A Viktor & Rolf Bride for an Artsy, Urban Jewish Wedding with a Surprise Theme at Kastiel Events, Tel Aviv, Israel - Smashing the Glass

It’s a super exciting Fri-yay as today’s wedding is definitely inside the top 10 coolest, most creative Jewish weddings we’ve EVER blogged!

Super artsy Israeli couple Adi and Dan married at Kastiel Events in Tel Aviv, and with both of them being architects and photographers (you can check out their work at AnD Photography) it was extra important to them to get their wedding photography and videography just right.

Photographer Ronen Boidek and Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor videographer DreaMe Photography delivered (and then some!) with ultra-stylish documentary-style captures of the day.

Adi and Dan’s wedding video by DreaMe is truly worth a watch — it’s chock full of awesome ideas, from pop-up invitations to a stunning Viktor&Rolf dress chosen because it reminded the bride of Japanese architecture to a reverse order (in which food came first, then the ceremony, then an epic party) to carrying the rings in a Polly Pocket house (in a nod to the bride’s favorite childhood toy — how sweet?!).

Oh, and those rings? Designed by Adi and Dan themselves — I wasn’t exaggerating when I said they were super artsy — and each spouse’s ring has a hole in the shape of the first letter of the other’s name.

But the piece de resistance is a surprise theme — revealed to guests only once they showed up at the venue — showcasing the bride and groom’s creative sides. Gorgeous Adi reveals all in her write-up of this exceptional day…

How we met

Adi, the bride: We met when I was planning on studying architecture, and was contemplating where to do it. Dan just got back to Israel after finishing architectural studies in Milan, Italy. We were friends for a few years, went on photography day trips, and at some point took a trip to Ibiza, and a month after we got back, we decided to become more than that.

A Cool Urban Venue

We got married in an urban space called Kastiel Events in the southern part of Tel Aviv.

The place is basically a famous furniture store that organizes events inside the store and on its patio.

We were searching for a homey venue with spaces in various sizes. Also, since we both like photography, and had a dream of creating an exhibition of our own as part of the festivities, we couldn’t go for a generic place, and needed something more gallery-like.

A Surprise Photography Exhibition

Our main idea was to create a surprise for our guests, so they would think they were coming to an ordinary wedding, only to realize they are at a photography exhibition opening event. Creating an exhibition of our own works was always a dream of ours, and it made the first day of the rest of our lives an unforgettable one.

There was a huge flour mill right outside the venue, and when the guests arrived at the venue\flour mill, a video art the bride created was projected on the wall of the flour mill as a hint for what was to come.

Also, the wedding was what we call a “reversed wedding” – first the food, followed by the ceremony and afterwards the party. Throughout the exhibition spaces there were cocktails and finger food, followed by bigger courses and desserts.

We had a great wedding planner – Unicas.

Pop-Up Invitations

The wedding invitation was a pop-up card, and was designed by the bride’s sister – Shir Shushan.

A Chic Updo

I decided to go with my hair tied back because I didn’t want to distract from the a detail on the back of the dress. My makeup was done by Naor Appel and hair by Benjamin Ruimi.

A Viktor&Rolf Dress

My dress was by Viktor&Rolf, and I purchased it in Amsterdam at a store called Bloomfeld Luxury Bridal. I chose the dress because it reminded me of Japanese architecture.

Custom Rings

The jewellery (2 sets of earings and 2 sets of bracelets) I purchased at Efrat Cassouto, and the wedding rings were handmade by a family member and were designed by us – each ring has a hole in the shape of the first letter of the other one’s name.

Ted Baker Shoes

My shoes were pale blue Ted Baker stilettos with a brooch detail.

Dan’s shoes were black suede and black patent leather derbies with brogueing, made by Arama Shoes.

The handsome groom

The groom wore a navy blue and black suit, and a tuxedo shirt from Bamoss Square.

A Chuppah in the Street

For the chuppah, we wanted a street scene. The whole thing took place on the road itself.

Polly Pocket, Ring Bearer

The ceremony was held on the street right outside the venue. On the wall of the flour mill behind the chuppah, a video installation by my sister Shir Shushan was projected throughout the ceremony.

The entrance song was sung by my other sister, Orr Shushan.

The rings were brought in a small Polly Pocket house, which was my favorite childhood toy.

Moulin Rouge

The processional song for the chuppah was a cover of This Is Your Song from Moulin Rouge, performed by my sister Orr Shushan.

Our fabulous photographer and videographer

We chose our photographer and videographer based on the fact that both work in a documentary style. For still photography, we used Ronen Boidek; for videography, DreaMe Photography.

Takeaway Cake

There was a long table at the entrance, where the guests could sit and write their greeting cards. After the chuppah, it was transformed into a dessert table, with cake pops, fortune cookies, cupcakes, fruits, lollipops, and a wedding cake.

On their way out, guests could take a piece of the cake in a specially made takeaway box, designed by us.

The wedding cake was a 3 tier naked cake with berries. The wedding cake and the whole dessert table were prepared by Limor Zisman, and the table design (entrance and desserts) was done by Zlil Amram.

The catering was prepared by Gusto Catering – a menu specifically prepared for the event, which included finger food, main courses, and desserts.

Beverages were prepared by Barcode Bar – we had a special selection of cocktails, including some specifically invented for the event.

A Wild Party

In addition to the gallery atmosphere, we wanted the party to be as wild as possible, and for that to happen we invited a musical duo that was the hottest thing since sliced bread, Static and Ben-El Tavori.

Other than that, we had a great DJ, Gal Kadan.

A Birthday Surprise

On that same day one of my sisters had a birthday, and in order to celebrate it we prepared a special surprise for her and created a triptych with 3 iPads. showing all of her friends wishing her a very happy birthday – this was part of the exhibition.

Advice to couples currently planning their wedding

Make sure you surround yourself with people who support you throughout the planning process and the event itself. Also, make sure that you have good chemistry with the suppliers you choose to work with.

Adi & Dan’s little white book

Photography – Ronen Boidek
Videography – DreaMe Photography
Wedding planner – Unicas
Venue – Kastiel Events
Bride’s dress – Viktor&Rolf purchased at Bloomfeld Luxury Bridal
Bride’s shoes – Ted Baker
Bride’s jewellery – Efrat Cassouto
Groom’s attire – Bamoss Square and Arama Shoes
Hair + Makeup – Benjamin Ruimi and Naor Appel
Cake – Limor Zisman
Catering – Gusto Catering
Beverages – Barcode Bar
Singers – Static and Ben-El Tavori
DJ – Gal Kadan
Invitations – Shir Shushan