A Queer Jewish Wedding in New York City

Some weddings just feel like home, you know? That was definitely the case for Sarah (she/her) and Miriam’s (she/her) celebration in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. These two met in college back in 2018, fell hard over a bookstore café date, and built a life together, navigating long-distance, a courthouse marriage, and finally, a wedding day that felt completely, unapologetically them.

They chose to host their ceremony at MyMoon, a cosy, rustic venue with year-round greenery and the kind of charm that feels effortlessly romantic. With the help of an all-star team (including One 15 Events and Charlyn Photography), they blended Jewish traditions with modern, personal touches, like circling each other under the chuppah and walking down the aisle hand-in-hand.

From writing their vows with the same pen they used to sign their ketubah, to a dance floor that didn’t quit (thanks to DJ Peter Piper), this Brooklyn wedding was heartfelt, grounded, and completely full of joy.

Why did you decide to have a long engagement, and how did the timeline work for you?

We got engaged in 2020, legally married in 2022, and had our Jewish wedding ceremony in 2024. Each milestone came when it felt right. There wasn’t pressure to rush, we waited until we were emotionally and logistically ready. Honestly, the timeline was perfect for us. It gave us time to save, plan, and soak in each part of the journey.

What drew you to MyMoon in Williamsburg for your wedding venue?

We wanted somewhere that felt both intimate and beautiful, and we completely fell in love with MyMoon’s rustic design and its year-round greenery. It had the right vibe: warm, romantic, and a little whimsical.

The courtyard ended up being the perfect spot for our first look, and the whole space just fit us.

Let’s talk wedding planning. How did you stay organised and choose your vendors?

We had an incredible planner, Katie from One 15 Events, who kept everything on track. We truly couldn’t have done it without her. We divided tasks based on our strengths, Sarah picked the DJ (because she’s the music person) and Miriam handled the design stuff like our signage and website (artist brain!).

When choosing vendors, we went with people we vibed with. That was the biggest thing. We built a team of women, queers, and people of colour who made us feel seen and supported. It made a huge difference.

Absolutely. Our Jewish heritage is really important to us, and we wanted to honour that while also making it feel modern and personal. We were married under a chuppah, which symbolises the home we’re building together. Instead of the traditional seven blessings, we asked friends and family to each offer a blessing on themes like Love, Humor, Community, and Art.

We both smashed the glasses (because equality!), and we’re planning to have the shards turned into a kiddush cup, which is a special keepsake from the day.

Were there any traditions you chose to adapt or skip entirely?

Oh, definitely. We’re not fans of the “giving away” tradition, so we walked down the aisle together – which felt so right for us.

During the ceremony, instead of one partner circling the other seven times (a traditional part of a Jewish wedding), we each did three circles, then one final one around the chuppah together. It was symbolic and deeply meaningful.

Also, no parent dances for us. Not our vibe. But we did have a spontaneous last dance to “Let’s Stay Together,” with everyone we love circling around us. It was magic.

Sarah’s obsession with spreadsheets came in very handy. We tracked everything in Excel and set up a joint savings account a couple years before the wedding. That helped us feel less overwhelmed when it came time to pay deposits.

Also, we kept it simple where we could, our cake was from a local bakery and decorated by Miriam’s sister, which saved money and made it more personal.

We also opted for Something Borrowed Blooms for our florals, which was both budget-friendly and stunning.

What advice would you give other LGBTQ+ couples planning their wedding?

Do what feels good for you, not what’s expected. Traditions are great if they resonate, but don’t be afraid to adapt or skip them entirely. Build a team of vendors who see you, respect you, and celebrate you.

And, honestly? Don’t underestimate how grounding a good spreadsheet can be.