is the way they treat their family and friends. The love that I felt from every-which direction at their wedding was copious and never ending. One of Yossi’s nieces even sat on Sophie’s lap throughout all of the speeches! And with a family like this one, everyone had a funny anecdote, cute story or loving expression to share. Listening to Yossi and Sophie’s family talk about them as individuals and as a couple had me smiling and laughing the entire time. And the best part of all, throughout every single speech, I had the chance to witness Yossi admire his beautiful bride with the most kind and loving eyes I have ever seen.
Yossi and Sophie spent the entire day laughing and dancing wholeheartedly with their closest friends and family. I have personally never seen two people laugh so much during their wedding ceremony but it was the quintessential way for these two to tie the knot. Both the ceremony and the reception took place in Sophie’s Aunt’s sweetly stunning backyard… and what better place for a sweet and stunning couple, such as Yossi and Sophie, to start their marriage.
Yossi, Sophie your love is kind, your hearts are bigger than life and your smiles are contagious. Don’t ever stop being the “yophiest” couple that ever was!
Vendors: Catering: Bistro70 | DJ: David Jacob Productions | Flowers: Avenue Flowers Gift | Videographer: Pretty Elektrik Company | Tent: ALMAR Party and tent Rentals | Keyboard for Chuppah: Yisroel Shonek | Salon: Yoni Kreger Salon | Mesadar Kedushin: Rabbi Yisroel Munk
Work With Yael
My mission is to not only craft images, but really celebrate the unique spirit of Jewish love. I'm here to honor our culture, capture the magic of your love, create family heirlooms for your future and do it all with a whole lot of heart and soul.