Weddings

Jessica + Adam Tampa Wedding

July 3, 2019

Jessica & Adam were married this past Saturday at the Congregation Schaarai Zedek Synagogue in Tampa, Florida by Rabbi Farb on a glorious June summer day.

Jessica is a dancer and embodies grace and beauty. She began at age 3 and continued on throughout her collegiate career, and now dances as a professional cheerleader for the Tampa Sunsations who support the Orlando Apollos, Rowdies and Lakeland Tropics. She is a former teacher who has turned her passion and love of the arts into her business Show On the Road. A travelling theater group of approximately 100+ students ranging in ages from 3 (the Broadway Babies) to 18. Her company trains youth in dance, theater, voice lessons as well as musical instruction in piano and the ukulele. Talk about a talented and driven woman.

Jessica graduated from USF with dual bachelor’s degrees in Theater and Sociology with a Minor in Women’s Studies, as well as holding her teaching certificate.

Adam is a hockey fanatic. After playing defense himself for years, he is a die hard Lightning Fan. Go Bolts! Besides his love for the Lightning, Adam is a USF Football wizard. He also attended USF and obtained his bachelors degree in Economics. He currently works for USAA. Adam has a quick wit and playful personality which meshes perfectly with Jessica’s enthusiasm. He always has her laughing, which is perfection in my book.

They met on-line right after Jessica graduated from college, as they were both heavily involved in the Jewish life on campus.

They are the proud parents of two adorable Cocker Spaniel’s named Gino and Tina and you can follow their escapades on Instagram @gino_and_tina. The day would not have been complete without a guest appearance from their two cute pups.

The day began for Jessica and her squad at her parent’s home in Tampa, where they took part in the female bonding experience of prepping for the big day being pampered with hair and make-up by the extraordinary Lexie George of Lexie Lowry Make-up. When it came time for Jessica to dress in her stunning lace gown, she was assisted by her Mother Pam and her Matron of Honor and sister, Melissa. She wore a finger tip veil, affixed by a beautiful lace hair piece. To make the day even more special Jessica wore her Grandmother’s Swavorski crystal heart earrings as her something old and borrowed.

She wore a silver necklace adorned with the Jewish Star of David. The story goes, Adam had been hinting of the awesome gift he was about to present Jessica, and she would be so happy. Jessica assumed, as most women would at that point, he was about to propose. After much excitement and anticipation, Adam presented Jessica with the necklace.

Adam did plan on proposing though. Being a fan and great supporter of Jessica and her theater work with the children, he is always present at her shows. After one such show, Adam climbed up on stage and in front of the entire audience dropped to his knee and asked Jessica to be his wife. How romantic is that?

Adam and his groomsmen prepped for the big day at the Towneplace Suites in Tampa. They wore gray suits with plum bow ties and pocket squares. Being lovers of the Avengers, each groomsman wore different cuff links from their favorite superhero. The funniest part of their time together was when none of them could figure out how to tie their bow ties, thankfully a YouTube video was there to save the day. Despite the rain, the guys were able to gather for some fun and images inside the parking garage for a hip, urban feel.

Jessica and her bridesmaids carried unique bouquets constructed of paper flowers, which highlighted the deep plum color of her bridesmaids gowns.

After arriving at the Synagogue, the couple met with the Rabbi independently with their parents and witnesses to sign the Kebutah. The Kebutah is a cloth or parchment scroll adorned with art work and words of the couple’s choosing. Their parent’s placed their hands upon the corners of the Kebutah while the Rabbi recited his verse, to signify their support and dedication to the couple and their marriage. This unique ceremony is actually the official start of the wedding.

A group of Jessica’s students started off the wedding by singing “Sunrise, Sunset” then the processional began. As they became man and wife and sealed the promise with their first kiss, Adam then completed their wedding with the Breaking of the Glass. The Breaking of the Glass symbolizes the destruction of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. Couples include this tradition in their wedding ceremony as it symbolizes the absolute finality of the marital covenant.

The couple’s reception was held at the Congregation Schaarai Zedek. The all purpose room sparkled in plum and crystal.

Music is a huge part of who Jessica is so it was important for her to have live musicians perform at her wedding. During cocktail hour guests were dazzled by the elegant sounds of The Barnkickers, a Father Daughter duo on the Upright Bass and Ukulele. The marvelous Bay Kings Band performed for the reception, and had guests up and on their feet the entire night. Jessica’s talented Father Chuck took the stage and sang “As time goes by”, you could literally see him transform into Frank Sinatra right before your eyes. As an added surprise Groomsman Steven( Jessica’s brother) joined him on stage with his saxophone, and they literally brought everyone to their feet with a roaring rendition of “Jump, Jive an Wail”. Adam and Jessica boogied on the dance floor (Adam learned to swing dance just for her) along with all their guests. I mean all 100 plus guests were out busting moves on the dance floor. It was incredible to witness.

When it came time for The Hora, or chair dance which is an Israeli circle dance, the Bay Kings Band belted out the traditional Jewish song, Hava Nagila. Jessica and Adam were hoisted into the air on chairs while their friends and family danced in a circle around them. I kept watching Jessica’s face as they group tossed her up and down on that small chair. I am glad neither of them had a fear of heights!

After the traditional cake cutting and much more dancing, the couple ended their celebration with a musical escort by the Bay Kings Band New Orleans style for their Grand Exit while guests showered the couple with purple, bio-degradable confetti.

The newlyweds will be honeymooning in Freeport, Bahamas.

I can honestly say this wedding was one for the books folks.

Here’s wishing Jessica and Adam a lifetime of happiness and many, many more amazing adventures.

XO Sue