No, we’re not in the Maldives… today’s fabulous Jewish wedding actually took place smack dab in the center of Israel! Bride Ariel, a student of early childhood development, and groom Yotam, a sports therapist and fitness coach, fell in love with the verdant vibes of their venue, Kahi Resort, and we bet you will too.
Styled with wood, bamboo, clean shades of white and green, and plenty of tall plants, Kahi’s combination of a stunning outdoor garden space plus air-conditioned reception hall ticked ALL the couple’s buttons (as did its excellent food by one of Israel’s top chefs!).
Ariel is a self-confessed perfectionist, and she knew from the start she needed an awesome planner to take the lead and keep her clam during wedding planning. She found the perfect fit in Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Yael Kfir Frumkes. In Ariel’s words,“It felt like I’d found my soul twin on every issue, including the finest of details. Yael is blessed with infinite patience when it came to my requests, wishes, dreams and fantasies… I highly recommend choosing her, and in doing so, letting yourself sleep well at night!”
This special day was nothing short of magical – scroll through the exquisite photos by Ori Chayun to see it all for yourself, and read on for all the details in the bride’s own words…
How we Met
Ariel, the bride: We met at a gym where Yotam worked.
A Garden Wedding
We married at Kahi Resort in Emek Hefer. We chose the location because we loved the fact that it integrates a garden events complex with a stunning garden for the reception and marriage ceremony, and a covered, air conditioned hall for the meal and party, especially important in June when it’s so hot in Israel.
Kahi’s styling is so unique that it felt as though we’d come to the Maldives. It has a mix of wood, bamboo, clean shades of white and green with plenty of tall plants, and both of us clicked with the concept right away.
The food was also really important to us, and once we knew the chef was Moshik Roth, one of Israel’s best, we felt reassured that we were in the perfect place.
Wedding Planner
I had no doubt that I wanted a producer to handle my dream wedding. Choosing Yael Kfir Frumkes was the ideal solution for my OCD. It felt like I’d found my soul twin on every issue, including the finest of details. Yael is blessed with infinite patience when it came to my requests, wishes, dreams and fantasies.
Not everything was possible because of our budget limitations, but Yael did everything she could when it came to choosing suppliers who’d give us the maximum. We found that the great majority really gave us their hearts and souls.
The added value in choosing Yael was the sedative effect for the whole time that planning was going on. I highly recommend choosing her, and in doing so, letting yourself sleep well at night!
Invitations / stationery
Hadar Gabizon, who’s incredibly talented, designed our invitation in a classic, clean and elegant style, matching our wedding hall palette. We made countless changes to the wording, the font, the exact type of flower, additional elements, and how they should be arranged around the text until we reached the perfect harmony.
Hadar also surprised us with a gift she knew I wanted since day one I got engaged and that is the most gorgeous Welcome sign – I totally love it.
Hair + Make-up
I don’t wear makeup on a daily basis, so I wanted a very clean, delicate look. I didn’t want anything heavy. Mostly I wanted to feel natural and comfortable. I left my hair out, and wavy, which also felt natural.
My mother, sisters and close friends accompanied me throughout the day preparing for the wedding. We slept in a prebooked location and they were with me until the moment we arrived at the hall. My entourage made things happy, simple, calm and wonderful. Each of them chose whatever she liked, and in the end, each wore a different colored dress.
A Coral Conforttti Dress
Coral Confortti was my dress designer. She custom styled both looks for me. I knew from the outset that I wanted her to design my dresses because she does the finest hand stitching. Every seam and stitch were professionally, exquisitely made.
The inspiration behind my outfits came from my name, Ariel. My mother chose the name because she loved the film “Ariel, the Little Mermaid” so much. The first dress was a mermaid style: tight bodice, enveloping the body up to my legs, with a slit lower down much like the mermaid tale.
The cloth was magnificent, shimmering and diaphanous, and the outfit was stunning. My second dress was a kind of overall, shaped for ease of movement when dancing, following the lines of the dress and from the same cloth.
Bridesmaids
I was accompanied to the canopy by my three little cousins in their matching little dresses, making them look like princesses. The dresses were customized to each of them but shared a concept. I was very moved to have enjoyed the privilege of making them bridesmaid and they carried out their roles to perfection.
Ceremony and Chuppah
We wanted a brief but moving marriage ceremony. It was important for us that all our immediate family members were with us under the canopy: parents, siblings, grandparents, with whom we have such close connections.
I wanted the reception and marriage ceremony to have clean lines, and look very different to the hall. That’s because I not only love the elegance of that style but also wanted to create the wow effect when entering the hall.
I knew from the start that I wanted the path to the canopy to be framed by candles in transparent holders, and that the ceremony should take place on a raised dais. And so it was: classy and beautiful. We took for the ceremony Rabbi Ben Zion Nordman – he has done a respectful ceremony and we were very happy from his up close and personal touch to everything we asked for in the ceremony.
Our Music Choice
As far as music, I’ve known DJ Roy Asiag for years so wasn’t concerned about the best choice for us. He professionally reads the guests and blends musical styles to suit everyone. For us, the party was so important that we booked an additional DJ, VA MO LA, who’s worked together with Roy, for the after party.
It was the greatest thing for the nature of our guests. We had the DJ set up right among the dancers and we and all our closest friends had a fantastic time until the wee hours. For the marriage ceremony itself, we chose a wordless melody which, on one hand, is very emotional, but then becomes super happy and describes Yotam and my connection to a tee.
Our families and friends surprised us with a song they recorded specially for us. We watched it on the screens after the main meal. It really touched us to see how much we’re loved and cared about.
Flowers
When it comes to the wedding’s style, I knew I wanted a super romantic atmosphere, a million candles, and a palette of shades that would make it feel like a ball from the movies.
I picked out the colors together with my really talented stylist, Lior Zemel, and we opted for an amazing combination of terracotta, burgundy, deep red and pink. On our wedding day the concept came to life. Lior had produced an enriching and magical celebration that made our guests and us gasp. It was a breathtaking entry into the hall. We truly felt as though we’d stepped into the grand ball in an enchanted castle.
Photographer and videographer
Our stills photographer was Ori Chayun. Our videographer was Nati Shoko. We chose our photographers after having seen their earlier works and been impressed by how beautiful the results were. But it was really important for us to be sure the photographers met us beforehand to find out who we are and how we think. Our two photographers were, first and foremost, people with big hearts and souls, and it was quickly clear to us that we could depend on them emotionally and professionally.
On our wedding day we were so relaxed in front of the cameras. We laughed a lot and it was simply incredible, especially because we felt so comfortable and easygoing in their company.
Food
Chef Moshik Roth established Kahi towards the end of the Covid-19 period and of course he’s responsible for the culinary delights. It was very clear to us that we were in the best of hands. The catering was top class, the food was outstanding as far as presentation and flavor, and we received tons of compliments, including for the “light night” menu set up in the wee hours of the night to give our closest friends partying late with us some delicious nibbles.
Extra details
Getting into the fine details was really important to me, which is why my fantastic event producer and I devoted quite a bit of time to each aspect of the wedding. I’m really satisfied and grateful for the result. It was a totally worthwhile investment. It was important for us that under the wedding canopy we’d be surrounded by our closest family: parents and siblings.
But without a doubt, as very family oriented people the most meaningful aspect was the chance to share this special moment with our grandparents, for some of whom it was the first marriage of a grandchild. It was most certainly a moment that we and they will remember forever.
Wedding List / Registry
I used “Easy To Give,” which managed the RSVPs and text messages prior to the wedding, and thank you messages the day after. They did amazing work, which made life so much easier for me. I used them a lot. I truly recommend working with them.
Advice to other couples planning their wedding
I’m very meticulous about everything in my life, so it was clear that the same would apply to our wedding. Every detail was given consideration. The person who took all that load off me and kept me calm throughout was our wedding planner without whom the occasion would not have been as successful. Every element, every supplier, was carefully chosen. Taken together, the wedding truly consolidated into a fairytale.
I have 2 pieces of advice –
- I recommend that you all choose suppliers not only for their professionalism but also the aspect of chemistry with them, because it makes the experience so much more empowered.
- Right from the beginning, Yotam’s and my energies were through the roof. Our happiness was contagious, felt and joined in by our guests from the moment they arrived until the event’s end early in the morning. It was truly a once in a lifetime event, and it’s so important to enjoy every minute, because on this special day, time just flies away!
ARIEL & YOTAM’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK
Photography – Ori Chayun
Wedding planner – Yael Kfir Frumkes
Videography – Nati Shoko
Venue – Kahi Resort
Bride’s dress – Coral Confortti
Hair + Makeup – Idan Bakshi, Shahaf Bitton
Flowers – Lior Zemel
DJ’s – DJ Roy Asiag , VA MO LA
Catering – Kahi
Stationery/Invitation – Hadar Gabizon
Rabbi – Rabbi Ben Zion Nordman
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