At Two Bright Lights, we’re proud to partner with top publications not only from across the US, but from around the world! Today we’re featuring our first editorial partner from Israel, Hatunot, and its editor Tracey Goldstein. Hatunot is a guide for English speakers who want to get married in Israel, with vendor resources, advice, and gorgeous inspiration. Tracey sat down to share with us what makes weddings in Israel unique, and how Two Bright Lights photographers and vendors can be featured on her blog!
Introducing Tracey Goldstein of Hatunot!
Tell us a little about your blog! What made you decide to start an English language wedding blog in Israel?
Hatunot Wedding Blog is a website specifically designed for English-speaking brides planning their weddings in Israel. The word “hatunot” (pronounced “Ha- Two-Note”) is Hebrew for “weddings,” and that is exactly everything the site covers, from the latest trends, products, vendors, and venues in the Israel wedding scene.
Before moving to Tel Aviv in 2010, I was a wedding planner in Manhattan for several years. As I got more familiar with the country I saw that there was a large wedding industry full of great venues and talented professionals, but if you didn’t read Hebrew it was almost impossible to find anything online. Therefore, I started Hatunot as a complete wedding resource for the English speaker. Within Israel, especially in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, there are thousands of young English speakers who have come to live in Israel from all over the world, so the site has really become a huge help to those who are getting married.
The outside world knows very little about this country other than what they see on the news, so I also love running this blog because I get to share photographs and features that show a completely different side to what Israel has to offer.
How would you describe the style of Hatunot? What kinds of submissions are you looking for through Two Bright Lights?
While I don’t think Hatunot has one specific style, I do think that most of the weddings on the blog feature modern and fun-loving couples that have made their event personal. Since Israel is full of gorgeous landscapes and backdrops I love featuring engagement sessions and weddings that take place in these spots that show the beauty of the land. In regards to submissions I am open to many interpretations on this theme.
What makes a wedding in Israel unique?
What I think is so great about weddings in Israel is that you can get so much more for less. Israeli weddings tend to be quite large (around 500 guests) so venues have lower prices per guest compared to spots North American and European. There is also such an amazing selection of indoor/outdoor venues and you don’t need to worry about the weather for your beach or garden wedding because there is almost a 0% chance of a rainy ceremony for a spring or summer wedding.
Another thing that I happen to like is a wedding in Israel is a huge all night party. Instead of stiff suits and bridesmaids dresses, Israelis come to weddings fairly casual so they can dance all night to a mix of Middle Eastern and American music. The point of an Israeli wedding is to eat, dance, and celebrate, and less about official dances and speeches.
How about you! How did you get started in the wedding industry? What made you fall in love with Israeli weddings?
After working for a few wedding planners and a stationery studio in New York, I started my own wedding planning company during my Junior year of college and managed it for 3 years until I moved to Israel. I really enjoy connecting people with the service they need and giving service providers more business.
I guess I am a bit of an American wedding “snob,” so at first glance I wasn’t in love with the Israeli wedding industry. However, after living here for some time I came across many wedding professionals and bridal shops and venues and I kept thinking “wow, New York brides would LOVE this” and so I really got into promoting these great finds.
Who or what inspires you?
I am really inspired by other female entrepreneurs. Most people dream of running their own business or pursuing an idea, but the fear of the unknown, instability, or lack of knowledge gets in their way. Entrepreneurs share all these fears but still try anyway, and every time I see or read about new examples of these women they inspire me to push even harder so that someone can think of me that way one day.
Thanks so much for the feature ladies! So glad to start working together!