A Jewish Wedding at Main Street Station

February 15, 2022

Laughing. Kissing. Love. Michelle + Adam Style!

A Jewish Celebration.

Main Street Station has been completely revitalized. The restored French Renaissance-style Headhouse married with The Shed, an expanse of steel and glass that’s two football fields in length, creates a very Richmond place for weddings and events with guest lists from 20 to several thousand. Michelle and Adam chose the HeadHouse for their conservative Jewish wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, and a video/photo session in The Shed.

The early September day began in a charming Airbnb in the Northside neighborhood of Richmond for the bridal party while the guys gathered at the Residence Inn by Marriott downtown. The Airbnb offered an eclectic choice of warm colors, luxurious furnishings, bold geometric patterns, and copious amounts of natural light. The perfect stage for Michelle’s getting-ready footage. Conversely, the camera’s attention easily focused on the groomsmen in their navy blue suits against the Marriott’s modern decor and neutral colors.

Sporting dark sunglasses, Adam and the groomsmen sauntered over to Main Street Station to gather with the rest of the guys on one side of the Headhouse and prepared for the Ketubah signing and Tisch. Meanwhile, Michelle and her bridesmaids made their way to Main Street Station gathering in the room on the opposite side to welcome guests, relax and await the Bedeken.

At precisely 3 PM, Adam and his parents joined the Rabbi under the Chuppah. Following Adam’s Safta, the flower girl and the ring bearer, Michelle walked down the aisle escorted by her mother and her father. With everyone assembled, Michelle began the Hakafah of the Groom, circling Adam seven times symbolizing completeness, consent, and perfection. Admired by all, Michelle + Adam exchanged rings duly inspected and blessed by two different rabbis. Next, family and friends bestowed upon the couple the Seven Blessings or the Sheva Brachot, the heart of the Jewish wedding ceremony.

Amidst the final prayer, the familiar sound of the Breaking of the Glass echoed through the room, Adam lifted Michelle’s veil, and the ceremony closed with a long-awaited kiss and enthusiastic shouts of Mazel Tov!

After the ceremony, guests were invited to the first-floor lobby for the cocktail hour, while the couple enjoyed some time in yichud or seclusion. Gathering on the iconic front steps of Main Street Station, well-known Richmond Photographer Don Mears captured exuberant photos of family and friends. Meanwhile, our drone took off capturing the wedding party from above, as they were met with good wishes and celebratory honking of horns from the folks enjoying downtown Richmond nightlife.

To kick off the reception, the energetic DJ from Rhythm of Love introduced the bridal party amid thunderous applause from all 150 guests. Michelle + Adam’s first dance kicked off the reception followed immediately by toasts given by their parents, Safta, the Maid-of-Honor, and Best Man.

After a sumptuous dinner, Michelle + Adam took to the dance floor. The first dance with the mothers was followed by a Mezinka celebration for Michelle’s parents. Next up was the Horah, a traditional dance in which Michelle + Adam were lifted high in the air while being encircled by their guests; who were dancing, and wishing the couple well with more shouts of Mazel Tov! Then the dance opened for everyone. Michelle + Adam stayed on the dance floor for the entire night! Leaving by the front stairs of MainStreet Station, their guess enveloped them in a sea of bubbles.