Gaby and Solly’s Jewish wedding at Chabad of Nashville was full of energy and excitement from start to finish! About 250 family and friends flew in from New York and around the country and from Israel to celebrate this couple at their outdoor wedding under a flower-draped chuppah!
Their orthodox Jewish wedding had so many beautiful, traditional ceremonies – the ketubah signing, the bedeken ceremony, the wedding ceremony, and the hora dance. The ketubah signing is when the groom signs the marriage license surrounded by family and friends, followed by dancing, singing, drinking and praying. There was so much joy in that room!
For the bedeken ceremony, the bride sits in a separate room flanked by mother and the groom’s mother, along with other close family, and she’s greeted and blessed by guests. The groom is then ushered in by family and friends – in Solly’s case, he was carried in on the shoulders of his groomsmen with lots of dancing and singing – and he places the veil over the bride’s face, which signifies the beginning of the wedding celebration! He recites a blessing, and the bride’s father puts his hands on her head and recites a blessing, and then they go to their separate rooms to get ready for the wedding ceremony. The bedeken ceremony is a really joyful and emotional part of the day, which leads right into the outdoor wedding.
Gaby and Solly’s wedding took place very close to sunset, and part of the ceremony was completed in the dark under the chuppah, and once the ceremony was completed they went back up the aisle encircled by dancing friends and sparklers!
The ceremony was followed by dinner and lots of dancing, including the traditional hora dance, when the bride and groom are hoisted onto chairs as friends and family dance in a circle around them. Check out the photos below to see some highlights from throughout Gaby and Solly’s amazing wedding day! I included a LOT of photos here because there was just so much going on throughout the day, and of course the couple will receive tons more photos – these are just some highlights!
Mazel tov to Gaby and Solly!!
Special thanks to photographers Deb Scally and Emily McGonigle who photographed with me and helped to cover the many moving parts and activities going on in different parts of the building at the same time! Thanks also to photography assistant Abigail Breslin who helped with all the lighting and gear. I’m grateful to have such talented friends and colleagues who help provide the best client experience and coverage! Big hugs to you, ladies!!
A huge thanks also to these talented vendors who helped make Mr. and Mrs. Benaderet’s wedding a success!:
Hair and makeup: Jessica Hart of HairPhenom Makeup Beauty and Beyond // Flowers: Creations by Debbie // Bride’s dress: RK Bridal // Videography: Petit Four Films // DJ and Lights: Expressions of Music // Catering: Chef B Creations // Venue: Chabad of Nashville
