A Seaside Jewish Wedding in Greece
Kelly and Emily brought 250 people from around the world to Isla Brown Corinthia Resort & Spa in Agioi Theodoroi, Greece, and gave them very little reason to sit down. Their two day celebration by the sea was big on music, Mediterranean food, Jewish traditions and keeping everyone together from the first poolside party through to the final hours of the afterparty.
There was plenty happening, but none of it feels like it was added just for the sake of it. Kelly had a clear idea of the kind of weekend she wanted to host, and together they made choices that actually suited them. People Photography captured the celebration, including a dance floor that got a serious workout.
How did you two meet?
We met in October 2022 on the boardwalk by the sea. I was sitting with a friend who happened to be a mutual friend when Emily walked over and joined us. We ended up sitting together on this beautiful rock overlooking the water.
That rock became pretty important to us because it is also where I eventually proposed.
Emily pursued me for a little while at first, although I genuinely thought she just wanted to be friends. Pretty quickly after that, we started dating and that was it.
What was planning a destination wedding for 250 guests actually like?
I was the main planner between the two of us. I had a vision of what I wanted, and I love hosting experiences and making sure people are having fun.
The first big decision was figuring out what country we wanted the whole weekend to happen in. We looked at Italy, France, Portugal and Greece before ultimately choosing Greece.
It was really important to us to have all 250 guests together in one place so the weekend would feel warm and connected. We chose Isla Brown Corinthia Resort & Spa in Agioi Theodoroi together, and we worked with LW Events to bring everything together.
For the budget, I bought a template online and tracked everything. Dates, prices, exchange rates. Everything went in there.
What mattered most when choosing your wedding vendors?
Entertainment was the biggest thing for us because it completely changes the energy of a wedding.
Our Belgian friend Nathan and Starlight Band were an easy decision. We knew how entertaining they were and knew we wanted that kind of energy throughout the weekend.
A lot of our other vendors came through our wedding planner, including chef Kobi Bachar, who cooked for us throughout the weekend. We still dream about the food.
We also got to meet our hair stylist and makeup artist before the wedding and completely fell in love with them.
Tell us about the welcome party.
Friday started at 3pm with a poolside welcome party overlooking the sea. Everyone wore white while the two of us wore light blue for the colours of Greece.
Chef Kobi Bachar prepared a big BBQ for us. We are both pescatarians, so there was fish rather than meat. Then the DJ started, everyone was dancing and we added plate throwing because, when in Greece.
Right before sunset, everyone headed up to the rooftop for another DJ set.
Then we surprised everyone with Zehavi, who we had first seen performing at another wedding at the hotel. He plays bouzouki while DJing techno and house music and went straight into the middle of the crowd.
People still talk to us about that set.
How did you approach the ceremony and your Jewish traditions?
Our best friend Jordanna is ordained, so we asked her to officiate the ceremony. Having someone who actually knew us made the whole thing feel much warmer and more personal.
Our family members walked down the aisle before we gathered beneath the chuppah by the sea, with florals by Fevronia Luxury Concepts.
Our families read the Seven Blessings, then we shared our vows.
One of the most moving moments came when Jordanna asked everyone to think of one word that came to mind when they thought about us. On the count of three, all of our guests shouted their word at the same time. That was really beautiful and moving.
We also included kiddush and the breaking of the glass, then went straight into the hora.
We ran to the dance floor and danced for around 45 minutes while our friends and family formed circles around us. We were lifted onto chairs, and at one point I was thrown into the crowd and basically flew through the air.
We also chose to marry on Saturday during Shabbat, which would not usually happen at an Orthodox Jewish wedding. It worked better for the hotel, and we were happy doing things in the way that worked for us.
What happened once the reception started?
Dinner was Mediterranean sharing plates. We wanted it to feel family style while still having really beautiful food.
Then Starlight Band played a 45 minute set with songs from the seventies, eighties and nineties alongside newer music. Every single person was on the dance floor. Nobody was sitting at their table.
We were also the only ones who gave speeches. Long speeches can really drag things out, and keeping the energy moving mattered to us.
We called out different groups based on where everyone had travelled from. “Where are our Belgians at?” “Where are our Americans at?”
And of course, “Where are our gays and lesbians at?” got a lot of people screaming.
Your first dance had a pretty personal story behind it. Tell us about the song.
About a month after I met Emily, I found myself writing a song about falling in love and being terrified to fall again. It came from a place of uncertainty, but also hope.
I wrote and produced it, then hired an incredible singer online to bring it to life. The song became Falling for You by Otto Palmborg.
On our wedding day, I told everyone where the song had come from and how glad I was that I had taken that leap of faith because it had led me there, with Emily.
Then we danced to it for our first dance.
How did you make sure your dogs were part of the celebration?
We really wanted our dogs there with us, so we had cardboard versions of them made.
They even made it to the afterparty.
I am not sure if that officially counts as a DIY project, but we will take it.
How did the night end?
With more dancing, obviously.
Later in the night, we changed into our afterparty outfits and moved inside the boathouse beside the garden. It had been transformed into a burlesque party space with curtains, dancers, a bar, a DJ area, booths and poles.
The party went until 4am.
The next day, I had to be pushed through the airport in a wheelchair because I could not walk. My feet had gotten infected from all the dancing over the weekend.
Good memories.
Captured by People Photography
Caterer Kobi Bachar
DJ and Live Music Starlight Band
Dress Designer Inbal Dror
Engagement Rings KIMAI
Florals Fevronia Luxury Concepts
Hair Nehoray Or Levi
Live Music Zehavi
Makeup Nofar Mishali
Suit Designer Vivi Bellaish
Venue Isla Brown Corinthia Resort & Spa
Videography Beyond The Love Story and People Photography
Wedding Planner LW Events
