Photos by Genevieve Nisly Photography
How did you meet?
We met the same way most young Jews meet these days – JSwipe.
What’s an interesting/fun/cute story about getting to know one another?
I (Allison) knew I liked Brian before we even met. We had talked a bit on the phone, but when it came time for our first date, I canceled because I was sick. Instead of just rescheduling (which we of course did), he went out of his way to send soup to my apartment. He knew I lived above a deli that I often ate at, and knew the building I lived in, but didn’t know my apartment number. So when he called the deli he just said “I need to send soup to this girl I like, her name is Allie but I don’t know her apartment number.” Luckily they knew the “Allie” he was talking about, and he had food sent up to me. It was very sweet and was the first time I really saw how genuine and thoughtful he was.
How long did you know each other before you got married?
We were together 2 ½ years when we got married.
When did you know you wanted to marry each other?
(For Allison) about 10 months in – we had talked about it before we decided to move in together. For Brian, once we were living together and realized how easy it was together, he knew he wanted to take the next step.
What was the best part of wedding planning?
The donut and cake tasting. Actually, all the food.
What was the most difficult part of wedding planning?
Planning the wedding wasn’t difficult. We just wanted to be together and with our family and friends. We wanted great music, great food and warm weather. It was perfect.
What spot-on advice did you receive prior to the big day?
We were told the day of the wedding to just be present with each other. The day goes by so fast, and there are so many people pulling you in different directions. We were told to make sure we remembered that the day is about us. Don’t be distracted by the small things that are bound to go wrong. Just enjoy each other and celebrate.
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 are very lucky. Our families get along very well and everyone just wanted us to be happy on our big day. There was no drama or conflict.
What was the most fun or interesting Jewish aspect of your wedding/partnership?
When it came to planning our wedding, we knew right away that we wanted to be married by someone who knew us, someone who loves us. So instead of bringing in a rabbi, we asked our friend Wes Lanzola to marry us. He was thrilled and said yes right away. Wes performed our wedding ceremony, and his wife Leora guided our family and friends through our ketubah ceremony. They are our very close friends, so it meant so much to us that they could be such a big part of our day.
“The best moment of our wedding was our first dance. We love to sing and it was almost like no one else was there. We just held on to each other and sang our song together. However, technically our first dance was something we call ‘the wacky inflatable tube man.’ We imitate how a wacky inflatable tube man moves, like outside at those auto stores. Before our actual ‘first dance’ song started, there was other music playing and we just ran to the dance floor and made fools of ourselves. It was wonderful and completely us.” – Allison
Allison Liffman & Brian Innenberg
Wedding Day
June 29, 2019
The Club at Hillbrook, Chagrin Falls
Today
Ages: Both 32
Residence: Shaker Heights
Planning
Engagement: Jan. 27, 2018
Officiant: Wes Lanzola (a good friend)
Wedding Colors: White and Champagne
Dress: Radiant Bride
Wedding Rings: Robert & Gabriel Jewelers
Jewelry: Allison’s jewelry and her grandmother’s pearl bracelet
Veil: Sister’s veil from her wedding
Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Hair: Lindsay London
Makeup: The Powder Room
Bridesmaids Dresses: Everyone chose their own navy gowns
Groom’s Formalwear: J3
Groomsmen: They each chose a black suit. Brian gifted the groomsmen navy ties to match the bridesmaids
Bouquet/Flowers and Chuppah: The Budding Tree
Ketubah: I (Allison) am an artist and painter so I wanted to make our ketubah and have Brian paint it with me. We wanted something we could create together and display in our home. We ordered the text and canvas online, then painted it.
Photographer: Genevieve Nisly
Planner/Consultant: Tricia Dever at Always Eventful
Reception and Catering: The Club at Hillbrook
Cake/Sweets: Becker’s Donuts, Bakery and Cakes
Rehearsal Dinner: Pinstripes
Invitations/Stationery: Noteriety
Music/Entertainment: The Element
Registries: Crate & Barrel, Bed Bath & Beyond, Macy’s
Honeymoon: Thailand – Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Krabi