Even if you’ve been to a million Jewish weddings, there’s still nothing quite like an Israeli wedding. Although you’ll find all the elements of the standard Jewish ceremony at an Israeli wedding, there are a few traditions that are unique to Israel.
Cash Box
One thing you definitely won’t see at an Israeli wedding is a table full of boxed gifts. You can also strike off wedding registries at department stores. The standard gift to give at a wedding in Israel is cold, hard cash.
This could mean literally sticking bills in an envelope (just make sure to write your name on it so the couple knows who it’s from) or a check. At every wedding in Israel, near the entrance where the guests receive their table cards, you’ll see a locked box for cash gifts.
The idea is that the couple can use the money to recoup their expenses for the wedding, making it a financially neutral transaction, and hopefully break even.
Veiling In The Aisle
While some modern brides are now forgoing veils altogether, and more religious couples will most likely do the traditional Bedeken, I’d say that veiling in the aisle is the standard for an Israeli wedding.
When the bride makes her way down the aisle, she’ll stop halfway, before reaching the Chuppah. The groom, who has already made his entrance and is patiently waiting in the Chuppah, will walk (preferably slowly and dramatically) to the bride. As their guests cheer, the groom will veil his bride and the couple will take the final steps to the Chuppah together.
The Chuppah Rush
Once the glass has been smashed, it’s officially time to party! And the party starts with all of the guests rushing into the Chuppah to congratulate the newly married couple. Israelis aren’t known for their patience, and there’s no way they’re waiting to give their heartfelt “Mazel Tov!’ until the couple makes their way to the guest tables at dinner.
Personally, this is my favorite part of an Israeli wedding – the guests embrace the couple, giving them their best wishes, and making it a truly communal celebration. This is also a time when guests will drink from the wine glass that was used during the ceremony – it’s considered to be very good luck.
Magnets For All
In this day and age, there is no way you’ll leave an Israeli wedding without the standard party favor – magnets!! All Israeli couples hire a special magnet photographer who will take pictures of the guests during the reception (Kabbalat Panim), ceremony, and party.
At the end of the night, the pictures are printed as magnetic photos that the guests can put on their refrigerator at home. The names of the couple and date of the wedding will be written on the border frame. Personally, I have never been to a wedding in Israel that did not have magnets for the guests.
Insane Dancing
Forget stiff, formal dancing – Israelis come to a wedding to create an atmosphere of Simcha (joy) so expect exuberant, sweaty, and chaotic!
In every Jewish wedding in the world, there’s crazy dancing, the couple will be lifted on chairs, etc. – but something about the dance floor in an Israeli wedding is just on another level.
If the bride and groom are religious and there’s a mehitzah (divider for modesty) on the dance floor, in my personal experience the dancing will be even more insane.
Pretty much every Israeli wedding will end with Psychedelic Trance music blasting, specifically Infected Mushroom, and most likely you will see someone older than 60 jumping along to electronic beats.
The Israeli Wedding 