On the day of Mushky and Saadya’s wedding, I awoke with a smile on my face. Three years ago, I shot Mimi’s (Saadya’s sister) wedding, so I was already familiar with a large part of the family and was very anxious to see everyone again. I had also met Saadya three months before at Shloimy and Marcy’s wedding (again a referral thanks to Mimi).
Saadya travels all over the world as a Chabad Rabbi to places far afield like Cambodia and Nepal. On the wedding day, he had just returned from Israel, where he was taking part in Taglit (Birthright), a program that sponsors trips for young Jewish people from all over to visit Israel. He was so enthusiastic about Israel and I felt great joy to see how much love he holds towards my people and country. It was also so much fun to talk to him in Hebrew (I was so impressed by his fluent Hebrew.) Saadya is one of the rabbis of the Chabad-Lubavitch community, and as such, the wedding took place in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, the official headquarters of the Chabad movement worldwide.
Everyone these days, for better of worse, puts on a facade from time to time, but one does not get that impression from Saadya in the least. He comes across to me as someone who is as real, down to earth and genuine as they come, with an incredibly sweet nature. I hadn’t met Mushky until the wedding day itself, and so my only initial impression was how strikingly beautiful she was with that Ginger Rogers glow. Of course as the day wore on I could easily see what Saadya saw in her- all her beauty only accentuates that at her soul, she is a very deep and caring person.
I heard a Rabbi once half-jokingly declare that one should never marry for love. Of course, we all marry for love, but what he meant was that we should not marry for the type of love or infatuation that is at its height at the wedding day. We should marry instead for the type of love that will build over the years, and so on the wedding day, it will be in fact at its starting point. I was reminded of this because Saadya met Mushy only three months before the wedding, after Mushky’s roommate introduced them . Of course, their love for each-other was clear and abiding, but at the same time I could see that it will be a love that will deepen with each passing day as they build their lives and families together. It is that innocence and purity that I found undeniably inspiring- that need to capture not only what lay before my lens, but also a hint of the depths that will be.
I must add as well that I was also delighted to see Mimi and Moshe again and even more thrilled to see their child! I feel such excitement when I get to see the child of a couple that I shot. It always feels a bit surreal to capture their love together on the wedding day, and then quicker than a camera shutter can open and close (even in bright light :), there is a child and a family. And can you imagine, Mimi was again pregnant, sporting a full 9-month belly and was four days past the due-date (!). I imagined her water breaking and creating this massive scene, but it didn’t happen and instead Mimi hit the dance floor with full energy. Only two days later her baby arrived. So, in this one post, I must extend my congratulations from two people to four and send all my love and wishes to Saadya & Mushky and Moshe & Mimi!
Vendor List:
Flower Designer: Mimulo
Music: Eli Marcus with Nagila Orchestra
Make Up Artist: Susan Horowitz
Hairstylist: Daniella Chayo
Shoes: Stewart Weisman
Dress: Custom made in Italy
Groom’s Clothes: A.M. BeSpoke
Here is a sneak peak of some of their photos:
by admin