Kim & Shay | 1920’s Inspired Israeli Wedding at Citrus, Even Yehuda, Israel

Today’s uber-stylish bride, Kim, was born in New Zealand to a non- Jewish family but has lived in Israel for the last 20 years. Kim says that she wanted to take the plunge and convert to Judaism for many years but never found the right time.

So a few years ago, having dated her then-boyfriend, Shay, for three years, they decided that they wanted to get married and that it was the right time for Kim to convert. She studied and converted at Beit Daniel in Tel Aviv and officially became Jewish in May 2011.

Being a wedding planner and designer Kim had a blast planning things. “Finally I could do things exactly how I wanted – the only problem was making up m mind – I have too many ideas!” Let’s see what she chose to do…

VENUE + THEME
Kim, The Bride: We got married at Citrus in Even Yehuda, Israel. I wanted a classic wedding and loving the 1920’s, I adored the way the venue was decorated in an elegant soft way that complimented the whole vision that I had for the day. We also chose this venue because it was new and I had never done a wedding there. I wanted something fresh – I have been in the wedding industry for over 10 years now and done weddings in so many venues I wanted it to feel special for me and really different.

It was a classic yet modern type of an affair and the decor included a lot of pot plants that created a softer natural look (and became great giveaways at the end of the night).

A 1920s STYLED DRESS
My mother made my dress from a soft lycra type material with pearl button holes and a lace belt. I envisioned something simple and classic and I had seen a similar dress similar on a bride that I had worked with years before but I couldn’t find it anywhere. Lucky for me I could call upon my mother make it and I ended up with the perfect 1920’s styled dress! I matched a short net veil to the dress, and wore my grandmothers pearls to complete the look.

HAIR + MAKE-UP
I wanted my hair away from my face, scraped back in a classic bun and for make-up I went for my signature look: black eyeliner and deep red lips.

CEREMONY + CHUPPAH
I chose something ‘non-Jewish’ to walk down the aisle to: Pachelbel’s Canon in D. As I was not born Jewish and had converted, I wanted my father to walk down the aisle with me with a song that was familiar and classic to him.

Our rabbi, Rabbi Michael Boyden, was amazing during the ceremony. He had played a large part in my conversion and performed the ceremony in Hebrew and English and even gave a little “drasa” which was wonderful (and not usually done at Israeli weddings)

We stood under a beautiful lace chuppah held by by 4 important family and friends that created a very intimate feeling for us.


FLOWERS, FAVOURS AND DECOR
Being an event planner and designer, I could not trust anyone with the job of florals but myself! My bouquet was made of pink peonies and together with my team I created bunches of wild winter white, cream, green and yellow blooms, and  I also dotted lots of pot plants around the venue that guests then took home as favours. We also gave paper bags filled with roasted chestnuts to our guests as they left.

We had beautiful silver candle sticks surrounded by small bouquets on the tables, and bottles, jars, ceramic vases, and large floral arrangements were arranged on the bar, by the Chuppah, and at the entrance.

Each napkin was tied with green yellow white ribbon (with different patterns), lots of cream candles,, on the bar large jars of green sweets with white and green striped paper bags to fill, behind the bar green and white cocktail napkins and striped green and white paper straws.

ADVICE TO OTHER BRIDES
Enjoy the experience and try not to get stressed –  it will just ruin the ride. The event itself is just one day but the lead up is months and it can be an amazing period of family, friends, planning, tasting and design. And remember that its not just your day, you whole family wants to feel a part of it so try to incorporate everyone!

KIM + SHAY’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK
Venue — Citrus
Catering — Mazal Tela
Production + Design— Kim Bulow (The Bride)
Rabbi —  Rabbi Michael Boyden
Photographer — Shy Ochayon
Dress — Made by the bride’s mother
Shoes — Aldo
Grooms Atire — Zara
DJ — Art music  by DJ Doron  
Make Up —  Dikla Sharabi
Hair — Gali Biton

I always love to read our brides’ words of wisdom. In fact I often find myself nodding along in agreement like one of those dogs you find on the back shelf of a car staring at you as you wait in traffic and Kim’s advice is definitely something to bear in mind – your  wedding is about more than just the two of you… weddings are also about two families coming together.. the start of a new generation — but also about appreciating the older generation who have loved you and supported you through the good and the bad times.

And on a far more frivolous note,  I adore Kim’s bridal style – what a fox!

Thank you Kim and Shay for sharing your style-filled day with STG.