News & Newsletters
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More Americans Host Weddings in the Jewish State
1-Mar-07by Judie Jacobson
originally published in Connecticut Jewish ledger
Link to original article: http://www.jewishledger.com/articles/2007/03/01/news/news06.txt
More Americans host weddings in the Jewish state
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Imagine that.
Nowadays, more and more Jewish couples are, as they opt to put a new and often spiritual spin on the growing trend in destination weddings by holding their ceremony and celebration in Israel.
"There has been a definite rise in the number of people from abroad making weddings in Israel - a few years ago there were 20 or 30 per year, but now the figure is well over 100," says Rabbi Seth Farber, director of ITIM: The Jewish Life Information Center, a Jerusalem-based non-profit that helps couples navigate the bureaucracy of the rabbinate so that they can marry in the Jewish state.
Rabbi David Banino, head of the marriage department at the Jerusalem Rabbinate, estimates that more than 200 couples from outside Israel - either olim (new immigrants) or tourists, have registered to get married through his office this past year. The vast majority, he says, come from the U.S., the United Kingdom and France.
The trend to marry in Israel mirrors a growing trend to towards destination weddings in general. Industry insiders estimate that between 5-7 percent of all weddings these days take place in faraway places - like Mexico, the Caribbean, or even Disney World. The overriding reason: destination weddings are more memorable and less expensive.
Planning Israeli-style
Even die-hard American Zionists might not have been so eager to set up their chuppah in Israel just a few years ago, when the Israeli wedding industry had not yet reached a level of sophistication needed to attract an international market. Now, however, the Israeli wedding industry has come a long way. Vendors well versed in dealing with customers from abroad exist - you just have to know how to find them.
"Suppliers don't have the same standards. It's important to explain your expectations and use suppliers who are experienced in working with overseas clients," says Judy Krasna, co-owner of CelebrateIsrael.com, an English-language web site that provides information on venues, caterers, photographers and other suppliers for people planning events in Israel.
Many couples also find it helpful to work with Israeli wedding planners experienced in the overseas market - like Tel Aviv-based IsraEvents or Raanana-based Anglo Israel Events.
Of course, says Krasna, it's important to remember that while Israel has come a long way, some things never change. For example, she notes, while Americans are accustomed to planning well in advance, that's not the Israeli style.
"Israelis don't plan in advance," she says, "Until calendars have been printed for the next year - fall - you can't book anything beyond September!"
Getting married in Israel is, after all, different than getting married at your local catering hall. Why not make the most of it?
"Israel offers so many fabulous celebration options," says Krasna. "In addition to traditional and meaningful venues, you can take your guests on a desert safari, have your party in a Bedouin tent replete with pita baking and camel ride. Planning an event in Israel is a really a creative experience. Anything goes in Israel - which is part of what makes it so much fun to celebrate here."