Lauri Aginsky and Charles Stern met in a nightclub during their Freshman year at Emory University in 2000. They ended up talking until the sun came up and have been together ever since! Lauri was caught off guard by the proposal when she was having a Shabbat dinner with her family, and, although he was studying at Cornell Law School (five hours outside of New York) there Charles was for dinner! After the meal, he said that they should go for ice cream, but ended up taking Laurie to The Boat House where he had rented a small boat for the night and proposed in front of the Statue of Liberty!
Nowhere spells romance like the Cape vineyards, and Webersburg Wine Estate was the perfect location for this gorgeous Jewish affair! Due to the chilly August air, guests were treated to a hot chocolate latté on arrival, and enjoyed meeting and greeting one another to the background music of the Klezmer musicians.
After their entrance, the Groom and Groomsmen stood in anticipation under the Chuppa for the entrance of the ladies and the much awaited Bride. The familiar sound of “Baruch Habah” announced her arrival, and the Ceremony had begun! Complimented by the choir and the voice of the cantor, the Ceremony was absolutely beautiful.
Once the legal aspects had been seen to, guests were treated to cocktails and wine on the wooden deck overlooking the stunning dam which makes Webersburg so breathtaking. With a jazz duo completing the atmosphere, canapés including sashimi, sushi and springrolls were served and enjoyed by all.
Upon entrance to the Reception, the Horah was danced and guests returned to their seats for a delicious meal beginning with ginger and orange infused butternut soup, and continuing to a main course buffet of a variety of fish, pasta and salad dishes – prepared to perfection. Once the benching had taken place and the African Surprise had performed, Stevie Wonder called Lauri and Charles to the dance floor with “I believe when I fall in love” for their opening dance. A decadent dessert buffet of bite-size treats was served along with wedding cake later in the evening, and the sounds of the Blaze Band ensured an evening of dancing and enjoyment...and we all know that nobody can have a party quite like the Jewish folks; they know how it’s done!
Lauri’s favourite moment of the day was the bedecking where Charles had to check whether he had the right Bride! “All the ladies in my family and bridesmaids were standing behind me and we could hear the men singing and walking towards us. It was very exciting.”
We also had the honour of sharing this one with the Top Billing Lifestyle Show! We were delighted to help coordinate this wedding for Lauri and Charles, coming all the way from New York. “The Aleit team was amazing and had thought about everything before we did – such attention to detail!!!! I could not imagine the wedding without them.”
Lauri’s advice to other couples tying the knot is short and sweet – “Just have FUN!”
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