An invitation to inspiration – Simchas Live 2017

The Jewish News Simchas supplement has been specially created to take the angst out of organising your big event and, best of all, it comes with its own show! A show that will help you to decide on the menu, the music and the magic that will make the simcha you’ve been saving for truly special.

After years of attending other people’s ‘perfect functions’, you now have to dazzle with your own  and by gathering all the experts under one roof,  you can make it happen. There has never been a better time to be host as there is choice to suit all tastes and budgets.

Marquees have never been more magnificent, bands more versatile and food so delicious. Even little things such as place cards and table plans are inspiring and when it comes to bespoke anything is possible. To think that ‘personalised’ once amounted to a name tag stitched in a duffle coat and now ranges from a custom-made Minions kippah to caricatured couple wedding shoes.

The option to be original can start under the chupah with the breaking of hand blown coloured glass in a silk bag made by Jason Blair  (07808 770547/ahavaglass.com).

As a trained chazan, Jason was always troubled by the fact that an old light bulb was used for a ritual that has so much significance and meaning.

So now in place of a 40-watt bulb, you can choose from  a wide selection  of vivid coloured glasses  that, once smashed, are sent back to Jason and fused into something special such as a mezuzah, kiddush cup or a framed heart.

And then there’s the function theme itself to consider for a bar or bat which, if you have an opinionated 12 or 13-year-old, will already have been decided.  Perhaps you can pick the centre pieces.

If you want to get married abroad, we have suggestions, but if you long to say “I do!” outdoors at home, the candlelit forest created by florist Marta Mason (07972 177423 / martamatsonflowers.co.uk) is a dream come true.

Weather was no issue in the marquee  (top left), which she  filled with trees dressed with twinkling lights and glass balls and long tables covered with wild flowers. A fairy story setting befitting any couple’s big day.

May we only meet on such spectacular simchas.

Come along to Jewish News presents Simchas Live on Sunday 22 October at the Village Hotel, Elstree, 11am to 4pm.

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Read the supplement here: