Wedding day
Wedding Date: June 29th, 2025
Today
Ages: 37 & 39
Hometown: Bainbridge
How did you meet?
We’ve known each other since childhood, I (Rachael) grew up with his brother, Michael. We all attended Agnon Day School (now Joseph and Florence Mandel Jewish Day School), and Beachwood High School. Adam was three grades ahead, which was sort of a big difference when we were younger. We reconnected at the Cleveland Museum of Art’s annual Summer Solstice event, I attended with friends and he was working the event. It was rather serendipitous – one of my best friends, Rachel Evans (Zieleniec), was attending the event that night with her family. She called me 30 minutes before it started and said she had an extra ticket since her aunt injured her leg that day. She had been chatting with Adam before I arrived, and encouraged me to go talk to him. I did, and the rest is history.
Do you have any interesting stories to share about getting to know one another?
My dog, Lulu, fell in love with Adam immediately. He did not grow up with dogs, but it seems like he was always meant to have one – the way she follows him around the house, attacks him with at least 25 kisses whenever he walks through the door, snuggles up next to him, the way her head perks up when she hears his voice on the phone. He has definitely become alpha over me. It doesn’t get better than that.
How long did you know each other before you got married?
Technically over 30 years, but in a relationship for about two years.
When did you know you wanted to marry your partner?
Adam: We went kayaking together pretty early-on, it was really fun and special. I learned she is spontaneous and loves the outdoors.
Rachael: It happened over time, there wasn’t one memory or date. It was the culmination of many things: similar values and traditions, spending time together outdoors, making each other laugh, Adam’s love for Lulu, spending time together with family and friends. It all just felt so natural.
What was the best part of wedding planning?
There wasn’t one specific part, but we enjoyed embarking on this journey together. Adam was involved from the beginning; we made almost all of the decisions together, which was very special. We enjoyed our meetings with Rabbi Hal (Rudin-Luria of B’nai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike), discussing aspects of the wedding not related to decor/food/entertainment…and also focusing on our relationship. Having a six month engagement is pretty short in the wedding industry, but with the help of our wedding coordinator, Tricia (Dever), everything turned out beautiful.
Was there any spot-on advice you received prior to the big day, either in terms of the wedding or lasting relationship?
Soak it all in. These people you love and who love you will never all be in the same room again. Always have a sense of humor. Never leave without saying goodbye and I love you.
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?
One of the hardest decisions we had to make early-on was the location for the wedding. We strongly considered a destination wedding in Israel (where Rachael’s 99-year-old grandmother and other family live) or a destination within the U.S but ultimately decided to stay local. We wanted to keep it small and intimate but also wanted to be surrounded by family and friends – that’s hard. It became nearly impossible to choose any destination, which would have excluded so many people we love.
What was the most fun or interesting Jewish aspect of your wedding/partnership?
Incorporating Israel into the ceremony and reception. We wanted to keep our wedding day a joyous occasion, while also honoring Israel in any way possible.
Examples:
- There were small Israeli flags in the bride/bridesmaids’ flower bouquets.
- We worked with Rabbi Hal and Cantor (Alyssa) Rosenbaum on ceremony music – the ceremony included all Hebrew/Jewish music. Bride walked down the aisle to Hallelujah, played by the Sonata Trio and sung in Hebrew by Cantor Rosenbaum. During the ceremony, there was a moment of silence for the hostages; and prior to breaking the glass, Rabbi Hal/Cantor Rosenbaum took a few minutes to honor Israel with beautiful words and in song.
- A large Israeli flag was used during the hora, instead of a traditional cloth napkin.
Is there anything else that was unique to your wedding?
It was really special to have my (Rachael) friend, Anna, play the violin for cocktail hour. She was joined by a fellow violinist to play cocktail hour, and then stayed for the reception.
Planning
- Officiant: Rabbi Hal Rudin-Luria of B’nai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike
- Cantor: Alyssa Rosenbaum of B’nai Jeshurun Congregation
- Wedding colors: Bridal party: Shades of blue
- Florals: Multicolor
- Dress: Luxe Bridal – One of the first dresses I tried on, at the first store my mom and I went to. That never happens to me!
- Wedding rings: Adam’s wedding band and Rachael’s engagement ring: Gottlieb & Sons
- Rachael’s wedding band: Purchased at an Israeli art show at Mandel Jewish Day School (the artist had a total of 2 wedding bands, and this one matched perfectly and fit perfectly.)
- Ceremony rings: Adam used his wedding band and Rachael used her grandfather’s wedding band
- Hair: Ladies & Gentlemen: Melissa Brabant (bride/bridesmaids), Angel Halloway (MOB, flower girl, bridesmaids)
- Makeup: Ladies & Gentlemen: James Law (bride), Carly Carr (Mother of the bride, flower girl, bridesmaids)
- Bridesmaids dresses: Azazie
- Groom’s formalwear: SuitShop
- Groomsmen: SuitShop
- Bouquet/Flowers: Nikki’s Perfect Petals
- Ketubah: Jennifer Kaplan, local Jewish artist
- Chuppah: Adam built the chuppah in the backyard, using a tree from the backyard
- Photographer: Tom Forrest Photography
- Videographer: Wild Bandit Studio
- Planner/Consultant: Tricia Dever
- Cake/Sweets: Wild Flour Bakery
- Rehearsal dinner: Lady Caroline – sunset cruise
- Invitations/Stationery: Zola.com
- Music/entertainment:
- Ceremony: Sonata Trio (Cleveland Music Group)
- Cocktail hour: Anna Kohler & LeAundra Richardson
- Reception: Cleveland Keys
- Rentals: L’nique Linens
- Accommodations: Fidelity Hotel Cleveland
- Registries: Zola, Crate & Barrel
- Honeymoon: TBD. Possibly an Australia/New Zealand trip