Jackie & Sal’s Interfaith Wedding at the TWA Hotel

While some wedding venues feel like a blank canvas waiting to be transformed, the TWA Hotel at JFK stands out with its sweeping curves, mid-century design, and view of the runways, making it a truly unique location. When Jackie and Sal chose that space for their wedding, they wanted something modern and alive, but also deeply personal. And that is exactly what they created!

Jackie and Sal’s story, like so many over the past few years, was shaped by waiting. They had planned to marry during the height of the pandemic, but decided to postpone until it was safe for everyone they loved to gather. That delay gave them time to think carefully about what really mattered to them. When the day finally came, every part of their ceremony carried intention.

Their interfaith wedding was crafted to honor and blend the unique traditions and customs of both their faiths, creating a rich and inclusive experience for all in attendance. Together, we built a ceremony that felt like an honest reflection of who they are, incorporating elements that highlighted their grounded nature, curiosity, and gratitude for their journey. We stood beneath the chuppah as planes could be seen going by outside the glass walls—a reminder that love and faith often coexist with motion and distance…and the world around us!

Jackie brought a meaningful piece of her own history into the ceremony: a kiddush cup that had been used at her own baby naming. Its silver surface caught the light beautifully as we blessed the wine. That same cup had once been part of her earliest Jewish moments, and now it marked another sacred transition.

The couple wanted to ensure that this long-delayed ceremony was shared widely with those who supported them through uncertain years. They invited friends and family members to take part in reading the Sheva Brachot, the Seven Blessings. One by one, voices rose from the congregation, creating a chorus that felt both ancient and personal. It was one of those moments when ritual truly became communal, where everyone present became a witness and participant in the covenant being made.

Interfaith ceremonies often reveal how much shared ground there is between traditions. In Jackie and Sal’s wedding, that shared ground was visible in every part of the ritual: in the blessings, in the laughter between jokes in their vows, and in the quiet, steady way they looked at one another. What they built together wasn’t about blending faiths, but about building a home that could hold and celebrate both.

As the ceremony closed, Jackie broke the glass and celebration erupted! Around us, family members cheered, some through tears, some simply in relief that this long-awaited day had finally come. Outside, planes continued to take off, one after another, each heading somewhere new. Inside, Jackie and Sal began a journey of their own, carrying with them the strength of patience and the beauty of community that love and tradition bring.