La Fiesta Events

Elements of Middle Eastern Wedding

2013-04-08T15:13:00.002-07:00

Kosha

Kosha is the seating area of the bride and groom. Traditionally it the focal point of the ballroom in which the setup should be aligned around. It's usually the most anticipated statement piece of the wedding. However, nowadays the modern bride is preferring a minimum and very simple kosha design and most likely the design is very streamlined.

Entrance - Zaffa

Zaffa is a musical entrance for the bride and groom in which the father of the bride gives her away to her groom, in front of their family and friends and they dance to traditional drums and sometimes there is a belly dancers show. This show usually takes place in the foyer of the ballroom which is usually designed to match the colors and decor of the ballroom

Ballroom Entrance

After the Zaffa the couple makes the ballroom entrance in a special way whether entering with a car, carriage, coming down from the ceiling or having a special design statement for the couple reveal. For simpler brides they usually just come out on set of stairs where the exchange the rings (from right to left meaning from the engagement finger to the married finger)

** Sometimes the ballroom entrance is accompanied by zaffa according to the couples preference

Cake show

The cake show is also important for some couples in which they either decorate the cake table in a special way or make the cake a special design or even make a special cake reveal.

Centerpieces

Centerpieces are the focus of brides; they usually put a lot of attention on the style of the centerpiece. It's usually either high or low floral arrangements. Brides with higher budget can request to make a special design or certain style of Centerpieces to be used in addition to focusing on the tabletop design in general that includes napkins and linens.

Setup

Traditionally the furnishing used is the ones provided by the ballroom. Certain changes could be made like changing the linens and chair covers. However, nowadays the furnishing expanded to lounges, chiavari chairs, high tables, acrylic (ghost) tables and chairs different types of tables whether glass top tables with different shapes ( oval, square, rectangle) , s shape tables and circle tables.

In certain Gulf countries the wedding is usually divide in 2 separate celebrations, one for the ladies and the other for the gentlemen. Mostly the wedding design is done for the ladies celebration with minimum decor for the gentlemen celebration.

In Egypt, church floral decoration are usually transported and used in the reception decoration as its a cost effective way to reuse the flowers since the ceremony usually lasts around 45 minutes

For Muslim couples, there is Katb El Ketab (official religious ceremony) this usually takes place either before the wedding reception (sometimes it can be up to a year apart) or on the day of the wedding reception.

Sometimes couple chooses to have Katb El Ketab in a mosque and the decoration is usually minimum to none or couples do the religious ceremony in a separate hall in the same hotel or venue with completely different decor.

The Katb El Ketab decor is similar to the church ceremony but instead of the altar there is a head table and 6 chairs (couple father of the bride, the officiator and 2 witnesses)

Venue Review: Manial Palace

2012-07-03T05:35:00.000-07:00

The Manial Palace is a luxurious Palace built between 1899 and 1926 By Prince Mohamed Ali.

It has been built with a mix between the Ottoman, Andalusian, Persian, and European rococo styles.

This majestic architecture makes it a very attractive place for many weddings and events to take place in its vast halls and gardens

Sea-Side Affair

2012-07-02T04:55:00.001-07:00

The Beach is a very calming and peaceful place for a wedding ceremony and/or reception. Having the sound of waves crashing in the background and the warm sand beneath your toes will surely create a unforgettable memory.

When thinking of beach wedding many decor styles come to my mind. It can be a Tropical Hawaiian Theme, a Sea Shell Theme or a Nautical Theme.

Deciding on the theme you want will guide you to the elements that will be incorporates in the design itself, guide by the budget.

Starting with the invitation will make the guests anticipate the theme, also will give them an idea of the attire.

Beach Theme Invitations

(Source: gia-london.com)

(Source: hanahouproductions.com)

(Source: invitationsflash.com)

Beach Wedding Attire

(Source: allurebridals.com)

(Source: maggiesottero.com)

Beach Wedding Centerpieces

(Source: theknot.com)

Beach Wedding Decor

Beach Wedding Cake

(Source: Weddingcakesview.com)

Beach Wedding Bouquets

(Source:Offbeatbride.com)

(Source:bridalsurvival.com.au)

Top 5 Places to Propose in Egypt

2012-07-01T07:45:00.000-07:00

Declaring your love is one of the most important moments in a one life. When you feel that the time is right to say those 4 words make sure that everything around you is just perfect to make it even more special for your partner.

Here are the Top 5 Places to Propose in Egypt:

1. At the Great Giza Pyramids

Have a picnic in the shade of the Pyramids then take a camel ride and then at the sunset the Pyramids will be the perfect backdrop for this special moment then get down on one knee

2. On Board a Private Yacht or a Fluecca (Sail Boat) on the Nile

Private Yachts or Sail Boat could be rented by the hour. You can rent a yacht from the Nile Lily in Manial, or from the Nile City in Zamalek. Special Lunch or Dinner can be arranged on the Yacht.
If you want to have a more intimate cruise hire a Sail Boat from the dock in front of the Four Seasons Hotel or from Maadi Cornish El Nile next to Grand Cafe. Some special arrangements and decor can be set as per your requirements.

3. The Revolving Restaurant in Grand Hyatt in Cairo

For an upscale proposal, reserve a table (ask for a window table) at the Revolving Restaurant at the Grand Hyatt. With it's Panoramic view over Cairo and exquisite French Cuisine, this proposal will be one of a kind.

4. On Board of a Nile Cruise in Luxor

If you are visiting Egypt, you have to go on a Nile cruise. Sailing on the peaceful Nile and sunbathing on the sun deck surrounded by the monuments and the ancient civilization is just the perfect setting for Nubian style proposal.

5. Montazah Royal Palace & Gardens, Alexandria

With the sound of the waves near by and the lovely landscape of the Montazah Gardens, this places is Alexandria number one hangout for lovers and romantics. Try avoiding weekend and public holidays as it gets too crowded especially in the summer

DIY Project # 2: Vintage Bridesmaids Card

2010-12-26T16:10:00.001-08:00

My Bridesmaids are gonna LOVE THIS :)

So for my vintage/royal wedding theme I decided to ask my bridesmaids with a unique personalized cards for each one.

It was so much fun assembling them together and they look BEAUTIFUL

DIY Project # 1: Wedding Organizer/ Binder

2010-12-26T13:51:00.001-08:00

To organize all my documents for the wedding, I created a custom binder with cute graphics :)

Front

Back

Content

The Dress
Hairstyles
Reception Decor
Ceremony Decor
Photography & Videography
Music
Cake
Stationary
DIY
Honeymoon
Day-of
Henna Party
Bridesmaids
Checklists
Calender

Tools Used:

1. Illustor softaware

2. Pink binder

3. Plastic files

4. Seprates

5. Your inspiration :)

Happy Planning :)

Hotel and Venue Choices in Cairo Egypt

2010-11-14T04:38:00.002-08:00

The Venue of the event, whether its a wedding or another social event is determined by many aspect:

The formality
The weather
The date of the event
The budget
The preference of the clients

Event can be best organized outdoor during the months of April, May early June (Spring) September, October and early November (Autumn) when the weather is moderate and not too hot for you and your guests to enjoy the celebration.

Below are the list of venue that can suit an outdoor event:

Arabella Country Club
Villa Andrawis
JW Marriot
Ferme de Plein Air
Oraby Compound (there are several villas for rent)
Cairo Marriott(Zamalek Area)
Four Seasons
Conrad Cairo

For an outstanding Fairy tale Ballrooms in Cairo:

Heliopolis & New Cairo Area

Dusit Thani Lakeview
JW Marriott
Fairmont Towers
Intercontinental CityStars
Le Meridien
Novotel
Ibrotel
El Masa Ballrooms
El Baron Hotel
Concorde El Salam
Radisson Blu Hotel

Giza & 6th October Area:

Oberoi Mena House
Hilton Dreamland
Movenpick - Media City
Le Meridien Pyramids
Movenpick - Pyramids

Downtown:

Cairo Marriott(Zamalek Area)
Sheraton Cairo
Grand Hyatt
Four Seasons - Nile Plaza
Fairmont - Nile City
Intercontinental Semiramis Downtown
Sofitel El Gezirah
Conrad Cairo
Kempinski Nile Hotel Cairo