Jstyle weddings spotlight | Rachel Schwarz & Stuart Sharpe

Photos by Jonathan Schwarz

How did you meet?

On JDate

What’s an interesting/fun/cute story about getting to know one another?

After meeting for the first time, Stuart asked Rachel for her contact information. She demurred, saying she would get back to him. Several days later, Stuart received a note through the JDate site that Rachel had Googled him, and found that he was not an “ax murderer.” Stuart quipped back, “How far back did you check?”

Another story: (They) had Thanksgiving at a friend’s house. After dinner, Stuart asked everyone around the table to say what they are thankful for. When it was Stuart’s turn, he said he was thankful for friends, food and for having Rachel in his life. He then got down on one knee, ring in hand, and proposed. 

How long did you know each other before you got married?

Almost two years.

When did you know you wanted to marry your partner?

After a Shabbat dinner at Rachel’s house, Stuart felt the beauty and warmth of the meal and the hospitality, and was convinced this could be a beautiful way to spend the rest of his life.

What was the best part of wedding planning?

Meeting with Rabbis (Stephen) Weiss and (Scott) Roland to discuss the wedding contract, the ceremony and the blending of the two families. Designing and creating the chuppah, the ketubah, the aufruf bags and the wedding cake (carrot cake, Stuart’s favorite). Rachel designed and made them all.

What was the most difficult part of wedding planning?

Finding and purchasing (their) forever together home to move into after the wedding.

What spot-on advice did you receive prior to the big day?
“At our age, most people told us to have fun and enjoy the magic of our relationship.”

What was the most fun or interesting Jewish aspect of your wedding/partnership?

“Finding a partner – after the loss of both of our previous spouses –
to share life, love and laughter.”


“Standing under our chuppah, surrounded by a small group of friends and relatives, our ceremony recognized the love we lost with the passing of our previous spouses. We understand that our ability to love did not die with our spouses. We share a sense of gratitude to have a life filled with love, happiness and laughter.”

– Rachel


Rachel Schwarz & Stuart Sharpe

Wedding Day

May 26, 2019

B’nai Jeshurun Congregation | Pepper Pike

Today

Ages: 65 and 77

Residence: Solon

Synagogue: B’nai Jeshurun Congregation and Congregation Shaarey Tikvah


Planning

Engagement: Nov. 22, 2018

Officiants: Rabbi Stephen Weiss and Cantor Aaron Shifman of B’nai Jeshurun and Rabbi Scott Roland of Shaarey Tikvah

Wedding Color: Purple

Dress: Purple knee length dress from Dillard’s

Wedding Rings: Platinum and diamond

Jewelry: Inherited from mother

Bouquet/Flowers: Created and arranged by the bride

Ketubah: Ketubah.com

Chuppah: Custom designed and made by the bride

Photographer: Jonathan Schwarz, the bride’s son

Reception site: Small gathering at Beechmont Country Club following the ceremony, and then a summer celebration at their new home

Cake/Sweets: The bride baked and decorated the wedding cake and baked challah

Catering: Beechmont/Kantina for summer celebration

Honeymoon: Weekend in New York City

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