There’s no place like Israel for a Jewish wedding. And we love that New York couple Rachel, a program director at a Jewish non-profit running children’s programs, and Tani, a software engineer, opted to make things official at beautiful HaAgam, the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens.
Planning a destination wedding in Israel post-October 7 meant a lot didn’t go to plan. Most of the couple’s family and friends weren’t able to attend due to the war, and even up till the big day Rachel and Tani weren’t sure everything would be able to go ahead. But in Rachel’s words, the experience “taught us to focus on each other and bringing our immediate families together knowing that our wedding would be special no matter what challenges came our way” – and isn’t that really what it’s all about?
When it came time to choose a photographer to capture their special day, Rachel and Tani turned to Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Herschel Gutman, and they couldn’t be more thrilled with the outcome – don’t miss the epic pics from their end-of-night couple shoot in the Old City!
Now over to Rachel, who looked like a princess in her Luce Sposa gown…
How We Met
Rachel, the bride: We met on the dating app Hinge in the summer of 2021 right after I moved from Toronto, Canada, to NYC. Tani is American but made Aliyah to Israel in 2006. He served in the IDF and moved back to the States in 2022.
A Wedding in Israel
We got married at Haagam, the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens in Israel.
We wanted to wed in Israel as that is where Tani’s family lives and we wanted a vineyard like feel with a lot of nature. We wanted an intimate setting for 150 of our closest family and friends.
Rustic Vibes
Our colour scheme was light pink and white with a rustic and Italian style. Our wedding coordinator was Epic Events Israel.
Invitation
Done by my sister’s boyfriend’s mom, Elise Hildebrand, she was amazing and made such a beautiful design.
Hair + Makeup
Avital and Avital were amazing and made me feel like I was getting ready with close friends.
A Luce Sposa Dress
My dress was from Liza Ray boutique in NYC and was designed by a Ukrainian designer, Luce Sposa, and the dress was called the Christiana. We did custom hemming and a gorgeous blush tone to make it feel more like me. I knew it was a dress made for a princess and that Tani would cry when I walked down the aisle, which was the goal.
Accessories
My veil was by Kadaleyah.
Shoes
My shoes were by Bella Belle.
Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids were my sister and sister-in-law. They wore light pink dresses with their own designs!
Ceremony & Chuppah
Our brother-in-law read the ketubah, and the chuppah was covered in florals. It was so beautiful and special. The best part was walking down the aisle to a song written by my dad called Little Bird, about his little girl flying away from the nest and growing up. It was so beautiful and meaningful and brought a touch of home.
Ketubah
Our ketubah was by Noa Attias — it was specially designed and gifted to us from my parents.
Our music choice
Eliran Sade was amazing!! We played a mix of 70s and 80s hits, and current Israeli and American songs.
Photographer and videographer
Herschel Gutman did our photos and and Dani Wetzler did our video. They both did amazing jobs and felt completely integrated into our ceremony and wedding. Herschel also took us to the Old City to capture photos at the end of the night, which I absolutely recommend.
Food and cake
The food was delicious! It was catered by the venue.
Wedding List/Registry
We used The Knot for our wedding list.
Extra Details
My grandparents, who at first were not sure they could attend, made the flight from Canada which meant so much and was so special. Our zaidies cut the challah together and did the motzi, and Tani’s siblings did a shtick and made up a dance in the middle of the ceremony, which was a total surprise!
Honeymoon
We went to Hawaii – Maui for 10 days.
Advice to couples currently planning their wedding
We planned a wedding in Israel post October 7th and nothing went as planned. Most family and friends weren’t able to attend because of the war and even on the day of we weren’t sure if it would run. I think this taught us to focus on each other and bringing our immediate families together knowing that our wedding would be special no matter what challenges came our way.
RACHEL & TANI’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK
Photography – Herschel Gutman {offers 10% discount to all members of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club}
Videography – Dani Wetzle (Video Eden)
Ketubah – Noa Attias
Venue & Catering – Haagam, the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens
Wedding coordinator – Epic Events Israel
Bride’s dress – Luce Sposa found in Liza Ray
Bride’s shoes – Bella Belle
Veil – Kadaleyah
DJ – Eliran Sade
Stationery/Invitation – Elise Hildebrand
Wedding List/Registry – The Knot
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.
