Our very own Toledo Area Parent Magazine editor found the love of her life and said her “I Do’s” this year. White blooms and gold embellishments set the mood for Nadine and Bahaa’s winter wedding and the beginning of their journey together.
The Veil:
My floor-length cathedral veil was from Belle Amour Bridal in Toledo. They had exactly what I was looking for- beautiful and simple. They have so many options for accessories, shoes, wedding gowns and veils, it’s amazing.
The Floral Arrangements:
Yasmeena’s Floral in Dearborn is a girl’s paradise, filled with breathtaking floral arrangements. Combine that with the owner’s impeccable taste, and you have a dream come true. Owner, Jenan Dakroub, is fun to work with and beautiful inside and out. Our centerpieces were gold with white roses and she added candles all around the venue.
The Dress:
Picking the dress was quite the experience for me. After visiting more bridal shops than I should have, the family-owned boutique, Arena Bridal & Formal, in Shelby Township, Michigan, had the one that brought a wedding tear to my eye. This Alvina Valenta gown was so perfect. It stunned me because it was so beautiful. The feeling you get once you put the right dress on is overwhelming and surreal- I think that’s when it hit me that I was actually getting married!
The Venue:
I can’t say enough about Parkway Place in Maumee. They helped execute the night of my dreams and they pleasantly accommodated everything we wanted by providing a wedding planner to guide us through every step and to organize the vendors. That took so much stress away from Bahaa and me. The venue speaks for itself with its chandeliers, welcoming neutral colors, Greek-style pillars and a beautiful dance floor. Their food was delicious, as well. We got our appetizers from Middle East Market, my husband’s business, to give guests a Mediterranean flair with their meal. Overall, we had a 10 out of 10 experience!
The Band:
Robby Youssef and his band kept everyone on their feet throughout the night. He is a Lebanese singer and sings in Arabic, which was perfect for “My Big Fat Lebanese Wedding.”
The Cake & Desserts:
Shatila Bakery in Dearborn is the king of Lebanese pastries and desserts. They designed our wedding cake and dessert table perfectly. I knew I wanted a floral design on the cake and they used fondant to make the flowers. It tasted just as good as it looked!
The Rings:
I was so excited when we went ring shopping, I remember it like it was yesterday! I was lucky enough to be able to pick my wedding ring and band. Bahaa surprised me with the actual diamond but I chose the style I wanted with the help of Mike Tawil at Leo Marks Jewelers. They had so many beautiful choices but I knew what I wanted going in, so we had our rings picked out in a half hour- who does that?!
The Hair & Makeup:
My up-do was done by hair guru, Allen at Cool Blue Salon in Dearborn. He did exactly what I showed him a photo of and I love that he respects what each bride wants, not what he thinks will look good. They opened the salon early for six of my closest girls and I, and turned up the electronic music. It felt like our party started at 8am that day! Makeup is so tricky on your wedding day because you want to look like your most beautiful self, without looking overdone. That’s why Areej at Cool Blue Salon was my go-to for my wedding day look. She is so talented and pays attention to every little detail because you have to make sure that your makeup will photograph well. You’ll be looking at those pictures forever!
The Videographer & Photographer:
Avida Productions captured the beautiful moments throughout the day. It’s so funny- I don’t remember so many things that I saw in photos or heard from guests. I was in a sort of twilight zone during the reception- overwhelmed with love.