Wedding Planner in Israel

My job is to turn your wedding dream into a reality. I have no ready-made templates, no preconceived ideas, none of my own preferences that I'll impose on you - just great listening skills, an open mind, and the expertise to bring your ideas to life.

Planning your perfect wedding

Every wedding is unique. Whether your dream is for a small event or one on a grand scale, modern or traditional, in town or in a natural setting, I can make it happen – within your budget. Because I work regularly with venues, caterers, and designers, I can get the best prices for you!

As I get to know you and your vision for your wedding, I’ll draw up a shortlist of the most suitable suppliers for you. When you come to Israel for your Planning Visits - couples usually make between one and three - I’ll escort you through all your meetings and help you decide what’s best for you.

The Ideal Venue

There are so many fabulous places to get married in Israel. Will you get married on the beach? In Jerusalem? In the desert? I’ll take you round some inspiring venues on your first Planning Visit so we can book ideally nine months to a year in advance.

Tasty Caterers

I’ll take you to some catered events, you decide which pleases your palate the most. I’ll negotiate the best price and arrange a tasting for you. All caterers in Israel are certified Kosher and can provide Glatt or Mehadrin Kosher meals according to your guests’ requirements.

Wedding Designers

Have you been imagining your wedding day since you were little? How does it look? Simple and elegant, or a riot of colour? Any one of my hand-picked event designers will be able to make it a reality and I’ll find the perfect one for you, whether you want a classic chic white wedding on the beach, a vintage England theme, or an enchanted garden.

Hit the Dance Floor: Live Bands, DJs & Entertainers

Music is what brings the party to life. We can book a DJ, a jazz trio, a full orchestra, or anything in between. Add to the atmosphere with dancers, African drummers, human statues, special performances…there are endless possibilities. And I promise the DJ will only play trance if you ask for it!

Bar

In Israel, the bar isn’t just a bunch of bottles behind a counter. An active bar staffed by party lovers with shot girls on the dance floor will get your party pumping! Don’t forget that most of your guests won’t have work in the morning, and weddings in Israel can go on much later. The bar can be put right on the dance floor or designed to match your theme, and there are all manner of packages and add-ons available.

Hairdressers & Makeup Artists

You care about your hair, and you won’t trust just anyone. Fortunately, my experience means that I’ll find you exactly the right professional stylists to look after you and your guests, even though you’re far from home. After all, the bride must look stunning.

Making Memories: Photos & DVD

How do you want to remember your wedding day? Do you want formal pictures or a more arty feel? A wedding video worthy of a TV documentary? I work with talented photographers and filmmakers to suit every style and budget.

Invitation Design & Printing

Printing costs are lower in Israel and invitations and wedding design can be coordinated for your event.

Mini-moon

Start your marriage the way you mean to go on. I can organise you a fabulous mini-break in a romantic and secluded spot somewhere in Israel.

Behind the scenes

Putting on a wedding can be a real headache, what with managing budgets, planning logistics, coordinating suppliers, and supervising the event. My experience in events management takes away the stress and means you can focus on having a great time. The only tricky business I can’t do for you is the seating plan!

Negotiating with suppliers and managing contracts

My relationships with suppliers in Israel and my experience with the Israeli business mentality means I can negotiate the most competitive prices for you. I can also ensure that suppliers provide their contracts in English, which is not always standard practice in Israel.

Managing your budget

It’s easy to get carried away, but unlike many planners I make sure that your wedding stays within the budget you set. My clients get better value by putting me in control of their spending from Israel, rather than losing money on bank charges on every payment to each supplier. Plus I have an arrangement with Currency UK a special company that beats bank exchange rates every time, making your budget go further. For more information on this contact adrian.jacob@currencyuk.co.uk

Coordinating all vendors

The last thing you’ll want to worry about in the run up to your wedding is answering questions from the caterer or checking details with the designer. After ordering and arranging everything for the big day, I meet with all suppliers again in advance of the wedding to ensure everything is going to plan.

Fully managing the event itself

Your event will be supervised from first thing in the morning till the last guest leaves, including the initial set-up and the final meeting with all suppliers and staff to make sure they’re all familiar with the time plan and ready carry out their roles to the highest standard. The wedding runs smoothly, and your only task is to enjoy every moment of the happiest day of your life!

A Jewish wedding

Here’s a quick handy guide to some terms you might not be familiar with:

Mikva:

The ritual bath. Jewish law requires the bride to fully immerse herself in the mikva before her wedding day.

Ketubah:

The wedding contract. This is signed just before the ceremony in the presence of the bride and groom, their parents, the rabbi, and two witnesses.

Bedekin:

Placing the veil. Immediately after signing the ketubah, the groom confirms that the bride is in fact his intended – alluding to the biblical story of Jacob being tricked into marrying Leah – and then covers her with the veil.

Chuppah:

Wedding canopy consisting of a cloth on four poles. It represents the couple’s home and is open on all sides to symbolise that all will be welcome there. The wedding service takes place beneath the chuppa.

Yichud:

Union. Right after the chuppa ceremony, the bride and groom spend a few minutes alone together in a locked room. This is a legal requirement of the wedding ceremony.

Opening a file in the Israel Rabbinate

Israeli bureaucracy can be fiendishly time-consuming. My expertise will get your file open and managed with maximum efficiency. When you go to Jerusalem to sign at the Rabbinate, we can fit in a tour of the Kotel, Judaism’s holiest site, or have a family lunch with a view of the Old City.

Mikva

Some brides are a bit nervous about this part but I can recommend a number of places which will make your ritual bath feel more like a spa experience.

The Chuppa Service

I can recommend a number of great rabbis and will match you up with the one best suited to you, either Israeli or from your home country. If you intend to bring your own rabbi, let me know as early as possible so I can make all the necessary arrangements.

Kippot and benchers

I can order high quality kippot and benchers at reasonable prices to match the theme and colours of your wedding.

Taking care of your guests

Your guests have traveled a long way to get to your wedding, at no little expense. Let’s make them feel welcome and appreciated, as little touches go a long way.

From the airport

We can arrange to meet your guests on arrival at Ben Gurion, either by taxi, minibus, or VIP service.

Accommodation for guests

I have excellent contacts in top Israeli travel companies who can get you the most competitive hotel deals. My Israel-based agents can then provide personalised service to your guests when they’re here.

Arrival pack

We can have gifts waiting for your guests in their hotel room - a gesture that is sure to be appreciated. We can also include a map and itinerary of the celebrations.

Before and after the wedding

A lot of couples thank their guests for making the journey by treating them to an informal Shabbat dinner, cocktail party, or drinks on the beach.

Tours and excursions

I can put together day or overnight excursions for your guests (and you!) to any of Israel’s beautiful and fascinating sights, accompanied by the best English-speaking guides. A trip to Masada and the Dead Sea, a guided tour around the Old City of Jerusalem, or camel riding and sleeping in Bedouin tents - having your wedding in Israel means you can make it a real adventure.

Care services for elderly, sick, or disabled guests

Make sure your guests with special needs can take a full part in proceedings. I am in touch with top agencies that can provide call-out assistance when needed, or a full-time carer.

Babysitting services for young families

Parents want to party too! Make sure your friends with kids enjoy the whole party with a dependable babysitter.