November 28, 2012

Samantha + Malik / Romantic Lake Mary Wedding

Interview with our BEAUTIFUL bride, Samantha:
HOW DID YOU MEET? Malik and I met at auditions for “Romeo and Juliet” at my university. I think we noticed one other immediately. I like to remember it as this unspoken understanding we had, that someday we’d end up together.
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU THE MOST TO YOUR HUSBAND? Malik is very outgoing and always happy. Who wouldn’t be attracted to that? He’s also a proper gentleman. He opens doors, never lets me carry anything, and treats me with respect. Oh, and he’s also got these big green eyes that are absolutely adorable.
HOW DID HE PROPOSE? We went to a bridal expo across the street from his apartment. When we got back to his place I was pouting because we’d been talking about getting married for so long and we still weren’t engaged. I fell asleep on the couch and woke up to Malik all dressed up and acting very nervous. It turns out he’d had the ring for quite a while but never felt it was the right moment.
WHAT INSPIRED YOUR VISION FOR YOUR WEDDING? I envisioned the day being very romantic and ethereal; like something out of the Secret Garden. Most importantly it had to be about family and close friends.
WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST PLANNING CHALLENGE? We had to plan the entire wedding from Dubai (where we live). Every detail was a huge challenge because I wasn’t here to physically see anything or look around. There was lots and lots of Skype and looking online. It was a destination wedding for us!
TELL US ABOUT FINDING YOUR VENUE: We had our wedding at the Lake Mary Events Center. Our planner, Christy Subler from Anna Christine Events, found it and suggested it to me. I wasn’t at all impressed with the website, but the venue was absolutely perfect for us. I was very particular about what I wanted. It had to have an outdoor area on the water for the ceremony (with a backup ceremony location indoors in case it rained), a lawn for the cocktail hour and a reception hall indoors that had high-ceilings and a stage. I also wanted something with big windows and neutral décor. Oh, and we had to have options for caterers instead of being stuck with one choice, and I wanted to be able to rent the venue out for the entire day. With such a tall order, I am shocked that we actually ended up with exactly what I wanted. The venue was perfect.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE DESIGN ELEMENT OF YOUR WEDDING? The soft blush colors and candlelit tables really created the atmosphere I had hoped for. We also had draping on the stage and full room lighting that really softened the room.
DID YOU HAVE ANY DIY DETAILS? All of my stationary was DIY and it was an enormous feat. A co-worker and very good friend of mine spent endless hours making everything from my save-the-dates and invites to the place cards and menus. Another co-worker printed everything for me on card stock and a third co-worker spent hours cutting everything perfectly with an exacto knife. So, so nice of them considering they live in Dubai and weren’t even able to attend the wedding!
WHAT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OF YOUR WEDDING DAY? These are my top 10 favorite moments;
1. Giving my parents their gifts (a locket for my mom and a pocket watch for my dad)
2. Making the walk towards Malik and seeing him for the first time on our wedding day
3. Signing the kitab (Islamic marriage contract)… I’ll never forget the way Malik was looking at me as he repeated after the Imam.
4. Hearing my little sister perform “Lullaby” by the Dixie Chicks for our ring warming and watching her twin brother pass the rings to the guests.
5. When the officiant read letters that Malik and I wrote about eachother. We laughed and cried and it was amazing.
6. Speeches! We had a lot of them and we really felt the love.
7. Dancing along with the traditional Palestinian debkah/zaffa troupe. Dancers, drummers and lots and lots of fun!
8. My first dance with my dad (where my sister performed again)… oh jeez. Waterworks!
9. Smashing cake in my new husband’s face and running for the hills so he couldn’t get me back.
10. At the end of the night during our sparkler exit, seeing all the faces of everyone who came to show their love. Malik dipped me and gave me a big Hollywood movie kiss, and that was it—we were off!
DESCRIBE YOUR CAKE: Yum. Four-tier, chocolate, carrot, red velvet and banana with butter cream frosting!
HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER? Um… FAB! You guys were so awesome and (shhh) my favorite vendor ever. When I get preggo you guys will be shooting my big belly for sure!
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND AS A COUPLE? We’re trying to act as young as possible for the next few years since being married does make one feel a bit older! Our plan is to keep on as we’ve been—enjoying each other and going out with our friends, working hard and making lots of time for our families.
CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR VENDORS:
Venue- Lake Mary Events Center
DJ & Lighting- Soundwave
Photography- Concept Photography
Video- Shutterlife Productions
Linens- BBJ Linens
Bride’s Dress- Watters
Cake- Delightful Treats
Planner- Anna Christine Events
Entertainment- Firqet Zaatari (Dabkeh Troupe)
Catering- Levan’s Catering
Flowers- Flowers by Lesley
Hair & Makeup- Makeover Maven
Rentals- Hitched Rentals
Stage Draping- Quest Draping

..hope I didn’t miss anyone!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *