There’s nothing like an Israeli chuppah, and we are so delighted to be sharing the beautiful Jewish wedding of Yael and Avichai, whose big day at Gavriel in Nes Tziona was the perfect blend of natural elegance, thoughtful design, and heartfelt meaning.
From the very beginning, Yael and Avichai knew they wanted a wedding that felt intentional without being overdone – elegant, warm, and entirely unforced. Gavriel proved to be the ideal setting, with an outdoor chuppah set on the water and framed by fruit trees and soft greenery.
What makes this wedding especially moving is the context in which it took place. Just one week before, war with Iran broke out, and there was real uncertainty about what the day would look like. That only deepened the significance of the moment, transforming the chuppah into not just a union, but an expression of gratitude, resilience, and joy.
To capture the day, the couple chose Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Herschel Gutman, whose natural, emotive style was exactly what they were looking for. Yael and Avichai can’t stop raving about the calm, supportive presence Herschel and his team brought to the day, and we love that after the wedding the celebration continued with a magical night photoshoot in Jerusalem, giving Yael and Avichai even more unforgettable memories to treasure.
Read on for all the wonderful details of this very special day in Yael’s own words…
How We Met
Yael, the bride: Some love stories unfold by chance. Others begin with quiet certainty.
For Yael and Avichai, the spark was neither accidental nor immediate—it was orchestrated by someone who understood, long before they did, that their worlds were meant to meet.
Yael, an art therapist, and Avichai, newly returned from army service and immersed in his family’s business, had lived parallel lives for years. The bridge between them came in the form of family—specifically, Yael’s brother-in-law, Nadav Zilberstein. Through a mutual musical community, he came to appreciate Avichai in a way that was both personal and profound.
With unwavering confidence, he made the introduction—placing identical calls to each of them, insisting simply: “You have to meet.”
They both said yes.
Their first date was a picnic, set against the relaxed backdrop of Herzliya overlooking the port, was understated yet quietly transformative. There was no grand moment—just an immediate sense of ease, as though something long in motion had finally settled into place.
Venue
From the outset, the couple envisioned a wedding that felt both natural and intentional—elegant, yet entirely unforced.
At Gavriel in Nes Tziona, they found exactly that balance.
An outdoor chuppah set on water, framed by fruit trees and soft greenery, offered a sense of calm intimacy beneath the sky. Indoors, a spacious and beautifully designed hall provided a seamless transition into an evening of celebration, ensuring comfort for guests without compromising the atmosphere.
The space itself struck a rare balance: expansive yet inviting, refined yet warm. Just as impactful was the team behind it, whose professionalism and quiet attentiveness allowed the entire experience to unfold effortlessly.
Personal Touches, Thoughtfully Designed
Rather than working with an external planner, Yael and Avichai collaborated closely with the venue’s in-house team, shaping a celebration that felt deeply personal at every turn.
The most meaningful design element came from Fynbos Florals by Inbal Edel, A very talented florist, curated every floral detail—from the chuppah to the tablescape—infusing the space with intention and artistry. The palette of soft blues, crisp whites, and natural greens created a visual language that was both serene and sophisticated.
The result was not just décor, but an atmosphere—one that felt distinctly, unmistakably theirs.
With endless support behind the scenes was Yael’s mother, whose exceptional eye and intuitive sense of design helped guide many of the day’s most meaningful decisions.
Invitation/Stationery
The invitation, an original hand-painted design by Yaaarah Aharonovich of Yaarah.design, set the tone from the very beginning.
Thoughtfully crafted in soft blues, whites, and greens. It reflected not only the aesthetic of the wedding, but the couple themselves. Every detail, typography, color, composition was refined with care, resulting in a design that felt both elevated and personal.
Hair + Makeup
Yael’s bridal look—soft, natural, and luminous was brought to life by Tamar Pessin of Tamar Hair & Makeup, a professional bridal hair and makeup artist. Tamar’s meaningful presence by her side reflected an aesthetic of quiet elegance.
Throughout the day, Tamar offered a quiet, steady presence, guiding, refining, and attending to every detail with care. From subtle touch-ups to ensuring Yael looked flawless from the chuppah through the final moments on the dance floor, her support was both seamless and deeply personal.
“I honestly don’t know how I would have managed without her,” Yael reflects. “She was my rock.”
It was, in every sense, exactly what she needed.
A Mia Pava Dress
Yael’s gown, designed by Mia Pava, embodied effortless refinement.
After exploring several options, one design stood apart—not for its extravagance, but for its quiet precision. Clean lines, a perfectly tailored fit, and a delicate, elongated train with subtle beading made it feel both modern and timeless.
“It was simply me,” Yael reflects—and in that elegant simplicity, everything fell into place.
A Ceremony Filled with Meaning
If the setting was serene, the chuppah itself was profoundly moving.
Music—always central to Avichai’s life—became the emotional thread of the ceremony. The choir Kolot Min Hashamayim filled the space with layered, resonant sound, creating an atmosphere that was both powerful and intimate.
As Yael walked down the aisle, Avichai sang—a moment suspended in time. Later, Yael’s father’s voice joined, adding yet another deeply personal dimension.
Just one week prior, uncertainty loomed, as a war with Iran began it cast doubt over what the day might hold. That context only deepened the significance of the moment—transforming the chuppah into not just a union, but an expression of gratitude, resilience, and joy.
A Ketubah with Purpose
In a deeply meaningful choice, the couple selected a ketubah created in memory of Yehonatan Douich, who was tragically killed en route to see his fiancée.
He too had been on the threshold of building a life.
In honoring his memory Yael and Avichai wove a layer of reflection into their celebration—acknowledging both the fragility and the profound beauty of beginning anew.
Sound, Energy, and Celebration
The evening unfolded with a natural rhythm, guided by music that shifted seamlessly from soulful to celebratory.
A live performance by Kuperman Brothers band set the tone, their rich, multi-instrumental sound filling the space with energy and emotion. As the night progressed, a DJ carried that momentum forward, creating a dance floor that felt vibrant, joyful, and entirely immersive.
Flowers
For the floral design we selected Fynbos Florals by Inbal Edel. Through a series of meetings, Inbal took the time to truly understand them as a couple—their aesthetic, their vision, and the feeling they wanted to evoke—translating that into a floral design that felt deeply personal.
She curated every floral element of the wedding, from the chuppah and bridal chair to the table arrangements, ensuring a cohesive and harmonious atmosphere throughout. Soft baby pink roses, delicate baby’s breath, and layered seasonal blooms came together in a composition that felt romantic, fresh, and quietly distinctive.
The result was more than décor—it was a final, unifying touch that brought the entire vision to life with subtle beauty and intention.
Photographer
To capture the day, the couple chose Herschel Gutman, whose work they had long admired through friends’ albums. Drawn to his natural, emotive style, it quickly became an easy and confident choice.
Throughout the day, Herschel and his team brought a calm, supportive presence, creating an atmosphere that felt relaxed and enjoyable while still capturing every meaningful moment. Their approach allowed everything to unfold naturally, resulting in photos that feel both authentic and timeless.
Following the wedding, we continued for a night photoshoot in Jerusalem—a unique experience that beautifully extended the celebration and left them with even more moments to treasure.
A Celebration of Intention
At its core, Yael and Avichai’s wedding was not defined by any single element, but by the feeling it created.
It was a celebration shaped by intention, grounded in family, and elevated through thoughtful design. A day where every detail, from the music to the flowers, carried meaning.
Above all, it was the beginning of a story that, in many ways, had already been quietly unfolding waiting for the right moment to begin.
Advice to couples currently planning their wedding
For those planning their own wedding, the couple’s advice is simple yet meaningful: choose professionals who truly align with your vision and your energy as a couple.
Surrounding yourselves with people who not only understand your style but know how to reflect your personalities in a thoughtful and authentic way can make all the difference. More than anything, it’s about working with a team that brings a sense of calm, warmth, and ease—allowing the day to unfold naturally and become even more special than you imagined.
YAEL & AVICHAI’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK
Photography – Herschel Gutman
Venue – Gavriel
Bride’s dress – Mia Pava
Hair + Makeup – Tamar Hair & Makeup
Flowers – Fynbos Florals
Music – Kuperman Brothers
Stationery/Invitation – Yaarah.design
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.
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