The Importance of Smiling on Your Big Day

Posted June 4, 2015 by Rabbi Lebow & filed under Atlanta Weddings.

It’s the day you’ve waited for your entire life. You’ve found your partner in eternal love, the food has been tasted, and the vows are perfectly crafted for a lifetime of happiness. It’s time to leave all that stress of the past few months behind and walk down that isle with a smile that says forever upon your face.

At Atlanta Jewish & Interfaith Weddings I am here to give you the confidence to feel every laugh, to be well prepared, and smile when that final “I do” is spoke.

Happiness is trending, just ask wedding photographer Bre Thurston from The Huffington Post. “You’re head over heels in love with another person and you get to spend the rest of your life with them. Celebrate that, feel that. And laugh.”

Atlanta Jewish & Interfaith Weddings knows how important it is to feel like your wedding is trending. From our first meeting to the ceremony itself I strive to create a trend of happiness that will last a lifetime. Everyone deserves equality when it comes to love, no matter what the circumstance. I promise to show you the dedication and commitment you deserve to have you smiling throughout your big day and for life.

Changing People’s Beliefs by Talking to Them

Posted May 29, 2015 by Rabbi Lebow & filed under Atlanta Weddings.

Marriage equality, unfortunately, is a hot button issue for many people in this country. In order to support or diminish the efforts of either pro-gay marriage advocates or traditionalists, there have been many studies coming out and floating in the social air. One such story was widely covered and reported on. You may have even read about it or seen it in the news. The study focused on the idea “that gay political canvassers could change conservative voters’ views on same-sex marriage,” as reported in The New York Times and other publications.

The premise behind the study is a simple one: to see if people’s attitudes regarding gay marriage would change after a 20-minute conversation. The study was prompted after Proposition 8 was passed in California, which banned same-sex marriage. Dave Fleischer, member of the Los Angeles LGBT Center, wanted to see how effective door-to-door campaigning would be. In other words, could gay canvassers and not straight ones affect the opinions of people against gay marriage by simply talking to them?

According to the study, yes – gay canvassers could bring about change by simply talking to people. That result made the newspaper rounds and voila, it became viral. However, that was not the case, as the study was later retracted due to lack of scientific proof. This announcement was met with disappointment, and rightfully so, but let’s not ignore the fact that the study highlighted an important and often-forgotten part of being human: the act of talking to your fellow man. That’s how true understanding is reached!

Ireland May Become the First Country to Approve Gay Marriage by Popular Vote

Posted May 22, 2015 by Rabbi Lebow & filed under Atlanta Weddings.

At Atlanta Jewish & Interfaith Weddings, we believe that everyone deserves an equal chance at love. Thankfully, marriage in the United States has certainly become more equal over the past few years. It still, however, has a long way to go – as does many other areas in the world, in countries like Ireland for example. That might soon change though, and the effects may forever alter our idea of what a Catholic country is and what it should strive for. We may witness a watershed moment in Ireland’s history.

On Friday, May 22 (yes, that’s today!), Irish citizens will vote on changing their constitution so that marriage by law between two people wouldn’t depend on sex, meaning that two guys or two women would be able to marry. If it goes through, and there’s a good chance that it does (according to recent polls), then Ireland will become the first country in the world to approve gay marriage through a popular vote, which is different than by legislation or the judicial process. This is, of course, a big deal for two reasons: 1) first country to approve gay marriage by popular vote and 2) the idea of Catholicism might be changing.

At Atlanta Jewish & Interfaith Weddings, we support Irish citizens and their desire for marriage equality and encourage the evolving role that religion plays in our lives. These are certainly exciting times! Is Catholicism changing for the better? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/05/22/ireland-votes-in-gay-marriage-referendum/27764489/

The Concept of Marriage Evolves

Posted May 18, 2015 by Rabbi Lebow & filed under Atlanta Weddings.

Marriage is all the rage nowadays, the talk on everyone’s lips, which is good to see, but some are using it more as a political platform. Trevor Burrus of The Washington Post points this out in his article, “Conservatives say marriage has always been between a man and a woman. They’re wrong.” Of course, they’re wrong, but the article is a stirring reminder of the evolutionary power of what a marriage is, what it should be, and how it windmills love throughout the entire country, from coast to coast.

Burrus writes, “Marriage is a constantly changing social institution that adapts to social and economic conditions. And when those conditions change, marriage changes.” Well said! That’s the thing that’s beautiful about marriage – of course, it’s about the love, but its fluidity, its openness to change is a heroic reminder that we as people can change as well. Marriage isn’t a mountain, fixed in its shape and location, but rather it’s a body of water, moving back and forth, ebbing and flowing.

Atlanta Jewish & Interfaith Weddings stands by Burrus’s article – we work with couples of every creed and color, believing marriage to be one of the most beautiful things we can experience in life, and it deserves to be experienced by all people. After all, marriage is sacred, which means it changes throughout time to suit the inherent loveliness and goodness in our hearts. Marriage is about bringing people together, not tearing us apart.

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/05/13/conservatives-say-marriage-has-always-been-between-a-man-and-a-woman-theyre-wrong/

The Importance of Wedding Vows

Posted May 15, 2015 by Rabbi Lebow & filed under Atlanta Weddings.

There are many important parts to a wedding, but perhaps none more special or organic than the wedding vows. Yes – the wedding vows, the words expressed between two lovers that encapsulate their relationship – the hopes, the fears, the existential quirks. It’s the only moment that both parties can become poets, drilling their words into the air so that they may be remembered for all of their lives. At Atlanta Jewish & Interfaith Weddings, I earnestly believe that wedding vows should be treated with care and patience, like a graduate dissertation. This is your moment in the sun, happy couples, so soak in those rays and transform your feelings into Shakespearean sonnets.

That’s how it was for Marshall Cannon of The Huffington Post. He writes, “As we enter into the traditional summer wedding season in the United States, I wanted to share the vows that I wrote and think about how I can continue remember those words in my everyday life.” I encourage all of you to read his vows here, as they’re truly special and endearing, but what I think is more important is what the vows mean to Marshall – that they’re like daily fortune cookies that reminds him of his love for his wife and the appreciation he has for living. Think of your wedding vows as poems, as words that you’ll remember every day of your life.

At Atlanta Jewish & Interfaith Weddings, I’d be more than happy to help you compose your wedding vows or offer some suggestions to make them great.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marshall-cannon/marriage-vow-to-remember_b_7285706.html

Coping with the Loss of a Loved One

Posted April 2, 2015 by Rabbi Lebow & filed under Atlanta Weddings.

In addition to officiating weddings, we also offer traditional Jewish funeral services. And while we can take care of everything in regards to the service itself, we understand that coping with a loss can be a difficult experience, especially when a close friend or family member is the one who passed. Fortunately, there are several things you can do that can help you cope with grief, and although there is no easy fix, there are ways to make this trying time a little bit less difficult.

One of the most important things you should do is ask for help and support. This is especially true if you’ve lost someone very close to you who not many members of your family or friends knew. So while they may not be grieving with you, they can at least be there to comfort you and take care of you. Of course, there are other places to turn to besides just your loved ones. You can also rely on your faith, join a support group, and even seek help from a grief counselor.

Taking care of yourself is also an important step to take when it comes to dealing with a heavy loss. While you may not feel like eating or doing much of anything at all, it’s important to stay healthy and as positive as possible. You shouldn’t let anyone tell you how to feel, and you should actively look for ways to express your feelings, perhaps even turning to a creative outlet.

Finally, it’s important to understand that grief may never go away completely. You will always miss the loved one who has passed, but eventually you will be able to turn it into a positive thing by remembering the memories you had and finding ways to honor the time the time you spent together.

How Many Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

Posted March 26, 2015 by Rabbi Lebow & filed under Atlanta Weddings.

When it comes to planning a wedding, there are likely hundreds, if not thousands, of decisions you have to make. This is truer of course when you’re having a larger ceremony, but even the smallest, most informal of weddings still require a few decisions to be made. One of these decisions is how many bridesmaids and groomsmen you should have. And while the number is up to you, we’re here to provide you with a few tips.

If you plan on having a very formal wedding with hundreds of guests, you will typically want to have anywhere from 6-10 bridesmaids and groomsmen. This is especially true if you are having the ceremony in a large venue, mostly just because having more people will help fill in some space. Also, groomsmen often double as ushers, so more are ideal if you have a lot of guests.

For smaller, semi-formal weddings, anywhere from 1-6 is generally recommended. In this case, it’s really up to you and your fiancé, but having at least a few is typically a good idea. Of course, sometimes people have small casual weddings and only have one, two, or maybe even none.

This is also true for people who are getting married for the second time, and for people who have late-in-life weddings. But again, the choice is yours, and it really just depends on how many people you want to have at the ceremony, and how involved you want them to be in the event.

These tips are just guidelines to help you along the planning process. For more tips and suggestions, keep checking back with our blog!

How to Have a Stress-Free Wedding

Posted March 13, 2015 by Rabbi Lebow & filed under Atlanta Weddings.

Your wedding should be one of the most joyous, memorable days in your entire life, and it likely will be, but the weeks and months leading up to the event are often very stressful. Fortunately, we’re here to tell you that getting married doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. In fact, it shouldn’t be stressful at all. There are many ways that people stress themselves out in period of time between getting engaged and actually tying the know, but the following tips can help you relax and stay calm.

The most important thing you should do is be open with your fiancé. If there is an aspect of the wedding that you are worrying about, don’t take on the burden alone. What may seem like a complex problem could have a simple solution. No matter what you are worrying about, keeping it bottled up inside will likely only make your feel worse. You should be able to trust your spouse with anything. After all, you are signing up to spend the rest of your lives together. So why not make use of that trust and support by asking for help when you are feeling overwhelmed?

Another way to reduce stress about your wedding is just to accept the fact that something will go wrong. We’re not talking about anything catastrophic. But many people believe that a wedding ceremony and reception has to go off without a hitch in order for it to be a success, and that’s simply not the case. Odds are someone will make a mistake, and there will be a minor problem or two. On the big day, it will likely be something so small you won’t even realize it. So don’t waste countless hours worrying about every potential scenario before it actually happens.

We’re here to help you have the wedding of your dreams, and we want the entire experience to be as happy and stress-free as possible. For more weddings tips and suggestions, keep checking back with Atlanta Jewish & Interfaith Weddings!

Tips for Planning an Outdoor Wedding

Posted March 4, 2015 by Rabbi Lebow & filed under Atlanta Weddings.

Wedding season will soon be here, which means the temperature is rising and outdoor ceremonies are becoming more common. While an outdoor wedding may not be perfect for every couple, there are a few great advantages of having one. Of course, there are some downsides of walking down the aisle outside, but the following tips should help you plan the perfect outdoor wedding.

Possibly the most important thing you need to do is have a backup plan. While the chances are slim, there is always the possibility that it will rain on your big day. While some storms only last a few moments and can be waited out, occasionally you will have to deal with heavy rain, wind, and even lighting that lasts for hours. If this is the case, having a backup location or even tents is a smart move.

Another thing to keep in mind when outdoors is the acoustics. Voices and music travel easily in most churches, even to the people who are sitting in the last pew. But depending on your location, it may be harder to hear for guests at your outdoor ceremony. You can solve this potential problem by renting a sound system and outfitting anyone who needs to speak during the ceremony with a microphone.

Finally, while the day is all about you and your loved one, keeping the comfort of your guests in mind is also important. This is especially true on very hot and humid days. Consider handing out bottles of water and even wedding programs that will be able to double as fans.

These are just a few tips to help you get started when it comes to planning your outdoor wedding. Remember every wedding is different, so do what works best for you and your spouse!

How to Add Southern Charm to Your Wedding

Posted February 16, 2015 by Rabbi Lebow & filed under Atlanta Weddings.

There is nothing quite like southern charm, and southern weddings can be some of the most fun and joyous events you will ever attend. But if you are getting ready to throw your own wedding and you want to make sure it has that right amount of southern appeal for your guests, we can help. Take a look at the following tips and incorporate any or all of them into your big day.

Setting up your reception is very important, and you will likely have many aspects of the venue to plan and decide upon, including what type of centerpieces the tables will have. For most southern weddings, flowers like spray roses, succulents, and garden roses will look great. Add a decorative cotton tablecloth and your reception will instantly have that classic southern look.

Family is incredibly important to most southerners, and can be reflected by displaying antiques, silver pieces, or any other type of meaningful belongings that have been passed down through generations. In addition to representing your family, these pieces can add a personal touch to your venue that you wouldn’t be able to get otherwise.

Another way to emphasize family and recreate large southern dinners is by having one or multiple long tables at the reception. This will give the impression of a family gathering where everyone is joining at the table to share a meal.

These are just a few of the ways you can enhance your reception to give it a classic southern feel. Of course, the specifics of your ceremony and venue are up to you and your fiancé, so take some time to decide what type of look and feel is right for the two of you!