What’s better than smashing the glass at a Jewish wedding? How about smashing TWO glasses? Today’s fab couple, Yael, a travel coordinator, and Kfir, an enterprise manager, had a smash glass each at their free-spirited Tel Aviv wedding. What an awesome way to add some gender equality into the traditional Jewish wedding ceremony — and to double the drama of the big moment!
From start to finish, this Jewish wedding is full of one-of-a-kind touches like that, and we love that Yael and Kfir did so much to combine their tastes and personalities with tradition.
For example, Yael followed tradition and chose to wear white — but she went for a super simple, yet very sexy, dress, rather than an OTT ballgown. And to keep the all-white look from getting too cookie-cutter, she made sure to add in fuchsia shoes and an ultra-colorful flower headpiece in fuschia and violet — as brilliantly captured by photographer Lior Rotstein.
And the double smash glasses weren’t the only unusual thing about the ceremony, either. Yael and Kfir opted not to get married through the Israeli Rabbanut, opting instead for a customized ceremony that embodied their own values while remaining true to Jewish tradition. Our favorite (well, second favorite) bit? Their officiant opened the ceremony with a special speech he wrote based on things the pair had told him about themselves and their relationship. Aww!
Yael will fill you in on the rest…
How we met
Yael, the bride: We met on OK Cupid 🙂
A Tel Aviv Wedding
We got married at the High&. We both wanted the wedding to be in Tel Aviv, and we fell in love with the place at the first sight.
A DIY Wedding
We didn’t have wedding planner; it was much more fun to plan it all by ourselves. It was relatively a small wedding, only close family and friends.
Colorful Invitations
My best friend designed the invitations; they were simple but very joyful and colorful.
The One
I bought my dress at a store called Mika. I didn’t quite know what style I wanted beforehand, but when I saw it I knew it was the one. Plain white, simple, but with a sexy twist. 🙂
Hair + Makeup
The amazing Shiran Shefler did my makeup. I wanted something natural but still distinctive. Thanks to her I really felt so beautiful all day.
Colorful Accessories
I wanted colorful accessories to “break” all the whiteness, so I had emerald-color Swarovski earrings, bought at Petite Delights, and a colorful hair pin from natural flowers, made by Vladis.
Fuchsia Shoes
In choosing my shoes, I was also looking to break the all-white look 🙂 I had amazing fuchsia shoes from Aldo.
The handsome groom
Well, actually, Kfir wore practically the same thing he wears every day 🙂 All new, but the same. My man in black.
A Personalized Ceremony
We didn’t get married through the “Rabbanut,” but the ceremony was quite traditional, and the amazing Chen BenBrit-Shapira, who married us, gave a special speech at the beginning, which he wrote based on things we told him about ourselves and our relationship, and that was the most amazing part.
Ain’t Nobody
We didn’t have a slow dance; after the chuppah we just went directly into full party mode. We entered the chuppah to Ain’t Nobody, Jasmine Thompson’s version.
Fuchsia and Violet Flowers
The same amazing Vladis who made my headpiece made my bouquet as well, in more or less the same colors: mainly fuchsia and violet.
Our Fabulous Photographer
My dearest Lior Rotstein was our photographer. I only needed a few minutes with him to know he was the one; his amazing work and incredible energy left no room for second thoughts.
Advice to couple currently planning their wedding
Take it as easy as possible. It’s a beautiful day, surrounded with people you love and who love you the most. You will receive endless love and 24-hour attention that day. Open your heart to it. It feels great if you let it.
Yael & Kfir’s little white book
Photography – Lior Rotstein
Venue – High&
Bride’s shoes – Aldo
Bride’s earrings – purchased at Petite Delights
Makeup – Shiran Shefler
Kiddushin Arranger — Chen BenBrit-Shapira
