How gorgeous is the fabulous Israeli Jewish wedding of May, a pilot, lawyer, and CEO of two organizations (talk about a busy bride!) and Benjy, the cofounder and CEO of a recruitment software company?!
These two chose to make it official at one of Israel’s most stunning seaside venues, Al Hayam in Caesarea. Al Hayam is totally swoonworthy in its own right, with its fabulous outdoor spaces and serene ocean views, but for this couple it also had tons of sentimental value since May grew up nearby – and the couple even visited the first time they came up to Caesarea to visit May’s family together!
And of course we’re absolutely obsessed with May and Benjy’s incredible photos by Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Jossef Si. His photos look like they came straight from the pages of the chicest glossy magazine – each image is a true work of art. Not only that, but the couple also report that Jossef and his team were an absolute delight to work with and made them feel super comfortable on the day.
A Seaside Venue
We got married at Al Hayam in Caesarea, Israel. This venue is outdoors, and over looks the Mediterranean sea. May grew up in Caesarea and spend most her childhood in the sea. It was also the first place May took Benjy to when he came to visit her family for Shabbat. It has great significance to both of us.
Outdoor Vibes
We wanted the wedding to set in a natural environment, since we are very connected to the outdoors (particularly good for Covid to, enabling more guests to attend). The décor was therefore designed to be simple and let the sunset speak for itself.
The venue managed most of the logistics on the night and were amazing, from start to finish. We didn’t need an external planner because they were so great.
Invitations / stationery
May designed the invitations and stationery. The feature was a photograph taken on a trip we took to Africa at the beginning of the pandemic. After our engagement in 2020 we decided to explore different wedding traditions of tribes and communities that are different to ours, in order to gain more perspective of the importance of family and partnership. We participated in 5 tribal ceremonies and the photo on the invitation was taken at the end of our first journey together.
Such an intense and long journey brought us closer and strengthened our bond, and because of that we used the quote on the invitation from Shir Ha Shirim (Song of Songs) “מים רבים לא יוכלו לכבות את האהבה ונהרות לא ישטפוה״ (Great waters will not be able to extinguish the love, and rivers will not wash her away.)
The details were framed by drawings of flowers and shells to match our love for nature and the location of the wedding.
Hair + Make-up
May decided to wear her hair up, because getting married near the sea in summer can be very windy, hot and humid. She also loves a classic, elegant style and wanted to match the formality of the occasion. Sarah Lazarus Hairstyling, Mays hair stylist made her whole morning very happy with her friendliness. She listened to what May, her mother and sister dreamed about and made it happen.
May wanted her make-up to look very natural with some glam. Bar Frank, her make-up artist, was very professional and made her look exactly as she wanted.
Two Dress
May had two dresses, and while it wasn’t her first intention, she highly recommends it!
At first we thought we would get married right away. May went in the middle of the pandemic to quickly purchase a dress designed by the famous Elihav Sasson’s studio. He matched her a dress in 5 minutes that was gorgeous. To fit Mays religious views, he customised the dress to cover her shoulders.
Due to the pandemic we got married a year later, by that time we realised that we want our ceremony to be more formal, so May approached the designer Liat Devries who made May’s dream wedding dress. A clean, modest all white summer dress that May felt like a princess in.
Accessories
May was wearing jewellery that she received during their traditional Henna ceremony from family (combination of the Tunisian and Moroccan traditions). A white pearl necklace, yellow gold earrings and the beautiful ring Benjy honoured her at their engagement.
It was important to May that on that day, every person she mostly close to, will know it and receive a warm letter and a meaningful accessory to carry during the day. She customised personal cufflinks for Benjy and for her brother and father, a personal purse for her mother and a bracelet and a gift for her sister. Benjy also received a romantic note on the sole of his wedding shoe.
The handsome groom
Benjy wore a black three piece Hugo Boss suit as he wanted to be formal to match the beauty of his bride. He wore on his head a white knitted Kippa.
Bridesmaids
May’s sister Regev was her maid of honour who took care of her bachelorette party. With Regev, three other close friends from various parts of Mays life accompanied her throughout the day.
Ceremony
Children from the Kol Hamalachim (the organisation May manages) band, sang May and Benjy down the lisle to the song ‘Bereshit Olam’ by Doron Madalie. Rabbi Leiberman who May has known for many years, officiated the ceremony. Our family and friends were called up to read the sheva brachot (seven blessings). Rabbanut Hof Ha Carmel issued our Ketubah.
Chuppah
May and Benjy are very connected to tradition. They wanted their chuppah to be held by their single cousins, to give them the blessing of good partnership and love. They timed the chuppah to take place during sunset, which made the view even more spectacular, and led them to a wedding in a special Hebrew date – Elul 18th (חי).
Our Music Choice
They chose to start with traditional Horah music, and separate dancing, to enjoy and make all of the guests comfortable.
They chose to save the couples song to the end of the wedding, to share with their close friends and family. They danced to the song “לי ולך” by Didi Menosi, sung by Arik Sinai. They connect to this song because it tells of a couples journey throughout nature, on a trail meant only for them.
Overall, our DJ, Day V Jones, made the party rock!
Flowers
Mays had a beautiful bouquet of fresh light pink, magenta and white roses from the florist Orchedia in Hadera.
Photographer and videographer
Our friend recommended Jossef Si to be their photographer. Si and his crew made us feel very comfortable, were super friendly, and captured the moment without staging it. He is a true artist and we couldn’t believe how magnificent they turned out. They now have a beautiful album that will always remind them of their most special day.
Matan from Karma Video Films, captured every moment and spliced it all together to enable them to continue to relive the day.
Food and Cake
Yummmmy. Chefs Erez Komarovsky from Israels Masterchef and Erez & Hanan, cooked an a amazing Mediterranean buffet feast. There were fresh, local ingredients with many vegetarian options, as well as fish, chicken and beef bars. A open, BBQ style kitchen, meant guests could see the food being cooked before them. A large oven serving baked goods and desserts with a big hit.
Extra details
In the middle of their party, they paused for a personal dedication. First, Benjy said a speech of love to his new bride, comparing their love to the biblical words in Shir Hashirim. Then, May sang a song she wrote and composed especially for the love of her life. The guests were very moved from this part of the wedding.
Later, their friends and family spoke about the new married couple and made a beautiful video with a funny but personal song was written by May’s father.
Benjy’s family was away on that day, and they were very missed. May and Benjy Zoomed with them to make sure they were present throughout this new chapter, and made sure all of their friends and family around the world could take part in the wedding through live-streaming.
MAY & BENJAMIN’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK
Photography – Jossef Si {offers 10% discount to all members of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club}
Videography – Karma Video Films
Venue – Al Hayam
Bride’s dress – Liat Devries and Elihav Sasson
Groom’s attire – Hugo Boss
Hair + Makeup – Sarah Lazarus Hairstyling Bar Frank
DJ – Day V Jones
Catering – Erez & Hanan
If you’re a Jewish or Jew-ish bride-to-be, you’ll want to join Smashing The Glass’ Brides Club. Guided by the world’s number 1 Jewish wedding expert, Karen Cinnamon, Brides Club is the private community for Jewish and Jew-ish brides that removes wedstress and indecision and gives you what you need to plan with confidence during these uncertain times. Join our Brides Club here.
