DUBAI, AS KNOWN, IS NOT ONLY A MEGAPOLIS WHERE LIFE BURLIT, BUT AND ONE OF THE MOST ROMANTIC CITIES OF THE WORLD. AND, AS AT ANY POINT OF THE BALLOON, RESIDENTS OF THE EMIRATE MEET, LOVE AND MARRY.
A happy young family - Vitaly and Louis, or just LV - in an interview with Russian Emirates magazine - about his path to the crown and how to conduct a luxurious and unforgettable wedding in the most beautiful corner of our planet.
Louis, 32 years old. Originally from Lebanon, however, his entire conscious life has been living in Dubai. He got a business education in Canada. He works as a regional director in a large British corporation.
Vitaly, 25 years old. Originally from St. Petersburg, he has been living in Dubai for ten years. A graduate of the American University of Dubai. Talented and energetic business woman, the successor of the family business
Vitaly, Louis, please tell us how you met?
Vitaliy: A mutual friend introduced us. And we immediately found common interests: for example, fishing, cooking, passion to equip a home and, of course, love for children. A week later, Louis introduced me to his sister, and then to his parents. In a word, our families began to recognize each other and immediately discuss a common future, which we ourselves did not even think about at that time. We all became friends, even despite the language barrier and the difference in cultures. And so began our romance.
Louis: Yes, we met for a cup of coffee. When Vitaly said that she, like me, loves fishing, I did not immediately believe it. Can a stiletto blonde with perfect manicure be an avid fisherman ?! Almost unbelievable. Then we went down from the restaurant to the parking lot, opened the trunk of her car, and there - fishing tackle! Then I realized: "This is she!" We began to meet, get to know each other, already knowing for sure that each of us is ready to start a family and have children. And our families also accepted the idea of our novel with a bang.
It is always interesting to know how the future husband is preparing to make an offer. Perhaps this can be called one of the most exciting moments of the pre-wedding period, right?
Louis:I wanted everything to be very special. Chose the “Atmosphere” in the Burj Khalifa Tower, one of the city’s most fashionable restaurants. I met with the manager of the establishment in advance to discuss all the details, choose a good table with a view of Dubai.
I wanted my future wife to remember this evening for life. I knew which ring Vitaly dreamed about, I acquired it. I must say that all these days I was very worried, and the manager provided me with psychological support, reassured me, even dissuaded me (laughs - approx. Ed.).
And what did you come up with?
Vitaliy:In the morning, Louis called me and said that his mother had won dinner in the Atmosphere for two, and, unfortunately, she could not go. Invited to dinner. And in front of him, he suggested updating the manicure, which even a little alarmed me. But I did not refuse: I “cleaned the feathers”, made a beautiful styling, a new nail design, put on a beautiful black dress - and went to the restaurant. There we had a great dinner and an equally beautiful view from the window. I order dessert.
The manager comes up to me, opens the lid of the plate, and “Will you marry me?” Is displayed with chocolate mousse, and the ring is attached to a piece of apple. The whole restaurant applauded, and I was so moved that I could barely pronounce "Yes. I do."
And then the morning came the next day!
Vitaliy:The next day, the whole Louis family came to offer me. In the morning, huge bouquets of flowers from all relatives began to bring me. My parents drew up a Non-Refund Agreement for my family. They promised to give her husband food allowance, because I really like to eat (laughs - ed.). In the evening, we all went together to the restaurant-club Cavalli.
In Dubai, you can not do without a bachelor party and a bachelorette party. On the one hand - a tribute to the British tradition, on the other - a purely Russian rite ...
Vitaliy: "Shower for the bride" is a funny name for a bachelorette party (as the bridal shower is translated from English. - Ed.). In fact, this is a ceremony of presenting gifts for the bride and unrestrained fun on the eve of the girl's wires to the crown. We really spent this evening a lot of fun: at first, girlfriends painted panties with wishes for the groom at home, tortured me with questions about him, and sorted out souvenirs. Then we ordered a limousine and went for dinner at the Mina A'Salam. I must say that my exit from the car in the crown and veil gathered a lot of admiring glances of others.
Louis: My bachelor party was a little more modest. My friends and relatives rented a yacht and set sail on the coastal waters of the Persian Gulf. And we drove through all the bars that we knew from our single lives. But I would not want to tell the details (smiles - approx. Ed.).
We came to pleasant chores. As far as I know, preparing for the wedding took you more than six months.
Vitaliy:I dreamed of an expensive dress that is valued in the East, with a long train and crystals. Therefore, I chose the famous Emirate fashion house working with the royal families at the tailors. Our designer was Shermin Ibraim, well known to local brides. As a result, six months and many nerves were spent on tailoring. But you must admit, the game was worth the candle! We have appointed Rimma Shammas as a planner, who also has an excellent reputation. I would like to give advice to the brides: consider not only the suitability of tastes, but also the psychological compatibility with the planner. After all, the point is not only in settling issues, but also in the ability to approach with one’s soul, calm, support.
In other words, such an adviser becomes your hands and eyes for the entire period of preparation. We very carefully planned the decor: every tablecloth, every chair, even forks and spoons. The wedding was winter, in blue-pink tones. The venue for the ceremony was the Armani Ballroom banquet hall in Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. Our celebration was prepared by more than 30 people, including singers and musicians, and served by the whole hundred, if you take into account the waiters and assistants.
Louis:We invited more than 200 guests to the wedding. And our task was to give everyone attention, take a picture, accept congratulations and raise a toast. Since our celebration was international, we had to think through the program taking into account the tastes and wishes of all the guests. We had Lebanese and Russian dance ensembles, we cut a saber cake, as is customary in the Middle East, the bride threw a bouquet, as in good Hollywood films, and we laughed and danced a lot. After all, joy and fun are the main duty of the bride and groom at a wedding. They didn’t use the buffet system: they didn’t want our numerous guests to stand in line for food. For all the invitees, they opened an account in the Gallery Lafayette department store, which everyone could replenish by the desired amount. We really did not want to receive five toasters as a gift (laughs - approx. Ed.). But some of the guests brought gifts with them anyway.
Since you are both Christians, you decide to get married in the temple ...
Vitaliy: The most important thing before a Christian wedding is the school of marriage, which the couple goes through before the wedding. According to the results of a one-day course on the basics of family life according to the Christian tradition, a certificate is issued. I am Orthodox, and Luis is Catholic, but there was no need to change religion, because the church where we were married was interfaith (meaning the church of St. Francis in Jebel Ali - approx.ed.). Before entering into a church marriage, you need to go to a conversation with a priest who communicates with the bride and groom, finds out their relationship to the family, asks about cultural traditions, discusses the ceremony. The service was held in Arabic and English, however, we vowed only in English. The ceremony lasted about an hour.
How did you spend your honeymoon?
Louis: We went to the most beautiful resort on Koh Samui. We ordered funny t-shirts, slippers and even luggage for the newlyweds. And, of course, during the honeymoon we fished a lot in the sea ...
Want to give some advice to future newlyweds?
Vitaliy: First of all, dear brides, make sure your dress is not pure white. This shade takes on all the illumination, which means that all of your photos can be damaged. Secondly, be sure to hire a planner: one cannot see for one. And most importantly - look at all the incidents with a smile. You can’t do without them, but then there will be something to laugh at.
The Russian Emirates magazine thanks the newlyweds for the interview and wishes them happiness in their future family life!
