A wedding in Israel can mean a classic Jerusalem setting or something far less conventional such as an off-duty museum or a Biblical park, reports Viva Sarah Press.
By Viva Sarah Press
While getting married with a backdrop of the Old City in Jerusalem is breathtaking, those with an extra dollop of chutzpah, who are willing to go off the beaten path, could make their Israeli destination wedding even more memorable.
Have you ever dreamed of getting married in the desert? On Masada? At a museum? At a Biblical site? Thanks to Israel’s varied topography and small size, your fantasy can become a reality.
Of course, tying the knot in Jerusalem is a good and poignant choice. It’s just not the only choice.
“You can get married in the forest of Hadera, on the beach of Caesarea with all the antiquities, at King Solomon’s pillars in the desert; you can get married at the Beresheet Hotel overlooking the Ramon Crater, or on a kibbutz or in Jaffa or Jerusalem, there are lots of amazing places and wedding locations in Israel that you won’t find in North America,” said Lian Matias, founder of the Hatunot wedding blog.
Yoav Appel chose the coast of Herzliya, just north of Tel Aviv. “We got married at the beach because we loved the way the Levant sun sparkled off the eastern Mediterranean’s waters beside us as we took our vows of eternal commitment to one another,” he recalls. “The weather was perfect, the view magnificent, the scene was heavenly and we couldn’t have wished for a better location.”
Tamar Sharir, who got married just a few days before Jewish.Travel went to press, decided on Jaffa. “We were looking for something a bit different, not just another wedding hall, and since it is winter we thought of Jaffa,” she says. “We love the view of course, but more than that, there is something special about the combination of old and new in the city and in the place, that sets a very romantic and cool ambiance at the same time.”
Tamar Sharir, who got married just a few days before Jewish.Travel went to press, decided on Jaffa. “We were looking for something a bit different, not just another wedding hall, and since it is winter we thought of Jaffa,” she says. “We love the view of course, but more than that, there is something special about the combination of old and new in the city and in the place, that sets a very romantic and cool ambiance at the same time.”
The Hatunot blog (hatunotblog.com) and Beccy Blue (www.beccyblue.com) feature creative ideas for weddings in Israel. You can also get access to dozens of event planners, florists, fashion consultants, photographers and music through these sites.
Matias thinks that when choosing to marry in Israel the event takes on special meaning. “Weddings are spiritual and there’s a lot of symbolism involved. Having it in Israel is more poignant,” she says. “You can go to the Kotel the day before and that makes it more spiritual. This is where it all started and there’s something magical about
celebrating here.”
Whether a religious wedding or secular one, Israel is brimming with culture, archaeology, history, innovation and creativity, and the possibilities for wedding venues are truly endless.
Celebrate your own “night at the museum.” Those wanting to add a splash of culture to their wedding reception can choose from any of the Haifa museums or Jerusalem’s Bible Lands Museum and the Tower of David Museum for the ceremony and party.
If you’d prefer an archaeological twist, the Masada National Park offers a setting unlike any other in Israel, or even the world. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the greatest archaeological sites, a wedding on Masada packs in a fantastic view with a message of heroism and determination.
Another gorgeous one-of-a-kind view can be found at Timna Park, just north of Eilat. Said to be the world’s first copper mine, this desert oasis combines beautiful scenery, biblical and archaeological finds (including King Solomon’s pillars), acacia trees, wild ibex, and lake views into the perfect chuppah spot.
Getting married on a kibbutz — and there are plenty to choose from — truly is an “only in Israel” experience. Depending on the wedding planner you choose, the theme can be rustic or swanky. Or, perhaps the Mediterranean Sea views are more your cup of tea. In that case, head over to Caliph in Old Jaffa, Trask in the Tel Aviv Port, Al Hayam in Caesarea, Bamboo Village in Netanya, Bayit Al Hayam (House on the Sea) in Jaffa, Cassiopeia in Herzliya or Cahol in Haifa. They all offer gorgeous views of the sand and sea, and continue to score
top rankings with Israeli couples.
In Old Jaffa, there’s also Lauren’s Gallery, an event hall located in an ancient stone structure from the Ottoman period. The matrimonial ceremony is usually performed in one of the ancient synagogues nearby and a klezmer band guides the bride, groom and guests back to the event venue.
In Israel, just about any site is a potential marriage spot. Neot Kedumim, the “Biblical Landscape Reserve” between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, is a frequent wedding venue for Israelis. The Caves of Guvrin have been used as a venue, so too have Israeli university campuses.
Wedding planners here can organize day trips to the country’s holy and tourist sites. Your guests can take a dip in the Dead Sea or walk around the Old City ramparts prior to the big day.
“It’s a day that’s already emotional and meaningful and if you take this amazing location, Israel, it multiplies it by 100 times what you’re feeling,” Matias says. “It’s not about the wedding dress or color of the napkins. Having a wedding in Israel takes it from a one-day experience to something much more. The wedding is for the couple and
also for the guests. It’s something you and they will never forget.”
Viva Sarah Press, a Canadian-Israeli, is an associate editor and writer for ISRAEL21c.org. She has penned numerous travel articles from around the globe, and in the name of a good story has jumped out of planes, glided
with birds, abseiled off cliffs, rafted down rivers, and ridden on numerous uncomfortable mammals. Follow her via www.facebook.com/VivaSarahPress