Most people would say Natalie and Yitzchak were nuts to plan an overseas wedding in just seven weeks. But this ambitious pair, who now call New York home, were up for the challenge. Originally from Alaska, Yitzchak’s family traveled many miles to be part of their day, held at Centennial Park in Sydney.
Opened in 1888, Centennial park was once a huge catchment of creeks, swamps, springs and ponds fed by ground water. Now Sydney’s most famous inner city park, it was the perfect place for Natalie and Yitzchak to host their traditional, Jewish ceremony. “We wanted a wedding that would be natural, inspirational, and inclusive, so that our friends and family would feel welcome”, says Natalie, a Sydney local once upon a time.
Married by Rabbi Eli Feldman, it was important that they were married according to Jewish tradition – the Jewish chuppah, the badeken, – you name it they did it. Once pronounced husband and wife, they moved on to Randwick Racecourse with their photographer Martine Payne, where Natalie pulled out some epic dance moves.
Dressed in a beautiful lace gown by Kleinfeld Bridal, Natalie tells us, “the engagement period was only seven weeks, so I went with the first dress I tried on. It happened to be a dress from the floor stock at Kleinfeld’s in Manhattan. The top half of the dress was not in keeping with my sense of modesty, so I went to the Garment District in Manhattan to buy matching lace and had a new top sewn by Zlata, our friendly neighbourhood Russian seamstress. Zlata made a new top within a week and I picked it up the morning of my flight to Sydney, two weeks before the wedding.” Logistical experts, it seems these two just knew everything would go according to plan.
CREDITS Photos Martine Payne Photography //Bridal gown Kleinfeld Bridal, alterations by Zlata’s Design // Shoes Myer // Flowers Little Flowers // Rings Bardy’s Jewelry // Grooms suit Kapote by Shemtov // Grooms shoes Steve Madden // Grooms tie Versace // Ceremony Centennial Park, NSW // Reception Randwick Racecourse, NSW // Catering and desserts Kosherlicious // Wedding planner Hadassa Leggett // Hair and makeup Leah Kelly // Music Moshe Feiglin // Painter David Brook, Live Art // Celebrant Rabbi Eli Feldman // Cinematographer Bon Journo Films // Travel Agent Flight Blitz // Caravan My Atomic Daisy.