Elie Saab Jr and Christina Mourad at the Pre-Wedding Party. Photo: ParAzar Productions
Today, Elie Saab Jr, the eldest son of the renowned Lebanese couturier, Elie Saab, will be married to Christina Mourad. The couple met through the groom’s brother, Celio Saab, during a gathering at their house. Celio Saab had known Mourad for many years but Saab Jr had never met her before this evening. At his home on June 19, 2018, Saab Jr decided to ask Mourad to marry him and after the engagement of a year and one month, the couple will elope today.
The 3-day wedding celebrations are taking place in different parts of Lebanon, with the religious ceremony joined by over 1,000 guests is being held in the church of Bkerki. For what would be the happiest day of her life, Mourad will be first dressed in a dreamy wedding gown by Elie Saab. For the reception set to take place at the exclusive Faqra Club after the wedding, Mourad will switch to another dress also created by Saab.
Elie Saab and Claudine Saab at the Pre-Wedding Party. Photo: ParAzar Productions
The conservative-style religious ceremony will see the Maronite church decorated like a garden with trees and leafs playing on reflections with mirrors and candles. During the party, Nancy Ajram, Elissa, Assi Hellani, Michel Fadel, DJ Jamie Jones, Djette, and Caline will entertain the guests. Adding to the festivities, a round of fireworks will be set off at midnight.
The guest list includes friends and VIP guests of the Saab family including Vogue Arabia Editor-in-Chief Manuel Arnaut, Chantal Thomass, Elissa, Dita Von Teese, Toni Garrn, Sara Sampaio, Alina Baikova, Karolina Kurkova, Lily Donaldson, and Bianca Brandolini.
On Thursday, July 18, everyone came together for the pre-wedding cocktail in the town of Faqra, in the center of Lebanon known for its Roman and Byzantine ruins. The Oriental-themed party saw guests celebrating through traditional dances. The bride-to-be Mourad was dressed in a stunning ensemble plucked from Elie Saab’s Fall-Winter 2019 couture collection which was inspired by the East, while her makeup was done by Lebanese celebrity makeup-artist Bassam Fattouh. The Blue Sunset Party — said to go on from sunset to sunrise — will take place at the Saab Residence in Faqra on July 20.
Elie Saab Jr and Christina Mourad at the Pre-Wedding Party. Photo: ParAzar Productions
The couple plans to travel to the Mediterranean, and go Ibiza, Capri, the Alpes and Bodrum for their honeymoon.
Elie Saab’s creations have found fans in A-list celebrities like Beyoncé, Sandra Bullock, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Celine Dion, Kendall Jenner, Emilia Clarke, and even royalty like Queen Rania of Jordan, who wore Elie Saab for her enthronement. In 2012, the Countess Stéphanie and the Hereditary Grand Duke were married in a civil ceremony, where the bride wore a dress designed by Elie Saab. Princess Claire of Luxembourg also wore a Saab-designed dress on her wedding.
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