Weddingbee Blog

After we finished signing our marriage license and ketubah, it was time for another Jewish tradition: the bedekin.

We were seated again as we started this next part. We asked my childhood Rabbi, an inspiration to me, and a huge part of why I have chosen paths that I have, to do this part. And he blew it out of the park!

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When I last left you, this handsome groom was looking for something. By the look on his face here, I think he may have found it.

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We finished taking family photos and our guests had already started arriving. Mr. Hermit Crab ran over to his Tish, while I snuck away for some last minute touch ups and my big entrance!

My sister (my lifesaver!) recurled my hair

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As I dive into the next set of posts and the wedding kicks off, I am going to include the text from our program. We had a (mostly) traditional (conservative) Jewish wedding, and many of the parts may be unfamiliar. Please feel free to use this text for your own programs, or as a guide to future weddings that you may attend!

Our wedding kicked off officially at 11:30 AM with cocktail hour and a “shmorg” (short for “shmorgasboard” and describes basically tons of stations, buffets and passed hors d’ouerves).

The cocktail hour, and all of our guests arriving!

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Our families joined us in the Rose Garden for a few family photos. This turned out to be a really nice part of the day because it was really the only time that we were alone with just our families.

Also, remember when I posted about giving everyone very vague instructions on what to wear (you can read about it here)? Basically, I only said, “wear jewel tones.” Let me know how you think they did! (Just for the record, I thought they all looked amazing!)

My dad and me

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We saw each other for the first time on our wedding day, and had our moment. Then, it was time for business. We were picture taking machines!

We started at the steps of the Rose garden

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I just want to start this post off by saying that these are some of my favorite, favorite photos from the whole wedding. They may also reflect that this was one of my favorite moments from the whole day. We were never really on the fence about a first look—in traditional Jewish weddings, you see each other before the ceremony anyway, and there is no cocktail hour after the ceremony, since it is before, so we figured, why not get some of the photos out of the way so we wouldn’t have to miss the party?

I have to say, I am so so happy that we did.

WARNING: Kissy pictures ahead. You’ve been warned.

We wrapped up my bridal portraits, and Mr. HC arrived at the Rose Garden.

I am getting closer…

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I had finally finished getting ready, said hello to my family that had just arrived, and I was whisked away to a nearby rose garden to take some portraits while we waited for the (only slightly late at this point) Mr. HC to arrive.

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Before we leave the dressing room completely, I thought I would give you a close up of some of the little details that completed my look.

My gown, just waiting for me to put her on

For the record, if anyone is considering a Henry Roth dress, please go for it—he was wonderful to work with, the dress fit perfectly, and I wish I could wear it again!

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About two weeks before the wedding, I received three very exciting packages.

(personal photo)

This was the most adorable wrapping paper!

Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of the others as they arrived, but they were all equally as exciting and sweet. They were my somethings borrowed from three amazing bees!

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We kicked my paparazzi out of the room so I could finally get dressed.

Friend M and I struggled a little to get the dress off the hanger

(personal photo)

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We arrived at the Garden right at 9 AM on the dot…and wow! There was a lot going on already!

Our photographers met us as we got out of the car and started snapping away.

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I woke up bright and early on Sunday morning—5AM, to be exact! My alarm was set for 5:30 AM so I used that time to relax a little. After a quick shower, our hairdresser and makeup artist arrived to beautify my mom and me! We did not have professional photographers on hand at this point, so my wonderful friends took a few pictures (after they ran out at 6 AM to get bagels and Starbucks—yes, they literally are the best ever).

First, I had my hair set in rollers while I had my makeup done.

I guess I was a little frightening!

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Saturday morning rolled around, and I had decided ages ago that I was going to take Saturday for myself. Most of my family and friends are local, or relatively local, so I didn’t feel like I was missing time with out-of-towners, and I wanted to just do my own thing. Mr. Hermit Crab had some family visiting, and while normally I love to spend time with them, I had some very important brunch plans awaiting me…

Bee brunch! It was my first time meeting any of the bees, and I have to say, it was just the perfect way for me to spend the day! Drama free, delicious food, and ladies who love weddings. You can read Mrs. Penguin’s post about her visit to NYC here.

(personal photo)

Everyone seemed amazed that I made it out for brunch the day before the wedding—I did not feel particularly stressed or nervous, and I thought it was a perfect addition to the wedding weekend!

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On Friday morning, I woke up early and ran down the street for my wedding waxing. Soon after that, I met Mr. Hermit Crab’s mom and sister for manis and pedis, and my mom joined us shortly after. Mr. Hermit Crab had to finish up some work so he could rest easy through the weekend and then on our honeymoon, so he was out for most of the day. We had lunch with some of my friends, and then everyone got ready for the evening.

Friday night was incredibly special to us. Mr. Hermit Crab and I had both attended NYU, and we had gotten very close through our involvement with the NYU Hillel, housed at the Bronfman Center. We spent nearly every Friday night there for several years, for Shabbat (Sabbath, in Hebrew—the day of rest beginning at sundown on Friday evening and ending an hour after sundown on Saturday evening) evening services followed by dinner. We wanted to share this favorite memory and experience with our close families and we decided this would be the perfect way to kick off our wedding weekend. I apologize in advance for not having too many pictures of this night, especially of the service or the details but hopefully my words will be descriptive!

We began the evening on the second floor of the Bronfman Center where I led the first part of services (Kabbalat Shabbat), and Mr. HC led the second (Maariv).
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