Last year closed with a winter wedding at Ohel David and Shlomo, and it was booked just a month ahead! The bride turned out to be the sweetest thing, and her choices of favorite photos were atypical, too. Check out the heartwarming photo and video we did.
Table of Contents
As I was wrapping up my busy 2024 in mid-November, anticipating the holiday season and a very welcomed slowdown, I got two messages. They came from different young ladies, but both asked about the same wedding date. This happens, although not simultaneously, and definitely not asking about a date just a little over a month away! They were sister indeed.
Sister Power
I worked with one of them for her maternity session in 2018. I didn’t get to blogging about it as I have just returned from my cross-country RV photography tour, which is entirely focused on blogging about some of the shoots along the way. Here are just a few of my favorites from that maternity shoot:
When her younger sister Mariana looked for a photographer, she recommended my studio, sharing her positive experience working with me. There is a bit more to this, which is revealed in the member-only portion of this blog at the end.
I didn’t ask why it was such a last-minute booking, although, in hindsight, it’s always a bugging thought. 🙂 I was just happy to be around and available during the holidays, so we jumped into the discussion and quick booking. She was having her Jewish wedding at Ohel David and Shlomo in Brooklyn, NY, where I had worked before for other Jewish events like Bar and Bat Mitzvah.
Ohel David and Shlomo
Nestled within the vibrant borough of Brooklyn, New York, Ohel David & Shlomo stands as more than just a revered place of worship; it is a cherished venue for Jewish weddings, where tradition meets celebration. With its history spanning several decades, this institution has become synonymous with hosting unforgettable wedding ceremonies and receptions infused with the warmth of communal spirit and the sanctity of Jewish customs.
In the heart of Brooklyn, Ohel David & Shlomo sets the stage for joyous celebrations of love and commitment within the Jewish community. Its grand halls and elegant spaces provide the perfect backdrop for couples to exchange vows surrounded by family and friends. At the same time, its meticulous attention to detail ensures that every aspect of the wedding, from the ceremonial rites to the festive banquet, reflects the beauty and sanctity of Jewish tradition. As a beloved venue for generations of couples, a wedding at Ohel David and Shlomo upholds the sacredness of marriage while embracing the joy and festivity that mark this special milestone in the lives of those who choose to celebrate within its hallowed halls.
Pre-Wedding Portraits in Dumbo
The couple was getting ready at the venue. We had less than an hour before the first look, but I wanted to squeeze into something more creative than regular getting-ready shots. Really quickly, I set up an off-camera flash and threw the light through the chair’s ornate back seat. I love drama in my beauty portraits.
Then, we hopped in a limo, and off we went to Dumbo. There was a funny moment caught on video with Mark sticking out of the window and shouting as we were speeding past the Brooklyn Heights promenade. There was no formal bridal party, just four of them (her sister and bro-in-low standing in for maid-of-honor and best man) and two of us. We also walked on the crowded Brooklyn Bridge.
We couldn’t use a drone between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, but on our way back, we stopped near the promenade again for an alternative view of downtown Manhattan. The day was gloomy, but the flyovers with the skyscrapers behind the couple added nice touches to the video (watch it at the end of the blog).
Reception
It was time to get their wedding at Ohel David and Shlomo going. After a beautiful Jewish ceremony, the fabulous Douglas James Entertainment lit the dance floor on fire. Interestingly enough, 2023 started with Douglas and his power team in Mexico during another Jewish wedding that went half-naked. Douglas helped us celebrate the end of the year, too!
Wedding at Ohel David and Shlomo Highlights Video
Check out our wedding highlights movie!
Final Word
Mariana is a beautiful and kind young woman. Working with her was easy and a pure joy. An utterly stress-free bride.
There is something else I’d like to mention about her in conclusion. Almost all of this blog’s images were picked by her for editing. See, every wedding package includes a limited number of photos for enhanced retouching. Understandably, about 90% of brides go heavy on family portraits for that, picking just a few art portraits of themselves. Instead of a traditional approach, Mariana opted for a visual set that speaks of the story, beauty of the day, love, and memorable moments. Working on her choices was a sheer delight.
Get this—my plate is so full these weeks that I didn’t even think of featuring her wedding at Ohel David and Shlomo in my blog. In four months, there was just one blog post about a trip to Paris to photograph a Sweet 16 girl flying from Newark, NJ. Seeing Mariana’s choices changed my mind. From the team at Zorz Studios, thank you for your beautiful souls, guys!
💎 Exclusive Content
Below are some of the things and thoughts I wouldn’t readily share publicly. Click the “Join Now” button to become a Zorz Studios website’s Premium member for exclusive access to curious parts of this and other posts. In today’s feature, find out about:
- why these sisters didn’t go with a really good wedding studio they worked with before
- could such situations happen to me?
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Credits
Dress: Krismil Bridal (@krismilbridal)
Venue: Ohel David & Shlomo (@ohelds)
Florals: Nataly’s Flowers
Catering: King Solomon Restaurant
Desserts: L’esti’s Desserts (@lestisdesserts)
MC: Douglas Genuard (@unclejuju64) of Douglas James Entertainment, @douglasjamesentertainment
DJ: Yura Jacobs as DJ LEGACY (@yura_jacobs_dj_legacy)
Singers: Douglas Genuard (@unclejuju64) and Magdalina Stamou (@__magdalinastamu__)
Photo and Video: Zorz Studios (@zorzstudios)
