Inside May Elghety’s Wedding Upon The Nile: An Ode To Vintage Romance
Vintage romance took hold at the St. Regis Hotel overlooking the Nile, offering a picture perfect setting for actress May Elghety’s fairytale day
Some weddings are planned; others feel destined. For Egyptian actress May Elghety, whose real-life fairytale reads like the plot of a classically-scripted romance, her wedding day was less about perfection and more about poetry—of elegance, emotion, and enduring love.
Held at Cairo’s St. Regis Hotel, overlooking the Nile at golden hour, May’s wedding unfolded in a setting she describes as “the perfect blend of intimacy and elegance.” With the hotel’s sweeping views and opulent architectural grandeur, the venue became the keystone for a celebration grounded in love. “The moment we stepped into the hall, we instantly knew it was the one,” she recalls.
The Dress That Waited For Love
In a twist that feels worthy of cinematic retelling, May’s wedding dress came into her life long before the proposal—even before the relationship. A timeless, vintage Vera Wang, discovered in the US years earlier, stole her heart before love had even entered the picture. “Marriage wasn’t even on my radar, but I knew I had to have it. I thought, ‘Even if I never get married, I’ll wear this to some event one day.’”
Simple, modest, and undeniably regal, the gown embodied the kind of soft strength that defines May’s style. With a few custom touches—a delicate train and a long veil by designer Shahenda Hegazy—the look felt both personal and poetic. She completed it with her mother’s lace gloves, a “something old” that brought maternal grace into the ceremony.
Then came the surprise twist: a second vintage find, this time from Oscar de la Renta. With its romantic silhouette and pearl belt, this dreamy number was initially meant for the engagement party—but it made a stunning cameo on the big day, too. “It’s fun, feminine, and elegant,” says May.
Accessorised with Jimmy Choo Seada 100 heels, jewellery by Iram, glam by Sandra Magdy, and hair by family friend Islam Zaki, May’s bridal aesthetic struck a seamless balance between classic and contemporary—elegance with soul.
A Love That Survived The Storm
May and Andreas’s story isn’t one of whirlwind love at first sight, but rather a slow-burning connection that proved its strength over time, distance, and a devastating accident that changed everything. After a chance meeting through mutual friends in North London, the couple grew closer over game nights, music, and easy laughter. A traffic accident in Thailand while en route to announce their engagement brought them face to face with fragility—and clarity. “It was one of those moments where everything stops,” she says. “That experience showed us we simply couldn’t live without each other.”
The proposal was intimate and unfiltered. On his birthday, after months of recovery, Andreas stood without his crutch, looked at May under the dusky sky in his family garden, and asked her to be his wife. No theatrics—just love.
Shared Stories And Futures
Andreas, a British NHS doctor of Cypriot descent, brings science, music, and a healthy dose of Arsenal fandom into their life together. Their bond is one of mutual curiosity—he’s captivated by May’s Arab roots, and she’s enthralled by his surgical mind and guitar solos. “We’re best friends first,” she says. “Our humour, our shared drive—it’s what keeps us grounded.”
Even their first date—a casual walk, pizza, and table tennis—echoes the playfulness of their relationship. He even kept the dominoes they played with, a tribute to May’s father’s favourite game.
The Next Chapter
Preparing for marriage, May embraced introspection. “I’ve learned that love is in the little things,” she reflects. “It’s showing up for each other, being kind even when it’s hard, and building a home filled with respect and laughter.”
After a season of hardship and healing, the couple’s honeymoon—an Italian sojourn through Tuscany, Venice, and Rome—feels like a well-earned exhale. “We wanted something romantic but simple. Just us, slowing down, eating pasta, and soaking in the beauty.” May’s story reminds us that the most unforgettable weddings aren’t about extravagance, but about meaning. In her case, a vintage dress, a riverside view, and the quiet triumph of love conquering all made the day not just beautiful—but unforgettable.
Photography by @kerotadros_photography_
