Photos: Israel Ori Carmi : Memphis: Brandon Chesbro
It’s said that music is the universal language, bringing people together from various backgrounds. And it could also be said that music is responsible for bringing two young people together for their happily-ever-after.
Corey Steinberg, son of Memphians Ken and Jill Steinberg, and Eleanor Tallie, daughter of Benny and Judy Tsaig from Israel, are harmonious newlyweds, who are literally creating beautiful music together – she as a musician and he as her manager.
Their musical journey of love began in 2013. Having won the Israel Blues Society competition, Eleanor, a lead vocalist with her band at the time, came to Memphis to compete in the annual International Blues Challenge. There she met Jill and Ken.
“Jill and Ken mentioned their son, Corey, who was living in New Orleans and working in the music business,” says Eleanor. “They said he had a degree in music business, and that he could probably book a show for our band for our next visit.”
The band connected with Corey, who arranged a gig in New Orleans during the band’s summer tour. “The whole band fell in love with Corey. He was our manager for two years, being on the road with us 24/7 for 200 shows in over 40 states,” remembers Eleanor. “In the beginning of 2015 the band dis-grouped. Corey and I started my solo project – under the name Eleanor Tallie. The music I write and play includes soul, R&B, funk, jazz and more.”
Eleanor, who’s classically trained on cello, grew up in Israel in a family of musicians. She and Corey are now based in Midtown Memphis but spend most of their time touring the country, having played in Atlanta, Colorado, New York, North Carolina and elsewhere across the country. Eleanor recorded an EP at Royal Studios with Grammy-winning engineer and producer, Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell, and recently recorded a new single with NYC/NJ-based producer Steve Greenwell, who’s produced and worked with Joss Stone, Digable Planets, Busta Rhymes and more.
After years of working so closely together, Corey and Eleanor eventually fell in love, and when they got engaged, decided to have a wedding in her home country, and a celebration in Memphis.
The couple said their vows as the sun set over the Mediterranean Sea.
“I was born and raised in Israel, and my whole family lives there,” says Eleanor, of their June 2016 wedding. “There was no question about having the wedding there.” They chose the Caliph in Tel Aviv-Yafo – for years one of the main music and event venues in the Old City of Jaffa, and now a popular wedding venue. The building is about 300-400 years old, and was built in the days of the Ottoman Empire.
“The balcony where we had our ceremony overlooks the Tel Aviv skyline and the Mediterranean Sea,” explains Eleanor. “This place is so beautiful, all we really needed for décor was some flowers. But the venue ended up surprising us with even more décor on the chuppah.”
The event started with a sunset ceremony and moved along to an outdoor cocktail area with an acoustic Latin band playing music in the background. After drinks and hors d’oeuvres, the 250 guests enjoyed dinner prepared by the in-house Argentinian chef, “which was absolutely amazing,” she exclaims. “The reception hall had a big dance floor and a DJ spinning some great songs. As musicians, who care a great deal about music, we chose about 500 songs for our DJ. Normally, the DJ chooses the music independently, but ours was accommodating and understood that we were trying to give our guests a different experience. We chose songs from so many different genres and eras: a 50s’ swing medley, Israeli classics, Michael Jackson, Prince, hip-hop and traditional old Greek and Middle Eastern music. At that point, we handed out colorful belly-dancing scarves with bells attached. The dancing went until 2 a.m., and did not stop even once!”
The event started with a sunset ceremony and moved along to an outdoor cocktail area with an acoustic Latin band playing music in the background. After drinks and hors d’oeuvres, the 250 guests enjoyed dinner prepared by the in-house Argentinian chef, “which was absolutely amazing,” she exclaims. “The reception hall had a big dance floor and a DJ spinning some great songs. As musicians, who care a great deal about music, we chose about 500 songs for our DJ. Normally, the DJ chooses the music independently, but ours was accommodating and understood that we were trying to give our guests a different experience. We chose songs from so many different genres and eras: a 50s’ swing medley, Israeli classics, Michael Jackson, Prince, hip-hop and traditional old Greek and Middle Eastern music. At that point, we handed out colorful belly-dancing scarves with bells attached. The dancing went until 2 a.m., and did not stop even once!”
“The whole event was absolutely gorgeous!” says Jill. “Both sets of Corey’s grandparents and some friends from the States attended. The scenery was beautiful, the food was amazing, and the weather was beautiful!”
An intimate setting at Felicia Suzanne’s Restaurant.
Up next was a weekend of festivities in Memphis, which included an intimate exchange of vows ceremony at Felicia Suzanne’s Restaurant and an amazing wedding reception at Minglewood Hall.
Event planner, Sheril Greenstein, transformed each venue, exceeding the couple’s expectations.
“Friday night was so beautiful,” says Eleanor. “We invited 100 family members and close friends to share a quiet ceremony in the courtyard led by Corey’s cousin, Rabbi Adam Allenberg, from Los Angeles. I wrote and read something for Corey. Corey read a poem that I wrote for him when we first got together – this time he dedicated it to me. We loved having this intimate ceremony.”
Guests enjoyed Shabbat dinner, watched a video that Jill had made about the happy couple as kids, leading up to the present; AND also celebrated the 80th birthday of Corey’s grandmother, Marcia. After family speeches, many of the out-of-town guests joined the event for cocktails and desserts. The evening continued downtown at Paula & Raiford’s Disco, “a Memphis wedding and after-party tradition,” says Eleanor.
The next day, out-of-town guests enjoyed lunch at the Steinberg’s condo on the river and then an evening to remember at Minglewood Hall.
Using metallic materials in the draperies, paper goods and even the cake, Sheril Greenstein transformed Minglewood Hall into a fairy tale setting.
“It was beautiful,” says Eleanor of the hall. “Sheril draped the ceiling, walls, and hallway leading into the main room with a unique metallic fabric in gold, copper and silver squares. The theme was carried out throughout the room on the main bar and card placeholders. Centerpieces and other elements in the room featured candles and twigs, and small flower arrangements were complemented with touches of color. The three-tiered cake was gold, silver and copper.”
“The transformation was spectacular!” says Jill. “It was absolutely magnificent, you wouldn’t have known it was Minglewood Hall.” Chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman of Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen of Memphis, a Steinberg family favorite, prepared dinner served at stations. “The Garry Goin Group was a terrific band. The party was absolutely amazing! We danced, ate and had a great time. It was all fantastic!”
Again, the music continued at an after-party jam session where Eleanor and Corey and their musician friends performed. “We rented a space across the street from Minglewood Hall, and brought a full backline of musical gear and instruments,” says Eleanor. “Everyone was invited to keep the jam going. And that is exactly what we did, keeping the performances and the music going until 4 a.m.”
“It was a beautiful, fantastic weekend, and everyone had an amazing time,” says Jill. “Corey has always loved music, so for him to have a partner who’s so passionate about what he loves is awesome,” says Jill. It’s so wonderful and amazing to see my son so happy. I could not have picked a more perfect, better daughter-in-law than Eleanor. She and I were close friends, and now, I get to have her as my daughter.”
“I still cannot believe we had two weddings on two different continents, and that I wore three wedding dresses in one month!” says Eleanor. “We both feel blessed and thankful to have experienced such a fun and unique wedding with all the people we love. It’s a fairy tale we will never stop talking about. We really wanted to celebrate our love in the most fun way possible, and that is exactly what ended up happening.”
