New Yorkers Allison, a Physician Assistant in dermatology, and Shane, a dentist, originally planned to hold their Jewish wedding in Tel Aviv. Due to the war, they made the hard choice to pivot to a new destination – but we love that they brought most of their original Israeli vendors along for their July 5th, 2024 celebration at Island Art and Taste – Residence in Greece’s Athens Riviera.
Due to the change of location, Allison and Shane were unable to tour new venues themselves – but luckily they had an amazing planner, Tel Aviv-based Liad from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor LBI Productions, on their side. Liad and his team helped them work through their pivot, even doing a venue tour for them and sending tons of photos and video so Allison and Shane could make an informed decision.
In Allison’s words, “Liad Bar Ilan and his team are truly incredible and I couldn’t recommend him more. He made the planning process so smooth even with the obstacles that occurred with switching our wedding to Greece.”
We also love that Allison and Shane found their perfect ketubah from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Ketubah.com, featuring a blue ocean background that reminded them of Greece and their venue.
†he couple’s photographer, Yoni of Haim Afriat & Co., captured the day exquisitely, and you can really feel the fun and joy in each of his wonderful candid shots.
Read on for all the details in Allison’s own words!
How We Met
Allison, the bride: We met through a mutual friend and the rest was history!
A Wedding in Greece
Our wedding was on July 5th, 2024 at Island Art and Taste – Residence in Athens Riviera, Greece. We were supposed to get married in Tel Aviv, Israel but due to the current conflicts in Israel we felt that it was best for us and our guests to pivot and choose a different destination. We always dreamed of having a destination wedding with our closest friends and family so all of our guests could spend quality time together.
We were actually unable to visit the venue due to the last minute change in locations but after much research this venue reminded us of the venue that we chose in Israel. I always wanted an outdoor wedding and one that overlooked the beautiful sea. We were grateful to have the best party planner who did an entire venue tour for us back in January, 2024 and sent us photographs and videos the entire time.
Theme + Planning
I always knew that I wanted a very modern wedding and bright colors since it was during the summer in Greece. Our color scheme was burnt orange, red, and yellow which worked really well with the venue. I also knew that I wanted to make sure the dance floor felt small and enclosed and Liad from LBI Productions and my designer DNA House Of Design, had the brilliant idea of making one side a 360 bar and then putting a lounge area with couches on another side. It was absolutely perfect and magical.
I had the most incredible wedding planner, Liad Bar Ilan who is based in Tel Aviv, Israel. I actually found Liad through Instagram, and after our first phone call I knew he was the one to plan my wedding. His infectious personality, dedicated to detail, and his vision aligning with mine, I knew he was the perfect fit. Liad and his team are truly incredible and I couldn’t recommend him more. He made the planning process so smooth even with the obstacles that occurred with switching our wedding to Greece.
We also had the best designer from Tel Aviv, DNA house of Design, who worked with us all for over a year in planning the wedding. We met with Amarelle during our trip to Israel last summer and she had the most unique, clever, modern ideas for our wedding. When the destination change happened, Amarelle came up with an entirely different concept idea that matched the vibe of the venue.
She had customized embroidered napkins made with our logo for every guest. She brought multiple textiles that were custom made in Israel for the pillow cases on the lounge and for tablecloths. The list can go on and on with how beautiful the wedding was and her attention to detail is truly unmatched. She is absolutely brilliant and amazing.
Hair + Makeup
Dana Dankner was my beautiful makeup artist from Tel Aviv. We met last July 2023, when I visited Tel Aviv. She knew I wanted very simple makeup and to look and feel my best self. She couldn’t have done a more outstanding job. Dana was there for every touch-up that I needed throughout the night and my makeup looked flawless.
Ziv Amsalem was my amazing hair stylist also from Tel Aviv. Ziv and I met over Zoom and immediately clicked. He knew exactly the hairstyle that I wanted for my wedding day. Ziv did three different hairstyles for my big day, and one was better than the next, literally. We first started with my hair time with a classic timeless wave. Then for the reception we did a pony tail which was followed by an amazing half up half down look for the after party. I didn’t give much direction for either hair or makeup because I knew I was in the best hands.
A Kyha Studios Dress
My dress was from a designer called Kyha Studios which is an Australian designer. The style was plain, formfitting, and timeless. I knew I wanted to keep it classy and something that I wouldn’t regret in the future. It was a strapless silk gown with a corset in the middle.
Ceremony & Chuppah
We were so fortunate that my cousin was the one to officiate our wedding. We have been so close growing up and he holds such a special place in my heart. Having him stand under the chuppah with us was the one of the most memorable experiences. Our vows were definitely our favorite part of the ceremony. We kept them short and sweet which was the best. I always knew that for the chuppah I did not want an abundance of flowers. I wanted the chuppah to be flowers in our color scheme but also light and airy with some branches.
Ketubah
We bought our ketubah from Ketubah.com. We picked a ketubah with a blue ocean background since it reminded us of Greece and our venue.
Our music choice
We had a DJ, Omer Erlichman who is from Tel Aviv, Israel and he was truly incredible. We also had a saxophone player, Thomas Pinsky and electric violinist, Shai Erez from Tel Aviv, Israel who came to join us on our big day. The Alpha Music team was phenomenal and kept the party going until 3:30a.m.!
Flowers
Our florist was Jim Labraco and was amazing! He is a florist based in Athens and brought my vision to life. We had an incredible selection of flowers from hydrangeas, tulips, roses, dalias, orchids, peonies, and anthuriums. The flowers were imported from all of the world ranging from Africa, Amsterdam, and Ethiopia.
Photographer and videographer
After multiple zooms with different photographers we knew immediately that Yoni of Haim Afriat & Co. was the one to capture our wedding. He understood that we wanted more candid photographs rather than staged photos and that we just wanted to have fun with the pictures. He had wonderful ideas about finding remote locations in Athens Riviera that would give us some of the most beautiful backgrounds for our wedding photos and for that I am forever grateful.
Our videographer was Avichai Wechsler and he was phenomenal. He captured every moment for all events and didn’t leave my side! His work is a masterpiece and I have never seen videos like his before!
Honeymoon
We decided to extend our trip in Greece and we went to Paros for three nights and stayed at the Cove hotel. The town of Paros is incredible with some of the best gyros! We also spent three nights at the Amanzoe hotel which was the best hotel I have ever stayed at. I couldn’t recommend both hotels more.
Advice to couples currently planning their wedding
Enjoy every minute because the wedding day goes by so fast!!!!
ALLISON & SHANE’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK
Photography – Haim Afriat & Co.
Planner – LBI Productions {offers 10% discount to all members of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club}
Ketubah – Ketubah.com {offers 10% discount to all members of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club}
Videography – Avichai Wechsler
Venue – Island Art and Taste – Residence
Bride’s dress – Kyha Studios
Hair + Makeup – Ziv Amsalem, Dana Dankner
Flowers – Jim Labraco
DJ, Saxophonist, electric violinist – Alpha Music (DJ Omer Erlichman, Thomas Pinsky, Shai Erez)
Designer – DNA House Of Design
Graphics – Yishai Designs
Gifts – Charly Celebrations
Sound and lighting – Loud and Clear
Furniture – Tore Event Furniture Rentals Stylebox
Preset – White Lilac Rentals
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.
