Marina and Sagi’s great day
A truly unique wedding, a perfect combination of tradition and modernity that of Marina & Sagi, a beautiful young couple from New York. The initial preparations, the ceremony and the reception, all takes place at Villa Vignamaggio. The beautiful villa is the heart of a large estate with splendid gardens, woods and agricultural land that extend for over 400 hectares in the Chianti hills between Siena and Florence and it is perfect for a Jewish wedding in Italy .
The ritual of the Ketubah
We have just arrived at Vignamaggio, it is still morning and the atmosphere is pleasant and intense, everything is in motion. Today a wedding ceremony with a Jewish rite awaits us and the spouses Marina and Sagi are preparing for the ritual of the signing of the Ketubah where the vows and the mutual responsibilities of the spouses are written down. All this takes place in the presence of parents, relatives and closest friends together with the rabbi.
The Chuppah, the wedding canopy, is almost ready. It is beautiful, thanks to a special mixure of fragrant flowers that have been placed there in perfect harmony with the Italian garden and the pergola behind it.
I take advantage of the moment to do some shots of Marina and Sagi during their preparations for my Jewish wedding video.
Jewish wedding in Italy video – by Tiziana Billi Italian wedding videographers
Marina and her grandmother’s dress
As soon as the Ketubah ritual is over, we take a few shots of Marina with her grandmother’s old dress both alone and with her mother, then with her dear friend and with her uncle who for the occasion takes the place of her father, who has unfortunately passed away.
In the meantime, we are also able to shoot some beautiful pictures of Sagi with his closest friends and parents.
The guests arrive, Marina puts on her wedding dress. Sagi is ready and while he is waiting for the bride next to Chuppah, he chats happily with his friends.
Jewish wedding in Italy: The ceremony
The Jewish ceremony is about to begin and in the background an intense and emotional music can be heard, it is a recording of a piece that Marina’s grandfather, a famous Russian Jewish violinist, performed many years ago in Italy. On the evocative and vibrant notes of this music Marina exits the villa escorted by her mother and stepfather who is carrying a glass candelabra with lighted candles, as tradition dictates.
The suggestive background music lasts for the whole long journey led by the bride, which is particularly emotional for all. Sagi, who was waiting for Marina, leave the Chuppah and walks towards her. With a warm kiss and a hug Sagi dismisses Marina’s parents and takes his future bride in his arms, taking her with him under the chuppah.
another frame from Villa Vignamaggio Jewish wedding video
The bride circles the groom seven times
After an introduction by the priest to the wedding ceremony, as per the traditional rite, Marina circles around Sagi with the help of her maid who holds her veil. As per tradition, the bride must circle the groom 7 times, as many times as it took God to create the world.
The Jewish Ceremony takes place with all its rituals, the spouses drink several times from the same chalice which is then broken by the groom at the end of the ceremony.
The aperitifs at Villa Vignamaggio
The ceremony has just ended and the newlyweds and their guests move towards the front of the villa for aperitifs. As soon as the cocktail begins, the celebrations also begin and the dances are ready to go! The band starts playing and we sneak off with Marina and Sagi to do photos and videos. In addition to the enchanting Italian garden, the beautiful Villa Vignamaggio offers various corners where we can immortalize the bride and groom. As we continue to film the bride and groom during the golden hour, their guests move under the tent for the wedding reception.
When all the guests take their places, Marina and Sagi make a grand entrance with the background of “O ‘Sarracino” by Renato Carosone. They are on a vintage “Ape”, the famous all-Italian characteristic vehicle. The bride and groom uncork a bottle of bubbles for the toast and join their guests at the table.
A view of villa Vignamaggio, Tuscany
Jewish wedding in Italy: The Dinner
Marina and Sagi begin by thanking everyone for being there with them to celebrate such a wonderful day. Then their priest blesses the bread and the wine with the blessing of the challah and the kosher wine.
As soon as the blessing ends, the music of the first dance for the spouses begins. After a minute and a half of a very romantic and sensual first dance, Marina and Sagi invite their guests to join them.
Immediately after the dance, everyone sits down again and begins to dine. Between one course and the other, the guests make their speeches, starting with both mothers of the spouses and gradually many other relatives and friends.
The Horah and the after dinner dances
After dinner, live music starts again and the dances resume. To be totally honest, right from the beginning with the aperitifs, the dances have never really stopped. The spouses, relatives and guests seem to have endless energy! After a few dances, the “Horah” for the newlyweds and the parents of the newlyweds begins as per tradition. The Horah is a traditional dance that is danced in a circle while the music of Hava Nagila is performed. When the bride and groom, sitting on a chair, are lifted high up by the guests it is a very joyful moment.
At a certain point in the evening Marina and Sagi cut the cake and straight after an incredibly long series of wonderful fireworks start to fill the sky, the eyes and the hearts of all. Nobody seems tired of celebrating and in fact the cheerful company starts dancing again and will continue to do so until late!
Jewish wedding dance party
Credits
Jewish wedding video at Villa Vignamaggio by Tiziana Billi – Italian Wedding Videographers
Venue: Villa Vignamaggio
Event Planner: Primavera Dreams
Florals: Stiatti Fiori
Hair and Makeup: Cherie Spisso
Suggested links
– A glittering Tuscany castle wedding
– Villa Treville Positano
– Getting married in Sorrento
– Villa Catignano wonderful event
– Vow renewal in Tuscany Italy
– Elopement in Tuscany at Villa di Geggiano
– English marriage at Villa Dievole
– Agriturismo I Cedri Borgo a Mozzano, Lucca.
– Gay marriage in Tuscany
– A Tuscan Castle elopement
– Stunning wedding at a lighthouse
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