How did you meet?
A mutual friend set us up.
Do you have any interesting stories to share about getting to know one another?
Within the first six weeks of dating, we separately took international trips. We talked every day via WhatsApp, and because of that we still use WhatsApp instead of regular texting to communicate with each other.
How long did you know each other before you got married?
Just under four years.
When did you know you wanted to marry your partner?
Ben: I knew I wanted to marry Sydney while on our way back from our first trip together. We had driven to Toronto for the weekend, just four days before COVID-19 started, and on our drive home we stumbled upon an incredible brunch spot in the Niagara area. The food was amazing, and the day was bright and sunny. Sitting there together after finishing our meals was a moment I wished I could bottle up forever.
Sydney: I knew I wanted to marry Ben after watching him interact with my family and seeing how perfectly he fit in, as well as watching him within his own family and how he instantly included me. There was a particular moment during Shabbat dinner when Ben’s dad was dancing with our niece, and Ben watched them with the biggest smile on his face, even tearing up. Instead of watching the dancing, I was watching Ben. It was in that moment I knew he was the love of my life.
Tell us about the proposal.
Ben organized a private tour of the Mitchell’s Ice Cream factory in Ohio City, and invited a few of our friends to go along with the rouse. At the end of the tour, there was tasting time so the guide distracted me (Sydney) while Ben made an ice cream sundae with my favorite flavor and he put the ring on the top. When he told me my ice cream was ready, I turned around and that’s when he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was really full circle because it’s also where we concluded our first date.
What was the best part of wedding planning?
Ben: The food tasting.
Sydney: Taking dance lessons together.
Was there any spot-on advice you received prior to the big day, either in terms of the wedding or lasting relationship?
Leading up to our wedding, someone advised us to hold hands throughout the entire night. With so many people wanting to talk to us, it was important that we shared the exact same experiences. This way, our memories of the wedding would be the same.
What was the most fun or interesting Jewish aspect of your wedding or partnership?
Having a traditional Jewish wedding was very important to us. We loved the idea of participating in the same Jewish traditions our ancestors did at their own weddings. We incorporated many family heirlooms into our wedding rituals, including being wrapped in Ben’s maternal grandfather’s tallit, standing under my maternal grandfather’s tallit in the chuppah, using my paternal grandmother’s ring during the ring exchange and much more.
We had a combined Tisch/Bedeken ceremony that led into our ketubah signing. Ben delivered a d’var Torah, we sang traditional Jewish songs, our loved ones shared relationship advice and well wishes, and we performed the Bedeken (the traditional veiling ceremony).
We also did a traditional Yiddish dance called the Mezinka, where Ben’s parents sat in chairs while all their family danced around them and “swept the floor” using brooms. This symbolizes the parents “sweeping their house clean of children” when their last child gets married.
What else was unique about your wedding?
We didn’t serve wedding cake. We are huge Mitchell’s Ice Cream fans so we served some finger food desserts, but the real star of the show was the Mitchell’s sundae bar. We also had cookies decorated to look like our dog, Babka. Also, our dog was the “dog of honor,” and he walked down the aisle.
Milgrom means pomegranate in Yiddish. We included lots of pomegranates throughout our wedding, from the invitations to the decor.
My (Sydney’s) dad, aunt, uncle and a couple of friends surprised us with a special musical performance on stage with the band. They rehearsed with our band for a few months leading up to the wedding and performed “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” and “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You).”
“Our advice to others: In addition to holding hands all night, make sure to eat your dinner and dessert. Focus on yourselves so you have enough energy to party the rest of the night.”
– Sydney and Ben
Sydney Ungar & Ben Milogrom
Wedding Day
Sept. 3, 2023
The Madison, Cleveland
Today
Ages: 29 & 33
Hometown: Solon
Synagogue: B’nai Jeshurun Congregation
Planning
Engagement:May 21, 2022
Officiant:Rabbi Hal Rudin-Luria, B’nai Jeshurun Congregation
Wedding Colors: Bright jewel tones
Dress/Veil:Bright jewel tones
Wedding Rings: Gottlieb & Sons
Shoes: Custom-made shoes by J. Renee
Hair: Kyin Lin
Makeup: Kajal by Kimberly
Bridesmaids’ dresses: Purchased on their own
Groom’s formalwear: Tuxedo from J3 Clothing Company, shoes from Mar-Lou Shoes
Groomsmen’s formalwear: The Black Tux
Bouquet/flowers/chuppah: Patra Designs
Ketubah: Nancy Schwartz-Katz
Photographer: Amy Galon Photography
Videographer: Just Hitched Wedding Films
Planner/consultant: Samantha Lutch, Engaged with Nora
Reception: The Madison
Cake/sweets: Luna Bakery and Cafe, Cody’s Cookies, Mitchell’s Ice Cream
Catering: Spice Catering Co.
Rehearsal dinner: Pinstripes in Orange
Invitations/stationery: StreamlineCLE
Band: The Chozen Few
Lighting/stage/photo booth: Rock the House
Accommodations: Cleveland Marriott East
Registries: Crate & Barrel, Amazon, Williams Sonoma, Traditions Jewish Gifts
Honeymoon: Buenos Aires and Patagonia, Argentina
Transportation: A1 Mr. Limo and Baron’s Bus
Dog care: Doggy I Do