Hello! Magazine UK – 12 August 2019

of the year), was cut. Guests then made

their way inland up to the Faqra Club,

at 5,600ft in the mountains north-east

of the capital – in the region where

Elie Sr grew up – for a reception

organised by Zied Raphael Nassar.

The space had been transformed for

dinner and dancing and echoed the

ceremony’s garden theme, with a 35ft

archway of greenery and earth on the

floor. Mirrors and moon lights hung

from trees and a trellis of greenery,

while candles on the tables stood on

black mirror trays to reflect the lights.

Guests were served a mix of Lebanese

and international dishes, with live

music from Lebanese stars Elissa, Nancy

Arjam and Assi El Hallani, plus a DJ and

a firework display around midnight.

For this second wedding celebration,

Christina changed into another gown,

also designed by her father-in-law, with

a heart-shaped corset and 12ft train and

embroidered with 650,000 sequins and

150,000 Swarovski crystals. Elie

described it as “lighter and more

glamorous” than her wedding dress.

The veil was also embellished with

100,000 gold sequins.

PERFECT PITCH

Elie Sr said of creating the perfect

gown: “A bride is a bride, whoever she

is. Her dress needs to reflect her

personality and be in keeping with the

ceremony. I work in the same way with

all my clients: lending my vision and

style while respecting their wishes.

“I’ve always enjoyed sharing with the

bride that special time and her joy. I’ve

been making bridal gowns since I

started out and I always have the same

feeling. I feel satisfied with my work

when I see tears in the couple’s eyes.”

It was all the more satisfying given

the dress was for his daughter-in-law.

“There are so many emotions,”

said the designer, who also has two

Fireworks light up the night sky above the forest-themed reception with

mirrors on trees to reflect the light from the hanging moons and candles

V

A dress fit for a

princess: Elie makes

adjustments to the

fairytale gown

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