Real Wedding: Marianne and Mark

Earlier this fall, our Weddings by StarDust team had the pleasure of executing our first Coptic Christian wedding, and it was an amazing experience!

Marianne and Mark engaged our wedding planning services earlier this year, and the couple was an absolute pleasure to work with. We really enjoyed learning about their faith’s sacrament of marriage and helping them find creative ways to honor their heritage throughout their celebration.

The rituals of the Egyptian Christian church’s wedding ceremony are beautiful and deeply rooted in tradition: the bride and groom processed up the aisle together along with several priests, deacons and a bishop, who officiated the ceremony; the bride and groom were enrobed, crowned and anointed with oil; and the ceremony was conducted in both English and Arabic, which were chanted throughout the service. It was a moving and meaningful ceremony!

 

 

 

 

For the reception, the couple wanted to create a sophisticated atmosphere while also including essentials from their culture. The fabulous Ritz Carlton provided the perfect backdrop for this special celebration. Marianne’s color palette included some of the hottest hues in weddings: regal purple and gold! The color combination translated into a stunning ballroom of elegance featuring gold linens, votives and floral vases, lush white and ivory flowers with pops of radiant orchid and soft purple lighting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a delightful cocktail hour filled with Arabic music, guests were treated to a traditional zaffa, where ushers donned tarboosh or fez headwear and played drum music for the newlyweds’ entrance.

The reception was a seamless blend of Egyptian and American traditions. The band Limelight played the hottest party music combined with DJ/Emcee Marcus Rollins spinning Arabic tunes, both styles of music keeping the dance floor packed all night.

 

In acknowledgement of their Middle Eastern roots, the couple chose a traditional menu of sirloin and chicken kabobs served over basmati rice and grilled vegetables, accompanied by family style hummus on all of the tables. But the couple opted for a fabulous customary wedding cake for dessert.

 

Another highlight of the evening was the traditional performance of a belly dancer.

 

One of the funniest moments of the evening came when Mark was blind-folded for the garter toss and Marianne pulled a fast one on him, enlisting one of the ushers to pretend his leg was hers while Mark attempted to pull off her garter. The gag gave all of the guests a great laugh.

The beautiful night came to an end as the couple was sent off in an arc of sparklers to their Bentley getaway car.

Thank you, Marianne and Mark, for entrusting your big day to Weddings by StarDust. It was a joy to work with you, and we wish you a lifetime of love and laughter!

Special thanks to our wonderful vendor partners:
Bakery: Delicious Cakes
Bridal Gown: Eve of Milady, StarDust Celebrations
Ceremony Site: St. Philopateer Coptic Church
Dance Floor: DFW Dance Floors
Entertainment: Belly Dancer, Sa'Diyya
Florist: 21 Parc
Gobo: Marcus Rollins
Linens and Lighting: Ritz Carlton
Makeup: Elan Makeup Studio
Photobooth: Picture This Green Screen
Photography: Graham Hobart
Reception Music: Band - Limelight; DJ/Emcee Marcus Rollins
Reception Site: Ritz Carlton
Transportation: Blue Diamond
Videography: A Very Special Day Video
Wedding Design and Planning: Marsha Ballard French, CMWP of Weddings by StarDust