Showing posts with label Tips from an Egyptian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tips from an Egyptian. Show all posts

Monday, April 8, 2013

Elements of Middle Eastern Wedding



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)








Sunday, July 1, 2012

Top 5 Places to Propose in Egypt

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