Inside The Wedding Of Noor Mereby and Hussein Foauni
With a love story that was written in the stars, Lebanon’s Ociel Venue was the perfect location for Noor and Hussein’s spectacular celebration
A thoughtfully planned set-up brought Lebanese couple, 29-year-old Noor Mereby and Hussein Fouani, 32, together for the first time back in 2013.
“My best friend knew Hussein and she always said that she thought we’d be perfect for one another. We met over dinner in Beirut while Hussein was visiting and we saw each other every day for a week after, until he had to return to Lagos where he was living and working. In the years that followed we would catch up whenever he was in town but we never let our relationship grow because of the distance,” Noor explains.
The bride wore a custom-made gown by Beirut-based, Hass Idriss
As the years passed by, the couple became close friends, often speaking for hours upon end over the telephone. Fast forward to early 2018 and the pair were reunited once again. “I went out to a restaurant with a group of friends and suddenly noticed Hussein sitting at the very next table! He had just flown in last minute.”
Noor and Hussein were inseparable for the next few weeks, their feelings for one another, undeniable. “On our last night together, Hussein gave me a beautiful bracelet and told me that it was a promise that he will always be there for me and that we will never lose contact from then on. He flew back to Lagos and constantly called and texted. Whenever he got the chance, he would travel to meet me.”
Noor and Hussein cutting their wedding cake, created by Cat & Mouth
On September 1, 2018 Noor and Hussein were enjoying a day by the pool in Byblos when Hussein casually suggested climbing up some rocks to watch the sunset.
“There was another couple sitting near us and Hussein asked me to give them my phone so they could take some photos of us. I thought it was a little odd as he doesn’t usually like to take pictures, but he insisted we capture a snap in front of the gorgeous scenery. He then suddenly got down on one knee and proposed to me,” Noor recalls.
An impressive dessert table delighted the guests
Enlisting the help of wedding planners, Fift15n, the couple chose the illustrious Ociel Venue in Lebanon to hold their affair to remember. In favour of a particular theme, the vision for the décor was an explosion of the bride and groom’s favourite things. Guests were wowed by a floral-filled ceiling and an enormous custom-built dome that featured moving lights and mirrors, inspired by Beirut’s famed nightclub, Gärten. “The entire venue was covered in a magical star cloth to mimic a star-lit sky. Hussein always says that our love was written in the stars so this was perfect.”
Florist, Roni Bassil created the gorgeous table arrangements
Having wed in an intimate ceremony the day before, Noor and Hussein together with 600 guests celebrated in style on April 19, 2019 at the Ociel Venue. The bride wore an incredible custom-made gown by Beirut-based, Hass Idriss. Featuring a chic high neckline, the modern gown was adorned with blue hand-stitched hummingbirds and sprinkled with delicate beads and sequins for just the right amount of sparkle. “For this special night, I wanted to feel comfortable and free. I wanted to dance ‘til sunrise. I am already tall so I chose to wear white Vans sneakers – a choice I most certainly did not regret,” Noor tells Bazaar Bride.
Accompanied by her father, Noor made her grand entrance to The Song of the Butterfly by Geri Dagys. “Music played a huge part of our special celebration. Hussein and I chose every single song played by the two bands and by the DJ.” After a lavish dinner the couple shared their first dance to Grizzly Bear by Angus and Julia Stone – a track they have often played in the car on memorable road trips.
Once the celebrations were over, the newlyweds embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. “We went to Amsterdam, Cuba, Mexico, Miami, and New York – in that order. We wanted a mix of beach, partying, sight-seeing and a bit of culture and history. We didn’t want it to be like any other vacation. A honeymoon should be special!”
BRIDE’S BLACK BOOK
DRESS: Hass Idriss, Hassidriss.com
SHOES: Vans, Vans.com
JEWELLERY: George Hakim, Georgehakim.com
MAKE-UP: Bassam Fattouh, Instagram.com/bassamfattouh
HAIR: Bilal Chokr, Instagram.com/bilalchokor
GROOM’S SUIT & SHOES: Brioni, Brioni.com
WEDDING PLANNER: Fift15n, Fifteenco.com
PHOTOGRAPHER: DAZL Production,
Dazlproduction.com
VENUE: Ociel Venue, Lebanon, Instagram.com/ocielvenue
CATERER & CAKE: Cat & Mouth, Catandmouth.com
FLORIST: Roni Bassil, Instagram.com/ronibassil
MUSIC: Nour Nimri, Instagram.com/nour_nimri,
8e Art Entertainment, Instagram.com/8eart, Amy Smack Daddy, Instagram.com/amysmackdaddy, Joseph Attieh, Instagram.com/attieh_joseph, DJ Jana Saleh,
Instagram.com/usernamewiththatusername
INVITATIONS: La Babiole Wedding Cards, Instagram.com/lababiolewedding.cards
From the autumn/winter 2020 issue of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia BrideAll images: Dazl Production