How gorgeous is the intimate backyard Jewish wedding of Israeli couple Libby, who has recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in bioinformatics, and Yanki, a product designer for a start-up?!
By the time these two got engaged, COVID had already hit – so they knew from the start that they’d need to keep their affair on the smaller side. This was just fine with the bride, who’d always dreamed of a cozy, intimate wedding – and if we had a backyard like her parents’, we’re sure we’d feel the same! The whole space was transformed into an absolute floral fantasia, and we just can’t get enough of it.
Libby and Yanki wanted to make sure they found photographers who’d really get the vibe they were going for on the day, and sure enough their choice to work with Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Luz Weddings did not disappoint. We’re in love with their stylish images capturing everything from the gorgeous design details to the couple’s happiness.
Being a designer, Yanki took charge of the couple’s invitations, creating a logo using the pair’s initials that ended up featuring on all of the wedding stationery. Yanki even designed the ketubah, which came out so beautifully! Another thing that came out beautifully? Libby’s stunning gown, which she ordered online from Needle and Thread – obsessed with the delicate embroidery and sweet pink flowers!
Now over to the bride…
How we met
Libby, the bride: I spotted Yanki at my cousin’s son’s bris, about a year ago. We met there and the rest is history 🙂
A Pandemic Wedding
The wedding was in my parents’ backyard in Kfar Chabad. We got engaged when the Covid pandemic struck, so we decided to roll with it and have an intimate and cozy wedding. It was my dream to have a small wedding, so the pandemic just made it easier for Yanki to get on board with the idea.
A Fab Planner
Our wedding planner, Michal Harzvi, is incredibly talented and also a good friend of the family. I knew I could just give her a hint of the vibe we had in mind, and she would serve it up in the most elegant and creative way. We decided together on the seating arrangement and the general theme, and she completed all of it herself.
Invitations
Yanki designed the invitations. When he started working on the invite, he wanted to create a nice typeface of our initials. After lots of sketching, Yanki connected the Y and the L with a curly edge at the top. From that moment, it became our logo. It was on all our wedding materials, such as invites, name tags, Birkonim, etc.
Hair + Make-up
I wanted to look as natural as possible, so it was essential for me to find a fantastic makeup artist. I chose Sari Yahel, and I’m more than happy with the result. For hair, I chose Chani Popack, who’s done my hair a few times before for other events, and I like her work a lot. Both of them made me feel like just like I imagined, and I’m very grateful for that.
A Needle and Thread Dress
I ordered my dress online from Needle and Thread. After getting engaged, I went to a couple of salons, but every dress I tried on didn’t feel like “the one.” My mom came up with the idea of looking for a dress online. When I found this one, I wasn’t exactly sure it was what I wanted because of the pink flowers, but I thought – why not give it a try.
When the dress came, and I tried it on so my family could give their opinion. As I stepped into the room, my dad looked at me and declared- we found the one! It felt like the dress was tailor-made especially for me and the pink flowers just made it more beautiful and unique.
Accessories
The veil was sown by an incredible seamstress in Jerusalem who also fixed my dress. She helped us find the perfect fabric for it, and it matched perfectly with the dress.
As for the hair accessory- I found a tiara that I liked on Etsy, handmade by a Ukrainian artist, Rosemary Accessories. I asked her to make me a new one with white flowers and a hint of pink. It came two days before the wedding, but the risk paid off, and it was worth the wait.
I didn’t wear a lot of jewelry since my dress had lots of details, but I got earrings from my cousins’ jewelry boutique. I chose small, pear-shaped pink diamonds that matched exactly my dress and vibe.
The handsome groom
Yanki has a clean style so he picked a blue woven bowtie with a black vest and black buckle shoes with a bit of brown added to it. When we spoke about my dress, all I told him is that I have a bit of pink in it – he decided to match his Kipa and wore a pinkish one.
Bridesmaids
I had three bridesmaids. One is my cousin who I grew up with, the second one is my best friend since I can remember, and the third one is a friend from college with whom I got very close during the degree.
I knew that I could count on them to get the right dresses that would fit with mine, so I didn’t tell them what to buy. All three of them had stunning dresses, and I love how we all matched in the pictures. They also took care of lots of responsibilities, which made me feel more calm at the wedding.
Ketubah
The ketubah was designed by Yanki. He wanted it to have a modern look but with an authentic feeling. The parchment background and the thin blue decoration with a serif font did the job, and the result was a masterpiece.
Chuppah
The Mesader Kidushin was Yanki’s brother. As the wedding was for family and close friends only, we thought it would be perfect for a family member to marry us. With some convincing, he got on board with the idea and gave us a ceremony to remember.
Music Choice
We had a one-man orchestra that also served as a DJ. The playlist was filled with great party songs that made everyone get up and hit the dance floor the entire night.
Photographer
We wanted to find creative photographers who would understand our wedding concept and create a remarkable memory of our day.
The search took quite a while until we came across Luz Weddings‘ Instagram account. We were excited to see their work and immediately DMed them. Thankfully, they were free on our date, so we booked them right away. The result was stunning, and we thank them for that.
Honeymoon
This article is being written in Arizona, where we are at the moment on a two-month honeymoon. We are doing a road trip on the west coast and plan to end it in sunny San Francisco.
Advice to couples currently planning their wedding
Make sure to get the most important things ready first like the date of the wedding, the photographers, makeup and hair artists.
LIBBY & YANKI’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK
Photography – Luz Weddings {offers 10% discount to all members of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club}
Wedding planner – Michal Harzvi Event Designer
Bride’s dress – Needle and Thread
Bride’s shoes – ASOS
Bride’s accessories – Shine D Jewelry Rosemary Accessories
Hair + Makeup – Chani Popack, Sari Yahel
Flowers – Michal Harzvi Event Designer
DJ – Leibalelipsker
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.
Seeing hanging flowers over the table has to be my new favorite reception design!