Keren & Asaf | 'swimming pool & popsicles' Israeli wedding at the Ghetto Fighters’ Kibbutz, Western Galilee, Northern Israel - Smashing the Glass

You can tell from the way that Keren and Asaf approached the planning of their big day that they’re a fun-loving laid back couple. For a start, they followed the STG mantra of making their day personal to them by getting ready together and welcoming friends and family into their home, enjoying coffee and cigarettes, before walking down the aisle to their chuppah hand in hand. Untraditional but pretty damn cool I’m sure you’ll agree.

I really love their big day for so many reasons: the tribute to the bride’s grandmother in the chuppah design, Keren’s amazing oversize floral crown, popsicles instead of wedding cake, outdoor frolics in the swimming pool, and of course the dreamy, luminous portrait shots of the pair of them in the kibbutz where they held their wedding.

I have a feeling you’ll love it too…

All of the gorgeousness was captured perfectly by the very lovely Gamba Photographers.

how we met

Keren, the Bride: Asaf lives in Northern Israel, and at the time, I lived in Tel Aviv. I was up North on holiday and a mutual friend introduced us. It was the most fun that either of us had ever experienced, and nothing could separate us for three days after that.

It took Asaf six months to convince me to move up North with him, and after a year of living here, I just regret not moving earlier.

A kibbutz wedding venue

We both wanted to pick a place that is very natural and casual, so getting married at our kibbutz swimming pool sounded like the best idea.

invitation design

I am a designer so there was no doubt about who was going to design the stationery. We took a picture of the door sign which we bought on our first vacation together with our names on it, and that was the basis of our invitation.

hair + make up

Adrian Hamias did my hair and make up. He put a lot of effort in creating a very natural look to make me feel like I wasn’t wearing make up! I was scared of feeling like I was wearing a costume, but he made me feel great and at my best!

a bohemian style wedding dress

My dress was designed by Lee Kodo and it’s the first dress I tried on. I loved its bohemian look from the first moment I saw it. Lee designs from her small home studio and is overflowing with talent and has a very special personality. I had no doubt that Lee was the one.

a gigantic flower crown

I wore a large floral crown on my head, also designed by Lee Kodo (that’s how I first got to know her). At first I thought I wouldn’t have the guts to wear it, because its very dominant and a bit far-fetched for me, but I ended up loving it.

kitten heels

I chose to wear kitten-heeled shoes as I wanted something comfortable, especially with the place being surrounded by grass and parks. I’m also not too experienced with heels!

the handsome groom

My hot groom wore blue trousers, a white shirt and a bow tie. As handsome as you can get!

a symbolic chuppah

My grandmother is the closest person to my heart. I received embroidered napkins from her a few years ago, on which we embroidered the date of the wedding and hung them on the chuppah.

We wanted our brothers (together we have exactly four brothers) to each hold one of the four poles of the chuppah, and have them take an active part in our ceremony, as they so very important to both of us.

Our chuppah song was Siba Tov by Arik Sinai, which our good friends Shai and Erez rearranged and played live. Slow songs and dances are not our thing…

our fabulous photographers

After seeing Gamba’s work, and receiving recommendations about them we knew they were the photographers for us. It was important that we had a connection with them, and we really enjoyed having them around us on the day.

swimming pool and popsicles

We didn’t have a wedding cake… instead we had popsicles! It was too hot… it was a Friday afternoon in September in Israel. What everyone wanted was a pool to cool off in, and icy treats!

advice to other brides and grooms

Remember what your wedding is all about… there are very few chances in life to be surrounded by the most important people in your life, who have come from all over the world, just to enjoy and celebrate with you.