Weddings are once again big, beautiful events with hundreds of guests. The summer is particularly busy for weddings; there are only a few months of glorious warm weather and the three weeks are lockdown. Even in the middle of a simcha, the fate of the Israeli hostages in Gaza is still on our minds. At many weddings, there is a physical reminder, such as giving guests printed cards with prayers for the hostages, some with photos and names of the hostages. More Israeli music is played, particularly a version of “Am Yisrael Chai” by Eyal Golan, which has become an anthem of the period.
With the summer weather, there is a lot of competition for event dates, with some couples looking to unconventional venues to get their dream date. Esther Katz, director of Extraordinary Events by Esther, said going this route comes with challenges.
“Non-traditional venues can end up being more expensive because they don’t have a formal wedding setting,” she said. “A traditional wedding hall or hotel has everything, including a well-oiled staff. If you want something different without investing more money and effort, look elsewhere, but stick with a wedding hall or hotel to get the best value for money.” Couples should also consider scheduling during the rest of the year, when each season has its own unique beauty. In the fall, you have a backdrop of beautiful reds and golds in the landscape. The winter whites can be stunning. Early spring holds promise with fresh budding branches on the trees.
Families often start looking for the venue they want when the couple knows they want to get married but aren’t yet engaged. There are many reasons to get planning done before the engagement announcement. “The couple may be in college and don’t have time to plan, or they may not want to have their engagement party in the middle of finals,” Katz said. Letting close relatives know early gives grandparents and relatives more time to make travel plans if they live far away.
Most weddings still have a band and singer for the chuppah, the first dance and the second dance after dinner. But the last part of the wedding can take on a life of its own as an in-house after-party. Katz said she plans weddings where she changes the look and sound of the ballroom. For the last hour, she will add extra lighting and a DJ who plays more energetic Israeli and Jewish dance music. Some couples also include secular music. “A lot of young couples want a different feel,” she said. “The wedding is for the family. The last hour is for the couple and their friends.”
The best way to stay up to date on wedding trends, find vendors, and minimize stress for the couple and their families is to consult with an event planner. Regardless of the couple’s budget, Katz will help the couple get the most for their money if she is hired early in the planning phase. “An event planner is a worthwhile investment. I have experience planning many events and an eye for the creative aspects of achieving the look and feel you want. I’m not there to spend your money; I’m there to get the most for your money. I listen to what people want and advise them on how to allocate their budget. Some may spend more on the music and others on the floral arrangements. And within those parameters, I know how to achieve the look, feel, and sound you want.” She can also guide families and hold their hand if they have requests that go beyond the specifics of the event. At a wedding, she guided parents who were preparing a simcha for their more observant children through the entire process from the ceremony to the sheva brachot.
Katz helped Sophia, a young woman from Teaneck, have a wedding that met and exceeded her dream of perfection. Her mother contacted Katz, who was recommended to her by friends, after Sophia and Ethan got engaged in October 2023 for a March 2024 wedding. “There were a few things I knew I wanted, but Esther helped me realize my vision and bring it to life. Even though I couldn’t explain it, she got it,” Sophia said. “On my wedding day, I looked at the room and thought, ‘This is what I dreamed it would be, but I didn’t know if it could happen.’ It was perfect.” Sofia said Katz put together many details she didn’t even know she needed so the look of the room was complete and beautifully coordinated.
Flowers were an aspect of the wedding that Sophia was very concerned about. She showed Katz lots of photos of chuppahs and bath kens. Katz met with the florist and got Sophia exactly what she wanted – lots of pink flowers in an ombre effect of different shades.
Katz made Sophia’s day perfect by being a calming presence by her side. “I was nervous about the day and how everything would go; there were so many steps and so much preparation and then it would all happen so quickly,” the bride recalled. “Esther made the day go so smoothly. She took care of everything beforehand and during the wedding she was always there so I wasn’t nervous. She made sure the wedding was stress-free for all of us.”
