Gianna Fischer and Tzvi Kagel tied the knot last week at the sumptuous Venetian in Garfield, NJ, in an Orthodox Jewish ceremony with over 300 guests. Discard any preconceptions you might have about such an event being dominated by dour men in long black robes and beaver hats. This was modern Orthodox, rich with a very loving presentation of Jewish tradition.
I knew this wedding was going to be quite special as soon as I walked into the bridal suite: Gianna, her mom, her matron of honor and all her bridesmaids were wearing silk bathrobes with their roles in the wedding embroidered on the back. I had to take a photo showing this.
Her gown was exceptional, a rich cream color, with lace enhancements, and luxurious accessories provided by Mélizé Boutique in West Orange. Mélizé herself was there to make sure everything came off perfectly, and I was very grateful to her for making sure the gown was properly displayed when I took the portraits. Details, details!
After so much preparation, the first time Tzvi set eyes on his bride, the "reveal," was set up for maximum effect.
Gianna had seven bridesmaids and Tzvi nine groomsmen, all high-spirited. We used the architecture and facilities of the Venetian to be creative in photographing them all together.
Straight photo:
Wacky photo: doing their "gopher" faces:
Around the plants and pillars:
Lounging:
The ceremony was preceded by an amazing smorgasbord created by the expert kitchen of the Venetian. Part of the Orthodox Jewish tradition is the careful timing of entrances. Once the guests were well into the smorgasbord,
...Gianna was ushered in with her entourage. She took a place on the stage, and a short while later Tzvi was ushered in by his people. He formally greeted his bride on the stage; then they left together, followed by everyone else proceeding to the ceremony.
The ceremony was full of good cheer and even humor, as when the two diminutive ring-bearers came down the aisle in sunglasses, carrying plastic cases marked "security" looking like CIA agents hired by Wells Fargo.
It was short, included the traditional glass breaking, of course, benedictions by several rabbis, and featured a gorgeous Katuba that one of the rabbis read in Hebrew.
The reading of the Katuba
Tzvi breaks the glass:
Afterwards, we took some wonderful bride and groom photos...
...as well as the family portraits.
Taking advantage of the balcony, I managed to set up one of my signature photos where the groomsmen are holding up the bride. They all seemed to enjoy doing it.
The reception party was animated expertly by Chris D'Amico of D'Amico Entertainment and featured two video screens, making many of the musical selections MTV selections—I caught a glimpse of the Beatles, for example. In traditional Jewish style, the men and women danced separately during the first part of the reception, with the ballroom divided by a row of potted palms.
This makes the dancing very energetic. It's about high-octane celebration, not about romance, as couple dancing mostly is. Gianna and Tzvi found themselves hoisted into the air on chairs, of course,
but afterwards, they sat together, while groups of their friends and families paraded in front of them in wacky and heartfelt demonstrations of their love and congratulations, involving masks, hand-made posters, and one young man who put his tie and jacket on backwards, so that it looked like his head was twisted around.
There was no cake-cutting ceremony, no bouquet or garter toss, but there was an amazing dessert service, that occupied an entire atrium, including ice cream, all of which avoided real milk products, but no one noticed!
The reception was great fun, with wonderful heartfelt toasts from both fathers...
...a presentation by Tzvi's sisters Shoshanah & Sara to the newlyweds that was both moving and funny...
...and the very lively guests certainly seemed as though they were having fun.
That's Tzvi in the pig mask.
And Gianna proudly displayed her wedding ring (the same way she had showed off her engagement ring during our engagement shoot.
I knew this wedding was going to be quite special as soon as I walked into the bridal suite: Gianna, her mom, her matron of honor and all her bridesmaids were wearing silk bathrobes with their roles in the wedding embroidered on the back. I had to take a photo showing this.
Her gown was exceptional, a rich cream color, with lace enhancements, and luxurious accessories provided by Mélizé Boutique in West Orange. Mélizé herself was there to make sure everything came off perfectly, and I was very grateful to her for making sure the gown was properly displayed when I took the portraits. Details, details!
After so much preparation, the first time Tzvi set eyes on his bride, the "reveal," was set up for maximum effect.
Gianna had seven bridesmaids and Tzvi nine groomsmen, all high-spirited. We used the architecture and facilities of the Venetian to be creative in photographing them all together.
Straight photo:
Wacky photo: doing their "gopher" faces:
Around the plants and pillars:
Lounging:
The ceremony was preceded by an amazing smorgasbord created by the expert kitchen of the Venetian. Part of the Orthodox Jewish tradition is the careful timing of entrances. Once the guests were well into the smorgasbord,
...Gianna was ushered in with her entourage. She took a place on the stage, and a short while later Tzvi was ushered in by his people. He formally greeted his bride on the stage; then they left together, followed by everyone else proceeding to the ceremony.
The ceremony was full of good cheer and even humor, as when the two diminutive ring-bearers came down the aisle in sunglasses, carrying plastic cases marked "security" looking like CIA agents hired by Wells Fargo.
It was short, included the traditional glass breaking, of course, benedictions by several rabbis, and featured a gorgeous Katuba that one of the rabbis read in Hebrew.
The reading of the Katuba
Afterwards, we took some wonderful bride and groom photos...
...as well as the family portraits.
Taking advantage of the balcony, I managed to set up one of my signature photos where the groomsmen are holding up the bride. They all seemed to enjoy doing it.
The reception party was animated expertly by Chris D'Amico of D'Amico Entertainment and featured two video screens, making many of the musical selections MTV selections—I caught a glimpse of the Beatles, for example. In traditional Jewish style, the men and women danced separately during the first part of the reception, with the ballroom divided by a row of potted palms.
This makes the dancing very energetic. It's about high-octane celebration, not about romance, as couple dancing mostly is. Gianna and Tzvi found themselves hoisted into the air on chairs, of course,
but afterwards, they sat together, while groups of their friends and families paraded in front of them in wacky and heartfelt demonstrations of their love and congratulations, involving masks, hand-made posters, and one young man who put his tie and jacket on backwards, so that it looked like his head was twisted around.
There was no cake-cutting ceremony, no bouquet or garter toss, but there was an amazing dessert service, that occupied an entire atrium, including ice cream, all of which avoided real milk products, but no one noticed!
...a presentation by Tzvi's sisters Shoshanah & Sara to the newlyweds that was both moving and funny...
...and the very lively guests certainly seemed as though they were having fun.
And Gianna proudly displayed her wedding ring (the same way she had showed off her engagement ring during our engagement shoot.
