This Wedding In Dubai Was A Colourful Celebration Of Love | Real Weddings: Genwa Minato & Tarek Al Jabi
Having rescheduled their big day three times, it was a dream come true for this bride and her groom when they finally said, ‘I do’
If the stars align and cupid happens to be passing by your neighbourhood with precise timing, you might meet the love of your life just days after relocating to a new country. That’s what the romantics among us like to believe, and that’s how the love story of Lebanese-American Beauty Publicist, Genwa Minato and Syrian-Canadian Human Resources Partner, Tarek Al Jabi began.
“I first met Tarek in 2016 at a mutual friend’s birthday party. I had just moved from America to Dubai and we met exactly four days later,” 29-year-old Genwa tells Bazaar Bride, “although we didn’t speak much that night, in true millennial fashion we added each other on Instagram.”
Fast forward to 2018 and the day before Tarek’s birthday, “He sent me a message and asked me to meet him at a location pin for a ‘consultation’ with our interior designer. I was really confused about why we were meeting at the beach, but as I walked onto the sand and saw Tarek down on one knee, I realised it was a proposal. As I got closer, Tarek pulled out the ring and a hidden photographer came out from behind the rocks to capture my reaction. It was perfect but I just wish I had washed my hair that morning!”
Initially organising their wedding for the following year in Lebanon, the couple had to cancel their plans due to political protesting. “We decided to reschedule to 2020 but needless to say, that didn’t happen either due to pandemic restrictions. We tried once more for the autumn of 2021 and then the petrol crisis in Lebanon got really bad, so we finally decided to tie the knot in Dubai between Christmas and the New Year. We really wanted a destination wedding, but looking back I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Fourth time’s a charm I guess?” Genwa laughs.
Spanish-inspired Meliá Desert Palm was the idyllic setting the couple were hoping for, choosing the polo resort’s stables to host their celebration, orchestrated with the help of wedding planner Donna Faddul from The Purple Chair.
The bride walked down the aisle to Beethoven’s 5 Secrets, a vision of beauty in a custom-made Thym gown with statement sleeves, paired with a stunning gold headpiece from Misk Concept. Officiated by Tarek’s sister, Tamara, the couple exchanged vows in front of 95 of their closest family and friends. “I previously mentioned that I was going to take my inspiration from a rap song and my family didn’t believe me,” Genwa shares, “but I actually quoted a verse from 50 Cent’s 21 Questions – it was hilarious yet so emotional at the same time.”
After the ceremony the newlyweds invited their guests to join them for dinner and dancing. A Spanish tapas-style menu was served al fresco with rustic tables laden with a vibrant array of flowers and colourful crystal glassware – each table named after a city the couple has visited together.
“Tarek and I planned to share our first dance to Señorita by Justin Timberlake but when we stepped onto the dancefloor he surprised me by singing it to me himself. So we didn’t really have a first dance per se – it was more like a serenade.” Genwa explains. Setting the tone for the evening’s celebrations, the couple danced under the moonlight entrusting singer-songwriter Jay Abo and his band, as well as local legend, DJ Stylez, to get the crowd on their feet to a mix of English and Arabic tunes.
When asked to describe her big day in just three words, Genwa’s response was “worth the wait.” And we couldn’t agree more. What a beautiful day.
BRIDE’S BLACK BOOK
DRESS & VEIL: THYM, Itsthym.com
SHOES: Stella McCartney, Stellamccartney.com
ENGAGEMENT RING: Selim Mouzannar, Selimmouzannar.com
WEDDING RINGS: Vik Jet Fine Jewelry, Vikjetfinejewelry.com
WEDDING DAY ACCESSORIES: Headpiece, Misk Concept, Instagram.com/misk_concept Earrings, Caroline Svedbom, Carolinesvedbom.me
HAIR: Wassim Mov at Hair By Us, Instagram.com/wasimov
MAKE-UP: Hoda Karim, Instagram.com/hoda.makeup
GROOM’S SUIT: Collars & Cuffs, Collarsandcuffs.ae
EVENT PLANNER & FLORIST: The Purple Chair, Thepurplechair.co
PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER: Dazl Productions, Instagram.com/dazlproduction
ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY: Jessica T Haj Photography, Jessicathaj.com
VENUE: Meliá Desert Palm, Melia.com
CATERER: Pinch Gourmet, Pinchgourmet.com and Ugly Burger, Instagram.com/ugly.burger
CAKE: Saltana’s, Instagram.com/sultanas.ae
CUSTOM BAR: Snoopy Circle, Snoopycircle.com
MUSIC: DJ Stylez, Instagram.com/djstylez_dubai, Jay Abo, Instagram.com/jay.abo and Aleksandra Krstic, Instagram.com/aleksandrakrstic_official
From the S/S22 issue of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia Bride
Photography: Jessica T Hay Photography