black tie Archives - The Kenneys - Memphis Wedding & Portrait Photographers

Matt and Leah: A Temple Israel Wedding

by Savannah | Dec 2, 2016 | WEDDINGS

One of our favorite parts of photographing Jewish weddings is how involved the family is in the ceremonies. At Leah and Matt’s wedding at Temple Israel we absolutely fell in love with both of their families! Both families were so excited for the marriage of Leah and Matt and the day was filled with tears, laughter, and endless dancing!

Leah’s sister, Rachel, is a rabbi and she performed the ceremonies for the couple and hands and we might be a little biased but the words she spoke that day were absolutely perfect! The personal touches she brought to the day had nearly everyone in tears and you could tell she put so much thought and love into this special day for her sister. Leah’s sister Anna is a makeup artist and did the most amazing job on Leah’s makeup. Seeing the Bearman sisters come together to use their individual gifts to help make the day so special was heart warming! And Matt’s sister got to be a part of the unique sisterhood that day! Seeing the unity of families was absolutely perfect!

We can’t forget how both sets of parents came together to bless their children during the ketubah signing. This is one of our favorite parts of the Jewish wedding, the intimacy that this ceremony holds is incredibly special. We loved seeing Matt’s parents supporting their son and his bride. The moment when Papa Leo tried to share his handkerchief with Leah, had us in tears! Leah’s dad kept stealing hugs and with his daughter and his own wife. These little moments of tenderness are what makes us love both of these families so much!

And Leah and Matt, you stole our hearts nearly a year ago when we first met you and on your wedding day you continued to show us why we love you so such as a couple. As Leah was getting ready all she could talk about was finally seeing Matt, she wanted him by her side all day. And as they did their first look we saw a Matt fought back tears at the sight of his glorious bride.

When they are in each others arms, they are complete. We talked to their family members before the wedding and they all showed us that when Leah and Matt are together their souls unite to form a bright light, a light that is brightest when they are together. Their connection lights up a room and you want to draw them into your life so you can be filled with the light that is in them.

Leah, Matt and both of your families, thank you for sharing your brightness with us. We are greater people because we have met you and share in your joy and happiness!!

We love that Leah and Matt took a little break on their day to sit alone and enjoy a glass of wine together. Every couple should have some time alone on their day to soak in all that is happening!

We normally love to end on the couple but this photograph of Leah’s dad gets to us every time we see it. David stood by himself for a couple minutes after the couple drove away and he watched the car until it completely gone. The untied bow tie, the streamers surrounding him, and his small smile sum up what we think ever dad feels as their little girls drive away on their wedding day, a hint of sadness that a chapter in her life is closing but pride and happiness as a new chapter is starting for her.