Lebanese famous basketball player Wael Arakji tied the knot to her beau in an intimate setting on July 24, 2021, at one of the historical venues across the globe – Grand Hotel Sofar, Lebanon.
Well, some love stories are just meant to be, isn’t it? The groom smiles when sharing the story – “We first met at an apartment. We were sitting next to each other playing cards against humanity. Tamara ordered coffee with skimmed milk and I made fun of her because I didn’t know what that was. Next thing I know I was dropping her off to classes with a large complicated Starbucks order (with skimmed milk of course). Fast forward a few weeks we both started falling. 5 years later we tied the knot and decide on forever.” #TWenty4/7
Without a doubt, their sweetest love story deserved an ultra-romantic wedding. Wael & Tamara’s beautifully glamorous wedding was bought to life with thousands of red flowers and dazzling string light by Yara Estephan, Founder of Yara Estaphen Weddings & Events, Lebanon.
“We wanted something strong, intense and glamourous to complement the walls of this beautiful abandoned hotel. We found that the color red combined all of these.” Shares Yara. Red symbolizes love, passion and romance. When combined with a rustic venue, the vibes get deeper and are enhanced to give a more intense look. The extensive use of lights by Professionals Light & Sound was bewitching.
The use of candles, ghost chairs, rustic environment and the beauty of red roses have absolutely got us swooning. Thanks to the team at Dazl Production who captured every essence of the wedding meticulously.
It sure feels nice to itch down your celebrations on the pages of history. This hotel has a vivid cultural significance which makes it a unique location to tie the knot. Ooh, and the falling dress of the violist is simply VOW!
Built in 1892, the battered hotel was once a famous meeting point for celebrities and politicians around the Middle East. After suffering a blow during the Lebanese Civil War, after 43 years, the striking landmark now stands as a resurrected space of collective memory and has been reopened to the public. Inside the abandoned century-old hotel, paintings of the Arab world’s once powerful and famous hang around a worn poker table, testimony to its glamourous past before the civil war.
The wedding was simply stunning and oozing with elegance and romance. The rain of fairy lights all over the setup created a magical atmosphere and guests were left in awe. The gorgeous couple under this magical setting was looking straight out of a movie. DWP wishes the couple nothing but the best for their journey ahead!
Vendors:
Wedding Planner: Yara Estephan
Venue: Grand Hotel Sofar
Photographer: Dazl
Catering: Saveur Plus
Florist: Ivy Lane
Furniture: Skamlati
Mocktail Bar: Double Shake
Lighting: Professionals Light & Sound
Entertainment: E Factory, Musician: Guy Manoukian, Singer: Joseph Attieh
