A Perfect Parisian Wedding To Remember In Château de Ferrières
New bride Mariam Boustani Chehab admits to taking 'zero' photos when her fiancé, Lebanese entrepreneur Karim, proposed to her in London last year. 'He knows I don't like proposals, so it was very casual on the side of the road after dinner,' she laughs. 'I loved how it was such a private and intimate moment, but I regret now not taking any pictures.'
The couple first met in Dubai through Mariam's cousin, and it was her now-husband's thoughtfulness that immediately drew Mariam to him. 'I've always loved how he remembers the smallest details about me from the first day we met.' After dating for 18 months, followed by a six-month engagement, the couple tied the knot in May this year at a beautiful ceremony in the City of Light. 'The wedding was at Château de Ferrières in Seine-et-Marne, Paris. We wanted to celebrate aboard due to the unstable situation in Lebanon,' Lebanese-American marketing specialist says. 'We wanted do something different, surrounded by our family and friends.'
The 19th-century Italian Renaissance château set the scene perfectly for the couple's 200-guest wedding. Hiring Lebanese wedding planner Robert Hykl allowed the duo to dream up something fantastical that became reality. The venue was strewn with floral decorations of peonies, hortensia and roses in a soft pink palette, complemented by golden fruits inspired by the château's mouldings, that really brought their vision to life. Inside, a showstopping centrepiece created a fantastical element of surprise – a hot air balloon set against the opulent interiors, frescos and decorative artwork of the château, and surrounded by fuchsias and pink and orange sofas.
As per tradition, Karim made his entrance to a Dabke song, decked out in an Amer Ejjeh tuxedo, followed by Mariam who walked down the aisle in a high-neck, beaded Tony Ward Couture gown. 'It was the first dress I tried on, and the last,' Mariam smiles – with the evocative Now We Are Free by Hans Zimmer playing in the background. Gianvito Rossi platform heels ('The most comfortable shoes ever!') and emerald-cut drop earrings by Lebanese jeweller Yasser Younes, completed the look, with Mariam explaining: 'I wanted to keep my jewellery very simple.'
Having already celebrated their Katb Kteb (religious ceremony) in Beirut, the Paris wedding eschewed the more formal traditions of readings and vows. 'This wedding was more a party for the young,' Mariam says, evidenced by music that segued from Young and Beautiful by Lana del Rey for the slow dance, into a live band, followed by R'n'B and deep house.
Looking back at the day, Mariam learned that it's not worth stressing about the small stuff when planning a wedding. 'It's important to be picky, but if I could go back, I would definitely try to stress less.'
As for the most magical moment? 'Seeing it come to life, just as I dreamed, and sharing every moment with my closest family and friends,' the bride attests. 'Also meeting Robert Hykl, too – he and his team became like family.'
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