A Colourful Beirut Extravaganza| Real Weddings: Hanady Chamoun & Ellie Nehme
Bright colours, neon lights and thousands of candles – Hanady and Elie put their own personal stamp on their big night
They’d been together for over five years, so when, during Christmas surrounded by friends and family, Hanady Samir Chamoun and Elie Viktor Nehme decided to get engaged, they immediately got onto wedding planning and just seven months later, the 33-year old Maison Valentino manager was saying her vows in front of 300 guests at Al Saide Church in Ain El Jdide.
Not afraid to take risks, the duo wanted to showcase their own unique aesthetic, opting for a décor enlivened by colourful candles that added a magical element to proceedings. “We didn’t do flowers at all. We wanted to do something more modern and unconventional,” Hanady enthuses. Even “the church was full of candles – and only candles – which made the atmosphere very dreamy.”
And, despite white being the traditional hue for nuptials, the couple decided to embrace bright colours in every aspect of the celebrations, from the colourful balloons (seen in their favourite band Coldplay’s videos), to the three-tiered cake and party favours – guests were gifted their initials in neon lights, personalised on the night.
Curating their night to reflect their personality, rather to conform to norms, ensured the night took unexpected turns. “We didn’t do a ‘first dance,’” Hanady smiles. “Our wedding was more like an ongoing party, so we entered the venue with dancers and then our friends and family joined in.”
Celebrity stylist and Bazaar columnist Cedric Haddad, a close personal friend, was a huge support when perfecting her dress – Reem Kachmar was entrusted with the design; “Reem and Cedric made a great team to come up with a masterpiece that I fell in love with. It took three to four fittings to finalise everything. Reem was a very good listener. She ended up doing exactly what I asked for – with a twist. It will always be my forever dream dress.” She finished her look with “simple comfortable shoes from Reem Kachmar, then changed them when I changed outfits and wore ivory Valentino Tango shoes.”
Any words of advice from the bride whose wedding went off without a hitch? “Plan your wedding with love instead of stress! And enjoy every single moment because it will pass in a glimpse.”
Bride’s Black Book
Dress: Reem Kachmar, reemkachmar.com
Stylist: Cedric Haddad, @cedrichaddad
Hair: Georges Mattar, @georgesmattarofficial
Make-Up: Hilda Daagher, @hildadaagher
Jewellery: Yessayan, yessayan.com
Shoes: Reem Kachmar, reemkachmar.com, Valentino Tango, valentino.com
Event Planner: Yara Estephan, yaraestephan.com
Entertainment: E Factory, efactoryleb.com
Photogrpaher: Candid Image, candid.image.com
Zaffe: Hayak El Baalbeck, @hayakelbaalbeck_offical
Caterer: Saveur Plus, saveurplus.com
Music: Naji Osta, @ostanaji
Photography: Candid Images.
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia Bride’s July/August 2023 issue.
