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8 Smart Tips to Make Your Jewish Wedding RSVPs Stress-Free {with Gather}

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Photo by Photoguns via Adobe Stock

RSVPs may seem like they should be no big deal, but time and time again couples tell us chasing guests and managing responses was THE hardest and most annoying part of their wedding planning experience. 

And for Jewish weddings, the complexity only increases. With multiple events, different guest lists, dietary requirements, and guests travelling from around the world, managing responses can quickly become overwhelming.

They don’t have to be, though. With some strategic planning, a few helpful hacks, and the right tools, RSVPs can be a breeze.

1. Make Your Deadline Earlier Than You Actually Need

First rule: set your RSVP deadline at least a fortnight before you truly need your final headcount.

Caterers, venues, and planners will all ask for numbers – and giving yourself buffer time means you’re not going to be chasing guests the day before you owe final figures.

If you’re using Gather (our personal favourite way to handle RSVPs – highly recommend you check it out!), you’ll be able to see responses in real time (and gently nudge guests who haven’t replied) without manually tracking everything in a spreadsheet

2. Don’t Just Write “RSVP”

Believe it or not, the first trick is to make sure your RSVP cards don’t actually say “RSVP.” Some people mistakenly believe that means they should only say if they are supposed to attend.

Instead of simply writing “RSVP by August 9,” try:

“Kindly respond by August 9.”

“The favour of a reply is requested by August 9.”

“Please respond by August 9.”

And if you’re directing guests online, be sure to keep it frictionless. With Gather, guests simply tap a link or scan a QR code (no app required) and respond in seconds.

3. Keep the Response Window Tight

 Give guests a maximum of 14 days to respond. If you give guests more time than that, it’s likely the invitation will get put aside in the “things to deal with later” pile.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

The Top 10 Questions Jewish Couples Ask About Planning a Kosher Wedding in Greece {with Sirtaki Events}

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Photo by Zuzanna Panaretou

More and more Jewish couples are choosing Greece for their wedding, and honestly, it makes complete sense. Greece has a natural warmth that feels instantly familiar: the sunlight, the hospitality, the rhythm of the islands, the closeness to Israel, and a Jewish history that stretches back thousands of years.

It offers the kind of beauty that transforms a wedding into an unforgettable experience, with ceremonies on cliffs overlooking endless blue, Shabbat dinners by the sea, private estates surrounded by olive trees, and long summer evenings spent celebrating with your favorite people. It’s a place where tradition and modern elegance come together naturally. 

And with the right guidance, Greece is wonderfully accommodating for Jewish and kosher weddings of every level of observance.

Photo by Orestis Zoumpos Photography

But as with any international destination wedding – especially one in a country where you may not speak the language – planning can be a little overwhelming. That’s why we sat down with the team from Sirtaki Events, founded by Israeli couple Anat and Yonathan – who loved their own destination wedding in Greece so much they moved to sunny Chalkida to help other couples make the day of their dreams come true – and got the downlow on what it takes to plan a kosher wedding in Greece.

As Jewish event planners, Anat and Yonathan have a deep understanding of Jewish wedding traditions, and their entire team is knowledgeable about the customs and nuances of Jewish weddings. They handle everything from arranging a rabbi to kosher-certified (or kosher-style) catering, managing the legal aspects of the day to arranging walkable accommodations for guests who observe Shabbat. They’re all about making the planning process as smooth and stress-free as possible for their couples – and they’ve shared some great nuggets of wisdom with us, so do read on!

Photo by Bendosa Photography

Where do we even start?

According to Anat and Yonathan, almost every couple asks this first. They like to start with a conversation about your traditions, your level of observance, and the type of celebration you imagine. From there, they guide their couples through locations, venues, kosher needs, rabbinical options and timelines, turning the entire journey into something clear and structured right from the start.

Photo by Bendosa Photography

What kosher options are available in Greece?

This is another top question. The answer? Much more than most couples expect.

Though you might not think of Greece as a kosher hot spot, it’s absolutely possible to arrange fully certified kosher catering with proper supervision – or to  create a kosher-style menu that honours Jewish culinary traditions without requiring certification.

For couples who want a completely controlled kosher environment, the Sirtaki team can build a full kosher kitchen from scratch – bringing in the chef, the mashgiach, and all the necessary equipment. This makes it possible to host a proper kosher wedding even on remote islands with no existing kosher facilities.

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From Tel Aviv to the World: Celebrating 40 Years of Galia Lahav

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Galia Lahav has long been one of THE most beloved bridal designers here on STG. A proudly female-founded brand with deep Jewish and Israeli roots (did you know that to this day each and every gown is handcrafted in Israel?!), Galia Lahav is known for creating some of the most exquisite, fashion-forward wedding gowns out there – just browse through some of the many Galia Lahav brides we’ve featured over the years.

These are dresses for the bride who knows who she is and isn’t afraid to be unapologetically herself – in other words, the kind of bride who absolutely embodies “your Jewish wedding your way.”

And we’re so thrilled that this year marks the brand’s 40th anniversary! While Israeli bridal fashion is de rigeur these days, back then designers from Tel Aviv were pretty much unheard of on the international scene. But from a tiny Tel Aviv Studio, Galia Lahav was born from the eponymous founder’s unwavering belief that Israeli design could stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s leading fashion houses. This was a bold idea at the time, and in some ways it feels even bolder now – but against all odds, Galia Lahav set the stage for the unlikely (but totally fabulous!) rise of international Israeli couture, in the wedding world and beyond. 

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Create the Jewish Wedding Gift List of Your Dreams with Contemporary Judaica

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Modern Kiddush Cup and Plate in Silver by Nadav Art |Photo by Stuart Wood Photography from Bringing the Hamptons to the UK: Jewish Wedding Inspo on Osea Island

It’s no secret that Contemporary Judaica is my very favourite source for stylish, modern Judaica in the UK. I’m obsessed with their gorgeous holiday popups in London’s picturesque Hampstead Village, and whenever I need a new piece for a holiday, a Jewish gift, or a gorgeous piece of Jewish jewelry, they’re always my go-to. But did you know that they also offer a fantastic wedding gift list service, easy to share with family and friends and complete with international shipping?

Aquila Shabbat Candlesticks by Lou Henry for Nambé

Why a Jewish Wedding Gift List?

Whether or not you want it, you’re going to have some guests who want to buy you Judaica – so you might as well make it easy for them to purchase pieces you’re guaranteed to love by setting up a Judaica gift list alongside your main registry.

Ceramic White Mezuzah with Gold Shin by Yahalomis

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12 Thoughtful Ways to Make Jewish Rituals Inclusive at an Interfaith Wedding {with La Fête}

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Are you planning an interfaith Jewish wedding? If so, you might be thinking about how to find the right balance between honoring the Jewish rituals that matter to you while making sure every guest, regardless of background, feels welcomed and included in the day. 

We sat down with interfaith and multicultural wedding expert Charlotte Ricard-Quesada, founder of La Fête, for a discussion about thoughtful ways to honour Jewish tradition while creating a ceremony that feels inclusive, warm, and genuinely reflective of both partners.

The founder and creative director of luxury wedding planner La Fête, Charlotte followed her dream and created her own events company in 2016, following a career in luxury fashion. She’s become one of London’s most sought-after wedding designers and event planners, and is the recipient of several industry accolades, including Best Wedding Planner at the BrideLux UK Awards 2022.

Charlotte’s multicultural background and fluency in four languages make her a go-to for couples planning interfaith and multicultural weddings, and she has such a wealth of experience to draw on. If you’re planning an interfaith Jewish wedding yourself, this one is truly a must-read.

Explain Jewish Rituals with a Ceremony Program

One of the simplest and most powerful ways to include everyone is to explain what’s happening in a wedding program that outlines the ceremony and explains the various Jewish traditions that are part of the day. There are lots of symbols that can be confusing to the uninitiated, from the chuppah to the ketubah to smashing the glass, and making sure all of your guests are kept in the loop is key to creating a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere for family and friends of all backgrounds. 

Charlotte recently planned an interfaith wedding where the Jewish bride wanted all relevant symbolism explained, in simple terms, in the wedding program – and she shares that it made such a difference in terms of allowing the attendees to feel fully part of each ritual component of the ceremony. 

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