Just magical

Ben and Naomi’s wedding w as the first Jewish ceremony many of their guests had attended

Ben Jardine and Naomi Burn

Where: Ceremony at Radlett and Bushey Reform Synagogue followed by reception at Hunton Park, Hunton Bridge, Herts

Photography: Steve Shipman Photography

We knew that we wanted to have our wedding ceremony at Radlett and Bushey Reform Synagogue. My family are all members there and I had my bat mitzvah there at age 13 so it’s a place that means a lot to us. We wanted to share this with our guests, many of whom had never been to a Jewish wedding before.

In Jewish weddings the bride and groom see each other for the first time at the bedeken, a private ceremony with the closest family and the rabbis (we had two, but normally only one is needed), where the groom veils the bride. At this point, all my bridesmaids were all in tears but Ben was just feeling relieved and happy to see me.

We both walked down the aisle with our parents and all gathered under the chuppah for our ceremony. It was a traditional Jewish ceremony and ended with Ben smashing the glass with his foot.

The theme of the reception was magical woodland. Our table names were all trees and the table centres were white trees with tealight holders hanging from them. As it got darker outside, the tealights lit up the whole marquee which looked really magical. My bridesmaid, Anna Byers, who is a jewellery designer, designed our invitations with a love birds motif that was used throughout the wedding on all our stationery and even on our cake. Anna also sang in the choir during our ceremony.

After the cake cutting, we had our first dance, followed by Israeli dancing and the bride and groom being lifted up on chairs. A very scary moment!

WHO DID WHAT

Photography: Steve Shipman Photography, St Albans, 01727 865873, www.steveshipmanphotography.com

Venue: Hunton Park, Watford, Hertfordshire, 0844 980 2311, www.deverevenues.co.uk/locations/hunton-park.html

Dress: Bellissima Weddings, Essex, 01245 323585, www.bellissimaweddings.co.uk

Accessories: Bellissima Weddings, as above

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Phase Eight, www.phase-eight.co.uk; Zara, www.zara.com

Hair: Karen Hyam, Redbourn, Herts, 01582 794998, www.ateliersalonspa.co.uk

Make-up: Robyn Hawes (friend)

Groom’s outfit: Moss Bros, www.moss.co.uk

Stationery, flowers, Venue Dresser: The Dream Wedding Company, St Albans, 01727 800381, www.thedreamweddingcompany.com

Cake: Emily Jane Cakes, Old Knebworth, 07799 848809, www.emilyjanecakes.co.uk

Transport: Gorrod Limousines, Hatfield, 01707 662522, www.gorrodlimousines.co.uk

Entertainment: Disco Services UK, Welwyn Garden City, 01707 395551, www.discoservicesuk.co.uk