The bride is from Israel and the groom is from Italy, so when it came time to plan a wedding choosing the destination couldn’t have been easy. Instead, Sophie and Stefano didn’t have to choose between the two, they decided to tie the knot at both destinations. 

What’s better than one wedding? Two! The couple says their families and friends were on board with the idea, however, some were disappointed they wouldn’t be able to make it to both locations. Luckily, the couple pulled out all the stops for both weddings.

The groom’s parents chose the venue in Italy, and the couple didn’t see it until a month and a half before the wedding. The couple was unsure at first, but eventually the beautiful venue won them over.

For guests who were coming from abroad, the Italy location was a bit of a logistical issue. The guests didn’t let this detour them from making the trip, and the couple did everything they could to help them out, including renting a few Airbnb apartments for their guests.

 In Israel, the couple looked at a few venues, but the natural and beautiful scenery of Tur Sinai ended up being their first choice. They were worried at first it wouldn’t be large enough for their 250 guests, but it all came together on the big day.

The couple referred to their weddings as a “social wedding,” due to the personalized projects included and their unique dinner plans. All of the table decorations were handmade by the bride and friends, the flowers and napkin folding was made by a friend, and the wedding cake was also made by a friend.

More personal touches include the handmade photo booth and favors. Most of the weddings’ details were put together and made by the couple and their friends and family. A “social wedding” is a perfect description.

The couple also opted for a non-traditional and unique dining plan for their wedding day. They encouraged their guests to bring food, and had a big picnic wedding party. 

Overall, the couple says having a wedding in a different culture made the wedding day feel even more special—adding to the romance and adventure of the experience. The bride highlights the importance of knowing the purpose of the event, so when you’re planning you can always look back and know why you chose to do things a certain way. 

“In the midst of the preparations, you can look back at this purpose and remember it,” the brides says.

Vendors: Photographer: Jonathan and Hannah Photography, Wedding Planner: Tal Marco, Ceremony/Reception Site: Italy: Villa Negri, Marcaria, Italy, Israel: Tur Sinai, Cake: Varia Ostrivski, Hair & Makeup: Varia Ostrivski, Gown Designer: Elia Vatine