Smashing the Glass | Jewish Wedding Blog

Inspired Jewish Weddings

Home > Israel > Page 3

A Vera Wang Bride for an Israeli-American Jewish Wedding at Hagiva, Givat Brenner, Israel

by

Alexa-and-Nitay-Hagiva-Givat-Brenner-Israel

If you can’t get enough of Israeli weddings, we’ve got a treat for you! The fabulous Jewish wedding of Alexa and Nitay, at gorgeous Hagiva, has all the things we love about weddings in Israel: a gorgeous outdoor setting filled with greenery and Jerusalem stone, gorgeous chuppah, Israeli food and music, and, of course, epic party vibes.

Nitay is Israeli, while Alexa is American – and the pair perfectly combined the best of both wedding traditions to make sure everyone felt comfortable and included on the day. They turned to Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Vanessa Ohayon to help bring their vision to life – and did she ever! In Alexa’s words,

Vanessa is a true professional at what she does. When we first met Vanessa, we connected instantly and she understood our vision from the start. Vanessa brings her amazing energy into every detail of any wedding. She had a solution for everything and when there were any hiccups (there are always hiccups), she knew how to bring us down to earth and find the best way to handle them. We couldn’t have done it without her!

We’re also obsessed with the couple’s exquisite photos by Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Tzahi Shemesh. Have a scroll through and we’re pretty sure you’ll agree with Alexa’s assessment:

He made us laugh, feel comfortable, and most importantly, captured our “in the moment” memories. Him and his team were at every angle and made sure to not miss a thing! He is an artist and makes us relive our special day every time we look back at the photos. They’re magnificent!

There are so many more fabulous details to share about this very special wedding – we’ll turn you over to the bride, who looked timelessly elegant in Vera Wang, to fill you in…

Alexa-and-Nitay-Hagiva-Givat-Brenner-Israel Alexa-and-Nitay-Hagiva-Givat-Brenner-Israel   Alexa-and-Nitay-Hagiva-Givat-Brenner-Israel Alexa-and-Nitay-Hagiva-Givat-Brenner-Israel
How We Met

Alexa, the bride: Nitay and I both lived in Chicago after college. We had many mutual friends who all met up one night to go out in January 2017. Nitay approached me the second he saw me and made sure he didn’t leave without getting my number! Later that week we went on our first date to a sushi restaurant. The rest is history 🙂Continue ReadingContinue Reading

An Ysa Makino Bride for a Cambodian-Jewish Wedding at The Noor, Jaffa, Israel

by

Ayia-and-Christopher-The-Noor-Jaffa-Israel

When American couple Ayia and Christopher, both emergency room nurses, decided on a destination wedding in Israel, they knew they needed a stellar planner on the ground to make the day of their dreams a reality. They found the perfect fit in Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Bebke, led by dream team Inbar and Gev. To quote Ayia, Bebke is “a creative powerhouse,” and helped the duo with everything from finding the perfect only-in-Israel venue to incorporating the groom’s Cambodian heritage into the day.

Ayia and Christopher knew they wanted to get married somewhere with character and history – the kind of space that couldn’t be anyplace else but Israel – and Bebke delivered: hidden away in Jaffa’s artistic alleys, The Noor is an absolute stunner, the kind that really encapsulates the magic of Israel.

We also love the way Bebke worked with the couple to incorporate Cambodian culture into the day, culminating in a traditional Cambodian/Khmer string tie ceremony. Ayia and Christopher changed into traditional outfits and knelt on colorful pillows, with incense burning and traditional Cambodian wedding music playing in the background, as each guest approached  them and tied a red string on both the bride and groom’s wrist, followed by a blessing for a happy and healthy marriage. Don’t miss  Mor Elnekave and Ben Mizrachi’s exquisite photos of this unmissable moment.

Ayia-and-Christopher-The-Noor-Jaffa-Israel Ayia-and-Christopher-The-Noor-Jaffa-Israel Ayia-and-Christopher-The-Noor-Jaffa-Israel Ayia-and-Christopher-The-Noor-Jaffa-Israel
How We Met

Ayia, the bride: We met on a dating app as it was the heart of Covid and everything was closed. We bonded knowing we were both working so hard, and dealing with so much sadness and stress in the emergency room. It bonded us. We met a month later and it was all history from there 🙂Continue ReadingContinue Reading

A Beachy Boho Jewish Wedding on the Mediterranean at Caesar Yam, Israel

by

Ophira-and-Jacob-Caesar-Yam-Israel

There’s something so special about getting married in Israel – and not just because of the sunny climate and stellar views. Cleveland couple Ophira, a therapist, and Jacob, a market research consultant decided to hold their Jewish wedding at Caesar Yam in honor of the couple’s strong collection to Israel, where Ophira grew up.

The whole day was a celebration of the couple’s blended American and Israeli roots, and the importance of Israel in their lives – how cool is it that Ophira and Jacob wrote their vows in both English and Hebrew?

We also love that Ophira wore her mom’s wedding dress from the ‘80s – and started a new tradition of family heirlooms too, with her multi-talented mom handcrafting her tiara and earrings!

The couple’s photographer, Yafit, and videographer, Dana of Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Colorfool, captured this joyous day so exquisitely. In Ophira’s words,

They worked really well as a team. We decided to work with them because they are each artistic in her own way, and we knew they would capture the genuine and intimate moments of our wedding.

And we can’t hand you over to Ophira without sharing her words of wisdom to newly engaged couples: “Consider getting married in Israel–it’s way more chill than the States, and more affordable.” Ok, now over to the bride…

Ophira-and-Jacob-Caesar-Yam-Israel Ophira-and-Jacob-Caesar-Yam-Israel Ophira-and-Jacob-Caesar-Yam-Israel Ophira-and-Jacob-Caesar-Yam-Israel
How We Met

Ophira, the bride and Jacob, the groom: We met through an online dating app–we both got struck by Cupid’s arrow and said “Ok!”. Our first date was at a local coffee shop, and we really hit it off.Continue ReadingContinue Reading

Join Us For a Jewish Community Get-Together This Sunday, March 3

by

Photo credit: Israel and You 

Every day, I’m hearing from so many of you who are struggling with the current environment of pervasive Jew hate. It’s really rough out there right now – but at the same time, it’s more important than ever to be proud and empowered in our Jewish identities. 

But none of us can do it alone – and that’s why I’m running a FREE 90-minute community Zoom get-together for everyone who could use some support and connection from other Jews who are going through the same things as you.

The event will take place this Sunday, March 3, at 8:30 PM UK / 4:30 PM NYC / 1:30 PM LA, and you’ll find:

  • Connection, community, and comradery with fellow Jews who understand what you’re going through right now – including breakout sessions to share whatever you are feeling
  • Step-by-step guidance on effectively combatting Jew hate and misinformation about Israel, online and off
  • Q&A session – for advice and guidance on anything you want to talk about or share.

This event is free and open to the community, so please do register now  – and share with anyone you think could benefit.
Continue ReadingContinue Reading

A Mia Pava Bride for an Ultra-moving Wartime Jewish Wedding Full of Joy and Strength at The Agam at the Botanical Gardens in Jerusalem, Israel

by

Dani-Zev-The-Agam-at-the-Botanical-Gardens-Jerusalem

Daniela, a physiotherapist, and Zev, the COO of tour company Israel Maven Tours, thought long and hard about getting married in wartime – and when they decided to go for it, they wanted to make sure they threw a celebration that would bring joy and strength to all in attendance – and did they ever.

Nearly all of the couple’s guests have been directly affected by the war, and it was important to them that their Jewish wedding acknowledge all those whose ongoing sacrifices made the special day – and life in Israel generally – possible. And with prayers for the IDF, the state of Israel, and the hostages, a heartfelt shofar blast under the chuppah, and Israeli flags all around – in addition to some beautiful symbolic flowers, like olive branches for peace – they did exactly that.

One extra meaningful touch: Daniela and Zev gave their guests with loved ones serving in Gaza or on the border with Lebanon a gift box of cocktails along with a handwritten note with instructions to drink a l’chaim with their loved ones when they return safely home from the battlefield! In the bride’s words, “We didn’t realise how moving this would be for people and to this day we are still receiving pictures and videos of happy families reunited drinking the delicious cocktails.”

Daniela and Zev chose Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Herschel Gutman as their photographer, and they were thrilled with both the beautiful images he captured and his warmth and kindness throughout the planning process and on the day itself.

Read on for more about this incredibly moving day in the bride’s own words…

Dani-Zev-The-Agam-at-the-Botanical-Gardens-Jerusalem Dani-Zev-The-Agam-at-the-Botanical-Gardens-Jerusalem Dani-Zev-The-Agam-at-the-Botanical-Gardens-Jerusalem Dani-Zev-The-Agam-at-the-Botanical-Gardens-Jerusalem
How We Met

Daniela, the bride: As Zev says, “We were destined for one another, we just had to wait for someone to make the introduction. Luckily for us a mutual friend made the suggestion.”Continue ReadingContinue Reading