< PreviousSay ‘I do’ at Soneva Discover the destination wedding of your dreams in the heart of the Maldives Powder-white sands, swaying palms, infi nite sapphire skies and aquamarine seas, stretching out in every direction. It’s no surprise that the Maldives has long been the wedding destination where many brides-to-be dream about saying their vows. At Soneva’s two award-winning resorts – Soneva Fushi in the Baa Atoll and Soneva Jani in the Noonu Atoll – dreams really do come true. The stunning island resorts provide an idyllic backdrop for an intimate wedding, surrounded by your loved ones. From the perfect ceremony to delectable cuisine, the resort’s in-house wedding coordinators will take care of those all-important details, leaving you to enjoy each and every moment. All weddings are completely bespoke, with tailored packages, one-of-a-kind experiences and luxurious stays in exquisite private villas. For larger-scale celebrations in complete privacy, guests can also book out the entire resort for the ultimate experience. The dreamy villas of the resort’s Chapter Two extension Soneva Fushi’s stunning set-up for supermodel Isabeli Fontana’s marriage to Diego Ferrero HBBR_019_040to041_sonevaAD_11652610.indd 4028/04/2021 11:18:27 AMSet sail on Soneva in Aqua, the resort’s ultra-luxurious, 23-metre private yacht The DESTINATION HAPPILY EVER AFTER – A HONEYMOON HIDEAWAY Wake up to the fi rst day of the rest of your life at Soneva, with a honeymoon fi lled with romance, rare experiences and indulgence. How you want to indulge is your choice – every experience can be personalised. Enjoy a fl oating post-wedding breakfast in the comfort of your own private pool, relax with a couples’ treatment at the spa, set off on a Sunset Dolphin Safari, or sleep overnight on a private sandbank in a Bedouin-inspired tent. You can also honeymoon on Soneva in Aqua, the resort’s ultra- luxurious, 23-metre private yacht. This two-bedroom fl oating villa includes the same comforts and luxuries as a Soneva villa on land – the spacious indoor and outdoor decks feature daybeds and dining areas, an open-air Jacuzzi, and a glass-bottomed spa tub in the master bedroom. Taking care of every need, the crew includes an experienced captain, a Barefoot Butler, a personal sous chef, and a dedicated yoga and wellness therapist. What better way to begin married life? Visit Soneva.com/ destinations-weddings SONEVA FUSHI – THE ORIGINAL BAREFOOT ESCAPE A scenic 40-minute seaplane ride from Velana International Airport in Malé, Soneva Fushi is nestled in the heart of Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Blanketed in verdant rainforest and edged by postcard-worthy beaches, the private island resort sets the idyllic scene for your special day. Where you choose to say ‘I do’ is up to you – the resort’s hosts will take care of the rest. Sail on a traditional dhow to the private sandbank to pledge your devotion under a driftwood arch, adorned with island blossoms. Walk down the aisle within the enchanting garden of your own private villa, lit by twinkling lanterns and a canopy of stars overhead. Or take the plunge into your new life together, literally, with an underwater scuba ceremony – with tropical fi sh and sea turtles as your witnesses. Seventy-one expansive private villas offer exceptional fl exibility for wedding groups. Just steps from the beach, the island villas range in size from one-to-nine bedrooms, with large gardens, private pools and a selection of luxurious amenities such as private gyms, in-villa spa suites and private grape cellars. Eight one and two-bedroom Water Retreats offer an opulent over-water experience with spectacular views and waterslides that plunge straight into the ocean from the private pool deck. Every villa comes with its very own Barefoot Butler, on-hand around the clock to ensure your stay is truly memorable. With more than 10 restaurants and bars, Soneva Fushi can cater to any culinary request, from an intimate dinner at the chef ’s table to bountiful buffets. The inventive team works with couples to create the perfect menu, whether it’s a celebratory beachside banquet, or a drinks reception in the resort’s organic gardens. SONEVA JANI – ICONIC OVERWATER LUXURY Found in the unspoiled Noonu Atoll, Soneva Jani’s elegant over-water hideaway is renowned as one of the world’s most romantic destinations. Sheltered by the calm waters of a private turquoise lagoon, this tiny cluster of islands and over- water villas can be reached by a 45-minute seaplane fl ight from Malé, or a short 15-minute speedboat ride from the nearby Maafaru International Airport. The experienced team of wedding coordinators will help couples fi nd the perfect setting for their special day. Declare your love on a private jetty overlooking the lagoon. Feel the sand between your toes with a laid-back ceremony on the beach, or say your vows on the secluded North Island. For an evening celebration, set the scene under star-strewn skies at The Observatory, home to the Maldives’ only overwater telescope. Soneva Jani’s elegant over-water villas range in size from one-to-four bedrooms, comfortably accommodating wedding groups both large and small. Choose from 24 of the resort’s original, iconic Water Retreats on the northern tip of the island, or the 27 new Water Reserves on the southern side, part of the recently launched Chapter Two. Each Water Retreat and Water Reserve features a private swimming pool, and many also feature a slide into the lagoon. In addition, two sprawling Island Reserves – with a choice of three or four bedrooms offer a home-away-from home for larger groups. Offering a diverse array of culinary experiences, catering to guests’ every whim, restaurant venues such as the romantic, beachside Crabshack or Overseas by Mathias Dahlgren in the centre of the lagoon, and pop-up venues within the jungle and on a deserted island, boast a talented team of chefs who work with brides and grooms to create a wedding menu that will tantalise taste buds and set the mood for wedded bliss. Watch the sun set into the ocean from your villa’s private pool 41 HarpersBazaarArabia.com Bride Spring / Summer 2021 HBBR_019_040to041_sonevaAD_11652610.indd 4128/04/2021 11:18:33 AMCREDIT HERE 42 HarpersBazaarArabia.com Bride Spring/Summer 2020 Real WEDDINGS REAL WEDDINGS Four happy couples share their love stories TH E PUR SUIT OF H A PPI NE S S HBBR_019_042to043_RealWedding_Opener_11662454.indd 4228/04/2021 11:45:41 AMCREDIT HERE Real WEDDINGS Dima Harb and Patrick Wakim held their wedding at the spectacular Grand Sofar Hotel in Lebanon 43 HarpersBazaarArabia.com Bride Spring / Summer 2021 HBBR_019_042to043_RealWedding_Opener_11662454.indd 4328/04/2021 11:45:54 AM Real WEDDINGS 44 HarpersBazaarArabia.com Bride Spring / Summer 2021 Lebanon’s iconic Grand Sofar Hotel played host to a magical affair that transported guests on an otherworldly adventure DI M A HAR B Words by NINA CATT Photography by DAZL PRODUCTION HBBR_019_044to047_RealWedding_Dima_11662741.indd 4428/04/2021 11:52:17 AM Real WEDDINGS 45 HarpersBazaarArabia.com Bride Spring / Summer 2021 Dima Harb and Patrick Wakim HBBR_019_044to047_RealWedding_Dima_11662741.indd 4528/04/2021 11:52:26 AM Real WEDDINGS 46 HarpersBazaarArabia.com Bride Spring / Summer 2021 The bride’s bouquet was crafted from crystals and pearls Like a scene from a fairy tale movie, the steps of the old hotel lent themselves to breathtaking photo opportunities Once an illustrious meeting place for celebrities and politicians, the Grand Sofar Hotel lay abandoned for more than 40 years until in 2018, it was returned to its former splendour and reopened as a cultural gallery and wedding venue. “Our initial plan was to get married in Sicily after falling in love with a historical building where parts of the movie, The Godfather were fi lmed, but because of the pandemic, we had to change our plan and look for something similar in our home country of Lebanon,” 26-year-old Dima Harb explains. “It took us quite some time to fi nd a local venue to match the style we were dreaming of and thanks to our talented wedding planner, Jessy Karam from Strawberries & Champagne, we found exactly what we were looking for at the Grand Sofar Hotel.” Fascinated by the venue’s spellbinding architecture and design, Dima and her fi nancial consultant fi ancé, Patrick Wakim, spent eight months planning their fairy tale wedding for September 8, 2020. “Jessy turned our dreams into a reality, broke boundaries and came up with really unique ideas. Our ceremony was absolutely magical. It took place in the outside grounds of the venue, under a canopy of golden leaves to tie in with our gilded theme. One of my bridesmaids is an opera singer and she performed a rendition of Ave Maria as I walked down the aisle with my father. Once our priest announced us as husband and wife, our guests showered us with grains of wheat – and ode to love and prosperity, followed by a spectacular fi reworks show that completely lit up the sky with colourful sparks of joy.” The enchanting ceremony was followed by a cocktail hour, before the bride and groom along with their 100 guests were ushered inside to take their seats at opulent candelabra and fl oral-fi lled tables, surrounded by the charming stone walls of the former hotel, undeniably steeped in history. “The décor for our reception was based on a phrase our wedding planner came up with, ‘With one touch everything turned to gold. Be it drink, food, castles, new and old. Tonight we dine with the gods. We dream in gold and listen well to all the stories waiting to be told,’” Dima explains. The culinary offerings were just as opulent with a bespoke Mediterranean-inspired menu that included dishes of squid-ink bread with smoked salmon and caviar canapés, ravioli al limone e ricotta, grilled Black Angus beef with Madeira sauce, and chocolate and hazelnut crumble to fi nish. The ceremonial cake cutting followed dinner, accompanied by an explosion of gold confetti to get the party started, with the bride and groom making their dancefl oor debut to Adagio by Lara Fabian and Majida el Roumi. Once the celebrations were over the newlyweds jetted of for a blissful honeymoon in the Maldives. Beginning married life encircled by the glistening turquoise waters of a palm-fringed paradise island. Dima’s bridesmaid, Carol, performed a beautiful rendition of Ave Maria Dima with her father HBBR_019_044to047_RealWedding_Dima_11662741.indd 4628/04/2021 11:52:38 AM47 HarpersBazaarArabia.com Bride Spring / Summer 2021 Just as Dima’s wedding planner intended, even the entertainment was gilded with gold The old stone walls of the Grand Sofar Hotel served as a dreamy backdrop BRIDES BLACK BOOK DRESS: Custom made SHOES: Andrea Wazen, Andreawazen.com JEWELLERY: Yasser Younes, Yasseryounes.com ENGAGEMENT RING: Moukarzel Jewellery, Moukarzeljewelry.com MAKE-UP: Hala Ajam, Instagram.com/halaajam WEDDING RINGS: Cartier, Cartier.com GROOM’S SUIT: Fidel Verta, Fidelverta.com GROOM’S SHOES: Boudi Dib, Boudidib.com EVENT PLANNER & INVITATIONS: Strawberries & Champagne, Strawberries-and-champagne.com VENUE: Grand Sofar Hotel, Instagram.com/grandsofarhotel CATERER & CAKE: Saveur Plus Catering, Saveurplus.com PHOTOGRAPHER: Dazl Production, Instagram.com/ dazlproduction FLORIST: Ikebana – Roni Bassil, Instagram.com/ronibassil MUSIC: Manel Mallat & Kristian Abouanni (band), Instagram.com/catsproductionlb The bride with her parents and parents-in-law HBBR_019_044to047_RealWedding_Dima_11662741.indd 4728/04/2021 11:52:56 AM Real WEDDINGS 48 HarpersBazaarArabia.com Bride Spring/Summer 2021 Love fi lled the air as this happy couple celebrated beneath the stars, with Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa as their backdrop ZA H R A LYL A KH A L I L Words by NINA CATT Photography by DANIELLA BAPTISTA HBBR_019_048to051_RealWedding_Zahra_11642862.indd 4828/04/2021 11:55:55 AMCREDIT HERE 49 HarpersBazaarArabia.com Bride Spring/Summer 2020 Real WEDDINGS Zahra Lyla Khalil and Tristan McGarrigle HBBR_019_048to051_RealWedding_Zahra_11642862.indd 4928/04/2021 11:56:12 AMNext >