Periodical Supplement to Cleveland Jewish News, September 25, 2026
Fashion. Trends. Love.
Fall 2026
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CONTENTS Fall 2026
Seth and Beth Photography
Scott Shaw
14 Carolyn Reis & Graham Cline
Spotlight
OPENERS
FEATURES
DETAILS
10 Editor’s Note
12 Etiquette Explained
26 Something New to Say “I Do” to
Finding “the dress” doesn’t always go according to plan.
A wedding planner answers your biggest questions in preparation for the big day.
New and newly expanded wedding venues are giving Northeast Ohio couples more ways to make the big day their own.
Spotlight
18 Finding the One On her first wedding dress appointment, Samantha Starkoff learns that finding the right gown starts with figuring out what feels like you.
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Jstyle Weddings 2026
22 Kailey Edelman & Robbie Hirschsohn
36 Glow Your Own Way From skin care and cosmetic treatments to fashion and final details, Hallie Abrams shares her approach to feeling your best for the big day.
jstylemagazine.com
CONTENTS Fall 2026
Genevieve Nisly Photography
Jessica Vidmar
Spotlight
32 Melanie Adelstein & Tom Rodriguez
DETAILS
FOOD
42 Rethinking
52 Raise the Bar
the Rock
For generations, a bigger engagementring diamond generally meant a bigger price tag. But over the past five years, that equation has changed.
Couples are putting their own spin on cocktail hour with personalized drinks, interactive food and experiences designed to get guests talking.
CLOSERS 58 Hora Party time!
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Jstyle Weddings 2026
Spotlight Periodical Supplement to Cleveland Jewish News, September 25, 2026
Fashion. Trends. Love.
48 Sydney Kaufman & Lior Melnick
On the cover
Fall 2026
Melanie Adelstein on her wedding day to Tom Rodriguez at Windows on the River in Cleveland on March 28, 2026. The dental school classmates knew each other for nine years before saying “I do.” Cover photo by Jessica Vidmar
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What are the Chances? here’s nothing quite like the feeling of finding your wedding dress.
At least, that’s what I thought. Years ago, when I was planning my own wedding, I went home to New Jersey for Thanksgiving and spent a day wedding dress shopping with my mom and grandma. And that’s when I found it: the dress. It was strapless, with a fitted, ruched bodice and a full, ruffled skirt. I loved it. It felt perfect. Even better, it was going on sale the next day. That night, I was talking to a friend who was also engaged. Her fiance was my future husband’s best friend and business partner, and because she was getting married a few months before me, we had been comparing wedding notes along the way. I told her I had found my dress. “That’s so exciting,” she said. Then I asked to see hers. She sent me a photo. It was the exact same dress. What are the chances? I wish I could say I laughed immediately. I did not. I was devastated. I had found “the one,” only to discover that someone very close to me had found the exact same one first. It felt weirdly like dating: I thought the search was over, and suddenly I was back out there. For the next month or so, I mourned my dress more than I care to admit. Eventually, though, I went shopping again, this time in Washington, D.C., and found something completely different: a oneshouldered, mermaid-style gown that, looking back, was probably much more me. My mom and I later bought it together in Cleveland. And when my friend walked down the aisle in the dress I had once been convinced was mine? It looked perfect on her. I thought about that story while we were creating this issue of JStyle Weddings, particularly our new “Say Yes to the Dress”-style feature, in which we tagged along with brideto-be Samantha Starkoff for her first bridal appointment. What I love about her experience is that it isn’t really about finding a dress in one afternoon. It’s about learning what feels like her — what overwhelms her, what bores her 10
Jstyle Weddings 2026
Publisher & CEO Kevin S. Adelstein Vice President of Sales Adam Mandell Editor Rebecca Meiser editor@jstylemagazine.com Creative Director Stephen Valentine Editor, Cleveland Jewish News Bob Jacob CFO Tracy Singer Digital Marketing Manager Courtney Byrnes Events Manager Gina Lloyd
Becky with her grandmother on her wedding day — one year after the wedding-dress shopping trip that helped inspire this editor’s note.
Events Coordinator Sam Spiegle
and what makes her look in the mirror and think, “This is me.” That idea carries through so many of the weddings and stories in this issue. The couples we spotlight make choices that reflect who they are: building their own chuppah, incorporating family members into Jewish traditions, filling cocktail hour with food and drinks that tell a story, choosing a lab-grown or natural diamond based on what matters most to them, even hiring a barber so the groom and his friends can have their own version of the getting-ready experience. In the end, I got a dress I loved. My friend got a dress she loved. And, perhaps most importantly, we did not walk down the aisle in matching gowns. Years later, the dress mix-up is one of those wedding-planning stories I still love to tell. This issue is filled with stories like that — funny, meaningful, unexpected and rooted in the people and traditions that make each wedding personal. We hope you enjoy getting to know them.
Columbus Bureau Chief Becky Raspe
Warmly,
Rebecca (Becky) Meiser Editor, JStyle Weddings Becky is also the Director of Volunteers, Community and Program Development at Jewish Women in Action Cleveland.
Editorial Kateryna Kopylchak, Jimmy Oswald, Martha Sorohan, Casey Swinarski
Operations Manager Abby Royer Custom Publishing Manager Paul Bram Sales & Marketing Manager Andy Isaacs Advertising Marilyn Evans, Adam Jacob, Nell V. Kirman, Sherry Tilson, Danielle Enger Senior Designer Jessica Simon Designers Hannah McConihe, Ricki Urban Digital Content Producers Stephanie Holmes, Daniel Newman Business & Circulation Alisa Guseynov, Amanda LaLonde Contributors Ed Carroll, Noell Wolfgram Evans, Hillary Stone, Carlo Wolff Subscriber Services 216-342-5185/circulation@cjn.org Display Advertising 216-342-5204 advertising@jstylemagazine.com
VOL. 150 NO. 42 CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS (ISSN-0009-8825) is published weekly with additional supplement issues in February, March, April, June, August, September, October, and twice in December, by The Cleveland Jewish Publication Company at 23880 Commerce Park, Suite 1, Cleveland, OH 44122-5380. Single copy $1.25. Periodicals Postage paid at Cleveland, OH and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to the Cleveland Jewish News, 23880 Commerce Park, Suite 1, Cleveland, OH 44122-5380.
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A MODERN MASTERPIECE. 1 1 1 5 0 E a s t B o u l e v a r d , C l e ve l a n d p rove n a n c e c l eve l a n d . c o m @ eve n t s a t c m a G en evi eve Ni sl y Photography
Etiquette Explained
A wedding planner answers your biggest questions in preparation for the big day.
W
BY REBECCA MEISER
eddings bring together family, friends and plenty of opinions, which means even the happiest celebrations can come with a few tricky situations.
What happens when a guest RSVPs for someone who wasn’t invited? Is it OK to invite someone from a second round of the guest list? Who walks the bride down the aisle when parents are divorced or remarried, or when stepparents are involved? And as phones and artificial intelligence become increasingly woven into everyday life, couples are also navigating newer questions about social media, unplugged ceremonies and even using AI to help write vows and speeches. JStyle turned to Kim Singerman, owner of Solon-based Noteworthy Events, for advice on handling some of the etiquette questions couples may encounter while planning their wedding. From setting boundaries with guests to keeping the most personal parts of the day personal, Singerman shares how couples can navigate potentially awkward situations with clarity and consideration. Her responses have been edited for clarity and brevity. What do you do when someone RSVPs for people who weren’t actually invited? This happens more than people expect, and the key is catching it early and handling it directly. A phone call is best, not a text. You can reference the invitation itself, saying, “We addressed it to just the two of you,” rather than making it about the other person. Keep the reasoning simple: venue capacity or budget, whichever is true. Most people aren’t trying to overstep. They just assumed. A warm, direct conversation almost always resolves it without hard feelings. If someone declines the wedding invitation, can you then invite someone else without making that person feel like a second choice? We don’t typically suggest doing this, but if there are factors that make it necessary, like a venue with a hard guest cap that’s smaller than your full wish list, timing is everything. Send your first round of invitations early, earlier than feels normal. That gives you room to send a second round if you receive regrets without it happening so close to the wedding that it’s obvious to those guests they weren’t the first choice. The couples who struggle are the ones who send everything on a “normal” timeline and then have no room to maneuver. Couples shouldn’t invite people just to hit a bigger number. Your guest list should be intentional. It’s the people in the room who make the day feel special, not how many chairs are filled.
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How do you decide who walks the bride down the aisle when parents are divorced or remarried, or when stepparents are involved? There’s no single right answer. It’s a conversation the bride should have early with her family. If religious or cultural traditions apply, consider those first, since some have specific customs around the processional. Beyond that, it’s personal. Some brides split the walk between parents, some walk with a stepparent and some walk alone. Whatever she chooses should be respected. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Family members can still play meaningful roles in the wedding even if they aren’t the ones walking her down the aisle. Can couples ask guests not to take or post photos from the wedding on social media? What should they do if guests ignore the request? Yes, and unplugged ceremonies are more popular than ever. Couples want guests present, not filming through a phone screen, and they may not want photos posted online before they’re ready to share their day. We handle it with signage, a mention as guests arrive and a note on the wedding website. If someone ignores the request, we quietly step in as needed and when appropriate. For social media specifically, some couples take a softer approach and simply ask guests to hold off on posting until they’ve shared their own photos first. In any case, guests need to be respectful of the couple’s request. Is it appropriate to use AI to help write wedding vows, speeches or thank-you notes? Where do you draw the line between getting help and losing the personal touch? There’s a real difference between using AI to get unstuck and using it to write the version you actually deliver. Getting past writer’s block or organizing your thoughts is acceptable. Vows and speeches need to sound like you, and guests can usually tell when they don’t. Use AI to get past the blank page and help organize your own thoughts, not to write the final draft. Publisher’s Note: Kim Singerman is married to Paul J. Singerman, immediate past board chair of the Cleveland Jewish Publication Company. jstylemagazine.com
radiantbridecle.com
SPOTLIGHT
CAROLYN & GRAHAM
Seth and Beth Photography
Carolyn Reis & Graham Cline Wedding Day August 10, 2025 Landerhaven in Mayfield Heights Today Ages: 35 & 38 Residence: Columbus 14
Jstyle Weddings 2026
How did you meet? We met at the Young Jewish Columbus (YJC) Mazel Bash and again at a YJC hockey game. Each time we met, we ended up chatting, but at the time, we were both trying to be single. Fast-forward six months, when we matched on JSwipe and quickly set up a time to meet. Our first date was at Short North Tavern. The rest of the bar was doing a really loud trivia night, but we sat across from each other in our own bubble, having effortless conversation and a ton of fun. Do you have any interesting stories to share about getting to know one another? After about two months of dating, my (Carolyn) parents came down from Cleveland to Columbus to meet Graham for lunch and hang out. We went to this awful art gallery and a decent restaurant, but overall had a great time chatting and getting to know one another. My mother went home and had an NCJW (now JWA CLE) meeting where they asked how her weekend was. She said, “Great, I met my future son-in-law.” Everyone said, “Oh, congrats!” and she replied, “My daughter doesn’t know it yet.” How long did you know each other before you got married? We moved in together after five months, went ring shopping at seven months, got engaged at 13 months and married after just over two years of dating. When did you know you wanted to marry your partner? Graham: When I saw how each of us interacted with the other’s friends and family. All the other boxes were checked, and with how easily we each immersed ourselves in each other’s closest people, it became obvious. Carolyn: There wasn’t any one moment; it just felt like the most natural thing. From the start of our relationship, we were both equally invested and communicated really well.
jstylemagazine.com
About three months into dating, we took a road trip to Toronto to spend Rosh Hashanah with my extended family. I remember telling my aunt, “If he isn’t everything I’m looking for in a partner, then I don’t know what I’m looking for.” It still means so much to me how easily he fits into my family, how he invites my siblings over more than I do and how much they enjoy being around him. What was the best part of wedding planning? Getting to curate your vision for how you want to start your marriage. You get to show people, “This is what is important to us in our marriage.” For us, it was family, Judaism, friends and joy. Thinking of all the ways to incorporate those core beliefs into our wedding really is what made the long days of planning seem a little less overwhelming. Was there any spot-on advice you received prior to the big day, either in terms of the wedding or a lasting relationship? For the wedding, figure out the core principles of your wedding and how you want it to feel for the guests, and build everything with those in mind. Don’t do anything just because you think you are supposed to or because you see other people doing it on social media. Only do the things that have meaning to you. For your relationship, love each other for who you are right now, not the potential of what you could be. Communication is the foundation of your relationship. Invest in that foundation early and often, and continue to build on it over the course of your relationship. Were there any conflicts between the two of you or your families in the planning process? Did either of you have to make any sacrifices? Not really. Our families were extremely supportive, and there weren’t any strong opinions that we didn’t agree with. Graham and I had a unique take on our wedding: We had already made the important decision that we wanted to spend Jstyle Weddings 2026
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SPOTLIGHT
CAROLYN & GRAHAM the rest of our lives together. So the wedding wasn’t about us; it was about letting the people who wanted to celebrate us do just that and bringing our families together. We were just the special guests at my parents’ party. Neither of us particularly likes to be in the spotlight, so the only sacrifice we had to make in the process was adjusting our willingness to be the center of attention. What was the most fun or interesting Jewish aspect of your wedding or partnership? I (Carolyn) think our backgrounds with religion are really unique and interesting. I grew up in a Conservative Jewish family where we kept kosher, went to synagogue and attended Jewish summer camp, and I have fond memories of our extended family always getting together for Jewish holidays. Graham, meanwhile, grew up in a completely secular home. When he went to Ohio State and later joined AEPi, he wanted to understand more about the religion he was supposed to be a part of, so he threw himself into learning Hebrew, studying at the Columbus Kollel and being observant for a couple of years. So when we met, it was an interesting mix: He knew the “why” behind everything, and I had more of the cultural background. Is there anything else we didn’t ask about that’s unique to your wedding? We had a few unique features at our wedding. First, my hobby since college has been competitive ballroom dancing. We wanted to have a ballroom cocktail hour where we played ballroom music — waltz, tango, foxtrot, swing, cha-cha and rumba — and asked my friends to bring their dance shoes and dance as entertainment. Everyone loved seeing my hobby in real life. Second, many of our friends and family members have kids, and we really wanted this to be an event where everyone was welcome. We had a kids’ room right off the main room where we offered babysitting starting before the ceremony. There were
games, toys, crafts and even a kids’ bar where they could order Shirley Temples and soda. Third, when thinking about the getting-ready process and how the women usually spend all morning together getting quality time with their bridal party while hair and makeup are being done, Graham had the idea to hire his barber to come in that morning and offer the guys fresh cuts and beard trims. It was a huge hit. To view more photos from wedding Spotlights, visit jstylemagazine.com/spotlights
Wedding Details • Officiant: Rabbi Elle Muhlbaum, Congregation Mishkan Or • Dress: SGE Bridal Boutique in Gahanna • Wedding rings: Carolyn designed hers through Olive Ave • Hair: Agne Moraru at The Perfect Hair & Makeup in Solon • Makeup: Agne Moraru at The Perfect Hair & Makeup in Solon • Groom’s formalwear: Boris Custom Tailoring in Columbus • Ketubah: Ketubahs by Melody • Photographer: Seth and Beth Photography in Richfield • Videographer: Wild Bandit Studio in Cleveland • Planner/consultant: Alaina Reis • Reception site: Landerhaven • Catering: Driftwood Catering • Rehearsal dinner: Winking Lizard Event Space in Bedford Heights • Music/entertainment: DJ AXCESS • Accommodations: Staybridge Suites Cleveland Mayfield Heights • Registry: With Joy • Barbers: Rob Cayson and James Woodfolk
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Jstyle Weddings 2026
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TWO DESTINATIONS FOR
FINE WINE, INSPIRED DISHES AND LASTING MEMORIES.
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Findi
BY REBECCA MEISER
Samantha Starkoff tries on Martina Liana Style ML1999 at Brides by the Falls during her first-ever wedding dress appointment. The gown quickly became an early favorite. All photos by Hillary Stone.
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amantha Starkoff walked into Brides by the Falls looking surprisingly bridal for someone who had never tried on a wedding dress before. Starkoff, 27, a Solon High School graduate and retail brokerage associate with Colliers in Columbus, wore a long white dress with Birkenstocks and brought along her father, Jack Starkoff, her sister, Zoe Starkoff, her grandmother, Phyllis Jacobson and JStyle’s fashion director Hillary Stone. There would be no sleek, minimalist gown, for instance. “I don’t like boring,” Starkoff says. Beyond that, she was willing to experiment. A-line, fitted or flowy were all possibilities. Beading was welcome. So were appliqués. Sparkle? Definitely worth trying. There was also Sedona to consider. With an outdoor wedding planned among the mountains and red rocks of Arizona, whatever Starkoff chose needed to feel right for the setting. Jack, watching his daughter get ready to shop, offered a bit of foreshadowing before the first dress ever came out of the fitting room. “She wears her emotions on her sleeve,” he says. It would prove accurate. Every gown and every turn in the mirror seemed to register immediately on Starkoff’s face. And with that, she began her first-ever wedding dress appointment — with JStyle Weddings tagging along for its own version of Say Yes to the Dress. Dress No. 1: An Early Favorite Martina Liana Style ML1999 Sometimes the first dress sets the standard for everything that follows. Starkoff was drawn to this Martina Liana gown almost immediately, and it wasn’t hard to
jstylemagazine.com
ing the One
On her first wedding dress appointment, Samantha Starkoff learns that finding the right gown starts with figuring out what feels like you.
see why. The strapless gown featured a sweetheart neckline and sheer, corset-inspired bodice, with layers of lace and tulle covered in three-dimensional floral appliqués and shimmering beading. In other words, it was decidedly not boring. When Starkoff stepped out of the fitting room, her reaction was immediate. “I feel like a bride,” she says. The gown also introduced the first debate of the day: nude or ivory lining? Jack preferred ivory. Starkoff leaned nude. “I’ve maybe sold two in my life with the ivory,” Jennifer Esposito-Hatina, owner of Brides by the Falls, says, explaining that the nude lining allowed the embellishments to pop. But there was another consideration: Sedona. This one had something ethereal about it. “It has a Sedona-y feel to it,” Starkoff says. Then she found an even better description: “fairy mountain princess.” Suddenly, the day had a theme.
Dress No. 2: Beautiful — But Big Martina Liana Style 1718 The next gown proved why where you’re getting married can matter almost as much as what you love. It was dramatic. It was beautiful. It was also big. The full A-line gown featured a sheer corset bodice, threedimensional floral appliqués and a voluminous glitter-tulle skirt that shimmered with sequins. It was romantic and whimsical, with exactly the kind of detail Starkoff had says she wanted. But the moment she stepped out of the fitting room, there was one obvious problem. “This is huge,” Starkoff says. “This is a very large dress.” Jack agreed: “Too big.” Phyllis considered it. “Well, if you were five inches taller ...” The gown didn’t just look substantial. With its layers of fabric, appliqués, sequins and sizable train, it felt substantial, too — hardly ideal for a bride planning an outdoor wedding among Sedona’s red rocks. jstylemagazine.com
“If I wasn’t getting married on the mountains of Sedona,” Starkoff conceded, perhaps it would have been a different story. But she was. The gown was out. And Starkoff was beginning to understand what she wanted. The dress couldn’t overwhelm her. It couldn’t feel generic. Increasingly, it needed to look like it belonged in Sedona. The Surprise: Lea-Ann Belter Luanne Then came a gown Starkoff didn’t expect to like nearly as much as she did. The Luanne, from Lea-Ann Belter’s Versailles collection, was different from what she had been gravitating toward: a strapless, drop-waist gown with a dramatically full skirt covered in laser-cut organza anemone flowers. On the hanger, it looked like a lot of dress. But when Starkoff stepped out and began twirling in front of the mirror, her reaction surprised even her. Martina Liana Style 1718 offered the floral appliqués, sparkle and drama Starkoff wanted, but its voluminous skirt proved too much for her outdoor Sedona wedding.
Jstyle Weddings 2026
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“I kind of like it way more than I was expecting,” she says. Zoe saw the difference immediately. “It doesn’t overwhelm you like the other one,” she says. “This is very flattering on you.” The fitted bodice hugged Starkoff through the waist and toward the hips before opening into a voluminous skirt and translucent floral train. Unlike the sparkle and layered embellishments of the Martina Liana gowns, Luanne’s drama came from its oversized laser-cut organza flowers and more architectural silhouette. And despite its size, it didn’t feel nearly as heavy as Starkoff expected. “It doesn’t feel as heavy as I thought it would,” she says. Starkoff turned again in the mirror. “I kind of really like it.” “I didn’t think I’d like a ball gown,” she says. Esposito-Hatina noted that the silhouette leaned more A-line than a traditional ball gown. Either way, Luanne had become an unexpected contender. Pretty Isn’t Enough Not every gown inspired that kind of reaction. For another, Esposito-Hatina carefully arranged the train behind Starkoff as she stood before the mirror. “Nothing special,” Zoe says. Jack was slightly more diplomatic. “It’s pretty. It’s very traditional,” he says. “Maybe a little plainer than all the others. Is that what you’re feeling?” It was. “I’m a little bored,” Starkoff says. For a bride who had begun the day with one firm directive — “I don’t like boring” — that was enough. Other gowns came and went. “I know it’s flattering objectively — just not it,” Starkoff says of one. Another was pretty but “not blingy enough.” One was deemed “not wedding-dressy enough,” although Starkoff could envision it as “a good second dress.” “The others are more me,” she says. Little by little, “more me” was becoming easier to define. Starkoff was learning what overwhelmed her, what bored her and, perhaps most importantly, what made her feel like a bride. Two Dresses, One Decision Eventually, the search narrowed to two: Luanne and the Martina Liana gown that had started it all. “I love them both,” Starkoff tells her family. The choice wasn’t simply about which dress was more beautiful. It was about which looked and felt most at home in the wedding Starkoff was imagining in Sedona. “This one feels more Sedona,” she says as she returned to the Martina Liana. The three-dimensional florals helped. So did the veil. The overall effect was less traditional princess and more whimsical bride in the mountains. “It’s giving fairy,” Starkoff says. 20
Jstyle Weddings 2026
An unexpected contender, Lea-Ann Belter’s Luanne surprised Starkoff with its drop-waist silhouette and oversized floral details. The gown ultimately joined Martina Liana Style ML1999 as one of her two favorites.
Then, more definitively: “I’m going for whimsical.” Jack might not have gotten his way on every detail — Samantha remained firmly on Team Nude when it came to the lining — but he knew what he saw when he looked at his daughter. “You are breathtaking,” he told her. And one dress was beginning to pull ahead. The Dress — At Least for Today Starkoff put the first gown back on. “I feel like it’s me,” she says. With the veil in place, she could picture it: Sedona, the mountains and the sun setting behind her. “I love it so much.” Then came the question. “I think this is it,” Starkoff says. She turned to her family. “Can you see me getting married in this?” Jack could. “It’s beautiful, Sammy,” he told her. “You look like a bride.” If this had been an episode of Say Yes to the Dress, the credits might have rolled right there. But Starkoff left Brides by the Falls with a favorite — not a wedding dress. It was, after all, her first bridal appointment. And Jack encouraged his daughter to keep looking. “You’re only going to try on wedding dresses once,” Starkoff recalls him telling her. She might as well visit a second store, he reasoned, if only to make sure. So Starkoff did. She had walked into Brides by the Falls knowing mostly what she didn’t want: nothing boring, nothing that overwhelmed her and nothing that felt wrong for Sedona. She walked out knowing considerably more. And perhaps that was the real point of a first bridal appointment. Sometimes you find the dress. Sometimes you figure out what you’re looking for. jstylemagazine.com
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SPOTLIGHT
KAILEY & ROBBIE
Scott Shaw
Kailey Edelman & Robbie Hirschsohn Wedding Day March 21, 2026 StoneWater Golf Club & Venue in Highland Heights Today Ages: 32 & 36 Residence: Aurora Synagogue: Solon Chabad 22
Jstyle Weddings 2026
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How did you meet? We met on Hinge. Do you have any interesting stories to share about getting to know one another? I (Kailey) wouldn’t let Robbie pick spots for dates that were more than 25 minutes away from where I lived at first because I was so worried about being taken! I think our first three dates all took place within different establishments at Pinecrest! He was a great sport! How long did you know each other before you got married? We were together for a little over two years by the time we got married! When did you know you wanted to marry your partner? Kailey: The first time I knew I wanted to marry Robbie was when we were at The Tabletop Cafe in Ohio City. We were playing a game that asked a bunch of personal questions, and something came up about having to possibly relocate for a job. Anyone who knows me knows that I am immensely close with my family, and I had never wanted to ever move away from Cleveland. Then something changed, and Robbie had taken over as my person, and I knew that if we absolutely had to, I would absolutely move with Robbie if it meant us being together. That had never happened before. Thankfully, we are pretty comfortable in Cleveland and have no plans of moving! Robbie: When we went to Chicago. Kailey and I were just walking around at night, exploring the city, when Kailey came down with a need for cheesecake. It was late at night, and nothing was open, but we just kept walking around the city and somehow stumbled upon a bakery that sold cheesecake. Kailey was so excited, and I just knew that life with Kailey would be one worth staying around for! She is just so easy to be happy around — life is so easy and worth it with her!
What was the best part of wedding planning? The food tasting, 100%! We had heard that StoneWater’s food was great — but WOW! Was it beyond anything that we had in mind! Everything was delicious, and Whitney (Neidus) had made the whole process so fun and yummy! It was nice to take a moment to enjoy something that was less “demanding” in a time where everything felt like a life-or-death decision! We even took food home after our tasting!! Was there any spot-on advice you received prior to the big day, either in terms of the wedding or lasting relationship? Yes! We were told by some of our closest people to remember that it is OUR day! That as long as we put each other first and took time to enjoy OUR day before putting anyone else first, it would be the best day — and it was! Were there any conflicts between the two of you or your families in the planning process? Did either of you have to make any sacrifices? Of course we had normal wedding-related arguments here and there, but we were really good about not letting arguments take over the wedding planning process. What was the most fun or interesting Jewish aspect of your wedding/partnership? Robbie is very handy and decided he wanted to build our chuppah from scratch! At first, I was hesitant, especially because we wanted a big chuppah, but it ended up being one of my favorite aspects of our wedding! We spent the weeks prior to the big day building our chuppah together, and it turned out better than either of us could ever imagine! It’s really sweet to think about how we built our first Jewish “home” together! What else was unique about your wedding? We had our dogs, Patti and Tilly, walk down the aisle! Also — I (Kailey) forgot to walk down the aisle with my STUNNING wedding bouquet because my dad was making me laugh so I wouldn’t cry, and I got distracted!
To view more photos from wedding Spotlights, visit jstylemagazine.com/spotlights jstylemagazine.com
Jstyle Weddings 2026
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SPOTLIGHT
KAILEY & ROBBIE
Wedding Details • Officiant: Cantor Laurel Barr • Wedding colors: Spring florals • Dress: Brides by the Falls in Chagrin Falls Martina Liana Luxe gown • Wedding rings: Kailey’s engagement ring was from Robert Gabriel in Lyndhurst, and Kailey’s wedding band was from Jerry Gottlieb of Gottlieb & Sons in Beachwood • Jewelry: Kailey’s wedding earrings from Brides by the Falls • Veil: Brides by the Falls by Martina Liana • Hair: Caitlin Seither • Makeup: Ally (Benjamin) Davidson of Aleigh Beauty • Groom’s formalwear: Ticknors • Groomsmen: Men’s Wearhouse • Bouquet/flowers: The Budding Tree in Munroe Falls • Ketubah: Ketubah.com • Chuppah: Robbie and Kailey Hirschsohn
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• Photographer: Scott Shaw at Scott Shaw Photography in Rocky River • Videographer: Scott Shaw • Planner/consultant: Melissa Miller of Pink Gorilla Balloons & Events and Whitney Neidus from StoneWater • Reception site: StoneWater Golf Club & Venue • Cake/sweets: Mitchell’s Ice Cream; wedding cake by Robbie’s mom, Ruth Hatchuel • Catering: StoneWater • Rehearsal dinner: Geraci’s in Pepper Pike • Invitations/stationery: Minted • Music/entertainment: Eric Smith of The Cleveland Music Group • Accommodations: Cleveland Marriott East and AC Hotel Cleveland Beachwood, both in Warrensville Heights • Registries: Zola • Honeymoon: Japan
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Something ” New to Say “ I Do To
New and newly expanded wedding venues are giving Northeast Ohio couples more ways to make the big day their own. BY NOELL WOLFGRAM EVANS
A
country club that’s traded golf carts for guest lists. A former movie theater turned rustic-glam event hall. A glass pyramid where couples can say “I do” surrounded by rock ’n’ roll history — soon joined by a dedicated event space designed to make weddings there possible in a whole new way. Northeast Ohio’s wedding scene is welcoming new and newly expanded venues, giving couples more choices for where — and how — to celebrate. The region has always had its beloved traditional venues, the ones where “I dos” have echoed through the same halls for generations. But newer options are adding something different to the mix: indoor and outdoor spaces, modern and rustic settings, and places guests may never have imagined as wedding venues.
The best offer an element of surprise — the jaw-drop, whispered “I had no idea” — without overshadowing the couple at the center of it all. These three venues show how the region’s wedding landscape is evolving, each offering couples and their families a distinctly different experience.
Aurora Meadows
50 Trails End, Aurora It wasn’t all that long ago that the only “I love you” heard here was a golfer talking to their putter after sinking a long shot. That’s because Aurora Meadows sits on the site — and in the building — of the former Aurora Country Club. “We have over six acres of green space,” managing partner Brittany Rutkowski says. Gone are the actual greens, replaced
Aurora Meadows, on the grounds of the former Aurora Country Club, offers more than six acres of green space, including landscaped grounds for outdoor wedding ceremonies. Photo courtesy of Aurora Meadows.
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A newlywed couple, Dan and Katie Flower, walks the grounds at Honey Hill in Chagrin Falls, a new wedding and special-events venue created by Hungry Bee owners Kimberly McCune Gibson and Jimmy Gibson. Photo courtesy of Dan and Katie Flower.
by landscaped grounds and a horseshoe garden built for outdoor ceremonies. When Rutkowski began transforming the former country club in 2022, one goal was to blur the line between indoors and out. Large windows do double duty, framing views of the gardens while flooding the rooms with natural light. “We wanted to create a place here that was new, fresh and modern,” she says. The result is also flexible: Rooms can be closed off for something intimate or opened up for celebrations of up to 300 people. Aurora Meadows partners exclusively with A Taste of Excellence for catering, though Rutkowski says the venue can work with outside partners when a menu needs to meet specific dietary or religious requirements. Couples can also lean on sister company B. Lovely for planning and day-of logistics — a relationship Rutkowski says pays off in the details. “Because they know us so well, they can really help keep track of all of the pieces and parts that make a day a success.” Since then, the venue has continued to evolve, including the addition of an en suite bathroom in one of its bridal parlors, giving brides and their parties more privacy before the ceremony. Few 28
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guests realize the venue is built to accommodate the whole day, from start to finish. “Brides will arrive early to get ready, and then we love seeing them come out of the parlor in their pajamas to check on the space as we’re setting up tables,” Rutkowski says. Her favorite part of the job, though, happens before any of that — before the doors even open. “Those two seconds when we’re getting the bride’s dress ready, before the doors open and you know that everyone’s lives are about to change — that’s the tingle moment every single week.”
Honey Hill at The Hive
8200 East Washington St., Chagrin Falls Honey Hill took an unexpected route to becoming one of the area’s newest wedding venues. Years ago, owners Kimberly McCune Gibson and Jimmy Gibson could be found behind the counter of the Hungry Bee, their small, communityfocused carryout shop. That grew into The Hive, an eatery and entertainment destination — and now Honey Hill, a space built specifically for weddings and other special events. The venue was previously home to Chagrin Cinemas, a multi-screen movie jstylemagazine.com
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A rendering shows Baker Hall, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s first dedicated event space. Set to open in December, the new space will give couples another option for weddings and receptions at the museum. Photo courtesy of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
theater that operated in the location for more than three decades. The main event room blends rustic and modern elements, with dark wooden beams, abundant natural light and touches of glamour. It holds up to 400 guests, with room for a dance floor and grand entrance. Katie and Dan Flower got married there in June, among the venue’s first weddings. “When we first toured it, it was still under construction, but there was just something about the space that I knew would be perfect,” Katie says. That instinct held once the construction tarps came down. “It just had something different, and then when we saw it, it turned out really beautiful.” The getting-ready spaces sealed the deal. The Honeysuckle Suite includes an attached bathroom, a custom coffee bar and six individual vanity stations — a small detail that matters a great deal when an entire wedding party is getting ready at once. “I really loved how convenient it was day of,” Katie says. “There was a big open space for the bride with an attached bathroom, and we could order in lunch.” When weather allows, celebrations can spill into the Conservatory, an outdoor space that holds up to 350 guests — enough for a full ceremony or an extension of the indoor party. Catering, fittingly, traces back to the Hungry Bee, the shop that started the Gibsons on this path. Even the exterior lamps carry a piece of local history: They came from the former Geauga Lake amusement park. For Katie, the setting was only part of it. “They really listened to what we wanted and needed and helped to make that happen,” she says — and Honey Hill won over the toughest critic in the room. “Even my mom loved it.” 30
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The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., Cleveland For couples looking for a wedding venue with a little more edge, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in downtown Cleveland comes with a built-in soundtrack — and plenty of star power. “You may not be a rockstar, but we promise to treat you like one here,” says Angel Romina, event and sales manager. Since opening in 1995, the Rock Hall has become one of Cleveland’s most recognizable landmarks — and a memorable backdrop for weddings. Ceremonies have traditionally been staged in the museum’s glass pyramid, which Romina calls an area “incredibly unique to the museum,” fitting about 150 guests. Say your vows there and your wedding party gets the run of the museum afterward, rock history included. But a new addition is about to significantly expand what the museum can offer couples. In December, the Rock Hall will unveil Baker Hall, the first dedicated event space in the museum’s history. Where pyramid weddings play out in view of museum visitors, Baker Hall will offer couples a dedicated space for weddings and receptions. The new space also widens the wedding calendar. “We can have July weddings now and August weddings,” Romina says, referring to months that the pyramid’s exposure to museum traffic made harder to book. Not every couple wants a crowd. Romina’s team has gotten skilled at what she calls ‘intimate weddings’ — just the couple and an officiant, or a small circle of family, often booked on short notice. It’s become one of the venue’s quiet specialties: last-minute elopements pulled together with the same care as a 300-person reception. It turns out that for a venue built to put legends on display, there’s still room for a different kind of headliner.
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SPOTLIGHT
MELANIE & TOM
Jessica Vidmar Photography
Melanie Adelstein & Tom Rodriguez Wedding Day March 28, 2026 Windows on the River in Cleveland Today Ages: Both 31 Residence: Solon 32
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How did you meet? Dental school. Do you have any interesting stories to share about getting to know one another? In our first year of dental school (three years before we started dating), we were randomly assigned groups in our clinic. The first dental patient Tom ever had to do a cleaning on was randomly assigned to be me. It built a LOT of trust early on, and he only stabbed my gums on accident twice. How long did you know each other before you got married? Nine years. When did you know you wanted to marry your partner? Melanie: We started dating during COVID, and my parents were having an outdoor “Hamilton” watch party. I jokingly said, “We should show up in Founding Fathers wigs,” and bought them. Tom was down for the plan, and he met my parents for the first time looking like George Washington. I realized he was into the same kind of nonsense that I was, and the rest is history. Tom: I think just so early on, being able to spend endless time together without wanting to be anywhere else. We would put our phones away, do some impossible 1,000-piece puzzle and listen to musical soundtracks on repeat. What was the best part of wedding planning? Taking dance lessons! We thought it would be kind of corny and lame, but we had an amazing teacher, and we got a little too into it.
Was there any spot-on advice you received prior to the big day, either in terms of the wedding or lasting relationship? Many people reminded us to stop and take moments where it was just us two and appreciate those moments. Were there any conflicts between the two of you or your families in the planning process? Did either of you have to make any sacrifices? We were lucky and really saw eye to eye on almost everything. What was the most fun or interesting Jewish aspect of your wedding/partnership? Tom’s family is not Jewish; however, his mom did the incredible art for our ketubah, and his dad built our chuppah in his woodshop. It was so meaningful to teach them some of our wedding traditions and have them be so happy to participate. Tom also was so nervous about breaking the glass that he ended up watching videos on YouTube to practice. And the tallit that draped the chuppah and the glass that Tom stepped on actually belonged to my (Melanie) greatgrandfather, Otto Hahn. It made the ceremony that much more special knowing that parts of him were physically there with us underneath the chuppah. What else was unique about your wedding? We had 28 dentists in attendance at our wedding. Great place if anyone had a dental emergency. To view more photos from wedding Spotlights, visit jstylemagazine.com/spotlights Publisher’s Note: Melanie Adelstein is the niece of Kevin S. Adelstein, Publisher & CEO of Jstyle Weddings.
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Jstyle Weddings 2026
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SPOTLIGHT
MELANIE & TOM
Wedding Details • Officiant: Rabbi Robert A. Nosanchuk • Wedding colors: Sage and gold • Dress: Radiant Bride in Rocky River • Wedding rings: Peter and Co. Jewelers • Jewelry: Peter & Co. Jewelers in Avon Lake • Veil: Amazon • Shoes: Steve Madden • Hair: Samantha Ryai at Hair Styled by Samantha • Makeup: Rachel Gabrielle and Co. • Groom’s formalwear: Indochino at Pinecrest in Orange • Bouquet/flowers: Avalon Gardens Farmer Florist • Ketubah: Written by Melanie and Tom, designed by Jackie Rodriguez (mother of the groom) • Chuppah: Built by Mark Rodriguez (father of the groom) • Photographer: Jessica Vidmar at Jessica Vidmar Photography
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• Planner/consultant: Locke Events • Reception site: Windows on the River (same as ceremony) • Cake/sweets: Wild Flour Bakery • Catering: Windows on the River • Rehearsal dinner: Angelo’s Nido Italia in Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood • Invitations/stationery: Canva • Music/entertainment: TKO Entertainment • Accommodations: Aloft by Marriott Cleveland Downtown and Metropolitan at The 9 in Downtown Cleveland • Registries: Crate and Barrel • Dance lessons: Megan at La Danse Cleveland in Beachwood • Extras: Following the ceremony, the couple arranged to feature a cocktail hour throughout the Greater Cleveland Aquarium inside the historic Powerhouse building as the venue prepared Windows on the River for the dinner recption.
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Mazel Tov on your big day!
Photos by MARIANA EDELMAN PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN
The Marriott Cleveland East offers a wide variety of options for Sabbath dinners, Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations, and Sunday brunches, as well as guestroom accommodations for all of your out-of-town guests. Planning a day this special shouldn’t be left up to just anyone, but rather someone you can trust. Call 216-755-1911 and ask for Lauren Berkowitz Dicesare, Sales & Catering Manager, for help with all of your event needs. MENTION THIS AD TO RECEIVE YOUR CHOICE OF ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
• Upgraded Dessert • Complimentary Adult Appetizer • 10,000 Marriot Bonvoy Bonus Points Offer valid on events booked by December 31, 2026 and actualizing by December 31, 2027.
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26300 Harvard Road Warrensville Heights, OH
GLOW
YOUR OWN WAY From skin care and cosmetic treatments to fashion and final details, Hallie Abrams shares her approach to feeling your best for the big day.
Hallie Abrams, right, began preparing for her son’s wedding about seven months ahead, consulting with Dr. Diana Ponsky about cosmetic treatments and the recovery time each would require. Photos courtesy of Abrams
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LET US STAY WITH ®
Discover the Ultimate Staycation in your Backyard.
Celebrate your love story at The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland, where every detail is crafted with grace and intention. From intimate ceremonies to grand receptions, our expert wedding team ensures your day is as unforgettable as your love. Explore more by scanning the code or visiting ritzcarlton.com/cleveland.
© 2025The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company LLC.
BY CASEY SWINARSKI
F
or mothers of the bride and groom, there’s a certain kind of wedding glow no highlighter can replicate: the glow of watching their child stand under the chuppah, knowing that years of worrying, celebrating and kvetching have led to this moment. For Cleveland stylist and influencer Hallie Abrams, known to her Instagram followers as @thewardrobeconsultant, preparing for her son’s Aug. 15 wedding meant taking a thoughtful, strategic approach to looking and feeling her best. About seven months before the wedding, Abrams sat down with facial plastic surgeon Dr. Diana Ponsky of Ponsky Facial Plastic Surgery in Beachwood to talk through cosmetic options. “Diana laid out the different things that could be done that she was seeing, and also the time frame,” Abrams says. According to Ponsky, the first question clients should ask isn’t, “What will make me look younger?” but rather, “How long will I need to heal?” “Hallie did it just right, where she wanted to know, ‘How long is it going to take me to heal from this?’” Ponsky says. “That’s one question that any mother of the bride or groom should ask.” Abrams, who regularly works in front of a camera, says a procedure requiring a month of recovery simply wasn’t in the cards. “Like any toolbox, you have different tools with different solutions,” Ponsky says. “It really depends on what you are trying to do, and what you are most comfortable with.” For Abrams, that meant a full-face chemical peel, lip filler, Botox and slight liposuction under the chin. Ponsky describes them as “little tweaks” rather than a dramatic transformation. “A chemical peel is just a way to resurface the skin,” Ponsky says, noting the healing time is typically one week. “It’s a way to (help) slough off the top layer of skin that’s starting to get damaged by the sun. We want the newer skin to come to the surface.” For those looking for treatments with less downtime, Ponsky says options include an oxygen facial, Botox to soften wrinkles and
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Abrams opted for a full-face chemical peel, lip filler, Botox and slight liposuction under the chin ahead of the wedding. Ponsky describes the treatments as “little tweaks” rather than a dramatic transformation.
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Lauren Gabrielle Photography
MYNOTEWORTHYEVENT.COM 216.570.6661
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After months of preparation, Hallie Abrams says she felt like herself, only elevated, on her son’s Aug. 15 wedding day. Her goal with cosmetic treatments was never transformation, but to look and feel her best for the celebration.
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other treatments aimed at improving overall skin quality. For anyone considering surgery, Ponsky recommends planning at least six months ahead to allow for healing. Even without needles, lasers or scalpels, there’s still plenty to do. “I can’t stress enough the importance of using good sunblock, staying hydrated, and just doing normal things to take care of your overall health,” Ponsky says. “If you’re feeling good and you’re exercising, you radiate from the inside out. It definitely goes a long way.” For Abrams, the relationship with her doctor makes the process feel less like a beauty overhaul and more like a collaboration. She has worked with Ponsky for more than a decade, building trust gradually through less permanent treatments. “Building that trust over the years, starting with things like Botox, filler or things that were less permanent than something surgical made me super comfortable that I wasn’t going to look overdone,” Abrams says. “I knew I was going to be heard for the things that I was focusing on, while also knowing that maybe that’s not what her professional eye was seeing, and allowing her to help me reach my goals realistically.” Abrams also recommends bringing pictures to every appointment, whether with a doctor, makeup artist or hairstylist. “Words don’t always create a shared vision,” she says. “But pictures often do.” Her wedding-day preparation extended well beyond skin care. For her son’s wedding at Hempstead House on Long Island, the bride’s hometown, Abrams wore a dress from Lisa Moran Ltd. at Eton Chagrin Boulevard in Woodmere, with details that felt special without tipping into “costume” territory. One of Abrams’ favorite tricks is renting diamond jewelry for elegance without the investment. She also recommends doing the unglamorous prep work early: testing shoes, trying on undergarments with the dress and finalizing details ahead of time. Hair and makeup trials help, too. Abrams says the smoother skin she had after the chemical peel gave her makeup artist a better surface to work with. “My face was a better canvas for the professional makeup artist,” she says. “My canvas was better because of Dr. Ponsky.” Still, the goal wasn’t transformation. It was feeling like herself, only elevated. Abrams calls it finding your “true north.” “You don’t want to feel like you’re wearing a costume,” she says. “I just felt great,” Abrams says. “I was surrounded by family and friends. My kids were happy, we were happy, and I just kept saying that I felt like I was glowing from the inside out.” Mazel tov, indeed. jstylemagazine.com
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Rethinking
the Rock BY CARLO WOLFF
F
or generations, a bigger engagement-ring diamond generally meant a bigger price tag. But over the past five years, that equation has changed. The center stones giving today’s rings their sparkle can be significantly larger — and considerably less expensive — than their natural counterparts. The reason is the rapid rise of labgrown diamonds, fueled by improving technology and a shift in how couples think about what a diamond is supposed to mean. Sixty-one percent of engagement rings bought by couples who married in 2025 had a lab-grown center stone, according to The Knot’s 2026 Real Weddings Study. That represents a 239% increase in adoption of lab-grown stones since 2020.
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Price was a major consideration for Erin, a recently engaged school psychologist who preferred not to share her last name. “My fiance was hesitant at first to go with a lab-grown diamond as he thought that meant it was a ‘fake’ diamond,” Erin says. “The salesperson explained that it is very similar to a baby conceived through in vitro fertilization. It is still a baby, just formed differently. A lab-grown diamond is still a diamond. “Once he explained that, and the price difference, there really wasn’t a question,” Erin adds. “I was able to get a 2-carat lab-grown diamond for the same price as a 1-carat mined diamond. I loved that I could have a bigger stone for ‘cheaper,’ which really helped in our decision.” Cost is one of the biggest reasons lab-grown diamonds have become more popular, says
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EASTON LANE, MORELAND HILLS•$1,495,000
2825 BELGRAVE, PEPPER PIKE•$995,000
250 EAGLE Let POINT DRIVE, LYNDHURST•$869,000 Adam help
250and EAGLE LYNDHURST•$869,000 40byEASTON LANE,(California MORELAND HILLS•$1,495,000 BELGRAVE, PEPPER PIKE•$995,000 modern design Tony Crisafi architect) a Frank Step into luxury2825 and refi ned elegance! This amazing home Custom designed built,POINT this oneWARRENSVILLE owner home inCENTER soughtROAD after Acacia 3279DRIVE, #3A,Estates 3rkable LANDER ROAD, ORANGE VILLAGE•$495,000 5200with THREE VILLAGE DRIVE #4K,pure LYNDHURST•$275,000 4685 MAYFIELD ROAD has #F, been SOUTH EUCLID•$162,000 you find it. 41 STONEBROOKE OVAL, ORANGE $375,000 1959 EAST 82ND STREET, CLEVELAND $285,000 SHAKER HEIGHTS •$91,000 Wright infl uence. Sited on a gorgeous, wooded lot with a beautiful redone top to bottom resulting in a truly magnifi cent interior featuring all new is truly outstanding! This gorgeous home has every imaginable luxury Remarkable modern design by Tony Crisafi (California architect) with a Frank Step into pure luxury and refi ned elegance! This amazing home has been Custom designed and built, this one owner home in sought afterandAcacia 3279 WARRENSVILLE CENTER ROAD #3A,Estates 38253 LANDER ROAD, ORANGE VILLAGE•$495,000 5200 THREE VILLAGE DRIVE #4K, LYNDHURST•$275,000 4685 MAYFIELD ROAD #F, SOUTH EUCLID•$162,000 ulous three level unitLLoyd withWright elevator and Sited a firston a gorgeous, Thismagazine charming turnkey condo located at The82ND Lofts in South ThisOVAL, sought-after Three Villagea kitchen unitredone boasts SHAKER •$91,000 inflhas uence. wooded lot withopen abathrooms, beautiful topa to $375,000 bottom resulting inBED a truly magnifi cent|interior featuring all new is trulyanoutstanding! This one gorgeous home hasHEIGHTS everyFrom imaginable luxury and 141 STONEBROOKE ORANGE 1959 EAST STREET, CLEVELAND dering creek, this|This home ishome designed forlifestyle entertaining! The fihighly rst-fl oor second none, and worthy interior decor! Acondo upgrade including amazing home automation system. the $285,000 moment Here is a chance to buy a completely updated fabulous three level unit with elevator and a first D | 2 BATH This so much to offer... spacious floor plan with 3 | 4 BATH Ideally located in Beacon Place, this owner custom designed This charming turnkey located at The Lofts in South ner’s suite, offers multigenerational This highly sought-after Three Village unit boasts a Euclid is inviting and well maintained throughout! Open and floorThisplan, The abundant natural light, and panoramic D | 2 BATH | This homecreek, hasthis sohome much to fantastic offer... spacious open floor plan with 3to BED | 4 magazine BATH |worthy Ideally located Beacon Place, this owner custom designed meandering ishome designed forlifestyle entertaining! fistunning rst-flwith oor bathrooms, aplan kitchenwith second none, interior decor! Ainlocated upgrade including anHere amazing home automation system. 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Open and door fantastic floor plan, abundant natural light, 22 BED || 22suite, || This home has so much offer... spacious open floor plan with 33is BED || 44 BATH || Ideally located in Beacon Place, one owner custom designed sited inBED Landerwood Glen ted ceilings fireplace, private den, suite with walk-in home gem! The dramatic story foyer opens into wonderful room which airyYou floorplan, laundry, patio leading to ayoutwo 4th floor views park! Three Village provides an owner’s suite has dual bathrooms, a walk-in closet, and glorious views. Thishuge stunning family room with hardwood flen-suite oors opens into aand multi-purpose den enter through thecondominium front door you will noticegreat the incredible quality fiwhich nishes in a wonderful and convenient has an elevator, indoor lap pool, wrap around decks, steam room, and which opens onto the expansive rear deck. will not fi nd a more luxurious and outstanding fl oor plan. There is a fi rst fl oor owner’s suite, laundry room vaulted ceilings throughout, fireplace, private den, owners suite with huge walk-in home is a gem! The dramatic story foyer opens into a wonderful great room which et and bath with dual vanity and separate tub and shower, another nice size features a handsome marble fireplace, doors to the patio, an elevated ceiling, and a options is exceptionally sited in Landerwood Glen Gleaming LVT floors, granite counters, new lighting, vaulted ceilings throughout, fireplace, private den, owners suite with huge walk-in home is a gem! The dramatic two story foyer opens into a wonderful great room airy floorplan, en-suite laundry, patio doorsoffers. leading to ato the 4th floor viewsandofnice the park! Village provides et andyard bath dual vanity separate tubaround andlifestyle shower, another sizeThree aYou handsome marble fireplace, doors patio, aniselevated ceiling, and alocation! rivate areawith with access from theand walkout privateanfeatures deck are just afeatures few ofarea! the features this home unparalleled with aroom, guarded entrance, indoor pool, home has an elevator, indoor lap pool, wrap decks, steam which opens onto the expansive rear deck. will not fi nd a more luxurious and outstanding fl oor plan. There a fi rst fl oor owner’s suite, laundry room closet and bath with dual vanity and separate tub and shower, another nice size features a handsome marble fireplace, doors to the patio, an elevated ceiling, and Gleaming LVT floors, granite counters, new lighting, gvel. system! fi rst fl oor owner’s suite and bath! This exceptional home is ready for you to and a private study. closet and bath with dual vanity and separate tub and shower, another nice size a handsome marble fireplace, doors to the patio, an elevated ceiling, and aa room, bay window, skylights, security system, sprinkler system, oversized 2 car gracious dining with a private yard areasecurity with accesssystem, from the walkout oom, bay window, skylights, sprinkler system, oversized 2 car gracious dining area! private deck are just a few of the features this home offers. updated bathrooms, and freshly painted rooms are some unparalleled lifestyle with a guarded entrance, indoor pool, tennis courts and system, more!movesprinkler lighting first flooroversized owner’s suite22and home isdining ready forarea! you to and a private study.updated bathrooms, and freshly painted rooms are some bedroom, bay window, skylights, skylights, security system, sprinkler system, oversized carbath! This exceptional gracious dining area! 216.831.7370 | AdamKaufman@howardhanna.com bedroom, bay window, security system, car gracious ched garage garage lower and 1stsystem! floor utility. into and enjoy! level. ched and 1st floor utility. tennis courts and more! of the highlights! attached garage and 1st floor utility. attached garage and 1st floor utility.
move into and enjoy!
CONTACT ADAM CONTACT CONTACT ADAM TODAY TODAY ADAM CONTACT ADAM TODAY TODAY
of the highlights!
Adam S. S. Kaufman, Kaufman, REALTOR® REALTOR® Adam S. S.REALTOR® Kaufman, REALTOR® REALTOR® Adam REALTOR® Adam Kaufman, 216.831.7370 216.831.7370216.831.7370 216.831.7370 ScanScan to view view Scan to view view Scan to to AdamKaufman@HowardHanna.com AdamKaufman@HowardHanna.com AdamKaufman@HowardHanna.com AdamKaufman@HowardHanna.com all listings all listings all listings all listings Scan toScan view listings toall view all listings justASKadam.com justASKadam.com justASKadam.com justASKadam.com Top Producer Market Share Report published Dec. 2023. Analysis dates are 12/1/2022 through 11/30/2023 Top Producer Producer Market Share Report published Dec. 2023. Analysis dates arevolume 12/1/2022 through 11/30/2023 on Share the latest REAL Trends ranking of Ohio real estate agents by sales volume and transaction sides, Top Producer -- Market Share Report published Dec. 2023. Analysis dates are 12/1/2022 through 11/30/2023 Based on the latest REAL Trends ranking of Ohio real2023. estate agents by sales and transaction sides, Top --Based Market Report published Dec. Analysis dates are 12/1/2022 through 11/30/2023 based ontypes all property property types sold at atand $750,000 and above. based on on all all property property types sold attypes $750,000 and above. Adam Kaufman of Howard Hanna is currently ranked #1 in Ohio. based on all sold $750,000 above. #1 REALTOR Adam Kaufman of Howard Hanna is currently ranked #1 and in Ohio. based sold at $750,000 above. #1 REALTOR OHIO #1 IN REALTOR IN OHIO OHIO #1 REALTOR IN OHIO IN *2025 Real Trends Data
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Clients explore lab-grown diamond options at sheRocks in Chagrin Falls, where the shopping experience is designed to be comfortable, personal and pressure-free. Photo courtesy of Lindsey Cottone.
Lindsey Cottone, founder and CEO of sheRocks, a jewelry retailer in Chagrin Falls. Cottone calls the COVID-19 pandemic an ‘accelerator’ of the lab-grown diamond market. She also points to improvements in technology, “incredible marketing by larger jewelers” and customers placing more emphasis on financial stability. “The biggest reason lab-grown diamonds have become so popular is pretty simple: couples can get a much larger, beautiful diamond for considerably less money,” Cottone says. “Couples today are thinking about their finances differently. Many of them don’t feel they need to put such a large portion of that money into a natural diamond to have a ring they absolutely love.” The difference in price can be substantial. “If we compare two 2-carat round diamonds with approximately the same cut, color and clarity in the exact same simple solitaire setting, the natural diamond ring could easily cost $23,000 to $30,000. A comparable lab-grown diamond in that same setting might be around $2,500 to $4,000. You can get a lot more diamond for your budget by choosing lab-grown,” Cottone says.
From the earth to the lab Lab-grown diamonds may be relatively new to many jewelry shoppers, but the technology behind them dates back more than 70 years. Scientists began successfully producing diamonds in laboratories in the 1950s, initially for industrial uses. By the early 1970s, General Electric researchers had created gem-quality labgrown diamonds suitable for jewelry. Over the following decades, advances in technology made it possible to produce larger, higherquality and increasingly colorless stones in greater quantities. In 2018, the Federal Trade Commission updated its Jewelry Guides to address changes in technology and the marketplace, 44
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Above: At sheRocks, magnetic center stones allow clients to experiment with different diamond shapes and carat sizes, settings and bands before choosing a final combination. Lead picture: Fancy-cut center stones, diamond eternity bands and delicate solitaires showcase the versatility of today’s lab-grown bridal jewelry. Photos courtesy of Lindsey Cottone.
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including how laboratory-created diamonds could be described and marketed. Sellers are required to disclose that the stones are laboratory-grown rather than mined. As lab-grown diamonds became more widely available, couples had another choice to make: spend less for a larger stone, or pay more for the rarity and history of a natural diamond. David Schreibman, who owns Alson Jewelers in Woodmere with his brother Chad, favors the latter. Alson exclusively sells natural diamonds certified by the Gemological Institute of America “because we believe in what they represent, which is rarity, permanence and value,” Schreibman says. Schreibman views natural diamonds as future heirlooms rather than commodities. “A natural diamond formed over billions of years and is, by definition, finite. No two are alike and they are rare. A lab-grown diamond, by contrast, is a manufactured product. It can be produced on demand, in unlimited quantity, whenever supply is needed. “That difference isn’t just philosophical; it shows up in the market,” Schreibman adds. “As lab-grown production has scaled, prices have fallen sharply and continue to decline year over year, with no sign of stabilizing. Industry pricing data has shown labgrown diamonds losing a significant share of their value when you leave the store after your purchase. It’s the natural outcome of something that can be manufactured without limit. A lab-grown diamond that can be made again tomorrow can’t hold the same worth as one that took the Earth billions of years to create.” Schreibman says lab-grown diamonds are becoming increasingly popular “with the younger generation because they
allow them to get a bigger look for less money,” but most of his clients favor natural stones, which he says hold their value better over time. Cottone acknowledges the appeal of a natural diamond for couples who want a family keepsake but says either choice can carry meaning. “Someone choosing a lab-grown diamond isn’t any less committed, and someone choosing a natural diamond isn’t necessarily making that choice for status,” Cottone says. “It’s really about what the couple values.”
What makes a ring meaningful? For Margaret Fulton, a Cleveland lawyer who married in 2025, sentiment wasn’t tied to whether her engagement diamond came from the earth or a laboratory. Fulton owns other jewelry with natural diamonds but says she doesn’t feel a particular sentimental attachment to mined stones. She and her husband sourced the stone for her engagement ring themselves and had a jeweler set it. “All my other diamond jewelry, with much smaller diamonds, is natural, but for engagement rings we sourced man-made stone ourselves and had the jeweler set it,” Fulton says. Fulton wears her engagement ring stacked with her wedding ring and a half-eternity band with diamonds and rubies that her father-in-law gave her mother-in-law for their 25th anniversary. “The stack is incredibly sentimental to me,” Fulton says. “Having a lab-grown diamond as my engagement ring doesn’t diminish that sentiment at all.”
Alson Jewelers in Woodmere exclusively sells natural diamonds, reflecting owner David Schreibman’s belief in their rarity, permanence and long-term value. Photos courtesy of Alson Jewelers.
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A Happy & Healthy New Year toLetall! us create your beautiful wedding day smile
Stephan H. Parker, DDS, MSD Amy Seagraves, DDS, MS
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SPOTLIGHT
SYDNEY & LIOR
Genevieve Nisly Photography
Sydney Kaufman & Lior Melnick Wedding Day December 7, 2025 Green Road Synagogue in Beachwood Today Ages: 36 & 35 Residence: New York City 48
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How did you meet? I (Lior) was leading Yom Kippur services for the first time and was looking for the best possible pre-fast diet to sustain my stamina. A mutual friend connected me with Sydney, who is a dietitian. We spoke on the phone, and Sydney recommended salmon, sweet potatoes, broccoli, nuts, avocado and raspberries for dessert. I was thrilled, and it worked well (because Sydney is a great dietitian!). We met a few months later while celebrating the same mutual friend’s birthday. We danced; it was lovely. Do you have any interesting stories to share about getting to know one another? Our first four months were choppy: COVID, the High Holidays and October 7 were all obstacles to our early rhythm. Sydney thought we had broken up at one point; a day later, I texted asking if she wanted to go see the Barbie movie. (She agreed, though somewhat confused.) I (Lior) subsequently led us on an afternoon hike that was supposed to be two hours but ended up being four. The sun had set; it was cold. Sydney was displeased. Nonetheless, we persisted. How long did you know each other before you got married? The Yom Kippur pre-fast diet interaction was back in 2017. We actually ended up going on a few dates, but it didn’t stick, mutually. We kept in loose contact, including when Lior moved into Sydney’s apartment building the same week she was moving out, but we didn’t truly reconnect until the summer of 2023.
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When did you know you wanted to marry your partner? Sydney: A few months before we reconnected in 2023, my grandmothers told me in a dream that I was supposed to marry Lior. I filed it away until I received an email from Gross Schechter Day School about a Lag Ba’Omer concert featuring Six13, of which Lior is a band member. Lior’s face was right there in my inbox. This time, I heeded the universe’s nudge and reached out. Once we started dating, I was sure he was the one all along. Lior: On our first ski trip, I loved that, without coordinating, Sydney and I both brought Shabbat candles to light in the hotel room. I also loved that she reused our sandwich bags on subsequent days, something my family also does. I knew then that we shared some deep and important values. What was the best part of wedding planning? We loved the Judaic creativity of planning our chuppah. We wanted a traditional ceremony but also felt strongly about incorporating egalitarian principles. We added the words “וברצונך “( ”ברשותךwith your agreement and willingness”) before my (Lior) traditional “... ”הרי אתdeclaration and ring-giving. Sydney also presented me with a ring at the end of the ceremony and recited a poetic verse of her choosing. We also added our mothers’ names and a few other verses focused on mutual partnership to our ketubah. Was there any spot-on advice you received prior to the big day, either in terms of the wedding or lasting relationship? One of my (Sydney) friends wisely advised me to sit in my dress during alterations to “make sure you can breathe.” This was much better advice than another one of my friends, who told me to sit sideways on the chair during the hora. Terrifying. Don’t do this. Jstyle Weddings 2026
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SPOTLIGHT
SYDNEY & LIOR
Wedding Details Were there any conflicts between the two of you or your families in the planning process? Did either of you have to make any sacrifices? Yes, meat! We are primarily pescatarian and didn’t want to serve red meat, but members of our family felt strongly otherwise. It turns out that the quantity of meat served was the most memorable aspect of our wedding; our friends still talk about it! What was the most fun or interesting Jewish aspect of your wedding/ partnership? Prior to the chuppah, we held a joint tisch. Traditionally, this is just for the groom and men and includes ketubah and halakhic prenup signing, energetic singing, toasts and dancing. Starting our wedding surrounded by joyful music, family and friends was something we felt strongly about experiencing together. What else was unique about your wedding? During the reception, I surprised Sydney by serenading her with custom lyrics to “Dancing Through Life” from her favorite musical, Wicked. It involved a cameo from my college a cappella friends, lots of confetti and a 150-person flash mob. Sydney’s favorite part was that our immediate family decorated and held up posters with the seven values we’ve chosen to guide our marriage and future family: Judaism, education, friends and family, balance, fun, mutual respect and communication. To view more photos from wedding Spotlights, visit jstylemagazine.com/spotlights 50
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• Officiant: Rabbi Hody Nemes, Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob Synagogue, Chicago • Wedding colors: Moody jewel tones • Dress: Mac Duggal • Veil: Sydney’s mom’s veil • Shoes: Custom-embroidered Converse sneakers, Luckystoree on Etsy • Hair: Diana Gibbons at Jennifer & Co. in Mentor • Makeup: Kelly Miron at Bespoke Beauty & Brow in Woodmere • Flowers/bouquet: Willows and Sage Flowers in Beachwood • Ketubah: Jennifer Kaplan Designs • Chuppah: Willows and Sage • Photographer: Genevieve Nisly Photography • Videographer: Wild Bandit Studio in Cleveland • Planner/consultant: Elegance on Loan • Reception site: Green Road Synagogue • Catering: Preferred Kosher Catering (PKC) • Music/entertainment: Craig Resmovits and Mordy Weinstein; Cleveland Music Group (The Avenue) • Accommodations: Cleveland Marriott East in Warrensville Heights • Extras: Six13 for chuppah music
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Raise the Bar Couples are putting their own spin on cocktail hour with personalized drinks, interactive food and experiences designed to get guests talking.
Presentation is becoming part of the experience, with wedding professionals pointing to everything from specialty cocktails to espresso martini towers as ways couples are adding visual interest to cocktail hour. Photo courtesy of Spice Hospitality Group.
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BY ED CARROLL
C
ocktail hour used to be the warm-up to the wedding reception: a drink, a few passed hors d’oeuvres and some time to mingle before dinner. Now, couples are giving that first hour much more attention. Wedding professionals say cocktail hours are becoming more elaborate and more personal, with interactive food stations, specialty cocktails and unexpected presentations replacing — or supplementing — the traditional tray of appetizers and open bar. Chris Hodgson, president of Driftwood Catering, says the shift accelerated after the COVID-19 pandemic, when couples began requesting individual plates and smaller dishes. Since then, he says, couples have continued looking for more interactive alternatives to the traditional formal dinner. At Driftwood, that might mean a cannoli cart, a station serving bao buns with a variety of fillings or a Middle Eastern spread of grilled vegetables and dips. Matthew Mathledge, director of culinary, says those kinds of options make the dining experience more “three dimensional.” Then there are presentations designed to bring the food directly to guests, including what Driftwood calls its “caviar belt.” “They’ve got the caviar belt that goes around their waist and the server goes through the crowd with Pringles, blinis and caviar,” Hodgson says. “And it becomes a very interactive, pull you in, suck you in, piece to that.” Tim Pursifull, director of operations at Driftwood Catering, says one benefit of stations is the opportunity to create multiple focal points rather than building the meal around a single plated entree. “For the most part, when you’re going station to station, every individual item is kind of the centerpiece,” Pursifull says. “It is kind of the center focus of this station and of the design. So, I think there’s a real illumination of each thing being unique and characteristic unto itself of everything else in the room. And they’re not necessarily as complementary as they are (asking), ‘What’s the next thing? What is the other thing I’m going to see over here?’”
A cocktail with a story Food isn’t the only part of cocktail hour getting more attention. Angela Campanella, director of hospitality and beverage at Spice Hospitality Group, says she has seen that same desire for personalization play out in couples’ drink choices. Spice has long had what she 54
Jstyle Weddings 2026
Angela Campanella, director of hospitality and beverage at Spice Hospitality Group, says couples are putting more thought into drinks that have a personal connection, often building specialty cocktails around their own flavor preferences and stories. Photo courtesy of Spice Hospitality Group.
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The Details That Make a Wedding Feel Like Yours
When planning a wedding, it’s easy to focus on the big decisions: the venue, the dress, the photographer, the menu. But once those pieces are in place, it’s often the smaller details that bring everything together and make the celebration feel uniquely yours. From an event rental perspective, we see this happen all the time. The tables, chairs, linens, place settings and other elements may seem like practical necessities, but they also play an important role in creating the overall look and feel of your wedding day.
Start with the space.
Before choosing rental items, take a good look at your Visit our showroom Visit our today! showroom today! venue. Cleveland has no shortage of distinctive wedding Visit ourVisit showroom our showroom today! today!
spaces, from historic buildings and museums to modern event venues, country clubs and outdoor settings. Each space26201 presents different opportunities Visit our showroom today! Visit our showroom today! Visit our showroom today! Richmond 26201Road Richmond Roadand limitations. about how guests will move through the room. 26201Think Richmond 26201 Richmond Road Road Bedford Hts.,Bedford Ohio 44146 Hts.,will Ohio 44146 Where will they enter? Where dinner be served? Is Bedford Bedford Ohioroom Hts., 44146 Ohio 44146 thereHts., enough between tables for servers and 26201 Richmond Road www.somrakkitchens.com www.somrakkitchens.com guests? Where willMon the floor go? Considering these Bedford Hts., Ohio 44146 26201 Richmond Road 26201 Richmond Road Mon – Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm – dance Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm www.somrakkitchens.com www.somrakkitchens.com questions early can help you avoid last-minute changes *Evenings by Appointment* *Evenings by Appointment* Bedford Hts., Ohio 44146 Mon – Fri 9:00am Mon – –Road Fri 5:00pm 9:00am – 5:00pm Bedford Hts., Ohiowww.somrakkitchens.com 44146Richmond 26201 Road 26201 Richmond and make the –most of| Sun your venue.| Sun Closed Sat 9:00am Closed Mon – Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm Sat 9:00am – 2:00pm *Evenings by *Evenings Appointment* by2:00pm Appointment* 216-464-6500 Bedford Hts., Ohio 44146 Bedford Hts., Ohio 44146 26201 Richmond 26201 Road Richmond Road *Evenings by Appointment* FINE CABINETRY, COUNTERTOPS & www.somrakkitchens.com www.somrakkitchens.com Sat 9:00am – Sat 2:00pm 9:00am | Sun – 2:00pm Closed | Sun Closed 26201 Richmond Road Think beyond the table. SatBedford 9:00am – 44146 2:00pm |Ohio Sun Closed Bedford Hts., Ohio Hts., 44146 26201 Richmond Road – Fri44146 – 5:00pm Bedford Hts., Ohio Mon – FriMon 9:00am –9:00am 5:00pm www.somrakkitchens.com www.somrakkitchens.com Your reception tables are one of the largest visual *Evenings *Evenings by Appointment* Mon – Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm Mon – Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm by Appointment* www.somrakkitchens.com elements in the 44146 room, so they deserve some thought. www.somrakkitchens.com www.somrakkitchens.com Bedford Hts., Ohio 26201 Richmond Road 216-464-6500 26201 Richmond Road 26201 Richmond Road2:00pm 26201 Richmond Road – Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm –| Sun *Evenings by Appointment* *Evenings by Appointment* Sat–Mon 9:00am | Sun Closed SatMon 9:00am 2:00pm Closed – Fri 9:00am Mon ––5:00pm Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm 26201 Richmond Road Round tables create a traditional, social atmosphere, *Evenings by Appointment* Bedford Hts., Ohio 44146 Bedford Hts., Ohio 44146 Bedford Hts., Ohio 26201 Richmond 26201 Road Richmond Road Bedford Hts., Ohio 44146 Sat 9:00am –by2:00pm Sun Closed 44146 Sat| 9:00am – 2:00pm | Sun Closed *Evenings by Appointment* *Evenings Appointment* Bedford Ohio 44146 Sat 9:00am – 2:00pm | Sun Closed Hts., while long banquet or farm-style tables can create a www.somrakkitchens.com Bedford Bedford Ohio 44146 Hts., Ohio 44146 Sat 9:00am – 2:00pm Sat 9:00am | Sun–Closed 2:00pm | Sun Closed Hts., www.somrakkitchens.com www.somrakkitchens.com www.somrakkitchens.com www.somrakkitchens.com more intimate, editorial feel. Mixing table shapes can also www.somrakkitchens.com Mon – Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm Mon –– Fri 9:00am ––5:00pm MonMon – Fri – 9:00am – 5:00pm Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm Sun | Closed Mon Fri 9:00am Mon 5:00pm – Sat Fri & 9:00am – 5:00pm help defi ne different www.somrakkitchens.com www.somrakkitchens.com 6201 Richmond Road hmond Road *Evenings by Appointment* *Evenings by Appointment* areas of a larger space. *Evenings by Appointment* *Evenings*Evenings by Appointment* *Evenings by Appointment* and Saturday’s by26201 appointment* *Evenings by Appointment* Mon – Fri 9:00am Mon –Closed 5:00pm Fri 9:00am –| 5:00pm Then come the layers: linens, napkins, chargers, Sat 9:00am – 2:00pm | Sun– Richmond Road edford Hts., Ohio 44146 9:00am –Sun 2:00pm Sun Closed Hts., Ohio 44146 Sat 9:00amSat – 2:00pm | Closed Sat 9:00am – 2:00pm | Sun Closed Sat 9:00am – 2:00pm | Sunand Closed Sat 9:00am – 2:00pm | Sun Closed *Evenings by Appointment* *Evenings by Appointment* glassware, china flatware. These elements don’t Bedford Hts., Ohio 44146 9:00am – 2:00pm Sat 9:00am | Sun–Closed 2:00pm | Sun Closed Sat ww.somrakkitchens.com mrakkitchens.com have to match perfectly. Combining textures, finishes or on – Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm 00am – 5:00pm www.somrakkitchens.com subtle colors can add dimension while still maintaining a Evenings by Appointment* y Appointment* cohesive design. Mon – Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm t2:00pm 9:00am| –Sun 2:00pm | Sun Richmond Closed Closed 26201 Road *Evenings by Appointment* Don’t underestimate the chair. Bedford Ohio 44146 Sat 9:00am – 2:00pm | Sun Closed Hts., Chairs are another detail that can dramatically change the personality of a room. A classic chair can www.somrakkitchens.com complement a formal ballroom, while a wood or naturalMon – Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm finish chair may feel more at home in a garden or rustic *Evenings by Appointment* setting. If your venue already provides chairs, consider Sat 9:00am – 2:00pm | Sun Closed whether they complement the vision you have for the space before automatically deciding to replace them.
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AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER IN THEIR DREAM HOME.
From personalized searches to expert negotiation, your smooth home buying process starts here. Michael Cancelliere 216-536-2794 michaelcancelliere@howardhanna.com @michaelcancelliere
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Plan for the unexpected.
Cleveland weather can be unpredictable, particularly for spring and fall weddings. If any portion of your celebration is outdoors, have a realistic backup plan. That might mean a tent, an indoor alternative or simply making sure your layout can adapt if the weather changes. Also remember that the wedding you envision on paper still has to work in real life. Your rental team, planner and venue should be part of the conversation early enough to address delivery access, setup timing, power, elevators, load-in restrictions and other logistical considerations. Ultimately, your wedding doesn’t need to follow a particular formula. The best celebrations are the ones that reflect the couple; whether that’s through a dramatic tablescape, a relaxed lounge area, a simple backyardinspired dinner or a room filled with family heirlooms and personal touches. The goal isn’t to choose the most elaborate option. It’s to thoughtfully choose the details that make your guests feel welcomed and make the space feel like you.
Jstyle Weddings 2026
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Driftwood Catering’s Tuscan sliders pair CAB beef with roasted garlic, tomato jam and arugula on brioche buns for an elevated take on a cocktailhour classic. photo courtesy of Driftwood.
calls a “robust appetizer and cocktail menu,” but couples increasingly are asking for drinks tailored to their tastes and stories. “It’s really rooted a lot in specialty cocktails,” Campanella says. “His and hers, custom cocktails created around flavor profiles, drinks that ... mean something to them. So, there is a lot of effort that is going into cocktail hour. So much so that they’re picking exclusive cocktails that represent themselves, which is really cool to see.” Presentation also matters. Campanella points to espresso martini towers as one option with a “wow” factor. Other couples are choosing specialty cocktails made with less expected ingredients. One of Campanella’s current favorites is Spice’s Red Pepper Paloma. “It’s a take on the classic Paloma, which is traditionally tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice and salt,” Campanella says. “We extract this beautiful, fresh red pepper syrup that was never cooked. So, the flavor stays really bright and intact. And we then build our drinks from there with blanco tequila, the red pepper cordial. We use Stellare Primo ... 56
Jstyle Weddings 2026
and then fresh grapefruit juice, lime juice, and we garnish it with gorgeous pepper ribbons that our chefs will chiffonade for us. I think that’s just a really beautiful example of how we take a classic cocktail. We joke and say that ‘we make it spicy,’ but it’s pulling on what’s in season and what’s local and fresh.”
More thought for nonalcoholic drinks As couples put more thought into cocktail menus, Campanella says that attention increasingly extends to guests who aren’t drinking alcohol. In the past, she says, a typical rule of thumb was that about 90% of guests would drink alcohol and 10% would choose nonalcoholic beverages. This year, Campanella estimates the share choosing nonalcoholic options is closer to 20%. “We’ve also seen a trend in not just being cognizant of cocktails, but being cognizant of mocktails that are thoughtful and not just a bunch of juices mixed together,” Campanella says. “For us, our biggest
thing is we try to tell them that whatever specialty cocktail we come up with, we will build the exact same one without alcohol, so that there’s no lack of experience for the guests. Now, sometimes if it’s a dirty martini, that’s a bit of a unique situation, so we may offer one of our other washes just in lieu of that, but most of the time ... we have an NA (nonalcoholic) one available as well. Being intentional and having integrity behind our non-alcoholic drinks are just as important for the guest experience, too.” Pursifull says he also has noticed a shift toward less drinking and more emphasis on food. “I think we’re experiencing a few things right now,” Pursifull says. “People are drinking less and I think that’s pretty much true across the board, no matter who you talk to; restaurants, catering, anywhere. I would say the overview of alcohol usage in the last three years, at least, has gone down. We’re seeing less of a focus on the bar being front, and we’ll have a couple of appetizers that support it and more of the food being the show.” jstylemagazine.com
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Jstyle Weddings 2026
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SETTING THE SCENE
HORA
Party Time!
Sydney Kaufman and Lior Melnick wave an Israeli flag while being lifted on chairs during the hora at their Dec. 7, 2025, wedding at Green Road Synagogue. Mazel tov! • Spotlight on Page 48 Genevieve Nisly Photography
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Jstyle Weddings 2026
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REGISTRATION NOW OPEN The Cleveland Jewish News presents
CJN’s Fall Mahjong, Bridge and Canasta event
Join us for a fun-filled event!
Thursday, November 12
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Afternoon session
11 to 12: Lunch • 12 to 2: Games
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4:30 to 6:30: Dinner • 6:30 to 8:30: Games
Register at cjn.org/mahjong
or call Sam Spiegle at 216-342-5198 or sspiegle@cjn.org Tickets include: One drink ticket • Lunch for the afternoon session OR dinner for the evening session Dessert • A chance to win exciting prizes throughout the night!
Co-Presenting Sponsor
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Questions? Contact Sam Spiegle at 216-342-5198 or sspiegle@cjn.org