Today’s gorgeous Jewish wedding took place right at the start of the pandemic last year (hard to believe it’s been a year, right?), when we were just starting to hear about micro wedding and minimonies. But Mayan, a student in dance and movement therapy, and Mola, an animation student, pulled off their intimate celebration so expertly you’d never guess they were COVID wedding pioneers.
The Israeli couple had initially planned a big wedding in Jerusalem for May 2020, but as the situation started getting more serious they realized their Plan A was unlikely to work. Instead of waiting it out, Mayan and Mola decided to bump their wedding up, so they could make things official before Israel’s first lockdown began.
With just a few days’ notice, the pair planned a whole new wedding for an intimate crowd of 18, set outdoors in a beautiful forest near Jerusalem. Since their surroundings were so naturally gorgeous, they didn’t need to do much – the groom set up a little décor the morning of, and the couple opted for a simple chuppah with white cloth atop wooden poles, held by Mola’s brothers and cousin. Luckily, the couple’s amazing photographer, Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Jossef Si, was able to make it – and we are absolutely in love with his dreamy photos of the day.
Being such a last-minute affair, there were a few challenges along the way – the groom’s suit wasn’t ready in time, and the bride’s got an amazing only-in-Israel story about how she sourced her wedding shoes on short notice when most shops had already closed due to COVID. But in the end, Mayan and Mola say they wouldn’t have had their wedding any other way. In the bride’s words, “I am glad that our wedding ended up being very simple and modest. Sometimes the stress of planning a large event takes out the fun and excitement of just getting married!”
We’ll let her take it from here…
How We Met
Mayan, the bride: We were introduced to each other through a mutual friend who Mola met travelling in India and I met in a group with which I studied in “Nefesh Yehudi” in the campus of the Hebrew University. Gali and Adi who were in my group thought of the ‘Shiduch’ together, and that’s how we started dating.
A COVID Wedding
We were supposed to get married in May in a big open venue in Jerusalem but when Covid-19 started we realized this was not possible. We decided to get married earlier than planned, before there would be a lockdown for an unknown amount of time, and before Passover.
So with a couple of days’ notice, we got married in the beautiful forest near Eshta’ol, not far from Jerusalem. From an event of 500 invited, we had 18 guests including the rabbi. And looking back, I’m very glad it was just that. It was very intimate, meaningful, and simple. Purely a wedding.
Forest Vibes
In the planning for the original event, we simply chose the best vendors to our taste. A photographer, a video artist, a great D.J., catering, all were booked for May. After weeks of planning, I am glad that our wedding ended up being very simple and modest. Sometimes the stress of planning a large event takes out the fun and excitement of just getting married!
Mola came early in the morning with his brothers and brought a comfortable couch from our house so that I had a place to sit with my friends in the bride’s chair. He also decorated a spot in the forest for us and it was beautiful and touching.
Invitations
Our original invitations for May were beautiful and created by Tehila Friedman with a drawing a good friend of mine made especially for us.
Hair + Make-up
A very nice girl ended up doing my hair and makeup on quite a short notice and I was very pleased with her work!
Dress
I was lucky to have remodelled the dress from Ofri Wedding Dresses Studio in time to have it ready by March. I loved my dress. We took an original of hers and changed the sleeves to the ones I wanted.
Accessories
I wore gold earrings Mola bought for me especially for the wedding, which I love and wear on Shabbat and holidays.
Shoes
This is actually quite a funny story. Since the notice was so short and stores in Israel were closed at the time due to Covid-19, I posted on Facebook that I am looking to borrow shoes for my wedding and I was touched by how many women in Jerusalem wrote they would love to help.
At least 50 women offered their shoes! I took a few beautiful pairs from a girl who also turned out to live just a block away from me. On the wedding day I chose the pair that looked the best and was also comfortable with a very small high- heel. It was a very light turquoise.
The handsome groom
Mola didn’t have his suit ready like I did, so he ended up wearing what he had – which I loved!! It went well with our simple and authentic wedding!
Bridesmaids
All in all in the wedding we had 3 girlfriends of mine, and two friends of Mola’s who were also the witnesses, his 4 brothers and 1 cousin, my 2 sisters, and both of our parents. So my bridesmaids were my closest friends and it was perfect to have them there with me.
Ceremony
Our ceremony was very special to us. We were blessed to be married by Rabbi Yaacov Varshevsky from Jerusalem who we are very connected to. He is very unique and his ceremony is very special. He put himself and us into it and it was magical and very touching.
Chuppah
We were lucky to have Mola’s strong brothers and cousin holding our chuppah! It comprised of a white cloth with leaves embroidered, and wooden poles that my father carved holes into.
Our Music Choice
We had a DJ we loved planned for the original event, so when we told her we were getting married in March, she made a playlist for us and it was great!
Photographer
The photographer was Jossef Si, who we were very lucky to have and came on short notice also!
Advice to couples currently planning their wedding
We were supposed to have a big event because we have big families and many friends. But as much as we would’ve wanted everyone we love celebrating this day with us, we realize that it was magical, unique, and that we were lucky to get married. The important things are what count for us in the end. The intimacy made it all the more sacred.
Mayan & Mola’s little white book
Photography – Jossef Si Photography {offers 10% discount to all members of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club}
Bride’s dress – Ofri Wedding Dresses Studio
Hair and makeup – Bar Kohavi Makeup
DJ –Limornana
Rabbi – Rabbi Yaacov Varshevsky
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.
