Their Vendors
Ceremony & Reception: Northern Valley Affairs at Temple Emanu-El, 201.750.0333, www.northernvalleyaffairs.com
Gown: Callie Tein, at Modern Trousseau
Bridesmaids: Custom Made
Tux: Ike Behar
Photographer & Cinematographer: Andre Reichmann
Makeup: Adina Fand Makeup
Hair: Stephanie Di Sanza
Florist: Papaya Events, Raphi Heimowitz
Cake: Northern Valley Affairs
Hybrid DJ/Band: Krohma Music
Party Planner: Perfect Plans by Lisa
Debra & Tal | Northern Valley Affairs | Closter, NJ
Debra & Tal's Wedding
Why We Chose Our Venue ...
“We always wanted to get married at Northern Valley Affairs at Temple Emanu-El. I loved the temple sanctuary and the antique dome is exquisite. The stone exterior is gorgeous, and it was special to have a meaningful ceremony and a stellar reception all in one venue.
“Meeting Les Friedman, the owner, and Marty Maged, the general manager, sealed the deal. They were amazing. They had a whole checklist to keep us on track, were incredibly organized, and helped choreograph the whole event. Their valuable experience and advice helped ensure our wedding turned out exactly as we hoped.”
“Awe-Inspiring”
Tal and I were high school sweethearts. We met in 11th grade and went on a date to Starbucks, where he bought me a reusable coffee mug that I still have. A few months later we were boyfriend and girlfriend! After high school, we both took a gap year and went to Israel. We weren’t together, though, and when we came home we knew we never wanted to be apart. We discussed getting married and made a general timeline, but Tal decided to surprise me. He spoke to our parents, and six months before I was expecting anything, he proposed. We were watching TV when suddenly the show cut to a screen saying, “We interrupt this program for an important message.” He began a touching speech, got down on one knee, and proposed. Our family came over about half an hour later. It was everything I wanted.
We always wanted to get married at Northern Valley Affairs at Temple Emanu-El. I loved the temple sanctuary and the antique dome is exquisite. The stone exterior is gorgeous, and it was special to have a meaningful ceremony and a stellar reception all in one venue. Meeting Les Friedman, the owner, and Marty Maged, the general manager, sealed the deal. They were amazing. They had a whole checklist to keep us on track, were incredibly organized, and helped choreograph the whole event. Their valuable experience and advice helped ensure our wedding turned out exactly as we hoped. Plus, the tasting was, as my husband puts it, one of the best nights of his life. The catering is incredible!
The day began with my bedekken and Tal’s tisch. It was a beautiful day and I was outside sitting with the women in my family and my bridesmaids as everyone greeted me. Tal was in another room having plenty of fun with our fathers and his friends. We both had plenty of food and drinks available. Passed hors d’oeuvres included horseradish-crusted steak, sesame-crusted chicken, savory waffle cones filled with tuna tartar, and a Romanian barbecue with a chef cooking right in front of our guests. Everyone loved it. My dad and I especially loved the sushi bar!
The men danced Tal over to me for my unveiling, and it was an emotionally poignant moment with so much family around me. My father and Tal’s father blessed me, and it was overwhelmingly special. Our ceremony, in the awe-inspiring sanctuary, looked like the Garden of Eden. Our chuppah stood with beautiful ombre flowers and greenery hanging down over us and we felt secluded in a grand but sacred place with our loved ones. My father-in-law sang me and Tal back down the aisle and we went into a quiet room to have a moment to enjoy the array of food. We hadn’t spoken to each other for a week before the wedding to build up the anticipation, so we were grateful to be alone for a few moments to bask in the excitement with each other.
For our reception design, our party planner did an amazing job transforming my thoughts into our wonderful decor. My colors were lavender and silver with the room uplit in a subtle deep-purple. We had three different flower arrangements. My favorite mimicked the hanging florals in our chuppah. It was a tall rectangular structure with flowers hanging along the center and draped over the top. When I first saw the room, it took my breath away.
Our reception had three sets of music for dancing: traditional orthodox, modern Israeli, and modern hits. The energy in the room was so high and no one ever wanted to leave the dance floor. For dinner I had the chicken roulade with an amazing mushroom risotto stuffing, chateaubriand, and branzino. Desserts like chocolate chip cookies with vanilla shake shots were passed around on the dance floor, and our cake was a naked vanilla cake decorated with fresh flowers.
Our parents deserve all the thanks in the world for supporting us and our wedding dreams. Our party planner, Lisa, was a big help in planning. Les and Marty, thank you for orchestrating the night and making everything come together beautifully. To my dressmaker, Callie, thank you for your creativity and my gorgeous cathedral veil. To our family and friends, you made our wedding extra special by being there. Tal and I wouldn’t have a single thing any other way!
Northern Valley Affairsat Temple Emanu-El, Closter, NJ, 201.750.0333, northernvalleyaffairs.com
