The huppah (or chuppah) is probably the most distinctive element of the Jewish wedding. The huppah is made of a tallis or beautiful cloth held aloft over the bride and groom by four poles. Holding the poles is a special honor, given to family or friends that the bride and groom wish to honor. The chuppa creates a beautiful focal point for the wedding. The huppah represents he Jewish home that the bride and groom will make together. It is open on all sides, symbolizing that guests will always be welcome in their home.

We don’t discuss the religious aspect of marriage here at Manolo for the Brides very often. It’s not that we have a problem with it, but rather, I think, because we consider it a matter between our readers and their various visions of God…or lack thereof. If you have a religious tradition, then you know whom to turn to for advice: the spiritual leader of your faith community. NtB and I are here to help you with fashion, etiquette, pretty or tasty things, and the emotional aspects of your wedding journey. Frankly, that’s quite enough to have on two plates. And while I can’t speak for NtB on this, I know that any spiritual advice you got from me would be highly suspect to any organized religion going.

But there are a few places where the spiritual and the fashionable meet and there’s one I’m a bit surprised I’ve never tackled or seen tackled in this space before: the chuppah.

As noted above in a quote from this interfaith marriage advice site, the chuppah is a deeply meaningful symbol of home, hearth, and hospitality. Those are three things I can absolutely get behind. Of course, since Mr. Twistie and I are both utter heathens entirely without any known Jewish background on either side, we did not have a chuppah, but I have always loved them. So today I thought it would be fun to look for some examples of what’s going on in chuppah art today and pass on a few sources to anyone who might be in the market. The one at the top of the article, incidentally, may be found here. I love the colors and the joyful flowers.

Of course, there’s more than one way to show joy, and this one tickled my funny bone. It’s definitely not for everyone, but I love the graphic quality of it. If the bride and groom are fond of comic books or graphic novels, this might well float their boat.

The same site, though, has less…cartoonish ones, as well. Take, for instance, this one. That’s quite a work of art.

And speaking of gorgeous, I’ve quite fallen in love with this one. After all, it has peacocks and peacocks are glorious things.

If you’re looking for a chuppah, or for ideas in creating your own, check out the sites I’ve noted or do a search of your own. There are some gorgeous ideas out there sure to fit your taste and your budget.

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Once upon a time, men in a country on the eve of its birth laid down their lives to cast off the yoke of tyranny. In the present day, those of us who live in the grand ol’ U.S. of A. celebrate their sacrifice by setting off Chinese fireworks, drinking too much, and laughing our butts off at people dressed in red, white, and blue.

Not that there’s anything wrong with dressing in red, white, and blue. In fact, a smart nautically-inspired suit that makes one think that one might like to travel back in time to the 30s can look chic and sharp! Generally, however, I think I’d prefer to wear my reds, whites, and blues separately or in groupings of two to avoid any erroneous implications. I say think because my everyday uniform is black on black with a little touch of black.

For those who can pull off color or the lack of it without looking like some crazed she-beast, here are three luscious frocks — two from Nicole Miller and one from Vera Wang — that could conceivable be used to send a message like “I love America” or “Why settle for something from David’s Bridal” or “Hey, I’m not afraid to grab two friends and make a spectacle of myself on a patriotic parade float.”

Looking at this gown lineup, I can even imagine some bride-to-be who loves her country very much dressing her bridesmaids in red and blue…hey, I said I could picture it in my head, not that I would actually suggest someone actually do that.

Happy Fourth!

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I’m sorry to say that even though both The Beard and I would have liked to have had a bounce house at our wedding, we did not include it in our budget. Even after my mom told us that we should get one — there would, after all, be kids at the wedding — we still didn’t seriously entertain the idea. It just seemed so…silly.

Looking back a year later, I rather regret our decision. Look at how much fun the bride and groom in the snapshot above are having…and if that’s not a genuinely superb photo op then I don’t know what is. Plus, how many opportunities will I have in the future to rent my very own bounce house? Perhaps none!

The point is, if you’re contemplating doing something goofy at your wedding but you’re afraid of what people will think, forget about popular opinion and throw caution to the wind. As a friend of mine once said, no one ever tells the bride that the wedding sucked. There will always be people who will look askance at your choices — the gluten-free cake, the electric purple wedding gown, the dunk tank, etc. — but it’s not their wedding, and if they have the gall to share their negative opinions, they’ve just shown you what sort of human beings they really are.

While circumstances may force you to make certain concessions, you shouldn’t ever have to subdue your personality!

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I was recently interviewed for an article in the NY Post, and it’s looking like I will be jetting off to NY tomorrow to film a TV segment. More on that later!

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Pnina Tornai is an Israeli designer with a flair for over-the-top bridal fashion. She eschews both convention and proofreaders — the best sentence on her site has to be “In the last to years Pnina has expended herself over seas.” Is there anything left? Let’s have a look!

I, too, would adopt a sullen expression if I were forced to walk a runway with a bouquet of dahlia’s affixed to my skull. A similar bunch of blooms appears to be sprouting from the model’s right shoulder.

The outfit above gives me an idea for a new reality show: My Ghetto-Fabulous Mother-in-Law. For some mysterious reason I just can’t see a bride wearing this…I wonder why!

I won’t lie — this dress takes me by the throat and forces me to love it. Yet I know I would automatically fear the bride who chose it, for she must be as fierce as a tigress and as dark as the outskirts of the universe.

What can I say? Would you believe me if I said that Pnina “borrowed” this idea from Frederick’s of Hollywood shortly after she “expended herself.”

I kid, I kid! It’s because I love! For every horrorshow Pnina Tornai creates, she whips up a stunning gown to balance it out. I don’t know why I’ve been so obsessed with the not-so-great lately — think wedding sneakers and bridenapping toppers — but I’m making a mental note to focus more on all things beautiful in the future. Really…I promise.

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