P A U L & A Z R A
F R O M T H E B R I D E . . .
We first met...
We actually meet through a cousin of mine and I was so focused on my career that I didn’t want a bar of him; little did I know he was going to become my husband 2 years on. We went out to dinner for our first date and the rest is now a funny love story.
We knew it was love...
Following the first date, I didn’t want to see him again but I told my best friend I think I was going to marry him (I don’t know how that worked haha!). Six months into the relationship we both knew that was it, we had meet each others families, we were always talking to each other and going out… Another six months after that we were engaged.
The proposal...
It was my birthday in 2014, I always complain not to send flowers to work because they die and I could by shoes instead! We went out to a work lunch and came back to a lady waiting for 45 minutes for my return to deliver 24 long stem roses with chocolates. He then rang to tell me to be ready for dinner. On the way to dinner, he got lost (which he never does). We got to the beautiful Angelo’s on the Bay in Cabarita and sat for dinner. He argued with the waiter over 1 oyster that was missing in the seafood platter and I'd ever been so embarrassed and apologetic on his behalf. Little did I know that it was the oyster with my ring in the middle. It was the most magical, confusing, and lost for words moment in my life.
Ceremony venue...
The ceremony was held at St Charbel’s Church in Punchbowl.
Reception venue...
Miramare Gardens, Terrey Hills
Pre-wedding parties...
Both from Lebanese cultures, we had what we call our Laylieh (pre-wedding) the week prior. We both started the night at our parents homes separately and then the groom comes to the brides house and leaves just before midnight.
The bridal party...
We had four bridesmaids & groomsman each plus three flowers girls & one page boy.
Bridesmaids wore...
Bridesmaids wore a dress made by Jenet Zaiter.
Groomsmen wore...
Boys wore black suits from Jon Kel with personalised cuff links of the bride & grooms initials
The dress...
My wedding dress was made by the wonderful George El-Sissa. I wanted a traditional princess like dress for the church with a veil that was as long as possible but did not cover my face. For the reception I wanted a detailed party dress with a small head piece. As I didn’t want to get changed completely he was able to create a beautiful over skirt for the church which came off for the reception. I wanted a traditional dress that took me back to when my mum got married with a twist of modern influence as well as a party dress – no real inspiration I just wanted it to be fun and comfortable.
Wedding flowers...
Flowers were done by the wonderful Flowers by Drosia. One of my favourite flowers is the hydrangeas, it happens to also be my father in law's favourite flower. As he has unfortunately passed away, I wanted lots of hydrangeas throughout the reception and in my bouquet. As I never meet him personally I felt like that was our little connection that no one knows about. I had a large composite rose with a hydrangea bunch in the centre. As florals also last all day, I also wanted an artificial bouquet so it looked pretty in all my photos and served as a little keep sake.
Reception decor...
Working in the events industry for many years, I wanted something a little different but not over the top. Having picked a stunning venue with lush gardens, I wanted to keep that theme flowing inside the ballroom.
We started off in the gardens with an antipasto station and live cooking stations. As the gardens are stunning left alone, we had a few tables and white folding chairs for guests to sit in during the pre-dinner canapés. We also had the wonderful Voli K playing live music in the background to get our guests ready for a big night.
I wanted guest to walk into the ballroom and imagine themselves floating on air with a white base and soft pops of greens throughout.
As guest walked into the reception, they saw five stunning chandeliers on top of a white dance floor. This followed with a white bridal table and a white backdrop. To break the white we had lots of different sized vases with a mix of florals in shades of green coming from different angles and candles lit throughout.
We had a six metre truss full of florals above the bridal table to balance it all out.
Each table had different florals, with multiple vases coming from different angles with lots of candles; to finish off the table centrepieces we have a pin spot light shinning from above. We also had up lighting throughout the room to blend it all together.
On the menu...
We had live cooking stations outside with a delicious antipasto station. It followed with platters of traditional Lebanese mezza, fresh prawns and oysters and salt & pepper calamari. We then had a delicious alternate service for main course with the bride being served hot chips (MY FAVOURITE!). For dessert we had alternate service of a chef’s special served in a glass. The menu was to-die-for and the team at Miramare Gardens, especially Lee, went beyond our imagination and taste buds – just AMAZING!
Wedding Photography...
As my husband and I don’t like the posed shots, we asked T-One to take lots of natural, fun shots; in the photos we have received they are amazing! They took our request to a whole new level where we are seeing events from the wedding day we couldn’t event remember.
Memorable moments...
The best moment of the night was us entering the reception as Husband & Wife. We loved the energetic vibe of our guests as we looked up and saw the drummers hanging from the ceiling. It was the beginning of the best night of our lives.
To us our wedding seemed unique throughout the whole day as each part of it told a story or had a meaning to the both of us but however two parts that stands out:
Having the drummers from the ceiling and then another 20 drummers around the bridal table and dance floor was magical. At one stage we thought it couldn’t even happen but with the assistance of Miramare & Tommy as well as Zaffet Lebnen agreeing to my “2.00am crazy” idea it was one of the best parts of the day.
As my husband is a crazy St George supporter, I had organised George Rose (With the help of Paul from Miramare Gardens) to come out with a signed Jersey for 2015 just before we cut the cake. The look on his face was priceless so too was the up roar form our guests.
As cliché as this might sound the day as a whole was memorable, we couldn’t have asked for a better day with the best suppliers in Sydney.
Wedding soundtrack...
Our bridal waltz: Ed sheeran - Thinking Out Loud performed by Voli K
M A R R I E D L I F E . . .
The honeymoon...
We enjoyed a month between Bora Bora, Cancun, Vegas & LA. The honeymoon was the beginning of new chapters in our life. It was the most amazing trip that we could have asked for. We laugh today about not killing each other between 20 plus flights, different hotels and getting lost on the other side of the world we can handle anything!
The future...
We are currently building our first home for that’s our immediate plan and we both want to start a family. At the moment that’s all our plans and everything else we take it as it comes and make decisions from there.
In 40 years you hope to…
Have our own family, maybe some investment properties and a success business. We hope to have created many more memories full of love, laughter, family and friendships.
W E D D I N G W I S D O M . . .
Advice on how to enjoy the engagement....
Make the most out of your time being engaged. It’s the next step before you become husband and wife. Enjoy the wedding planning but don’t take everything to heart. Time is the one thing that we can never get back – just enjoy it.
Planning advice...
MOST IMPORTANT – remember it is your day! Try and contribute as many factors that mean something to the both of you into it. Everyone around you will give you their opinion, just say thank you and do whatever you both want. On your special day, no one will actual remember what advice they have given you.
Make sure you do what you both want, it is ONE day, the start of the beginning of a new life together.
ENJOY IT! The planning process is such a stressful period for so many bride and grooms where it doesn’t have to be.
Be organised, Be cleaver, Book things early, Make sure you get what you both want but most importantly enjoy it!
Advice on how to enjoy the big day...
The day goes by so quickly, it is unbelievable. Being in events for many years and now being a bride I emphasis this quote to my bride & grooms…
“Up until the wedding day, you have done so much planning, booking, styling, theming, catering and beverage decisions that on the day it is out of your control. Trust the suppliers and venues you have booked and go with the flow. No matter what happens on the day, smile be happy, the most important thing is that you have become Husband & Wife, everything else will fall in place.”
MW x
Ceremony Venue St Charbels Church Punchbowl Reception Venue Miramare Gardens Terrey Hills Photography and Cinematography T-One Image Photography & Video Wedding planner Azra Tawil Events Entertainment Zaffet Lebnen, Next Entertainment, Voli K Music, Rami EL Mir, Fadi Assaf Bridal Gown George El-Sissa Bridal shoes The White Collection Bridal jewellery Nader Jewellery Bridal headpiece and veil George El-Sissa Engagement rings Nader Jewellery Bridesmaid dresses Jenet Zaiter Flower girl dresses Jenet Zaiter Grooms suit Jon Kel Groomsmen suits Jon Kel Pageboy suit Jon Kel Cake designer Celebration Cakes Invitations Sealed with Love Florist Flowers by Drosia Hair Hair by Tony Said Makeup Make up by Anastasia Chandeliers and centrepieces Events by Elegance Centrepieces