The Late-Spring Jewish Wedding with the Crowd-Pleasing Cake Substitute
Benjamin Beraha and Erica Tarica celebrated their marriage with 150 guests at the uniquely elegant Hutton Brickyards, a wedding venue that perfectly blended upstate vibes with its historical charm and convenient location for city-native Benjamin. Their late June wedding, aiming for a summery and fun atmosphere, incorporated Jewish traditions like the horah and ketubah signing. Memorable moments included their first look, and guests raved about the exceptional photography and videography, the delicious bao buns during cocktail hour, and the lively music from both the DJ and band, which included many Israeli tunes. Ultimately, they wanted everyone to remember how much fun their wedding was. To that end, instead of a traditional cake, they delighted guests with local doughnuts, which were “a big hit,” according to the couple.
Name of Bride and Groom
Benjamin Beraha and Erica Tarica
Date of Wedding
June 24, 2023
Location
Butler Pavilion at Hutton Brickyards
Number of Guests
150
First Steps
How did you two meet, and how long have you been together before getting married?
We met on Hinge and we were together around 2.5 years before.
What’s the story behind your proposal? How did you propose?
Benjamin proposed in Central Park near our apartment and had a trip lined up to Sonoma the next morning.
Venue & Planning
Why did you pick this venue?
Such beauty and unique elegance. We wanted a balance of outdoors/city since Benji is from NYC so this had both (the history of Hutton mixed with upstate vibes) I also loved that everything is so close together and not too spread apart.
What was your favorite room or area at the venue, and why?
My favorite room was where we did our Friday night rehearsal dinner/ceremony.
Were there any unique or special touches about the venue that stood out to you? (the 100-acre grounds, surrounding nature, the river, historical background, the cabins, central location, privacy, etc.)
The historical background and the central location.
What was the deciding factor for your wedding date/season?
We wanted it to be the start of summer but not July/August.
Style and Aesthetics
How would you describe the theme or vibe of your wedding?
✔ Natural
✔ Romantic
What inspired your choice of colors, décor, and overall style?
Summery and fun.
Did you incorporate any personal or cultural traditions into your wedding? If so, what were they?
Jewish culture — horah, rabbi at the ceremony, ketubah signing, etc.
Vendors and Details
Which vendor exceeded your expectations the most, and why?
Photographer and videographer were exceptional.
What was your favorite dish or drink served at the wedding (did you have a custom cocktail for example)?
Bao buns for cocktail hour.
What music or entertainment did you choose, and how did it enhance the celebration?
DJ and band — both were amazing.
Were there particular wedding songs played?
A lot of Israeli music.
What kind of cake did you serve?
Didn't do a wedding cake — got local doughnuts, which were a hit.
Who made the dress?
Sarah Seven.
Who made the suit?
J. Crew.
The Experience
What moment of the day stands out the most in your memory?
Our first look.
Were there any unexpected surprises or particularly emotional moments during the wedding?
Our first look.
What advice would you give to other couples planning their wedding?
Get a wedding planner!
Reflections
If you could change one thing, what would it be?
The heat/humidity of the day (uncontrollable).
What do you want people to remember most about your wedding?
How much fun it was.
The Future
Where did you go or where will you go for your honeymoon?
Italy and South of France.
