A Delila Fox Bride for a Modern Tropical Jewish Wedding at Villa Ban Suriya, Koh Samui, Thailand
Tropical weddings are sure having a moment right now – whether in London or the actual tropics, Jewish brides and grooms are going wild for bright colours, laid-back vibes, and palms aplenty, and we're here for it.
If tropical is your vibe, you can't do much better than to marry in the tropical island paradise of Koh Samui, and that's exactly what Bianca, an Australian Pilates instructor, and Ruben, a site manager/builder and carpenter hailing from France, did.
They put together the perfect modern tropical Jewish wedding on the beach, with a simple yet statement-making chuppah covered in tropical leaves. Photographer Toa of Weerayu Janthai and videographer Nok of Janthai Photography captured all the magic of this gorgeous day so perfectly.
Now we'll hand you over to the bride, who looked simply smashing in Delila Fox (love that bow at the back), which she paired with adorable Marc Jacobs Daisy sneakers – fun and practical!
Bianca, the bride: We met in Bondi at one of my favourite bar/restaurants called The Bucket List one sunny summery Sunday in December. I was with a few of my friends and Ruben and his friend joined our table. He noticed we were drinking French Rose so brought over a bottle for us all to enjoy. From then on it was go time!
A Made With Love Bride for a Destination Jewish Wedding in Tropical Paradise with an Orchid Chuppah at the Conrad Hotel Koh Samui, Thailand
We've got just the thing to get you in the mood for Spring… a stunner of a Jewish wedding right on the beach in gorgeous Koh Samui, Thailand!
Kamina, a marketing specialist and yoga teacher, and Warren, a management consultant, planned the perfect laid-back boho day, and they went all out on the tropical paradise vibes — we're talking an orchid chuppah, bright tropical flowers everywhere (even in the bride's hair, natch!), and an all-day outdoor celebration right on the beach. Transport yourself via Julian Abram Wainwright's exquisitely styled photography and Juno Wedding Films' wonderful video.
These two also had some of the coolest wedding desserts we've seen, ever. For starters, they rented out a traditional Thai banana pancake cart — um, yes please! And Kamina's 9-year-old cousin, who happens to be a little baking prodigy, made the couple a gorgeous coconut wedding cake (with just a bit of help from the grown-ups) — wow!
Now over to Kamina, who looked so cool (in all senses of the word!) even in the Thai heat in her Made With Love dress…
A Meaningful Venue
Kamina, the bride: We decided to get married in Koh Samui, Thailand at the Conrad Hotel. Samui is a special island for us – it was my late father's favourite place. My parents own a villa resort on the island, which is where they renewed their vows on their 25th wedding anniversary, and also where we held an intimate funeral ceremony for him. The Conrad Hotel is part of the Hilton group, which is where my father worked most of his life, so that was really special as well to keep the venue in the Hilton family – that would have meant a lot to him.
A Corston Couture Bride for a Destination Jewish Wedding with an Orchid Chuppah at Akyra Beach Club, Phuket, Thailand
An Orchid Chuppah (yes really!) and an unbelievably style-savvy couple make this a very happy Monday on Smashing The Glass
With the help of Luxury Events, today's bride and groom, Sydney-based Martine and Jarred, got married on the beach in Thailand, and their phenomenal chuppah, draped in boughs of the most beautiful white orchids, could not possibly be better suited to their day at Akyra Beach Club on fabulous Phuket.
It's so simple and fresh, so elegantly evocative of the tropical setting — and the contrast between the white flowers and the blue, blue ocean in the background is truly a sight to behold.
So is Martine's gown, from Corston Couture in Sydney. Her ethereally lacey two-piece is wonderfully boho and beachy — and you've got to check out the beautiful detailing at the back. That bow!
Blumenthal Photography and Soda Films captured all the lovely details of the day exquisitely. Seriously, check out their close-up shots of the chuppah — and read on for all the details of the day from Martine.
Martine, the bride: Jarred and I have known each other for years. We were at primary school together and even "dated" all those years ago (we were 10!) Of course, "dating" or being "boyfriend" and "girlfriend" back then meant smiling at each other but being petrified to speak to one another! ☺ Fast forward to high school, Jarred and I met up again at a NYE party and were set up by my twin sister. We've been together ever since (12 years)! That's us, high-school sweethearts.
A Vera Wang bride for a spectacular rustic-glam Jew-ish destination wedding at a private villa in Phuket, 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
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.
Jenny & Gareth | Super awesome 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….
Khloe and Kendall Kardashian taking the opportunity to pose with the gorgeous Jenny and Gareth!