Okay, HOW incredible are Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Jossef Si’s photos of today’s Jewish wedding?The composition, the lighting, the emotion… they’re somehow totally natural and full of personality, yet also look like they could’ve come straight out of the pages of a glossy magazine.
It doesn’t hurt that Nofar, a project manager, and Zahi, a developer, are a super stylish couple – though believe it or not, they actually hate having their pictures taken, and they put the effortless, natural shots they ended up with down to Jossef’s calming demeanor and warm sense of humor.
Neither does the bride’s stellar fashion sense: she wore not one but two incredible Israeli designers, starting the day in Berta, and later changing into a shorter, lighter, party-ready number by Dana Harel.
And we also love that Nofar made a spontaneous on-the-spot decision to give a wedding speech! We’ll let her fill you in on the rest of this fab day…
How we met
Nofar, the bride: We first met after Zahi sent me a message and my cousin decided to answer him (although I wasn’t a great believer that I would ever meet my half). After a few minutes of texting from my cousin, I realized ‘this guy is special’.
The first date finally came. I had decided to call it off (typically me…), somehow Zahi convinced me to come and my cousin insisted, as she said ‘worst case you will drink a good beer/wine’… I told Zahi I would come alone without him picking me up from my house, but as I arrived at the place I thought was the location I got stuck and spent 20 minutes looking for a way out of the street where I parked my car…so..I had to tell Zahi eventually to come and look for me.
He came on his motorcycle, took his helmet off, we burst out laughing, and everything is history… ☺
A Garden Wedding
Zahi and I got married at Hagiva event garden in Givat Brener (Israel). It was love at first sight!
It’s pastoral spot with green in every corner, the arched wall at the entrance reminded us Italy (where we got engaged), the charcoal lamps that made us feel warm and comfortable, the fish pond, and the open space were just some of the mutual feelings we had that made us feel that this was the perfect place for us to get married.
Romantic Italian Minimalism
All wedding planning decisions were made by both of us – even if one was more interested than the other in a particular topic, we still enjoyed the whole experience as a couple. We decided not to get a wedding planner so the whole wedding would really express who we are – Nofar and Zahi.
Our aesthetic was romantic, pastoral Italian dream and gentle minimalism. There is nothing more soothing and romantic than pastel colors so the whole color scheme design was based on shades of white, peach, coral and pink that combined perfectly with the natural green. We chose white tablecloths and cream colored napkins that blended most naturally with the wooden tables and chairs of the place.
Invitation
Sophisticated minimalism was our theme for the invitation. Our logo on the back of the invitation was unique due to our choice to write our names in English (and not in Hebrew). The first letters of our names are almost identical with a 180 degree rotation… N-Z!
The special thing we decided to do with our invitation was our own handmade wax seals! We sat for over 13 hours on a Saturday making over 150 wax seals on the envelopes! Zahi “suffered” from the long process of doing the wax seals but the result was amazing!
Hair + Makeup
For my first dress I was looking for the romantic, classic, dreamy look so I decided to have my hair down with hair jewelry to look like a natural “crown”.
As my second dress was more sexy and lightweight I decided on a high ponytail. Miki Zituni was patient and attentive to my and my mom’s requests and stayed with me throughout the day till I changed my hairstyle for the second dress. Perfect hairstylist and magical person!
Dresses
First dress – Berta. Before we even got engaged I saw this dress on Instagram and felt immediately in love with it! It was a brief video of upcoming designs and I thought to myself “I wish this dress would make me feel perfect as it seems on the model”. As a typical bride, I went to try countless dresses just to be sure I didn’t miss anything special. When I tried this dress I felt the magic, I felt special, perfect… it was the first time my father got emotional and cried – that was the signal for me that she is the one!
Second dress – Dana Harel. The second dress was a dress I always dreamed of, a short dress but not too much, deep front and back cleavage and a special fabric that will look simple yet sophisticated, not to mentioned comfortable.
When I came to Dana Harel’s studio there was an instant click between my parents, me and Dana (the designer)! It is so rare for the designer to be involved and present in the bride’s dress making process! Dana is so humble and attentive! She immediately understood my wishes and asked me not to choose any of the dresses I tried but to wait for a sample to come back from shooting a week later. So I did, thank god and Dana, and there were all my dreams in one little sparkling dress!
Accessories
I decided on a clean look for my wedding, so for the first dress I wore pearl earrings that one of my best friends and bridesmaids wore at her wedding. The earrings matched perfectly with the pearl I had in my dress. I also had some hair accessories with white roses and pearls.
For my second dress I wore a necklace my parents gave me at my mikveh ceremony (two days before my wedding) and diamond earrings that Zahi bought for me on my birthday (the first of my birthdays we celebrated together!)
Shoes
The red queen – Louboutin! 10 cm of perfection, nude heels, red sole! My dream for as long as I can remember.
For my second dress I changed to comfier heels, white, 20’s style, beautiful! At the end, I went for some silver thong sandals. But the Louboutins were THE BEST!
The handsome groom
‘Handsome as hell!!’ (Nofar’s quote)
I had the best time choosing my suit. It was on our visit to my sister in London, she immediately told us to go to TM Lewin’s store at Oxford Street.
I tried two different suits – royal blue and gray – but the blue won as soon as Nofar saw me and cried from excitement.
Thank you TM Lewin – especially Mr. Lee! An amazing person and super professional! Fashion is in his blood, in a few seconds he made me this total look and just knew what was best for me.
Bridesmaids
I had 6 bridesmaids! They didn’t wear matching dresses or the same color, I preferred that everyone wear the color they want and love.
Chuppah
For the design of the chuppah I went for a subtle, light, and romantic design. I had specific requests such as lace fabric, asymmetrical design with 3 hanging flower arrangements, and pastel shades. Even the petals our nephews scattered at the entrance to the ceremony were white to combine with the pastel color of our chuppah design.
Ceremony
We made the ceremony our special moment by having Nofar say a few words to Zahi and giving him a ring. It was our favorite part and our magical moment together.
Our music choice
For the chuppah ceremony Zahi entered with ‘Hymn For The Weekend’ by Coldplay & Beyonce. Our nephews as well and Nofar entered with ‘Stand by Me’ by Ben E. King (1961’s version).
For breaking the glass we choose an Israeli song ‘Kum Kum’ by Balkan Beat Box.
For the first dance, also an Israeli song with powerful and romantic words, ‘Now The Heart Is Open’ by Benaia Barabi.
For the rest of the weeding we completely gave a free hand to the master – DJ Adidor!
Flowers
Thank you Galit of Studio Galita, our flower designer, who listened to my heart’s desires and fulfilled them all.
Photographer
Our photographer was Jossef Si (the king). In the first few minutes of our meeting with Jossef, we knew we wanted him to take our pictures! The personal attention and caring, professional attitude he showed even when we didn’t understand what wedding photos are, and the patience he had to teach and calm us, and most of all his charm and the calm he instills in the couple made us both confident that Jossef was OUR photographer!
It is important to note that we are both very embarrassed to have our pictures taken. Jossef immediately noticed this, and his sense of humor inspired confidence that enveloped us throughout.
The pictures speak for themselves. The most talented person we have ever known (and we have seen 21 stills photographers!), Jossef has an eye for capturing natural moments, and most importantly for making us look like our authentic selves, nothing staged. He knows how to perfectly realize requests, between the people and the place itself, with perfectly calculated angles. He’s a professional at the highest level possible!
Videographer
We came across Roma‘s work during one of our unsuccessful meeting with a stills photographer. I (Nofar) remember he showed us one video made by Roma, I burst into tears within seconds as it was touching and perfect, from song selection, selection of romantic and soft filters, to the angles of photography.
At this point we realized Roma was our dream videographer. Roma is a humble person, knows what he’s doing, listens to requests, doesn’t feel like he is in your way at all, does everything in his quiet way and just makes you feel good!
Candy bar
We are known for our love of candy! We bought for the wedding 14 kilos of candy! Our dream was to make a luxurious and pampering candy bar! I bought all the dishes and gave precise instructions for arranging the bar.
‘Coldplay’ bracelets
In Israel it’s very common to buy for the dance floor all kinds of glowing accessories – hats, glasses etc.We agreed that it wasn’t our style. So, we upgraded the dance floor by adding some ‘Coldplay’ bracelets in 3 colors.
Temporary tatoo
Zahi’s brother and his wife surprised us with temporary tattoos of our faces!! It was hilarious! All our friends and invitees loved the idea and did it!
Bride’s speech
I decided spontaneously on the day that I would say a few words. I really think it’s the best way to do it! Just go with your heart it will be the most magical and special speech you will ever make!
Dog
The most important guest was our dog Theo! He has been with me (Nofar) during all of the preparation!
Surrounded by people you love
As all my preparations were at my parents’ home, they have been with me and shared my excitement throughout my wedding planning. I’m a daddy’s girl, you definitely can see in the pictures he felt blessed to see me, his baby girl, becoming a bride!
One of my bridesmaids was a cousin of mine – like a sister! I was her bridesmaid also. I think it’s a once in a lifetime chance to surround yourself with the best friend and family members. Zahi’s best man was his brother, they have this special connection.
Honeymoon
One month in the magical Philippines! We just booked the tickets, so the best is yet to come…
Advice to couples currently planning their wedding
Who you surround yourself with is the key to a successful wedding day (and planning period)… choose bridesmaids you can trust with no doubts because you will need their help and support!
I had my dream team! All this year (yes, one year of engagement), they were my A team in everything! From the hours of dress fittings, to my strange requests and anxious, through the tough days and happiest, making me the happiest ever in our henna party and ceremony, my PERFECT bachelorette party, my mikveh day and the wedding day!
Nofar & Zahi’s little white book
Photography – Jossef Si {offers 10% discount to all members of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club}
Videography – Nerom Roma
Venue – Hagiva
Bride’s dresses – Berta and Dana Harel
Bride’s shoes – Louboutin
Groom’s attire – TM Lewin
Hair + Makeup – Miki Zituni
Flowers – Studio Galita
DJ – DJ Adidor
Gorgeous but there aren’t any pictures of the second dress