Tag: Jewish Wedding

Elizabeth and Robert got married at the iconic, 5-star The Willard Hotel InterContinental hotel on July 8, 2023. Known for its luxurious accommodations and historic significance, The Willard InterContinental Hotel has been a favored venue for various high-profile events, including weddings. With its beautifully adorned ballrooms and elegant spaces, the hotel provided the perfect backdrop for their special day. 

They had a unique wedding that beautifully blended Caroline’s Jewish heritage and vibrant New York wedding style. New York has always been its own center of culture, history, and unique experiences, weddings especially. In New York, weddings have a distinct flow that keeps the energy high and the party atmosphere alive. 

How is a Jewish Wedding Celebrated?

A Jewish wedding reception in particular is a highly structured and time-sensitive event that requires careful attention. Instead of having a traditional seated dinner and long speeches all at once, the evening is divided into multiple dance sets, each lasting no more than 30 minutes. In between these sets guests enjoy dinner, toasts, and special dances, creating a dynamic and engaging celebration.   

It can be challenging for many bands to keep up with the fast-paced and precise nature of a Jewish wedding, and Big Ray and the Kool Kats has the experience needed to handle this flawlessly. 

What Happens at a Jewish Wedding?

A Jewish wedding is a unique and joyous celebration that typically includes various traditional customs and rituals. The celebration goes on well into the night. We started with bridal introductions and then Elizabeth and Robert’s first dance kicked off the start of the evening with a full dance floor. We made sure to play all of the great hits, as seen in the review by the bride’s father, who wrote it without us having to even ask for a review! 

“Big Ray and the Kool Kats played at our daughter’s wedding at the Willard Hotel in Washington DC. From the first song until the last, the dance floor was packed. So many people came up to us and said it was the best wedding band they had ever seen. The horn section was incredible and all the musicians were very talented. They played everything: old standards, 60’s hits, Motown, disco/70’s stuff, Hava Nagila, Country, Taylor Swift, The Killers.  We also really appreciated the diverse set of talented vocalists. They were very energetic and enthusiastic. Prior to the wedding my wife, daughter, son-in-law, and I agreed that Ray was personable, interested in our views, and very easy to work with. I don’t think you can go wrong by hiring Big Ray and the Kool Kats.”

Marc G., Father of the Bride

After a short break, the party kept going and guests were eager to get back on the dance floor. One of the highlights of a Jewish wedding is the Hora, a favorite of ours to perform. Now, I always insist that the couple be lifted by strong men, such as the groomsmen (isn’t assisting the bride and groom their job anyway?) because especially at The Willard, the chairs are unbelievably heavy. This tradition is always a favorite for family and guests alike. The party never stopped and the dance floor was never empty. What a great night and as always, Big Ray and the Kool Kats is forever grateful to have been part of a couple’s special day!

If you liked this, check out other weddings we performed for, The Willard InterContinental Wedding, Washington D.C. and Wedding at Farmington Country Club.

If you want to learn more about planning a great wedding with Big Ray and the Kool Kats, call Big Ray at 434-960-4595 or email bigrayandthekoolkats@gmail.com.