A Joyful Maryland Jewish Wedding at Glen Echo Park
Ari and Emily’s Maryland Jewish wedding had everything. A ketubah signing, a tisch, a chuppah, the circling, the glass, yichud, and a hora that filled the whole pavilion. It also had more than 175 guests, a historic carousel, and an afterparty that went until 1 am.
Why They Chose Glen Echo Park
Glen Echo Park checked every box. It was affordable, which matters when you’re hosting more than 175 guests. Its style is also unlike anything else in the area. The Art Deco buildings and old amusement park charm give it a personality no ballroom can copy.
Then there’s the carousel. Ari and Emily knew they wanted it in their photos from day one. They were especially excited about night portraits, when the neon signs light up and the whole park glows.
They held both the ceremony and reception in the Bumper Car Pavilion. It’s open-air, full of character, and big enough for a crowd that loves to dance.
If you’re considering this venue, my Glen Echo Park wedding guide covers spaces, pricing, logistics, and my favorite photo spots.
The Challenge: Seven Traditions and 175 Guests
A Jewish wedding moves fast. The ketubah signing, tisch, chuppah, and hora can all happen within a couple of hours. Each one matters. Each one is also packed with family and friends.
Ari and Emily had one main worry. Could every tradition be captured without missing the guests who made it meaningful? With more than 175 people there, that’s a real concern.
So we planned for it. They booked 10 hours of coverage, from 3pm to 1am, with a second shooter. That meant one of us could stay close to the couple while the other caught reactions, side moments, and the crowd. Nothing important happened without a camera nearby.
A Modern Tisch With Live Music
This was my favorite part of the day. Instead of a traditional seated tisch, Ari and Emily joined their guests and walked together to the ketubah signing. Seth Kibel led the way on clarinet.
Guests grabbed tambourines and joined in. People sang, danced, and clapped the whole way there. It kept the spirit of the tisch but made it their own. It was a beautiful new twist on an old tradition!
The Jewish Ceremony
The ceremony held the heart of the day. Four friends carried the chuppah down the aisle, a tallit stretched between bamboo poles. Then came the circling, surrounded by their families.
Blessings were read in Hebrew and English. Finally, Ari broke the glass, and the whole pavilion erupted in “Mazel tov!”
Right after the ceremony, Ari and Emily took a few minutes alone for yichud. After hours of celebration, it gave them space to just breathe together as a married couple.
The Hora
With Seth Kibel & The Kleztet on the music, the hora was pure energy. Ari and Emily led the circle while more than 175 guests packed the dance floor around them. This is where having a second shooter really paid off. One of us stayed on the couple, and the other caught faces in the crowd.
Their friends also put on a show for the newlyweds. Picture cardboard face masks, big dance moves, and a lot of laughter.
Night Portraits at Glen Echo Park
This was the part they’d been waiting for. We slipped away to the carousel, then out into the park after dark. The neon signs, the colors, and the vintage details made it feel like a scene from a movie.
The Afterparty at Nanny O’Brien’s
The night didn’t end at Glen Echo. Ari, Emily, and their friends moved the party to Nanny O’Brien’s for a laid-back last round. I stayed with them until 1am.
In Their Words & Highlights
“The photos are AMAZING!! We are sooo happy and cannot thank you enough! We haven’t even finished going through them because there are so many and we are taking our time so we can savour it!” – Ari and Emily
Planning a Jewish Wedding in Maryland? A Few Tips From This Day
Plan photo coverage around the traditions, not just the clock. The ketubah signing, tisch, chuppah, and hora can happen close together. Make sure your photographer knows the order ahead of time.
Consider a second shooter for a big guest list. With more than 175 guests, a second photographer means the couple and the crowd both get covered.
Make the traditions yours. Ari and Emily’s walking tisch is proof that tradition and personality can live side by side.
Plan for night portraits. If your venue has something special after dark, build 15 to 20 minutes into the timeline for it.
The Vendor Team
It takes a whole team to pull off a day like this. Thank you to everyone who made it happen!
If you’re planning a Jewish wedding in Maryland, DC, or Virginia, I’d love to hear about it. I take on a limited number of weddings each year so every couple gets my full attention. Let’s talk about your day!
Washington DC wedding photojournalist with a master's degree in
journalism from La Sorbonne. For more than 15 years, Natasha has
told stories for a living — first in newsrooms, now through candid,
unposed wedding photography across DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
