Not really. We're hosting a very small, socially distanced wedding with our parents, our rabbi, and our cantor at the St. Regis Houston. But so everyone can join us virtually and safely, we're live-streaming the ceremony on Zoom so all our friends and extended family can join in the fun!
Zoom is a video communications and conferencing app that will allow us to share our wedding ceremony with you. To watch our ceremony, you must have a Zoom account and either download the app on your smartphone or tablet or be able to access the website. Don't worry - it's super easy and free. Simply go to www.zoom.us and click "Sign Up, It's Free" in the top right corner. Once you create an account, you will simply click on the link we will e-mail you to access the live stream of our wedding.
RSVP no later than Thursday, October 26th. This ensures plenty of time to get you the secure Zoom link. As a reminder, the link will not be available on this site. The only way to receive the link is to RSVP at the top of this page. You'll receive the secure Zoom link the week before the wedding.
To ensure the live stream of our wedding is only available to our loved ones, we're creating a secure Zoom meeting room to host the wedding. Once everyone RSVPs, we'll create this room and email you the link.
Nope! You're at your house so wear whatever you want!
Circling, also known as hakafot, is the Jewish tradition of the bride circling the groom and is common at many Jewish weddings. Before the couple reaches the chuppah, Andrew and Allison will circle each other in line with this tradition. Traditionally, the bride circles the groom seven times; however Andrew and Allison have chosen a more egalitarian method. Allison will circle Andrew three time and then Andrew will circle Allison three times. To close, they will both circle each other once. Traditionally, the reason for the circling is for the bride to create a wall of protection around the groom.
Yep. Or at least an attempt at one. Allison foolishly agreed to let him grow his hair out until the pandemic is over and here we are.
No, it's not a tent; it's called a chuppah. It is simply a canopy that consists of four poles and a tapestry. It symbolizes the home that Andrew and Allison will build together.
The Ketubah is the Jewish wedding contract that outlines Andrew and Allison's promises to each other. It is an integral part of a Jewish marriage and a work of art. Our Ketubah was hand-painted for us from an amazing Jewish artist, Anna Abramzon (aaketubah.com). You can view the Ketubah under our pictures section. As Allison and Andrew love to travel, the Ketubah incorporates various stuffed animals they have given to each other to symbolize all of the locations they have visited.
The Sheva Brachot, also known as the Seven Blessings, are the seven traditional Jewish wedding blessings. Allison and Andrew have chosen Cantor Mark Levine to recite them.
Mazel Tov! There are many theories as to the reason behind this tradition. Some believe that it is a reference to the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Others believe it is a reminder that during marriage, one should always act with the best intentions; once something dishonorable has been done, it cannot be undone in the same way the glass can never be fully repaired. Andrew and Allison will place the glass shards in a custom mezuzah to always remember this moment in their lives.