After 3 postponements, Victoria and Eli finally got to enjoy their Jewish Wedding at Riverside on the Potomac this winter! Although these two have already been legally married for 2 years following a micro-wedding in 2020, we were still overjoyed for the big day. It meant so much to the couple to celebrate with all their friends and family and with Jewish traditions near to their hearts.
While planning their wedding, having fun, spending time with family, and honoring Jewish culture were top priorities for Victoria and Eli. With the help of their coordinator, Maya of Honey and Lavender Events, they planned an entire weekend of events. This ranged from laser tag the day before to a 5k marathon course the morning of the wedding at the venue.
After their first look and portraits, we gathered with their closest family and friends to sign the ketubah. This important tradition honors the Jewish wedding contract, making them legally married in the eyes of their community and faith.
Their Western ceremony was next, which was officiated by Victoria’s sister. They went for a more modern take on a chuppah as you’ll see. They circled the other person 7 times. This tradition is said to create a wall of protection from evil spirits and temptations. They also each drank from a shared wine glass. Following a ring re-exchange, they each completed the fun tradition of stepping on and breaking a piece of glass.
One more fun Jewish tradition you’ll see at their reception is the hora, where the couple and guests dance around in a circle together. Then, the couple is lifted up into the air while seated on a chair. I loved that the couple and also each set of their parents went up!
Victoria thoughtfully incorporated beautiful works of art like Starry Night, and other Van Gogh paintings on bridesmaids dresses and reception decorations. I loved all the thoughtful places the paintings were incorporated! I was so impressed by their artistic talent.
Another thing I’ve admired about this couple since meeting them is their shared desire to better protect and preserve the environment. Their shared interest in this space definitely helped build a strong foundation in their relationship. Victoria’s talked about how much she loves being able to bounce ideas off of Eli, and vice versa. Victoria is the President and Managing Director of The Arctic Institute, while Eli is a lawyer who aids in bringing renewable energy projects together. Needless to say, I’m so incredibly proud of my badass couples!
Keep scrolling to see more from this beautiful Jewish wedding at the Riverside on the Potomac!
Vendor Team
Photography: Xiaoqi Li Photography
Venue: Riverside on the Potomac
Wedding Planner: Maya of Honey and Lavender Events
Catering: Santmier Catering, Purple Onion Catering
Brunch Venue: Lansdowne Resort
Rentals: Purple Onion Catering
Dessert: Ice Cream Jubilee
Florist: Modern Foliage
DJ: Line Check Audio
MUA: Mandy Hollinger
Photo Booth: The Marigold Bus and Booth
Transportation: Road Yachts
![bride and groom walking outdoors wearing wedding attire on jewish wedding at riverside on the potomac day](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-01.jpg)
![wedding couple embracing and smiling during outdoor portraits](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-02.jpg)
![bride and groom walking hand in hand looking at one another](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-03.jpg)
![wedding couple wearing strapless white wedding dress and navy suit hugging during outdoor portraits](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-04.jpg)
![bride wearing strapless wedding gown with hand painted intricate details on back](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-05.jpg)
![bride looking away from camera while back of dress is shown with intricate beading and pearls](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-06.jpg)
![close up of bride's dress paying tribute to Van Gogh's Starry Night painting](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-07.jpg)
![groom wearing navy suit and bow tie with yellow rose boutonnière during Jewish Wedding at Riverside on the Potomac portraits](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-08.jpg)
![close up of groom's bow tie with starry night fabric and yellow boutonniere](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-09.jpg)
![family portraits taken outdoors before wedding ceremony at Jewish wedding](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-10-1024x683.jpg)
![wedding couple being embraced by wedding party wearing van gogh inspired dresses](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-11-1024x683.jpg)
![bride and groom looking at one another during outdoor portraits](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-12-1024x683.jpg)
![bride and bridesmaids during outdoor portraits all wearing colorful skirts with paintings of Van Gogh printed on them](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-13-1024x683.jpg)
![groom with groomsmen all wearing navy suits](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-14-1024x683.jpg)
![wedding couple sitting with family and friends getting ready for ceremony](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-15-1024x683.jpg)
![couple embracing before Jewish wedding ceremony](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-16-1024x683.jpg)
![starry night inspired wedding welcome sign](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-17.jpg)
![bride walking down aisle before Jewish wedding ceremony](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-18-1024x683.jpg)
![bride standing at alter waiting for groom at jewish wedding ceremony](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-19-1024x683.jpg)
![wedding couple standing at alter together before wedding ceremony](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-20-1024x683.jpg)
![wedding couple standing together at alter](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-21-1024x683.jpg)
![wedding couple kissing during wedding ceremony at riverside on the potomac](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-22-1024x683.jpg)
![wedding couple celebrating recent marriage honoring jewish traditions](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-23-1024x683.jpg)
![wedding couple exiting ceremony as newly married couple wearing wedding attire](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-24-1024x683.jpg)
![groom embracing family after jewish wedding ceremony](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-25-1024x683.jpg)
![bride smiling and celebrating after wedding ceremony](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-26-1024x683.jpg)
![indoor wedding reception featuring wooden tables and string lights at cozy rustic wedding](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-27-1024x683.jpg)
![wedding couple entering evening reception](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-28.jpg)
![wedding couple lifted up on chairs celebrating at evening reception](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-29-1024x683.jpg)
![guests being lifted on chairs celebrating during reception](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-30-1024x683.jpg)
![bride and groom clapping and laughing with guests during jewish wedding reception](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-31-1024x683.jpg)
![guests being lifted on chairs during jewish wedding reception](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-32-1024x683.jpg)
![groom break dancing during jewish wedding reception on wood floor](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-33-1024x683.jpg)
![bride dancing with wedding guest on dance floor](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-34-1024x683.jpg)
![bride hugging wedding guests during evening reception](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-35-1024x683.jpg)
![wedding couple sitting and listening to speeches being given by wedding party](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-36-1024x683.jpg)
![wedding couple listening to intimate speeches at jewish wedding at riverside on the potomac reception](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-37-1024x683.jpg)
![wedding couple lifting glasses and toasting during toasts](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-38-1024x683.jpg)
![bride dancing with father during father daughter dance](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-39-1024x683.jpg)
![bride hugging father after emotional dance](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-40-1024x683.jpg)
![wedding guests holding hands dancing in circle](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-41-1024x683.jpg)
![child being held and dancing on ground](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-42-1024x683.jpg)
![bride and groom celebrating with family and friends at jewish wedding reception](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-43-1024x683.jpg)
![wedding guests dancing and having fun at reception](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-44-1024x683.jpg)
![black and white portrait of wedding guests dancing](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-45-1024x683.jpg)
![bride holding hands and dancing with guests](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-46-1024x683.jpg)
![bride and groom dancing together during evening reception in black and white portrait](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-47-1024x683.jpg)
![bride and groom celebrating jewish wedding at riverside on the potomac](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-48-1024x683.jpg)
![wedding couple wearing fun hats exiting wedding ceremony in car](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-49-1024x683.jpg)
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![wedding couple lifted up on chairs celebrating at evening reception](https://xiaoqili.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7250/2022/05/Jewish-Wedding-at-Riverside-on-the-Potomac-Xiaoqi-Li-Photography-29.jpg)
Absolutely stunning! Thank you so much for sharing memories your magical day! I am trying to pull off a Van Gogh/Starry Night Theme wedding but it will not compare to the beauty seen here! Wedding dress is gorgeous! I truly love your creativity!!