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Home > Daniel Isberg

A Vera Wang bride for a spectacular rustic-glam Jew-ish destination wedding at a private villa in Phuket, Thailand

13/10/2015 by Karen

Destination-wedding-Thailand
From the introductory image above, it’s fair to say that Melissa and Ishay’s Jew-ish wedding is going to be seriously swoon-inducing… and it doesn’t stop with that extraordinary ceremony setting either. Their entire W Day is dazzling from start to finish with a beautiful back story of love crossing continents and eclipsing expectations.

Thai-American Melissa, and Israeli-born Ishay met in an Irish pub in Uganda (yes, really!) and everyone told them they were crazy to think their relationship could last.

As Melissa says, “After our time in Africa, and a year and a half of Skype video chats and international flights around the world, to and from Uganda, Israel, Thailand, and San Francisco, we embarked on a new adventure together – The East Coast. Then one evening when I was on call, Ishay decided to surprise me in my new apartment in New York City with over 400 candles. Who knew Ishay could be so romantic? Of course, I said yes.”

Oh I do love a good international love story (did you know that both my parents’ and my brother’s marriage are the culminations of long-distance relationships?) and the incredible story behind their relationship is told in their own words in one of the most moving wedding films I’ve ever watched – tears in my eyes. You absolutely have to see it – it’s just below.

Super stunning Melissa married the love of her life in a breathtaking Vera Wang gown, and if there is one word to describe this gorgeous couple’s big day then it’s WOW. From the show-stopping fireworks to those beautifully decorated long tables at dinner, to the exquisite displays of flowers and that chuppah on the infinity pool set against the backdrop of the Indian ocean, it all looks spectacular.

But that carefree shot at the end of both of them jumping into the swimming pool in their half-dressed wedding attire? That’s my favourite.

Enjoy this Tuesday treat of a wedding with words by the bride, images by Julian Abram Wainwright and the must-watch film below by David Pritchard from Imageforge Asia

Destination wedding Thailand
how we met

Melissa, the Bride: It started in an Irish pub in the middle of Uganda. I know, right? Ishay moved from Israel to Uganda to pursue a new life adventure. I took a year off from medical school to engage in medical research in Uganda. True to ex-pat living in East Africa, all good things came out of the regular go-to hang out place, the “local” Irish pub known as “Bubbles.”

It would be nice to say that it was love at first sight for both of us. If you asked Ishay, he would probably say that Melissa just never met anyone like him before. If you asked me, I would probably say that I initially was just not that impressed. Luckily, Ishay is persistent or, at the very least, stubborn. On the second meeting I became intrigued. By our first date, we were both hooked. We just couldn’t get enough of each other. Six months after spending time together in East Africa, what appeared to be the most unexpected love story was expected, by everyone, to end.

I moved back to San Francisco to finish medical school. Ishay stayed in Uganda to continue working. In less than a year, Ishay moved back to Israel to finish college. After a year and a half of Skype video chats and international flights around the world, to and from Uganda, Israel, Thailand, and San Francisco, we embarked on a new adventure together – The East Coast.  And then on one fall evening when I was on call (shocking for some but, dermatology residents do take call), Ishay decided to surprise me in my new apartment in New York City with over 400 candles. Who knew Ishay could be so romantic? Of course, I said yes.  Over the next two years, we had a civil ceremony in New York City at City Hall, had a traditional Buddhist ceremony in Bangkok, and finally, we had our wedding in Phuket. 
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Jenny & Gareth | Super awesome Jewish beach wedding + pool party at Grand Satis Villa, Phang Nga Bay, Thailand

03/07/2014 by Karen

Jewish beach wedding + pool party at Grand Satis Villa, Phang Nga Bay, Thailand
Jenny  and Gareth  are one seriously hot couple. I’m talking hot with a capital ‘H’ folks and I just know you’ll think the same  once you  see  their delicious destination wedding imagery by D-Image Plus.

But WAIT. It gets better. Their ceremony took place on the sand, footsteps away from the water’s edge  with  whales dancing in the sea behind the chuppah! And after the ceremony The Kardashians  (yes, The  Kardashians) photo-bombed their portrait shots on the beach!!

Their wedding planner, Jeanette Skelton,  told me, “The Kardashians turned up on the beach in front of the villa, after the ceremony, during the photo session.  They were staying at the nearby Iniala Resort and had their film crew on the beach to film for Keeping up with the Kardashians.  Of course they wanted to film Gareth and Jenny for their show and what luck for them to run into such a fabulous bride and groom!”

Jenny, originally from Melbourne, and Gareth, from Sydney, met in Thailand which is why getting married there was so significant  for them. Jeanette from  Luxury Events  Phuket  (liaising mostly with Gareth, as Jenny was studying for her chartered accountants certificate in the run up to her wedding) created an all-sorts-of-brilliant  day for this special couple and told me “every wedding is special and unique but there are some weddings that truly stand out with incredible energy and this was one of them.”

I have to agree with Jeanette – the energy is palpable! And after their intimate beach ceremony came a pumping party complete with pineapple and lemongrass infused vodka martinis, watermelon mojitos, pina coladas, long island ice phi phi’s  live music, obligatory crazy Jewish dancing, Thai sky lanterns, fire dancers and  an insane pool party with  falafel and pitta for  a midnight snack. Divine exotic  perfection!

Ready for a goooooood time? Over to the beautiful Jenny….

Jewish beach wedding + pool party at Grand Satis Villa, Phang Nga Bay, Thailand_0162
Kardashian wedding
Khloe and Kendall Kardashian taking the opportunity to pose with the gorgeous Jenny and Gareth!

Jewish beach wedding + pool party at Grand Satis Villa, Phang Nga Bay, Thailand_0150

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