Create moments that will last a lifetime with your wedding Cantor

What/Who is a Cantor?

A Cantor is someone who sings liturgical music and leads prayer in a synagogue. A Cantor typically leads services in important Jewish moments, such as the Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath), the Jewish Holidays ([particularly Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur) as well as in important Jewish life cycle events such as Weddings or Bar Mitzvahs.

Tell us a little about yourself?

I was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, where my father is the Chief Rabbi of the Jewish community. I've lived all over the world, in Jerusalem, Montreal, London, New York and finally, Miami. I have been leading the Jewish High Holiday Services in Cali, Colombia since I'm a teenager. I also lead services as a guest Cantor at many synagogues in North America. My passion is singing at weddings, during the Jewish Wedding ceremony.

How are your weddings different than typical weddings?

Usually, a bride and groom hire musicians to play instrumental music during the ceremony. My weddings stand out because the bridal party and bride walk down the aisle to romantic songs that I serenade them with in vivo. I sing, accompanied by my band which can range in size from just piano and violin to a full orchestra! My weddings are separated into three parts: 1) the processional 2) the bride's walk down the aisle and 3) the chuppah/ceremony.

I sing important Jewish liturgy in Hebrew, but with a modern twist. For example, my songs are set to the melodies of prominent romantic songs sang by Boccelli, Groban and John Legend just to name a few. During the processional, I sing 2-3 songs while the groom and bridesmaids walk down the aisle. The highlight of the wedding is the Bride's walk down the aisle. In that moment, all eyes are on the bride as I serenade her with my song "Boi Kala (The Bride's Serenade)", which culminates with the emotion and intensity of the groom greeting his bride and walking into the chuppah with her. During the ceremony, I typically sing 2-4 short songs, culminating in the Seventh Blessing of the Sheva Brachot.

Why should clients hire you?

Couple usually hire me because they love music and are looking to connect with the spirituality, romance and timelessness of the Jewish Wedding Ceremony. They also want to add extra "oomph" to their ceremony and make it unforgettable, for themselves and their guests. Think of all the special moments during the Jewish ceremony- when the groom sees the bride for the first time, when the parents give the bride up, when the bride walks around her groom 7 times, when the groom breaks the glass- all those moments get magnified and heightened when they are accompanied with the right song.

What excites you most about your position?

I love customizing the song list with the couple. I first meet the bride and groom months before the wedding. I interview them and get to know what makes their relationship "tick." From there, we work as a team to pick the perfect songs for the aisle and ceremony. During the ceremony, I love seeing the live reactions the bride, groom and guests have during the songs. What makes me the most blessed guy in the business is that I get to inspire couples during their most vulnerable, emotional, and important moment of their life. That honor is something I never take for granted.

Tell us a little about the most memorable wedding you sang in?

It's so hard to pick just one. Some weddings are memorable because of the chemistry or background story of the couple; other weddings are more dramatic because of location, decor, etc. A special moment that stands out for me is getting to sing accompanied by the entire philharmonic orchestra in Costa Rica! But the most unforgettable highlight of my career without a doubt was serenading my beautiful wife as she walked down the aisle, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. That was almost ten years ago and I still remember it like it was yesterday.   

What is the best compliment you ever received at a wedding?

I'm always appreciative of feedback I get from the bride, a family member or a guest, One compliment that resonates was given to me by a guest at my own wedding. He was in his sixties and told me after the ceremony "I haven't cried in 20 years, until tonight." Words like that are what fuel me to inspire people through song.

What is your biggest challenge?

Without a doubt the hardest part of my work is collecting pictures or videos from the photographer/videographer post wedding. It's so frustrating because I would love to have more footage of wedding I've performed in. Unfortunately, photographer and videographers are very busy and it's hard to get material from them- even for pay!

How do potential clients find you?  

Potential clients can email me at david@cantordavid.com. You can like me on Facebook at Cantor David Goldschmidt, and on Instagram at cantordavidg.com

Colorful, innovative & exclusive menu by Chef Martino breathes life

The auspicious occasions of weddings, everyone expects perfection. From the venue and the embellishments to the flowers and the food. But narrowing down the choices and finalizing the right one for you can be a daunting and a harrowing task. Being nitpicky is a part of the process of making  your wedding day special and even more memorable.

The wedding menu, therefore, requires its due diligence. One cannot hire just anyone for the job but only the finest are appointed to prepare for the amazing affair. Finding that right caterer and putting together an exceptional menu, couples needn’t look far because esteemed chef Walter Martino is one of the most prime choices to be had to make any wedding the grand soiree it needs to be.

Although most brides like to play it safe and go with the caterers they are familiar with when it come to the food served at their wedding, but to get that extra flair and make your wedding stand out from other commonplace events, one must go the extra mile. And with a chef such as Walter Martino, one can never go wrong. He is a name that can transform any run-of-the-mill affair into a resplendent one, that leave the guest in awe. So, to take your wedding to that next level of brilliance, design a menu that speaks to you with the help of the great chef.

The million-dollar chef isn’t a household name for no reason. He has brought a revolution to the dining experience by bringing forth eclectic dishes with an abundance of flavor and finesse in his restaurant, Kaori. With his food, he tantalizes the diners and imprints them with his fine cooking, making every visit an unforgettable one. Catering to the taste buds of the most elite of clients, the chef would be a great fit to provide his services for any high-end wedding.

Couples can fix an appointment for a sample tasting to decide what they would like to have on their menu. For such a meeting, a selection can be made for personalized, five or seven-course meals to taste from. Most of the dishes on the menu feature unique rolls, seared tempuras, mouthwatering pastas and risottos and some of the most decadent desserts. The Chef Specials are, as the name suggests, very high-end and delicious assortment of fish and octopus.


While everything is quite scrumptious, some of the must-try options include the Veggie Tempura – a delicious mix of freshly cooked vegetables and tempuras, doused with honey along with a special Kaori sauce –, Fig and Cheese Ravioli – stuffed ravioli, drizzled with a concoction of butter and sage – and the Grilled Octopus – singed to perfections and served with an accompaniment of baby potatoes. Although these options are merely suggestions, but each and every element on these dishes sing to the soul and are some of the best foods one can every hope to try.

To make your day an incredible one, not only for your guests but also for yourself, choose only the best because the best is what you deserve.

Photo Credit: Kaori

It's rich and tantalizing time honeymooning in St. Barts

St. Barthelemy, more commonly known as St. Barts, is an island of the Caribbean with a dominant French influence. It has established itself as a high end destination resort for the rich and famous. Also known for its exquisite beaches and fine dining restaurants, couples flock to these islands to celebrate their love and commitment to each other. If you have got a trip planned with your significant other for this heaven on earth, here are some tips and ideas to make your stay here a memorable one.

What to eat

Gastronomy is a way of life for this coastal beauty. You will find many high end and casual restaurants where every table is tastefully prepared to pleasure and tantalize your taste buds. If you have a taste for red meat, do try sirloin steak with peppercorns served with vegetables or mashed potatoes. You will find much of the typical French cuisine here like the famous crème brulee. The creole cuisine of St. Barts features lush fruits and vegetables like bananas, mangoes, papaya etc as their main star. These fruits are served in fruit salads and ice creams. Last but not the least; do not forget to check out the specialty wines. Don’t hesitate to take the specialist’s suggestions as they will guide you to the best wine that complements your meal.

Where to stay

You will find more villas in St. Barts than hotels. If you and your significant other are in the mood to pamper yourself, go for a villa which you can book through an agency or a personal advisor. It will feature many facilities such as a luxurious spa to unwind you and your significant other. In addition there are many simple to high luxury hotels and resorts. If you want a more personal and casual touch, you can book a small cottage for the stay of your honeymoon and cater to your own needs.

What to do

There are plenty of beaches in St. Barts and each one offers exquisite beauty. There are many activities you can enjoy on a beach in addition to sunbathing. Colombier Beach is one of the most attractive beaches with its turquoise blue water and coral sand. It is known for its natural beauty and secluded approach.

Book a scuba diving or a snorkeling session with loved one on St. Jean beach to enjoy the underwater life. There are many water sports activities available here like water skiing, jet skiing, surfing, kayaks, peddle boats etc.For a person whose agenda is to shop to their heart’s desire, there are many elegant boutiques and shops here that closely resemble Paris’s atmosphere.You will need a lot more than an afternoon to check everything out.

For a relaxing day out, you can book a sailing tour with the agency for a day or a half day to enjoy the marine life in all its glory. There are plenty of beach bars as well where one can just relax and listen to music or dance to your heart’s content.

Photo Credit: Villa Aureve and Villa Lo d' Amour

It's your destiny to honeymoon here in blissful Anguilla.

Caribbean, home to many serene and exotic islands is known for its white sand beaches and turquoise blue skies. One such beautiful island is Anguilla, a small piece of land colonized by English settlers. In summers, the waters are warm and calm. The sky is devoid of clouds with plenty of sun for you to enjoy. Weather is mostly dry with very little rainfall throughout the year. Tucked away in the eastern Caribbean, it has become a haven for tourists looking for serenity. It is an ideal spot for vacation if you are looking forward to some time away from the hustle bustle of the city. Like most of the Caribbean, it is a year round destination with the most visited season being May to December. You might be spending a little more money in Anguilla than other Caribbean islands but the experience here worth every penny.

Where to Stay

Anguilla boasts of the most luxurious resorts and villas providing the perfect honeymoon getaway. The Viceroy and Cap Juluca are two such 5 star villas that will provide all high end services to help you unwind and de-stress after the hectic wedding week. If you are looking a place for your destination wedding, check out CeBlue’s Da’Vida restaurant with its spacious beachfront.

There are plenty of affordable options in Anguilla as well that won’t leave your pockets empty. Blue Waters Apartments is one such family owned place that will provide a perfect romantic spot for you and your significant other. Anguilla Great House is another great option with rooms painted in shades of blue and yellow.

What to eat

In spite of its small size, Anguilla has more than 100 restaurants offering a diverse variety of cuisines. If you are looking to splurge, definitely visit Veya near the Sandy ground which offers international cuisine with a distinct tree house setting. Don’t forget to try their excellent complementary rolls. Another very popular restaurant is Straw Hat Restaurant located on the beach front. You can buy cute hats for your loved one at the front entrance. One of its innovative dishes is beet ravioli if you are looking for vegetarian options.

There are many low end options available as well which are little friendlier on your pockets such as Ken’s Pork and Geraud’s. Visit the food stalls at The Strip in the Valley for more budget friendly options. You can get variety of options here from freshly grilled sea food to fresh local fruits.

What to do

The most obvious option is to relax on a beach and sunbathe. Anguilla offers countless beach activities as well such as paddle boarding, snorkeling etc. You can also book a private day cruise tour around the coastline through a private tour operator.

Anguilla also has a growing art community so do not miss the art gallery tours on the outskirts of town. It also has a flourishing live music scene. For a day time session, head over to the Dune Preserve or to the Pump House for a night of dancing with your significant other.

Whether you’re having a romantic getaway or it’s your honeymoon consider this amazing destination we promise you won’t regret it. 

Photo Credit: google photos, price of travel and paradise travel

You'll love the behind the scenes details of Latin traditions

If the 2010 Hollywood blockbuster, “Our Family Wedding” is anything to go by, Latino weddings stick to certain traditions that they will never compromise for any reason. If you are invited to a Latino wedding for the first time, there are certain situations you must be prepared to encounter at the wedding ceremony.

You should expect a Latino wedding to take place in a catholic church as Latinos always display their catholic affiliation with pride. The bride and groom will most definitely receive gold coins supposedly for nuptial good luck and the most important occurrence to expect is that there will be an endless list of extended family members in attendance. From the mother’s side, the father’s side, friends, neighbors, cousins and even acquaintances that have been around for so long they have come to be known as family.

Latino weddings happen all night so expect the cocktail for the reception to start around 7 p.m. while dinner will probably commence around 11:00 p.m. The energetic Latino dance begins at midnight where everyone present whether young or old is expected to slug it out on the dance floor for almost the whole night. This is usually followed by the Cotillón; the most entertaining part of the wedding where the bride and groom reappear at the reception with costumes, glow sticks, hats, beaded necklaces, sunglasses and other random souvenirs that everyone puts on to take photographs.

The period of celebratory dance marks a close similarity between Latino weddings and Nigerian weddings because the couple is encouraged to dance so intensely to Latino music (a must in Latino weddings) while guests celebrate them with cash, in traditional Latino weddings, the guests approaches the bride and groom pinning money to the bride's dress.

Another distinction in Latino wedding is that rather than a bouquet, everyone circles the wedding cake to pull a ribbon out from it. One of the ribbons will have a ring attached to the end of it and whoever is the lucky winner that pulls out that special ribbon is next to get married, isn’t this quite interesting?

Celebration continues nonstop even after the bride and groom have left the reception.

Photo credit: serendipity studio and Jaco Photo