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Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011

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An Egyptian lifestyle magazine to keep you updated with the latest & greatest

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Page 1: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011
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CEO Ghada Sakr

Editor-in-Chief Eslam Saleh

Contributors Adham Roshdy Amal HejaziAmira Ramy Amira Amir

Khaled Salem Lobna Khairy

Mahmoud Abdel TawabMaisa Abdel Rahman

Manal Mandour Mostafa El-Borady

Ola GaballahRadwa El-Shami

Rania SalemReham Meky Sarah Dorra

Yasmine TahaZahra El Sherbini Graphic Design

Milestone Communications Osama Gamal

Printing Allux Print House Distribution Al Ahram Institution

Advertising &Subscription E-mail: [email protected]

E-mail: [email protected]

Tele: 2618-4412 Mobile:011-6330559/014-4500989

Websitewww.magnificentonline.com

Feedback Facbook: Magnificent Magazine

Email: [email protected]

Publisher: MILESTONE COMMUNICATIONS

Published under the registration No. 34013, UK. ISSN no. 1687-

790x

Representative Office: Villa no. 212, District 2, Zone

1, Off 90th St., Fifth Compound, New Cairo

All rights are reserved. No part of this magazine is to be reproduced without the written permission of

Milestone Communications

is available at Al-Ahram outlets in hotels, clubs, hypermarkets and the Airport.

On The Run- Virgin Megastores- Alef bookstores-Cilantro, StarBucks, Costa Coffee, Faces, Mazaya, The Body Shop, Palais des Parfumes, Compume, Diwan, Volume 1, Al-Shorouk, Harris Café, Iram Jewelry, Casber & Gambini’s, Alfredo, Coffee Shop Company, Curves, Second

Cup, Pasccuci, Crepaway, Aroma Lounge, Venezia, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Trianon , Marche, Wagamama, Alamos Café, Alain le

Notre, Spectra, Pasqua Cafe, Colombus Café, 55 Restaurant, The Bakery, Cafe Mo, Makani, Ceramic Café, Einstein, Dragon Group,

Smoky, Euro Deli, Obagi, Luxury, Bungalow, Café Greco, Studio Misr, , Café Del Doge, Eatalian, Planet Africa, Alamos café, Cafe Ta-

basco, Coffee Roastery, Pottery Cafe , Johnny Carino’s, Segafredo, Joffrey’s , Dusit Thani, Solaris, Ahly Club, Heliopolis Club, Gezera

Club, Shooting Club, Delvento, Feugo, Hola Café, El Churro, AIESEC

ALSO YOU FIND US AT

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is available at Al-Ahram outlets in hotels, clubs, hypermarkets and the Airport.

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The Wedding issueIn This Issue

What is it about weddings that we all find so fasci-nating.. Why such a declaration of love and commit-ment capture hearts and make them sigh. Weddings no matter how big or small have their own touch on

living souls. There is something about adoration and devotion declared in such ceremonies strike the chord of us all. So in appreciation of such amour and for the

immense joy of attending a marriage; we came to decision this issue to place at your disposal the couple’s ultimate guide to tying the knot. We tried to fill you in with all possibilities at hand for your nuptials and beyond. Whether you settled

upon a simple, chic wedding or costly, exquisite day; you‘ll find here the spots, the getaways and the best looks to fix on. As a matter of fact we edged more towards the extravagant side, but this is because we want you to feel the extravagance of a day that comes only once-in-a-lifetime -supposedly of course:). We sure are in love with “I DOs “and that’s why we wanna let you know all that’s unique and

marvelous while getting ready to do it. Sip through the multiple pages of elegance, sophistication and inspiration down here and charge your batteries to get im-

pressed!! My best wishes for a lovely day and life love birds

Ghada

SayHiMagnificent

Wedding

What’s UpTop of the Shops [26]Picks of the Months [27]

Hot SpotsThe Perfect Place to Say I Do [30]Luxury Honeymoon Hideaways [34]

Joie De VivreWho’s Most Extravagant of Them All [38]Wedding Rules and Their Roots [40]World’s Most Bizarre Wedding Customs [42] A Macho Thing11 Overlooked Activities Before Your Wedding Night [44]A Macho’s Reflection on Tying The Knot [46]

Career CoachingHassle-Free Tips to Inviting Co-worker to your Wedding [48]

Look MagnificentWedding Gowns from The Best [50]A Tale of Two Brides! [52]Top Bridal Make-up Looks from 2012 Runways [58]How to Choose Your Solitaire?! [60]

Mag Décor Wedding Gifts..Advice From The Specialists [66]

Sound Body Mind & SoulDe-stress Before Your Big day [68]Bride in Training..Look & Feel Best at Your Wedding.[70]

Happily Ever AfterHow to Plan a Wedding Stress-Free [72]Are You a Bridezilla?! [74]

Apples of Z HeartYour Wedding With or Without Little Ones?! [76]

Media CornerThe Bookworm Choice For the Big Day [78]Best Wedding Reads[80]

Speak ur MindSincere Moments..Unveil The True feelings of Family [82]

ZodiacYour Personality Under the Microscope [92]

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Dusit Thani LakeView brings you a glimpse of beauty celebrating love and

marriage in the most elegant manner. Delivering unmatched service, step by step, starts from the simplicity of smooth ceremony to the extravagance of a wedding reception, complete with glamour and elegance.

The hotel enjoys an ideal location oriented with privacy and flair. Dusit Thani LakeView is strategically located in the Fifth Settlement of the New Cairo district, only twenty minutes away from Cairo International Airport. The blend of Thai and Egyptian culture assures a truly unique hotel experience. The minute you step into the hotel, you will be captured with the impressive interiors, eye-catching greenery embraced with unique Thai touch. One of the many interesting features of Dusit

Thani LakeView is the Grand Ballroom with its magnificent 1536 square meters with such beautiful outdoor scenery and its pre-function terrace to deliver an unmatched catering service par excellence. Distinctive setting for the bride and groom to exchange vows surrounded in the warmth of Thai artistry presence.

Another nine fully-equipped smaller ballrooms are supported by a professional staff to compliment the banqueting facilities of the hotel. We invite you to reserve this lovely venue for a memorable ballroom wedding ceremony.

Memorable weddings are not only well arranged technically, but are distinctive and personal. Wedding Event planners are here to create moments that will last a lifetime. We know that you’ve always dreamed about having a beautiful wedding. Let Dusit Thani LakeView make your

dream come true and your wedding planning a joy.

Dusit Thani LakeView is excited about every element - from the way the tables are set, to the moment you enter the room as bride and groom. Creativity is our fundamental source. Inspired wedding planner and organizers reassure every step of the way. Offering an insight into the latest fashion and decoration themes for weddings to be able to get in touch with your dream wedding and bring it to life.

Dusit Thani LakeView alluring “Packages” cater various styles, sizes and occasions, all including hotel accommodation and much more tempting surprises just to make your wedding experience such a matchless one.For further enquiries E-mail: [email protected]

LakeView brings you the glamour of your

Dusit Thani Wedding Ceremony

WHAT’S UP

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SHARM EL SHEIKHA cosmopolitan vibe with sun, sea and sand, perfect for romantic couples seeking fun and pure relaxation

HILTOn SHARM EL SHEIKH FAyROUZ RESORT • Located directly on the beach • 8 restaurants and bars • 2 Outdoor heated swimming pools • Diving and water sports centers

HILTOn SHARM DREAMS RESORT • Stunning complex of 8 swimming pool lagoons • Adjacent private beach • Diving centre

HILTOn SHARM WATERFALLS RESORT • Six outdoor swimming pools • Direct access to private beach • Diving centre

HILTOn SHARK’S BAy RESORT • Diving centre • 7 Swimming pools • Health Club • Spa facilities • 13 food and beverage outlets • All-inclusive food and beverage until 2AM

MARSA ALAMOpening July 2011, the resort embodies a warm Nubian charm and world-class Hilton services in a relaxed location boasting incredible marine life and magnificent historical sites.

HILTOn MARSA ALAM nUBIAn RESORT• Beachfront location on the West Coast of

the Red Sea• 4 outdoor swimming pools

•9 diverse restaurants & bars

HURGHADA A blissful escape from which to explore Hurghada’s nightlife, the Red Sea and historic Egypt

Hilton Hurghada Resort• Private marina• Dive courses, trips and equipment• Glass-bottom boat

HILTOn HURGHADA PLAZA• All-inclusive resort • Professional diving centre • Private beach and marina

HILTOn HURGHADA LOnG BEACH RESORT • All-inclusive resort • Outstanding diving and water sports centre • Six pools connected by waterways and gardens • 4 restaurants

SOUTH SInAI A relaxing retreat for fun and sunshine, de-signed in harmony with its unique setting.

HILTOn DAHAB RESORT• Stunning view of Sinai mountains • Private sandy beach • Fully equipped diving and windsurfing centre

HILTOn nUWEIBA CORAL RESORT• All-inclusive resort • Peninsular oasis overlooking the Red Sea • Secluded beaches and coves • Diving and water sports centre • Snorkeling, kayaks, wind surfing and water-skiing

HILTOn TABA RESORT & nELSOn VILLAGE• Private promenade and beach • Fully equipped dive centre • Shopping arcade

LUxORThe ultimate luxury spa experience on the green, Eastern banks of the majestic River Nile

HILTOn LUxOR RESORT & SPA• Infinity pool over the Nile • Thermal gardens • Views of the Valley of the Kings • World-class spa

Hilton Hotels & Resorts Egypt understands that a couple’s honeymoon is a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, and with luxurious getaways offering experiences that reflect the essence of the locale, Hilton Egypt has the prime honeymoon destinations for every bride and groom. Just as every couple is unique, so too are the distinctive experiences at Hilton Hotels & Resorts in Egypt, 12 exotic

resorts to choose from to make a dreamy honeymoon in an unrivaled location and absolute certainty that the menu always comes with romantic Hilton service to ensure that couples find the romance they came to share.

FROM FAMOUS SIGHTS TO ROMAnTIC nIGHTS…HILTON HOTELS & RESORTS EGYPT HONEYMOON GETAWAYS

WHAT’S UP

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nEW TIFFAny LOCKS PAVE THEIR WAy InTO SUMMER TIFFAny LOCKS SECURE A LASTInG PLACE In FASHIOnTiffany & Co. introduces an innovative collection of beautifully designed jewelry. Chic new Tiffany Locks play with paradox and telegraph personal

style. Feminine yet edgy, charming yet dignified, vintage-inspired yet completely contemporary - these designs effortlessly complement a range of fashion styles. Based on Tiffany archival designs, Tiffany Locks feature detailed pendants and charms, some of which function as actual locks. Among the options are vintage, heart, arc and round shapes in 18 karat yellow and rose gold or sterling silver. In the great tradition of Tiffany craftsmanship, these precious metals are textured, polished and combined, creating jewelry with the distinctive look of chic urban hardware or lustrous heirlooms. Tiffany Locks also include a heart pendant handcrafted in platinum and covered with pavé diamonds. The dazzling design epitomizes the universal symbol of love and reflects all the emotion the heart can hold. The Tiffany Locks collection is available at The First Mall, First Residence, Giza, and Fifth Avenue, Mohandessin.

7 nEW OPEnInGS FOR AZADEA GROUP In CAIRO’S MALL OF ARABIAAzadea Group, one of the leading fashion and lifestyle retail companies in the Middle East and North Africa, is expanding its retail network in Cairo. Indeed, the Group added seven new stores to its Egyptian portfolio in Cairo’s newest mall “Mall of Arabia”. Once again, the dynamic group has engaged in the task of expanding in Cairo by opening, in one day seven stores representing different international brands. In an atmosphere of pure celebration, Zara Home, Uterque, Massimo Dutti, Stradivarius, Pull & Bear, Bershka and Oysho launched their newest concepts in Mall of Arabia located in the 6th of October area. The Grand Opening kicked off as of 2 in the afternoon with on its agenda performances from Wust el Balab Band and entertainment from DJ Samba. Music was not the only attraction of the afternoon; the customers were delighted to receive tokens of appreciation from each of the stores as well as precious gifts. Children were not left out as a ‘kids special corner’ was made available to amuse the little ones. Azadea’s country manager in Egypt Mr. Esam Hafez said, “We are committed to the Egyptian operation and satisfying the need of our consumer has been and will remain the core of our belief.” With the opening of those 7 stores, Azadea Group in Egypt would have expanded its stores to 25 outlets spread across the different business units

THE FEMInInE TOUCH BAZAAR AT CAIRO MARRIOTT The Cairo Marriott Hotel hosted recently the Feminine Touch Bazaar; Organized by Mrs. Neivine El Shawarby and Mrs. Alia Abd El Hakim; the event was held at the grandeur of the Cairo Marriott Hotel, where guests enjoyed the fun-filled day, picking the finest The main objective of this gathering was to SUPPORT THE COME BACK OF TOURISM and revive the charming life of Cairo. During the event Marriott Egypt properties introduced the “Celebrate Egypt 25” initiatives; an irresistible bouquet of offers tailored around the number 25, day of the revolution. Egypt Air sponsored the Feminine Touch Event and presented smashing offers for a great summer escape.

FASHIOn

STAy InFORMED.. GET UPDATED.. BE FAMOUSHumanEye.TV is International Marketing & Media, Global online web portal, on which are presented numerous social and business events, ranging from wine & dine, hotels & properties, activities and anything else lifestyle-relevant. Humaneye.TV offers 21st century solutions for Global advertising with nothing but a delicate and personal approach to all clients. The possibilities are many and with the numerous events and projects, the screening is remarkable! Website:

www.humaneye.tv

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EVEnTS

WALID EL- HARIRy - DJ

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At Grand Hyatt on the banks of the Nile, and with the sponsorship of Magnificent Magazine, the Model of American Congress (MAC) celebrated the opening ceremony of its 10th annual conference with the big family of MAC’s organizing and academic committees. A significant number of guests and VIPs were present leaded by Mr. Mike Henkey, the Cultural Attaché of the U.S Embassy in Cairo and Mr. Mohamed Bassiouni, the well-known diplomat and former Egyptian ambassador in Israel. The ceremony started with a documentary about the 25th of Jan. revolution honoring the Egyptian martyrs of freedom. This was followed by a word by Mr. Mike who expressed his joy for being -as usual- with MAC family. Then came the speech of Ayman Moussa and Nada Fayez heads of the organizing and academic committees. And finally, it was the speech of Mr. Mohamed Bassiouni who affectionately reacted to the attendant questions that were mainly focused on the future of the Egyptian-Israeli relations after the revolution. Sponsored by the American Embassy, MAC is one of the best and most prestigious models in Cairo University. MAC is founded at the School of Economics and Political Science under the guidance and support of Dr. Mohamed Kamal, Political Science Professor with the aim to raise the political culture and prepare young Egyptian leaders of the future.

Model of American Congress celebrates 10th Anniversary

EVEnTS

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Model of American Congress celebrates 10th Anniversary

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AMBASSADORS OF ASIA ExPERIEnCE THE RUEn THAI UnIqUE FLAIR “Ruen Thai” the newly opened Thai heaven at Dusit Thani hosted Ambassadors of Asia in Egypt over a prestigious dinner that is truly different from run-of-the-mill evenings. “The Ruen Thai” was pronounced as an exquisite new Thai flair in town after seven high profile Asian ambassadors attended. The Ambassadors of Bangkok, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Myanmar were all impressed with the modern interiors, the live show cooking that awaken all the senses and above all the genuine Thai delights. In the picture Mr. & Mrs. Kobos welcoming their Excellencies to a pre-dinner drink in the “blue rose” lounge and bar upon their arrival.

CRISTAL CLUB HOSTS SEMInAR TO DISCUSS IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA On ADVERTISInGThe Cristal Club Cairo hosted a press conference with industry experts in advance of a one-day seminar entitled “The impact of Social Media: Post-Revolutionary Lessons from the Advertising Industry”. Panelists during the press conference included Christian Cappe, CEO - Cristal Festival Network; Ahmed Gamal El-Dien, Egypt and North Africa Head of Sales, Yahoo!; and Hani Ramzi, Executive Director Europe and MEA, Alcatel-Lucent; and Khalid Gad, Consumer and Online Lead, Egypt - Microsoft MEA, who discussed the evolution of the digital and media industry in the post-revolutionary Egypt and their views of the future. The press conference was held the day before the Cristal Club’s first-ever annual seminar in Cairo, which will welcome Club members from some of the industry’s biggest players including Google, Microsoft, Alcatel Lucent, Yahoo, Leo Burnett, JWT, Mindshare, FP7 McCann group, OMD, UM7, Digital Republic and Mobinil. The seminar will gather together 80 attendees for in-depth discussions about a variety of industry-specific topics including new trends in consumer behavior influenced by social media and internet; the future of the media industry and whether it will follow users toward more digital media consumption; the use of Arabic culture in advertising; the creative nature of Egyptians; interactivity within the media and advertising industries; and e-commerce and the cyber shopping experience. In addition to the sessions, Cristal Club members will be showcasing their best campaigns, with a special focus on online campaigns and campaigns held during the revolution. As well, the members of the Creative Cristal Club will judge the annual poster contest and choose the official visual identity for the next edition of MENA Cristal Festival in Mzaar, Lebanon on February 21-23 2012. The evening before the seminar, the Cristal Club officially launched the Women’s Cristal Academy in the Arab Country during a dinner that brought together influential women in the media and communication industry in Egypt. The Women’s Cristal Academy comprise of leaders from the world of communications, marketing, media, digital, or advertising, who strive to highlight the success of women in these trades. It aims to identify new talents, new ideas and strategies

CHOCOLATE GALLERy @ KEMPInSKI nILE HOTEL Celebrating Kempinski’s European heritage and appreciation of fine art and culture, Kempinski Nile Hotel’s Chocolate Lounge premiered a special art exhibition, Salah Taher 100 years of glory, in conjunction with Zamalek Art Gallery. For the first time, the Chocolate Lounge brought together 100 of the rarely-seen and some never-before-exhibited paintings of the renowned artist. Salah Taher obtained his Art degree at the Academy of Fine Arts-Cairo,1934- , where he started his career, and became a Lecturer at the same Academy until 1954.Taher, a prolific Artist, is also well known for his past contribution, as an Art administrator, and a philosopher of Art. He is the recipient of several important awards such as the «Highest State Award» 1974, the First Prize

Biennial Alexandria’ 1996, and the «Guggenheim Foundation Award». Although Taher’s background is well rooted in academic paintings, his concern for color has led to his liberation from traditional values: his Art style has moved from Realistic, to

figurative symbolism, and finally to Abstraction, where he achieved his greatest acclaim... The distinctive feature of Taher’s art remains his

mastery of working with bold colors and use of different tools especially, the hard tools such as the knife that he uses to spread transparent coats of diluted paint. “We are proud to be hosting an exhibition of such importance celebrating

one of the most renowned Egyptian contemporary artists of all times” States Fuat Korogolu , General Manager of Kempinski Nile Hotel. “Kempinski Nile Hotel will continue to support fine arts and will always be inspired by the Egyptian Culture” added Fuat Koroglu. Zamalek Art Gallery specializes in the promotion of contemporary Art Where it hosts a series of monthly exhibitions for the most prominent and exclusive artists. The Gallery houses a permanent collection for pioneer Egyptian artists, as well as for promising young

talents. It is located in the heart of Zamalek, the cosmopolitan quarter of the capital, where most of the cultural events take place

EVEnTS

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COnGRATS MOSTAFA & nISRIn FOR TyInG THE KnOTHe: Mostafa El Borady (Magnificent’s outspoken macho writer)She: Nisrin Salah El Din (A friend of him)They: Got married.Where: It doesn’t matter but if you insist, the ceremony was at Al Saraya, Zamalek.When: Somewhere in time but, again, if you’re eager to know, it was the 16th of April.Why: He discovered that this would be the only way for him to go out with her foreverNow: Marriage is a decision that living it is much easier than taking it.

EGyPTIAn TEAM WInS THE RED BULL TUM TUM PA In RIO DE JAnEIRO, BRAZIL!Their eyes closed, their feet and hands moving fast to the sounds of sticks drumming on classroom tables and notepads – that’s how team STB, from the American University in Cairo made the Brazilian fans believe that

rhythm also exist beyond the boarders of the land of samba. “A dream came true for us, we love Rio and we won the Red Bull Tum Tum Pa to show everyone how good Egyptians can shake!” said STB team. Surrounded by Sugar Loaf and the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, the world’s best classroom drummers showed their talent, for producing sounds, in tune with each other and the crowd. From loud banging sounds to hushed clicks and snaps, many notes were composed to represent 30 countries from Oriental chimes to Caribbean beats.

The local competition that took place last month in Cairo, gave the chance for the students to explore their inner creativity and passion for music in MSA, AUC, Cairo University, AAST Cairo and MIU; the top teams from each of the universities went up

against each other at the national final in Egypt in a fierce battle to win the chance to represent Egypt in the international Red Bull Tum Tum Pa in Brazil! In the competition among Egyptian universities, 16 teams were given 2 minutes to perform a cover song and their own composition in front of a panel of highly influential judges in the music and creative scene, MEGA FM 92.7 Radio presenter and stand up comedian Mohamed Fahmy, Wust El Balad Percussionist Mizo, Dj Phillipe El Siisi and Star Academy’s Mahmoud Shokry. The 3rd and 2nd place winners were given cool ICE WATCHES and a Red Bull case and the first place winners received their boarding passes to the journey of their dreams, to win! The team consisting of: Ahmed Safi El Din, Shahir Rafik Iskandar, Nayir Osama and Youssef Mahmoud, all AUC winners practised day and night with a passion and drive to put Egypt’s name as the winners of the International Red Bull Tum Tum Pa in Rio De Janeiro, and they did!Red Bull Tum Tum Pa World Final Rankings:First Place: Team: STB/ Egypt (119 points)Participants: Shahir Iskandar, Youssef Mahmoud, Nayir Osama e Ahmed El Din Runner Up: Team: PDR– Univ. Mackenzie, São Paulo/ Brasil (115 points)Participants: Emerson Miranda, Fellini Conti, Marcos Antonio Lucas Jr e Luis Antonio Manso da Silva Third Place: Team: Ground Zero/ Jamaica (112 points)Participants: Whynn Phyllip, Kemoy Allen, Blake Kamardo e Lewin Alton

EVEnTS

WHAT’S In yOUR BACKPACK?If you’re looking for an application that will help connect you to organizations to aide in the rebuilding of Egypt or inform you of upcoming events, then look no further. The relatively new mobile application called Backpack has all that and much more. Their slogan «It’s only a click away to start working towards a better Egypt» explains the driving force behind its creation and motivation to keep it going. The free application, released in March 2011, strikes a balance of serious and fun with its charity work and listings of NGOs as well as funny jokes, advice and even discounts. In a time where everyone is looking for a way to do their part for Egypt and revive the country back into tip top shape, Backpack makes it easier to do just that by constantly updating its database and exposing users to the various organizations and their events. The users can then get in touch with the groups to find out how to either donate money or volunteer their time. Backpack was developed by a group of young, determined Egyptians with the main goal of supporting and encouraging economic and social development in Egypt, which has been on the minds of many post-revolution. After downloading and registering the application on your mobile, you will receive three «packs» a day at morning, midday, and evening that will include everything you need to go through your day. The application also has a fun side with jokes, advice, daily quotes, weather, football news and matches, movies and cinemas, as well as discounts and promotions. As part of their discounts section, showing your «digital offers card» at any time to any of their many participating businesses listed, you will immediately receive the discount or promotion being offered. Perhaps one of the best features about Backpack is that it allows you to share all the information you see on the application with your family and friends via email, social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter, or even copy and paste on to any preferable messenger. To date, the application has garnered over one million views, raised an estimated LE 685,000 for charity, given much needed exposure to many organizations, secured free discounts for its users and much more. Currently the application is only available on Blackberry mobiles, but the developers are working to bring it very soon to other mobile carriers, such as to Iphones. More information on Backpack can be found on their website (www.backpack-app.com) or downloaded directly through (http://m.backpack-app.com

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Four teams shine with state-of-the-art high-tech business ideas…and a 50 thousand dollar grand prize for first place!The Jordanian ‘Diabetes Healthcare’ team won third place in this year’s MIT Enterprise Forum Arab Business Plan Competition in partnership with Abdul Latif Jameel Co., during a big ceremony attended by Tunisian Minister of Employment, HE Said Aidi, and Secretary of State to the Minister of Trade and Tourism in Tunisia, Slim Chaker. The team was granted five thousand dollars for their idea of developing and marketing new patented technologies in the field of diabetes monitoring devices and management tools. ‘PT Screen’ won first place with a 50 thousand dollar prize for their business plan concerning a software innovation that encourages collaborative internet browsing between users from all over the world. ‘Al Khawarizmy Language Software’ from Egyptwon 10 thousand dollars for second place for providing Arabic users with search capabilities that allow them to get all required target words. On June 16, the 12 finalist teams that had arrived to Tunisia attended a coaching session with Booz

& Co. guiding them through how to better perform in oral presentations to help them effectively pitch their ideas in front of the final jury. Munajjed congratulated the winners and said, “This is the third year that Abdul Latif Jameel Co. partners with the MIT Enterprise Forum Arab Business Plan Competition, and we particularly value this partnership because it reflects our belief in young entrepreneurs as future leaders in the Arab World. Entrepreneurship education and promotion are fundamental for a healthy and growing Arab ecosystem able and willing to create new jobs, and this Competition is at the heart of it.”As for Fadel, she said, “After nine months of continuous work and receiving 3800 applications from 17 different Arab countries, I must thank Jameel Co. and the executive team for their dedication and support. I hope we have succeeded in spreading a culture and awareness of entrepreneurship among the Arab youth community. As we have seen, Rana Shmeitelly, last year’s competition’s winner, succeeded in launching the ‘Little Engineer’, we hope to see ‘PT Screen’ launch and grow and

subsequently expand regionally.” She added, “Soon we will be re-opening the competition’s doors to accept applications and new ideas. We want this Competition to become an annual event bringing together the entire region for the next 20 years providing entrepreneurs with a platform to learn, share and exchange their business ideas.” During the closing of the ceremony, Cherif Atia from ‘PT Screen’ expressed his extreme joy for having won 2011’s competition and said, “Thank God – winning first prize at the MIT Enterprise Forum Arab Business Plan Competition is a sign for us that we are going in the right business direction, we would like to thank Abdul Latif Jameel Co. and the organizers for giving us this unique opportunity and putting us in contact with professionals to guide us through how to lead a successful business and take it to the next level.”

Shell Egypt is celebrating 100 years of success at Dusit Thani Shell Egypt chose Dusit Thani LakeView as a witness to celebrate its 100 years of achievements and success. The anniversary gala dinner was held at the LakeView grand ballroom including more than 800 guests as well as high profile figures such as His Excellency Eng. Abdallah Ghorab, Petroleum Minister The super star Amr Diab crowned the celebration with his outstanding performance where the guests enjoyed very much. In the picture Mr. Ahmed el Hady, Hotel Manager welcoming HE Petroleum Minister, Eng Abdullah Ghorab upon his arrival.

EVEnTS

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Planet Spa Opens At Iberotel Aquamarine ResortIberotel Aquamarine Resort has recently opened a unique Spa center – Planet Spa - with a new concept that combines together the ancient Egyptian philosophy of wellness and the modern European techniques of health care. Planet Spa is considered the latest luxury addition to the resort, following its commitment to provide the highest service standards and ultimate rejuvenating experience delivered by the most experienced and skilled staff in the health care. The new spa provides balance for the inner-self through offering an extensive menu of salon and spa services that include facial treatment, massages, body wraps and other well designed treatment programs & is committed to use only natural materials. Iberotel Aquamarine Resort is made for those who want to spoil themselves with the perfect, relaxed, luxurious five-star Egypt holiday. The resort is located on the southern tip of Hurghada with its own private beach and two aqua parks featuring the total of eleven slides and sixteen swimming pools. This impressive complex features six restaurants and five bars offering a wide range of mouth-watering meals and refreshing drinks.

Reebok announces partnership with Samia Allouba At Samia Allouba’s Maadi Branch, Reebok announced the new partnership with Samia Allouba Gym, Dance and Fitness Center. Together they will redefine Fitness throughout the country and will work to incorporate Fitness in everybody’s lifestyle. Ahmed M. Ismail, Ra sport CEO Said « This deal is not only a part of our marketing plan but it is a huge step in our Strategy and mission to sport the Fashion, considering that the Fashion Retail business is off menu business, Meaning that it does not abide by any rule and is a very dynamic and active business, we couldn’t find better partner for Reebok than Samia Allouba.” Karin van Oostrom, Head of Marketing MEA, on visit to Egypt to speak at the press conference, said: “Here in Egypt we found the perfect partner to incorporate Fitness into everybody’s lifestyle. We are particularly proud of the fact that her mission is so closely aligned with our brand, together we will spread health, fitness and wellness across the country to people of all ages. Samia Allouba fits perfectly with Reebok - she’s fun, inspirational and committed to fitness.”Samia Allouba, General Manager, commented: “At our gyms, we always strive to keep a healthy, fun and energizing atmosphere, which is perfectly aligned with Reebok’s aim to making Fitness fun and empowering people to be fit for life.” And what encouraged us more to have this partnership is our members’ good feedback . Samia Allouba currently has 8 branches in Cairo, with up to 4000 members. They offer the most varied Fitness and Dance class program & schedule in Egypt, taught by top notch Group Fitness Instructors, presenting the most up to date, dynamic and internationally known techniques. Kamel Saleh, Brand Manager Reebok, added : Reebok is looking forward to activating this new partnership as we are asking consumers to “Reethink , Reesport and Reejoy” since sport is not just about sweating, but rather sweating , cheering, getting in shape and maintaining a good health. We conveyed this message by communicating with our consumers in a fun fitness

competition at Samia Allouba where winners received a full year membership at Samia Allouba, plus a Reebok Zigtech and Easytone shoes.

FITnESS

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Surrounded by the dramatic view of the Nile River from every corner, at the most prestigious tranquil area in Cairo, where luxury is a lifestyle and hospitality is redefined, Hilton Zamalek Residence Cairo is the perfect place to be for business or pleasure in Cairo.

Located 20 Km from Cairo International airport, a few minutes from the heart of Cairo, Egyptian museum, Cairo tower, the Giza Pyramids & the Sphinx and Khan El Khalily; Hilton Zamalek makes your stay more enjoyable and facilitates your visit to the city of wonders.

The hotel provides 164 newly renovated suites and guest rooms to accommodate all needs - with state of the art amenities, to ensure guests’ maximum comfort. Offering unmatched quality of service and luxury, out of them are 76 renovated suites including:

4 luxurious penthouses; a two story 360 m2 with one master bedroom, 2 bedrooms, a nanny’s quarter, a large comfortable reception area, a dining room, a guest restroom, full kitchen and a large terrace overlooking the Nile on both floors.

28 elegant «Three Bedroom Nile Suites»; 280m2 with one master bedroom, 2 bedrooms, full kitchen, and a large reception area including a dining room with a terrace overlooking the Nile.

44 «Three Bedroom Nile Suites»; 180m2 with 2 bedrooms, full kitchen, a living and dining area with a terrace overlooking the Nile.

As well as 88 guest rooms; 22 “Twin Hilton” Guest Rooms overlooking the city and 22 “King Hilton” Guest Rooms with a spectacular Nile view and 44 “King Hilton Deluxe “Guest Rooms with a large terrace enjoying panoramic view of the Nile.

As for dining and entertainment, the hotel provides a wide range of choices including International, Oriental and Asian cuisine to suit all tastes, complemented with mouth watering home-made bakeries and pastries specially prepared by our talented chefs. All together with a warm welcoming service, it introduces a totally new dining experience.

The Tea Time Lounge is the perfect place for gathering with family or friends. The lounge offers a relaxing and friendly atmosphere where you can enjoy our special beverages and snacks

along with our house music tunes.

To those who favor the warm sun and refreshing Nile breeze along with a nice tan, the Waves Pool provides a relaxing atmosphere on the swimming pool deck with the magnificent view of the Nile while savoring your favorite drinks and snacks, also available a kids pool for our young guests.

Our Health Club & fully equipped fitness center offers our guests a rejuvenating experience. Whether you prefer a steam bath, sauna or a special massage, all you need to stay fit and refreshed is guaranteed during your stay with us.

To our business guests, we offer 3 impressive meeting rooms, fully equipped with the latest state of the art audio and video equipment, to accommodate from 12 up to 60 guests with maximum comfort and convenience.

Hilton Zamalek Residence Cairo promises you a unique experience of hospitality, and an unforgettable stay filled with lots of pleasant memories.

Discover the charm of the city that never sleepsWith the spectacular vieW of the Nile AT HILTOn ZAMALEK RESIDEnCE CAIRO

“Cairo’s best kept secret “

HOTEL

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the monthPicksOf

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN KNUCKLE-DUST-ER LACE-COVERED SATIN BOX CLUTCH

YVES SAINT LAURENT CRYSTAL-EMBELLISHED SATIN CLUTCH

MIU MIU CRYSTAL-HEEL SILK-SATIN SANDALS

DIAMOND BRIDAL WESTERN WEDDING SHOES-1

BRUSHED GOLD AND CHAMPAGNE BRIDAL TIARA

PEARL AND FLOWER BRACELET

BRIAN ATWOOD AURORA EM-BELLISHED SATIN SANDALS

MATTHEW WILLIAMSON STAR DIAMANTé-EMBEL-LISHED HEADBAND

VALENTINO BOW-EMBEL-LISHED SATIN SANDALS

PEARL & CRYSTAL BRIDAL TIARA COMB

LANVAN CRYSTAL DROP EARRINGS

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perfect place to Thesay I DO

As our planet becomes “smaller”, there’s a growing global trend of couples flying their family and friends to celebrate their weddings outside their home towns and countries. Choosing the right spot is never easy. As creating

a magical event that marks your new beginning involves a great deal of work and many important decisions. Magnificent teamed up with Quintessentially to bring to you the answer to your FAq: “Where to find that perfect place to say I DO?”

With international offices in 59 cities (and growing), quintessentially has localized insider information and unmatched expertise in the world of luxury. They have reached across their network and compiled for you some of the world’s most luxurious, magnificent, romantic and magical places to tie the knot.

EGyPT Weddings in EGYPT have become

increasingly lavish and creative; especially this past decade, and with growing number of luxurious spaces, we find ourselves confined by these pages to present you with only the finest choices. Fairy-tale ball by the Pyramids, colourful extravaganza on a Red Sea beach or

a soiree of opulence by the shores of the Nile – here are some of Egypt’s finest locations that will turn your fantasy wedding into one of your most precious memories.

The advent of the Four Seasons’ institution of luxury marked a change in wedding

receptions in Egypt, bringing them to a whole new level of lavishness. The Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in Egypt pride themselves in offering an all-in-one solution rather than just magnificent spaces and sumptuous catering. A Four Seasons on-site expert will work with you or your wedding planner to reserve your dates, plan the schedule of events, coordinate all food and beverage, from menu design to flowers to linens, and assist with other aspects of your wedding experience at the Hotel.

Whether looking to have a small intimate celebration or a stately affair, each of

the Four Seasons properties in Egypt offers several packages to accommodate your exact needs. You can’t be at the Four Seasons and not get pampered, and as for newlyweds they will experience quintessential indulgence with a complimentary night and many great Spa benefits, all part of their wedding package. Each of the four properties can offer you a unique experience; urban elegance at the First Residence, contemporary sophistication at the Nile Plaza, classical glamour at San Stefano and breathtaking beauty in Sharm El Sheikh. Whether you are having a Cairo/Alexandria based wedding or flying to Sharm El Sheikh to

celebrate, trust Four Seasons to simplify the planning and make your wedding day everything you have ever imagined.

One of Cairo’s newest additions and icons of contemporary luxury is the prestigious

Fairmont Nile City, quickly becoming one of most favourite locations for weddings in Cairo. The Fairmont Nile City offers one of the most dramatic views of the Nile, creating an enchanting atmosphere for a wedding beneath the stars; and ballrooms that are transformed to reflect the fantasy of your choice. To ease the pressure and make your big day unforgettable, the Fairmont Nile City also offers the full range of services you may need and in-house consultant to take care of every detail. It is the day you have been waiting for all your life, and the Fairmont Nile City will work their magic for it to be perfect.

While five star hotels have always been the popular choice for weddings in Egypt,

many young couples prefer breaking away from the tradition of luxuriantly decorated ballrooms and take the gala outdoors. Conveniently located on the outskirts of Cairo is one of our top picks for a celebration of nuptials al fresco – Seasons Resort & Country Club. While Seasons remains a private members-only club; for four years now, they have succeeded in delivering to young couples the open air wedding of their dreams. Exquisite arrangements, high quality gourmet offerings and eye to detail, not to mention their flexibility in tailoring all aspects

HOT SPOTS

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of a wedding to reflect the nature of the happy couple – all combined these reasons have secured Seasons Country Club & Resort a top position on our list of favourite place to have a wedding.

The wonderfully temperate weather Egypt is blessed with and the

abundance of fascinating destinations, presenting fabulous locations for out-of-town marriage celebrations could have left us confused for choice; however at last, we have chosen the southern town of El Gouna, hands down.

On the pristine aqua-blue Red Sea coast lays the ideal wedding location simply

waiting to be discovered. Your wedding venue can be anywhere from lavish hotels to beautiful beaches to event private villas and private yacht rentals. Nestled between lagoons and a dramatic desert backdrop, El Gouna provides the perfect place for a one-of-a-kind ceremony setting. The resort town is already known as Egypt’s pinnacle of luxury and beauty. Whether you prefer to say “I do” on the beach or at a choice location with magnificent views of the sea, golf course, or marina; you’re sure to find the perfect setting for your ceremony. El Gouna not only provides pure surroundings, but also the many services needed to make this event happen; the finest of catering and a myriad of cuisines to choose from; superb floral designs delivered to your event; and a selection of beauty salons on hand to create those final beautifying touches. Away from the craziness that is Cairo life, El Gouna is a haven of peace and beauty, ideal for an out-of-town wedding and offers endless possibilities for the honeymoon as well.

El Gouna - bEauty and romancE

classical ElEGancE at Four sEasons san stEFano Plaza - alExandria

Exotic FlowErs addinG Flair at sEasons country club

ballroom in whitE at thE Fairmont nilE city

day timE cElEbrations at sEasons country club

tablE sEttinG at thE Fairmont nilE city

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ARGEnTInA Our first stop is the prominent ranch province

of Buenos Aires – ARGENTINA, where Estan-cia Villa Maria – Equestrian & Golf Estates Resort is found. The six hundred plus hectares that make up this unique ranch include an excep-tional park with a picturesque lake and boasting more than 300 species of plants and trees, all surrounding an historic farmhouse and a mag-nificent rural palace in Tudor- Normand style. The palace and farmhouse now serve as a hotel, combining comfort and excellent service with the authenticity and charm of the traditional estancia (ranch). While the Villa Maria features event and function halls, the perfect spot to say “I Do” is by the lake surrounded by the infinite colours of the nature around you. Estancia Villa Maria witnessed Michael Buble and Luisana Lo-pilato get hitched, amongst many other of the crème de la crème of Argentine society.

BrazilThe nearby vibrant BRAZIL is next on our tour,

where weddings are a sizeable affair, hosting 600 guests is considered an average sized cel-ebration! Some of Brazil’s wealthiest will host weddings in excess of 1,000 guests at their man-sions, while others will take the party to one of

their city’s most outstanding venues.

In São Paulo; Paulistas (people born in São Paulo) enjoy celebrating their weddings in a

few various high end places, which do not nec-essarily differ much. Amongst the most popular São Paulo venues is the Casa Fasano, offering one of most beautiful spaces which can be eas-ily transformed to the theme and setting of the couple’s choice. Over the past few years, the Hotel Unique, the Terrace at Daslu, the Leo-polldo and Sala São Paulo at the Julio Prestes Station have hosted the weddings of some of Brazil’s top movers and shakers.

Similar to Paulistas, the wealthiest Cariocas (people born in Rio de Janeiro) will host

marriage celebrations in the luxury of their mansions, sometimes spending in excess of 1.5 million US Dollars on the special day. When se-lecting a venue in Rio de Janeiro, the gorgeous Fasano Hotel with its amazing view of the Pão de Açucar Peak will always come at the top of the list, while the more traditional families may opt for the classical elegance of the Copaca-bana Palace. Breaking away from the customary five star hotels, Rio de Janeiro’s Modern Art Museum and Parque Lage (home to the school of visual arts – EAV) present Cariocas with exqui-site and unique venues for weddings.

UnITED ARAB EMIRATES Staying in Asia, the UNITED ARAB EMIRATES has

to be on our list of destinations for some of the world’s most remarkable wedding venues. From DUBAI and ABU DHABI, cities that epito-mise luxury and imbue opulence, we bring you some of the most extravagant wedding loca-tions. Since lavishness and indulgence (and sometimes excess) are the benchmark in these two Emirati cities, we have selected some of the classics as well as some new trendy choices.

Burj Al Arab, Dubai’s most memorable landmark, is situated offshore on a man-

made island off the Jumeriah Beach strip. This unique, hotel embellished with bright lights and ostentatious design, is an ideal choice for a couple looking for the grandiose wedding celebration.

The Fairmont Dubai is a luxury resort set in the financial heart of the city. Close to some

of Dubai’s main attractions including the lush golf courses and beaches, and closely linked to Dubai’s International Convention Centre, the Fairmont Dubai offers a wedding experience oozing with class and elegance.

tablE sEttinGs at casa Fasano - sao Paolo - brazil

back yard dEcor oF a brazilian man-sion - crEdit PicturE by cissa samoyia

Estancia Villa maria FacadE, an arGEntinE FairytalE

mansion wEdddinG sEttinG in brazil - crEdit PicturE by lais aGuiar rubEns

indoor GardEn sEttinG at casa Fasano - sao Paolo - brazil - crEdit courtEsy oF casa Fasano

HOT SPOTS

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Fairmont dubai

usa

ABOUT qUInTESSEnTIALLy:Launched in Soho, London in December 2000, quintessentially began life as a luxury concierge service available to its members 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, on hand to assist with any lifestyle requests. Ten years on and quintessentially has expanded into a staggering 56 cities around the world providing an unbeatable global lifestyle management service. From Buenos Aires to Cairo, New Delhi to New York, Moscow to Milan, quintessentially’s global fixers are on hand to provide the ultimate in insider, specialist and localised knowledge. The Quintessentially Group now also encompasses 32 fantastic expert sister businesses which offer a wide range of specialist lifestyle services from access to fine wines, private jets, property and luxury cars, to art collection, bespoke gifting, events planning, design and much more.

With soaring aspirations and more exciting plans to come, quintessentially looks set to continue to expand its horizons and push the boundaries of luxury lifestyle. With an ever increasing little black book of contacts, new sister businesses and more international openings planned, quintessentially’s second decade is sure to exceed its first.

Still in Dubai, the Park Hyatt is situated next to the world famous Dubai Creek Yacht and

Golf Club. This magnificent waterfront icon makes it a stunning surrounding to create your dream wedding, whether you choose the lav-ish formal banquet or just simply an intimate milieu.

Jumeriah Beach Hotel is a spectacular beach resort designed in the shape of “breaking

wave”. Dedicated to ensuring guests with a comfortable experience packed with dynamic facilities including private access to the beach and villas, this hotel makes for a dazzling wed-ding venue.

Emirates Palace is one of the most breathtak-ing landmarks located in the capital Abu

Dhabi, overlooking the magnificent Emirates Marina. Offering a magical journey through endless luxurious surroundings, this venue is the perfect fairytale wedding experience.

The Fairmont Hotel AD is at the beachfront in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s cosmopolitan city.

With facilities overlooking the Abu Dhabi creek, this venue is a prime location to accommodate the ideal wedding with unparalleled luxury.

Our concluding selection from the UAE, takes us away from hotels to the Abu Dhabi

National Exhibition Centre is a stunning new modern and dynamic complex providing spa-cious exhibition halls that can be transformed and catered to fit the perfect venue for your special wedding day.

UnITED STATES To complete our tour, we will have a quick

look at the UNITED STATES and particularly the ever dynamic Big Apple – NEW YORK CITY, to learn more about where the jet setters are saying “I Do”. Some of the city’s most famous landmarks have become the locations of choice for some of New York’s most prominent wed-dings: The New York Botanical Gardens, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Central Park, Grand Central Terminal and The NY Public Library. As far as luxury and uniqueness go, there’s no shortage in this city, so again we had to face the hard choice of selecting our top New York venue nev-ertheless we bring you this unusual hidden gem nestled in the heart of the West Village.

632 onHudson is a venue that radiates history, authenticity, trendiness and class. This 1847

townhouse saw several owners and functions, until it was bought in 1992, restored and trans-formed into spectacular space it is today. The grandiose, elaborate European design details are combined with today’s state of the art technology, setting 632 onHudson is category of its own. The “unique downtown venue” has re-cently expanded by launching 632below, on the ground floor offering yet another lovely spot for an intimate marriage celebration.

JumEirah bEach hotEl - dubai ExtErior

632 onhudson

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Luxury HoneyMoon

HideAwAysYou’ve chosen the dress, deliberated over the venue and even decided upon the centre pieces, but wait, what about the piece de resistance – the honeymoon – the holy grail of celebrating your wedding? This is your once-in-a-lifetime chance for a romantic getaway where indulging and whiling away the day in utmost luxury with your loved one is a guilt-free right! But it has to be perfect…Worry not! Magnificent in cooperation with quintessentially Travel – the masters of travel couture – bring to you a treasure trove of exciting honeymoon hideaways all of which are guaranteed to offer the perfect respite for some devotion to pleasure and goodness with your hubby.

GASTROnOMIC GETAWAySFor many, there can be nothing more romantic than an African safari. Join Chef Bruce Robertson, a former Head Chef of Singita Boulders Lodge and an award-winning Restaurateur, on a Culinary Safari of note. A journey of discovery, of food wonders and a rare opportunity to absorb the warmth of the African bush in the hands of a true culinary guru. Exclusive to Singita Sweni Lodge, Chef Bruce’s

delightful Gourmet Safaris are unique to Africa continent. A five day and four night experience filled with intrigue, warmth, romance and laughter at the edge of the boma fire. The idea of a gastronomical adventure in South Africa’s Kruger National Park is bound to fill some with trepidation, but any fears that the experience includes rhino-wrestling or taking aim at elephants should prove unfounded. Instead, Singita Sweni Lodge’s Gourmet Safari is a four-night culinary thriller, set in a secluded riverside lodge that peers out over the majesty of the African plains. Robertson, known

locally as the ‘afro-gastronaut’ for his vibrant personal style and his penchant for pushing the boundaries of conventional food preparation. Accompanied by Robertson, you’ll spend the day on ‘bubbly’ tastings, eating ‘walking with lions & herbs’ picnic breakfasts and watching cooking demonstrations. By night, it’s Boma drumming under the peerless African skies and a ‘sosaties and stars’ bush dinner washed down with some of the country’s most sought-after bottles of private reserve. As fine dining experiences go, it doesn’t get much more daring – or delicious – than this.

WEDDIn G

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ACTIVE ADVEnTURES: BECOME A COWBOy / COWGIRL In MOnTAnARanch at Rock Creek in Montana would be a fabulous option. This place is incredible and has hundreds of activities like horseback riding, shooting, fly fishing, ATV’s, rafting (close by), hiking, mountain biking, archery, sporting clay, paint ball, etc. Southeast of Missoula, it is the latest and most exciting experiential resort to have arrived in Montana.The luxury guest ranch brings together upscale facilities and wide open spaces, amongst 10 square miles of rugged Montana ranchland just outside Philipsburg. It also offers outstanding cuisine and a full-service spa. Couples will discover the ranch is the incomparable to any other ranch vacation, as it offers the feel of the ‘true West’ without sacrificing true comfort. The ranch offers guests an unparalleled luxury escape, while also providing an authentic Montana ranch experience. The recreational opportunities are limitless as are the accommodation types which range from rustic lodge accommodation to half cabin/half tent accommodation with private hot tubs. The property itself has been a working ranch for 120 years, yet it holds all the modern comforts you could ask for: a full-service spa, saloon, high-end ranch-style cooking, four-lane bowling alley; and for those who love the great outdoors, there is: fly-fishing, archery, paint-balling, rafting, riding, kayaking, tubing or hunting to name but a few.

HEDOnISTIC HIDEAWAy: EnJOy MAGICAL nIGHTS In MIAMI & CARIBBEAnMiami, gateway to the Caribbean and full of excitement, music and night life. This is where you start your honeymoon. After the buildup and excitement of your wedding, now is the time to let your hair down and relax. And Miami is just the place.

Starting at the beautiful Setai hotel in South Beach for 3 nights. This intimate and serene hotel sits right onto the famous Miami Beach. Comprising of an Art Deco building and the new glass edifice of the Tower, this all-suite property gives the guest an opportunity to experience

either, but with the same dedication to service you would expect. Dining is at a choice of four venues, starting with the more relaxed grill area to the creative cuisine or the Restaurant. Stroll out in the evening along the recently-developed boardwalk, or to Lincoln Road where you will find every type of restaurant you could wish for. By day, venture into the Everglades National Park to feed the alligators, and skim the swamps on an airboat ride complete with ranger. Miami has so much to offer!

After Miami, we will take you to Parrot Cay; a private island where getting away from it all is the name of the game. 1000 unspoilt acres, including a mile-long powdered beach with understated style, cosseting service and smiling staff are waiting for your arrival.

For 7 nights, enjoy the award winning holistic spa, health-giving cuisine and beach houses with private pools. At Parrot Cay, the soul is unique with space to rediscover those forgotten rhythms of long days and easy nights. You can go for a Garden View Room or the Sanctuary. Infact many of the properties in Parrott Cay Escapes belong to private owners, and the Sanctuary is just one of them belonging to American designer Donna Karan. This is a private paradise, and as such is not teaming with activities; however, the diving there is exceptional. You can go bone fishing, windsurfing or catamaran sailing. There are Yoga Retreats, beach drop-offs, private cruises, or exploration trails by bike or kayak. Resort offers a choice of dining options: Asian Fusion in the Lotus, Mediterranean in the Terrace and of course in-room dining.

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An ARTISIAn AFFAIRFor the Francophile, here is the chance to indulge in the most chic of cities, Paris, before heading into the stunningly beautiful and calming countryside of Beaujolais and the Chateau de Bagnols. We suggest Paris first with 3 nights spent at the luxury Le Meurice, set opposite and with wonderful views of the Tuillerie Gardens, and between the Place de la Concord, Musee de Louvre and the Rur Saint-Honore. Le Meurice is the perfect place to start your romantic honeymoon; a fabulous setting, fine dining, and superb location! For those that wish to venture out in the evening, there are the traditional venues such as the Crazy Horse and the Lido, or simply take a stroll along the Seine to soak up this cosmopolitan atmosphere,

stopping along the way as the Parisians do for a coffee or liquor.Then it’s on to the second part of your journey. Set amidst vineyards, forests and the lush green countryside of Beaujolais, is The Chateau de Bagnols. Entrance to the Chateau is across a drawbridge where you will be greeted by impressive towers, honey-coloured stone and your home for the next few days. Enjoy strolls in the beautiful gardens, eat dinner on the terrace under 100 year old lime trees, or venture into nearby Lyon, Perouge or Oingt and maybe find a little souvenir of your stay at one of the many artisan or antique shops.After you have had a chance to relax and unwind why not enjoy a second wonderful week in the heart of rural France with the inspiring sculptor and artist ‘Babette’. Various experiences’ are on offer from sculpting

enabling couples to work together, learning new art skills or even unlocking their hidden art talents. Couples can explore local sites of architectural and artistic interest, and take part in various stimulating activities including creative writing, meditation and pottery. Couples will spend the majority of their time on location with Babette, hidden away in the countryside or with forest surroundings. They will stay in a stunning and luxurious chateu hotel where they will indulge in the finest quality foods and drinks. Babette leaves every guest with invaluable theory in basic sculpture, as well as offering painting and drawing classes in a variety of subjects, ranging from traditional to contemporary methods, working from live models, landscape or skyscape, and figurative to abstract

ROBInSOn-CRUSOE ROMAnCEAmanpulo is a private island (known as Pamalican). Tourism has scarcely touched the islands in this area, so paradise is truly at your fingertips. Amanpulo (meaning peaceful island) is surrounded by white-sand beaches, turquoise waters and seven kilometres of coral reef. Beyond are sandbanks and a channel where whales, dolphins and sea cows have been glimpsed. The coral island’s attraction lies in the pristine beauty of its environment and its complete exclusivity. Guests are greeted in Manila and flown by a 19-seat twin-engine plane, landing on the island’s private airstrip. With views of the ocean and surrounding islands, there is nothing on Pamalican but the resort of Amanpulo, its 40 casitas and 11 villas.Here natural is as it was meant to be seen. Take pleasure in wild and beautiful. Stargaze. Dive with dolphins, And admire the local flora or fauna. There are nature walks and water sports but throughout, the tranquillity will disarm you and total relaxation will set in. There are choices in dining, from Pizza to private-in-suite dining. All designed to temp and entice. This is a truly magical location just perfect after your truly magical day.

HOT SPOTS

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An ALMIGHTy GLOBAL ADVEnTUREJourneying to the most awe-inspiring and spectacular natural wonders known to man, the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, you will both enjoy a honeymoon that celebrates the world’s timeless and enchanting beauty. These remarkable locations and experiences offer a lifetime experience – a truly memorable journey that you can share together. You will visit seven fascinating and contrasting destinations across the world all linked by military-precision logistics, travelling in absolute luxury by private jet throughout. With exclusive accommodation specially selected to enrich the timeless and enchanting theme of your honeymoon and exceptional servicing with celebrated chefs and attentive butlers to ensure you are re-invigorated with every stop on your journey. You will enjoy private experiences, activities and entertainment arranged exclusively along with plenty of time to yourselves to relax and take in your awe-inspiring surrounds and experiences. You’ll fly to the Arctic North of Sweden to see the spectacular natural phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis; then fly onto Zambia in Africa for a private viewing of the magnificent Victoria Falls. Travelling to Asia, you’ll fly over Mount Everest and visit the behemoth from the ground. Next you’ll fly on to northern queensland in Australia, to see the world’s largest reef and discover it’s beauty and biodiversity; before a flight over the Pacific (with optional stops to discover South Pacific treasures like Fiji and Bora Bora in French Polynesia) before arriving in Las Vegas, where you’ll transfer to a private flight to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the majestic Grand Canyon. Then it’s down to Mexico, to see the remote and fascinating Paricutin Volcano. The final leg is down to Brazil’s dazzling Rio de Janeiro for spectacular finale celebrations. Private aviation throughout, exquisite accommodation, linked by military-precision logistics, all perfectly managed. All your experiences arranged exclusively, with exceptional service, including the world’s finest cuisines offered by celebrated chefs in the most romantic and private locations. All coordinated by your specialist guide who will professionally photograph the entire experience for you.

About quintessentially Travelquintessentially Travel is a bespoke luxury travel company and sister company of quintessentially – the leading global private members’ club and luxury lifestyle group. As a high-end provider of lifestyle travel worldwide, quintessentially Travel –a service available to both the discerning general public and quintessentially members- will advise on and help create tailor-made itineraries the world-over. quintessentially Travel specialises in creating unforgettable tailor-made itineraries to the globe’s most glamorous, sought-after and remote destinations; organising everything from flights, transfers, hotels and villas to private jets, yachts, private tours and drawing on quintessentially’s expertise «access to the inaccessible.» quintessentially Travel provides access to the most elegant and elite properties, whilst offering value-for-money and unique travel experiences, with a service and benefits package unrivalled in the luxury travel market. Whether it is a bespoke, experiential trip in the far-flung lands of China, dining on an iceberg in New Zealand, impersonating James Bond by heli-skiing in Switzerland, organising a private island soiree at the <application only’ property in Fiji, to trailing the Gorillas in Uganda with a National Geographic presenter, we’ve got it covered and more. www.quintessentiallyTravel.com

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Mirror Mirror on the wall…Who’s most extravagant of

them all..by: zahra El sherbini

Although we try hard to earn the ‘most extravagant’ title on our very special day, we hardly ever make it to REAL extravagance, and in the case of the most extravagant dresses in the world, we’re never even close. Still, it is always a pleasure to linger close to true extravagance and retrieve it at its finest definition.. Here are the most extravagant wedding gowns of all times with price tags that surely categorize them as mere fantasies.

yUMI KATSURA’S WEDDInG GOWnPrice: $8millionThis gown was revealed to the whole world in February 2009 by one of the most famous Japanese bridal designers Yumi Kastura. It is adorned by 1000 pearls and also features a 5 carat white gold diamond, which happens to be one of the two 5 carat white gold diamonds in the whole world. It also features one 8.8 carat green diamond and zari embroidery stitched onto silk and satin. The color combination, the style and shape of this gown are simply superb!

KHAnCHAn COUTURE’S WEDDInG GOWnPrice: $130,000This 40 pound wedding dress, also known as ‘Hong Kong’s Gem Miracle’ was designed by a well-known jewelry designer in Honk Kong. The gown is encrusted with 9,999 carat gem and is displayed in a jewelry store in China. The exquisite detail here is that the gown was painstakingly handmade and each jewel was attached piece by piece with great care.

THE PEACOCK FEATHER WEDDInG GOWn Price: $1.5 millionThis masterpiece was unveiled at a recent wedding expo in China, this million dollar creation is made from 2009 peacock tail feathers and deco-rated with sixty Haitian jade stones! The design team took over 2 months to complete this peacock-inspired and truly unique wedding garment.

PRInCESS DIAnA’S WEDDInG GOWnPrice: $14,467Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles on July 29, 1981, and bridal fashion was never quite the same again. Princess Diana’s wedding gown is, without a doubt, one of the most well-known and widely-viewed gowns until today. Designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, this magnificent gown is made from ivory silk with an almost eight meters long veil. The narrow bodice was set with valuable lace. The sleeves were opulently gathered up and embellished with little ribbons. Its 25-foot train is crafted from antique lace, ivory silk taffeta, and over ten thousand pearls and sequins. The fabric for the gown is hand-woven and the lace is sewn with gold thread!

JOIE DE VIVRE

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CATHERInE ZETA-JOnES’S WEDDInG GOWnPrice: $200,000In November 2000 Catherine Zeta Jones, the bride that day, wore an ivory-beaded satin sheath gown by Christian Lacroix with a Chant-illy lace train and a low-cut bodice. The dress, with its 6-foot train, was greatly admired by the hundreds of guests who attended the $1.5 mil-lion event including the ever so gleaming groom Douglas.

IMPERIAL PEARL SynDICATE’S WEDDInG GOWnPrice: $100,0001950′s most expensive gown is made of 100, 000 cultured pearls and is owned by the Imperial Pearl Syndicate. The gown weighs approximately 27 pounds, but all the celebrities who have modeled it so far, including Gloria Swanson, Diana Lynn, Nina Foch and others, declared that just after half an hour, the dress seemed to weigh much more than that. Its simplicity of design surely adds to the bling. Over a strapless white satin and silk net gown is a ballerina skirt of pearls which has a satin sash and permanently pleated ruffle extending down each side. At that time, it was valued at $100 000.

COSMInA EnGLIZIAn’S WEDDInG GOWnPrice: $40,000With exactly 43,008 hand-sewn Swarovsky crystals and pearls, the 26.45 pound sparkling wedding gown -designed by Romanian designer; Cosmina Englizian- hit the Guinness Book of World Records in as the wedding gown with the most crystals attached to it. It was showcased to the public on March 24, 2004 in a wonderful event in Bucharest, Romania, organized by E-Mariage.

GRACE KELLy’S WEDDInG GOWnPrice: UnknownWhen Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier in 1956, she wore a Helen Rose design that was made with 100 yards of silk net and 25 yards of silk taffeta. Widely regarded as one of the loveliest gowns ever, it featured a fitted bodice, round collar, and full skirt, designed using century-old lace and peau de soie fabric. The interesting resemblance is that Kate Middleton’s wedding dress echoed the very same gown of Grace Kelly. Both Middleton and Kelly wore dramatic gowns with similar V-shaped necklines and long white lace sleeves.

REnEE STRAUSS’S WEDDInG GOWnPrice: $12 millionThis Diamond Wedding Dress is the most expensive gown in the world. The majestic piece was designed when designer Renee Strauss joined hands with Martin Katz Jewelers and etched her way into history to create this wedding dress. The spectacular thing about this very gown is that it is studded with 150 carats of diamonds laced throughout the dress. It was revealed to the public at the premier Luxury Brands Lifestyle Bridal show in February of 2006. Model Lisa Harrington was chosen to flaunt the most expensive wedding gown in the world.

MAURO ADAMI’S WEDDInG GOWnPrice: $240,000This is not a just of piece of fabric but a platinum wedding dress featured in Lon-don as part of the Hatton Garden Jewelry Week. It was designed by Italian designer Mauro Adami who is one of the most lead-ing designers of Domo Adam. This dress is designed with a 40 meter of fabric sewn with platinum and silk thread so this is not just a wedding dress but a piece of style and uniqueness defining pure basic luxury.

MELAnIA KnAUSS’S WEDDInG GOWnPrice: $200,000In 2005, Melania Knauss wore a 50lbs wedding gown encrusted in 1,500 pearls and crystal rhinestones as she walked down Palm Beach to be mar-ried to the multi-million dollar Donald Trump. This extravagant gown was created by the famous designer John Galliano.

Page 42: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011

by ola Ghaballah

When thinking of weddings, what always come to mind are the white elegant dress, exquisite bouquet, bridal veil, wedding cake and even the groom’s tuxedo. But do Ms. Bride or Mr. Groom or even bridesmaids and best men know the legacy behind all these? Why doesn’t the bride dress in a colorful cocktail dress? Where do all these traditions and beliefs concerning wedding come from? Let’s refresh some memories and open some bride albums and we will get to know all the magical and exciting truth behind it all.

rules and their rootsWeddingWeddingJOIE DE VIVRE

Page 43: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011

The Theory Behind The Ring:This celebrated ring can be traced back to the Anglo Saxon history, when the gift of a ring became a token of promised love. The ring always takes a circular shape as a symbol of eternal adore. As to choosing the fourth finger of the left hand, the tradition is based on a Grecian fable that the artery from this very finger flows directly to the heart!

The Bride…The Groom:Do you know that the word “bride” originates from old English for “cook”, while the word “groom” is derived from old English for «male child»… Right on!!

The White Wedding Dress:It dates back to Queen Victoria who wore a white dress in her wedding instead of a “silver one”. And since “white” symbolizes purity, protection, and valuable treasure, the white dress became a symbol of all these things, and a symbol of the bride-to-be’s innocence. It was thought that the white wedding gowns keep omens and evil spirits away and bring good luck to the bride.

The Bridal Veil:It is a bit weird, but the bridal veil was there to prevent the groom from seeing his bride. Yes!! That’s true! The newlyweds very rarely were allowed to see one another, not because she may feel shy but, surprisingly, in fear of being ugly..Boo!! Yes, families of brides were afraid that if the groom didn’t like the appearance of the bride’s face, he might refuse to marry her.

The Tuxedo:Mmm why especially tuxedo? It is said that President Teddy Roosevelt popularized the modern tuxedo. But until the 20th century, the groom simply wore his «Sunday best» on his wedding day.

The Bridal Bouquet:It was believed that it keeps the evil spirits from getting close to the bride. In Greek and Roman times, they used to put different kinds of herbs which the bride wore in her hair. In Victorian times, the flowers in a bride’s bouquet carried messages, because each flower had its own special meaning.

The Wedding Cake:During the Roman times wedding cakes were baked of wheat or barley. At the reception, they were traditionally broken over the head

of the new Bride by the Groom as a symbol of her fertility. Guests would then scramble for

pieces of the cake, and take them home for good luck. Thank God it’s not done anymore…or it will be a hilarious wedding. Yucky.

The Saying:We all know the custom for the bride to have on her wedding «Something old, something new, something borrowed something blue,

and a lucky sixpence in her shoe.» This is the most familiar of wedding-related sayings that dates back to Victorian times. So let’s decipher the code:«Something Old» symbolizes the connection the bride will maintain with her family and the past. Many brides choose to wear an heirloom piece of family jewelry or the wedding gown

belonging to a mother or grandmother.«Something new» connotes good fortune and success in the bride’s new life. The wedding dress is most often the chosen new item. «Something Borrowed» serves to remind the bride that friends and family

will be there for her whenever she may need their assistance or support. The borrowed object can be anything from an antique, handkerchief to an item of jewelry or a handbag. «Something Blue» denotes faithfulness and loyalty. The symbolism dates back to biblical times when blue represented purity and constancy. Brides often choose to wear blue garters to keep with this tradition. Sometimes, blue ribbons in the hair are an option to symbolize fidelity. «A Silver Sixpence in her Shoe» represents the wishes of loved ones to the bride, in the hope that she will have both financial security and happiness.

The Wedding Guest Book: It was once a necessity. In days of old, everyone who attended a wedding was considered a witness and was required to sign the marriage document.

The Custom of “First Dance”: This one harkens back to ancient times when the «Bride Kidnapper», namely the groom, would show off his «hunting» skills by parading

his «stolen» bride around in front of his warrior friends. So that they could see how well he had done. It was time to show off.

The Reception:It originated in France and is based on an old custom known as a «charivari» (shiff-a-ree). Traditionally, friends would figure out where the newlyweds were spending their wedding night. They would gather under their window to sing, blow horns, and make as much noise as possible to keep the couple awake.

The Bridesmaids and Ushers: It was believed in the Roman times that fool evil spirits who, supposedly, were in attendance at marriages aimed at causing mischief and disharmony. Therefore, bridesmaids and ushers were instructed to dress identically to the

bride and groom to confuse the evil spirits who presumably would then be unable to recognize the one really getting married.

Carrying The Bride Over The ThresholdWhen a groom used to steal his bride from her tribe, he was forced to carry her all over kicking and screaming. This act of thievery has evolved into a more romantic gesture; welcoming the Bride into her new home.

Bridal Shower: It has a unique and romantic story behind it. As it is said that a poor Dutchman fell in love with a girl whose father refused her a dowry. Their friends showered the couple with enough gifts to help them start a household. That’s why friends are there for you!

Tossing RiceBy believing that newlyweds brought good luck, guests used to shower them with nuts and grains to insure a bountiful harvest, and many children to work the land. During years of a poor harvest, rice was tossed instead. I think we have to toss nuts again, delicious!…

Honeymoon: It was based in Babylonia about 4,000 years ago. Tradition held that the bride’s father would supply his new son-in-law with all the mead (honey beer/wine) that the young man could drink. Their calendar was lunar-based, and as it turned out, this tradition called the «honey month» was just about the time it took the groom to consume his gift.

Now you know all about it so choose what suits you and don’t just imitate…Congratulations dear prince & princess…aha..Hurry up and start getting ready….and let’s sing “nothing compares 2 you”

Page 44: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011

bizarrE wEddinG costums!!World’s most

KIDnAPPInG THE BRIDE:Don’t panic for it’s a German tradition and not a crime of passion. The ritual is that some friends kidnap the bride and ask the groom to go look for her everywhere. The groom, accompanied by his cronies, has to start looking in local pubs and outings. Sometimes, the gang resort to buying people drinks so that they join them looking for the “kidnapped” bride. This tradition is meant to show the strength of the groom and the love he has for his future wife .Even so, this practice is widely known to end badly. At times, it could end up so traumatically to the extent of death!!

FAIRy THIEVES: A strange-romantic Irish wedding custom which examines the groom’s capability to maintain his beloved ‘bride’. The tradition recommends that when the couple dances at their wedding reception, the groom’s feet must stay on the floor. Otherwise, the fairies –usually the bride’s female friends dressed like fairies- would grab the bride and carry her off the wedding. Actually, this stands for a kind of punishment for the groom, whom is believed by the fairies to be unworthy of the lovely lady and for being unsteady in his love and unreliable too. Poor groom, he’ll have to run fast after the fairies to get his future wife back!!!

BLACKEnInG THE BRIDE:

Actually, this is an old Scottish tradition that is considered hilarious for the attendance and gross for the groom. It’s when family and friends gather and start throwing cruddy things on the bride; things like eggs, fish, mud, feathers, rotten tomatoes, smelly substances, etc; till she becomes covered cap-a-pie with all kinds of shit!! So, if you have some rotten food in your kitchen, expired goods or even waste… just get ready to let go. What makes things even worse for the bride is that she might be dragged around town for everyone to see. As a matter of fact, this mortifying ritual is supposed to help the bride deal with the forthcoming difficulties of marriage since nothing, no matter how tough, could be crueler than getting blackened!!

CHICKEn KILLERS:Don’t worry, we’re still tackling the world’s oddest wedding costums but maybe we should add the word ‘darkest’ considering this very tradition!! It is said that the Daur people, who live in a region called the Heilongjiang Province in Chinese Inner Mongolia, assign the wedding date by slaughtering a baby chicken!!! I know it sounds horrible..but wait, there’s more! After slaughtering the miserable little chicken, the bride grabs the guts from the inside of its stomach and examines its liver. If the liver is good, they set the wedding date at once and if not …hmm, chill out, for they continue slaughtering chickens until they find one with a sound liver!!!

STEALInG THE GROOM’S SHOES: Now, let go of the gloomy mood and get prepared for some stink. In some regions in India, right before heading for the altar, the groom has to take his shoes off. Simultaneously, some of the members of the bride’s family try to hook his shoes. On the other hand, the groom’s family does whatever it takes to protect the shoes. In fact, the two parties can really go beyond imagination just to seize them. Well, the difficulty is in case of stealing the significant shoes, the groom will have to pay any sum of money asked to get his shoes back!!! A little hint for our dear Indian groom: If I were in your ‘shoes’, I’d probably wear

the cheapest, stinkiest, and most repulsive shoes ever or I’d simply attend the wedding barefoot!!

By Manal Mandour

JOIE DE VIVRE

Page 45: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011
Page 46: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011

4 wEEks EarliErHaving your wedding in a month and feeling totally lost in the huge amount of paperwork required?! Getting tired of moving and buying furniture not having time to even breathe?! Feeling unspeakably overwhelmed with the emotional turbulence in your life? your future wife is driving you crazy with all such freaking out? Well, here is the deal: For the 4 weeks before your big night; this is your road map to it. Eleven hints for activities often overlooked by men during that busy time of their lives. I know you don’t need MORE chores, but just try these easy but effective ones. They are worth the time, trust me on that..So let’s start!

by khaled salem

11 oVErlookEd actiVitiEs bEForE your wEddinG niGht

by mostafa El borad

A MACHO THInG

Page 47: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011

1- Communication: Extending out the bridges of communication with your spouse is one of the most important things to take care of in the weeks before your big day. A heart-felt conversation discussing your worries about the huge step you both are about to take is just fundamental. Such time is also perfect for some friction between you and her family and vice-versa. You need to be extra vigilant at this stage to capture the small signals and hints on how to deal with your future in-laws and where to set the lines. Get a list of all her likes and dislikes (food, music, movies, colors, etc) and allergies and use it in the future to create hopefully pleasant surprises.

2-Honeymoon plans:Planning your honeymoon isn’t like planning a holiday. It doesn’t stop at booking a place where you young love-birds can have fun. Adding some spice to your honeymoon preparations is critical -wait before you complain about how long it took you already to book that place! I am talking here about very simple but thoughtful gestures that will last for years; plan a delivery of her favorite flowers, share some adventurous activity together, play some of her favorite music at a small private dinner that you planned in your suite or outdoors. You get the drill?! Be as creative as you can and try your best to create memories. Plan ahead and then witness the magic happening. And make sure that the honeymoon does end in a special way so that it would be well-remembered in future. Ending it badly no matter how the whole thing went is a total NO! Remember how women’s brain work? Me neither.

3-The Looks: Well, you already know that. Get a good hair cut, beard trim with some good hair removal and while you’re at it go for the facial skin care. It is painful and if you are a “macho”, it will be humiliating as well; but you will see the difference. Want to take it further? Do it twice, first 3 weeks earlier and then one day before the ceremony. Some guys would try and work on a tan as well, if it’s summertime, maybe you can go for it.

4- wardrobe: This step varies a lot among different individuals. But generally, you can start by re-organizing your old wardrobe. Get rid of outdated and unnecessary items and make a list of what you plan to replace. Normally, you will need to move to more subtle outfits giving you the fine, active yet prestigious look. Opt for polo shirts, linen shirts and trousers. You can invite your sweet half to choose for you some new ties and a few suits. If you don’t have some of those for your type of career, you will need

them for the social gatherings and events you will be attending as a married man. Also a new set of underwear is a must, you probably knew that already.

5-THe ArTs: Well, this is a rising trend in Egypt. Couples attend some exotic dancing class; a Tango or a Salsa one. This is such an amazing activity that you can share with your bride-to-be. It enhances the communication, is very fun and eases stress. It’s also a very intimate means to spice things up. You can even go alone and learn the moves and impress your lady on the wedding night with your skills on the dance floor (impress not embarrass, of course!). If you are into music, you can attend few concerts together and get acquainted with her music taste. You can always follow our Magnificent Media section for news about the music and arts scene in Egypt. There is always something interesting to go to and it is a change from the café/restaurant setting.

6-diet & Lifestyle: As with all our hints, you can do this one on your own or with your other half. You have to lose those extra kilos in the month before the wedding; a very easy job with some exercise and determination. You are going through a life-changing event; so you can try to quit smoking if you are a smoker. It is better for your health and love life. Start enjoying healthier food and way of life; e.g. apply for gym membership. The rule of thumb here is that what you develop as a habit in such period can be part of your lifestyle forever, try to break that ‘Kersh’ stereotype of married men. You can also try something like practicing a sport together, something like cycling, jogging, or squash. Sharing an activity is very constructive for a relationship especially when it becomes a habit. Needless to say, sports will keep you both in good shape and health.

7-The Past: Make sure you have absolutely no feelings to anyone in your past, or anything that might contradict with your new status as a married person. Throw away all your old ‘emotional’ baggage, you are going to commit to that woman and she deserves your complete and absolute love. If you still have something for someone else, then maybe you should stop reading this article straight away.

8-Medical CheckupThis part can be overlooked most of the time, but before getting married you must go for a pre-marital lab checkup. Consult a doctor; he will guide you through some simple tests: a general checkup and a contraception walkthrough with your future wife. This is a not-so-pleasant step but your body has a right on you.

9- Car: If you drive around a car like mine, then you

MUST visit a mechanic before getting married. Being stuck with your Mrs. on the 6th of October Bridge because your radiator broke down isn’t a pleasant experience. Get your mechanics working; tires, electricity and air-conditioning and all the usual suspects. Consider maybe a new interior or sound system? Make a bunch of CDs of your and her favorite music for the car rides.

10-nights

out with the guys, In the middle of all that, don’t forget to spend some time with the guys; your workmates and old college and schoolmates. Get all the boyish and mannish instincts out. Go for ahwa baladi, a PlayStation game or travel to Sokhna ..any activity to set yourself free from all the marriage hassle. We men must have our free-time, so we can function properly, you know!

11-Advice: Seek advice from married friends (successfully-married ones of course), older people, and your parents.

Try and get some insider secrets about the mysterious art of marriage. How to overcome the usual downsides and how to embrace and appreciate the highs! You might think you will be handling this well, but it is always very important to get advice. Bro, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel

Page 48: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011

a Macho thing

A MACHo’s REFLECTIOnS

oN TyInGTHE KnOT!

by mostfa El borady

Page 49: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011

The one question that was forcing itself over and over in my brain throughout the whole process is “Why marriage is such a long hard process?” It’s just two people

getting together. They want to be together. “Most” people around them want them to be together. Even god himself wants them to be together. All the parties concerned are just to encourage and motivate the process. However, it’s never an easy one. It’s full of obstacles and problems. Money must be paid at every small step. I even thought that Facebook might charge me for changing my marital status from “engaged” to “married”. Both parties, however, keep pushing and struggling till the “dream” or “objective” -depending on who is saying it, a man or woman- comes true.

At the beginning of the engagement, mostly everything is cool. People congratulate you, wishing you a happy life… etc. then man finds himself drowning in the apartment work. One of the things that made me frightened from graduation from university was the endless of choices I’ll have in life. You don’t have many choices at school or college, just regular small number of choices. then you graduate to find an endless amount of choices ahead. Where will you work? When to leave your job? Which job to choose (if you had two offers at the same time)? How to prepare and furnish your apartment has an enormous number of choices, a huge net of colors and styles for every single item. You mostly start with the wall colors. I was going to paint the whole apartment in white, but my wife (fiancée at that time) wanted to add colors. So we opted for many bold colors, and I mean bold colors. We didn’t wanna spend much on decoration, but we wanted to make something remarkable out of our place, so we focused on playing with colors.

“Ergonomics” is a science that’s concerned with studying the efficiency of work environment. As an engineer, I couldn’t let the colors issue go easily. Even though man ends up spending -assuming that you won’t go out- only 3 or 4 hours at home (you sleep for 8 hours, work about 10 hours, drive from/to work about 3 hours). But in these 4 hours you need to be at the most comfortable potential. So I went online and studied the effect of colors on the human mentality. I selected colors and their places depending upon their impacts. For example, we chose purple for the reception area (different grades) as purple is a profound color; it’s called “kings’ color”. It has a spiritual effect. And it also raises

the creativity and balance the intensity of red and calmness of blue. It’s a color that motivates people to act while still relieving enough. So we thought it’ll be the best for the reception where we receive guests (we were about to choose red as it raises blood pressure and has a hyper effect but we liked purple better…actually my wife liked purple better ) We added some silver to cheer things up a little. We had the living room painted in green (totally in green, even the sealing, which was my idea) as green is very comforting for the eye and the most soothing color.-even though my wife didn’t like the “sealing in green” thing. But 7anafy didn’t let his word down this time.

For the kitchen, I was convinced that she should be the one choosing it as she will be mostly the one using it (even if this usage consists basically of heating ordered food in microwave). And as people spend about 25 minutes only in the bathroom a day; I didn’t trouble my self much of choosing its stuff, however, I found my self forced to interfere to make a decision. It’s really hard for women to take a decision sometimes! This was the same role I had in choosing the furniture; interfering to make a choice, so we can settle down on something and go for the next step. Sometimes I didn’t really see the differences or even care. I just wanted this process to end.

As the wedding comes closer, time gets tighter and things turn crazy, and man hardly finds time to eat or sleep. The comforting thing, however, is that now fiancée is engaged as well in buying all the things that she mostly will not use; fancy cups and plates, fancy forks, knifes and spoons, things only brought to host guests within the first two weeks of marriage and otherwise they are forbidden to be touched. No need to mention vases, crystals and all of these unnecessary knick-knacks that turn an apartment into either a home or a gallery depending on your wife’s taste. But I got excited because now she has more things to do than mine and she stopped blaming me for not going out and living the engagement period as we should (evil smile).

It’s the big day now. Do we have everything we need at our new home? Of course not! We are still missing a lot. But the most important stuff is there (bedroom, bathroom and kitchen). Knowing that we won’t need to use a furnace for at least the first 2 weeks after honeymoon, and that the washing machine isn’t that essential as you can always do laundry at your parent’s house! Men usually accept such kind of situation with calm nerves Women on the other side lose temper and just panic. My bride-to-be used to call and shout at me all the stuff we didn’t do. I used to calm her down or scream back and it passes. I wasn’t even tense on the wedding day. I don’t think men gets tense, or maybe they do it because it’s what everybody expects them

to be. For me, I was so cool..and my wife wasn’t at all. She was too overwrought, the makeup, hair stylist, wedding flowers, etc. Finally, we made it to the wedding and then to the hotel.

The moment we arrived there was a moment of relief, even though the night was happy, really happy. Suddenly all the loud music, all the laughter, all the crowed are gone to leave you in a peaceful silence with the one person for whom you went through all this. We spend the first two nights in a hotel; so we didn’t get the impression of a “home”. Small difference began to appear. Minor things you may think, but somehow it caused long discussions. Most of our conflicts were about trivial stuff that we took for granted. Every day we had extended arguments about using neon lamps or normal lamps. I can’t read in usual lamps while she can’t bear neon ones. I like the mattress hard and she likes it soft. Tons of small unnoticed differences because you think everybody is like you and you get surprised that people are different. Throwing your cloths over the bed becomes no option anymore.

After one month of marriage, I think it is all about dedicating some time to share your partner in activities. I had to cut some of my “PlayStation” time” to go shopping with her. Needless to say that shopping is certainly a hobby for ladies. They don’t shop because they need to buy certain material. Shopping to girls is like crying to babies. When the baby is hungry, he cries; when he wets himself, he cries; when he wants attention, he cries; when he wants to be carried, he cries, briefly, he cries almost all the time. The same with girls but the difference is that crying is free of charge. She also did her part and surprisingly, she liked PlayStation! Sometimes, you get amazed by the things you may like, I liked shopping myself, at least the first 2 hours of it.

My life after marriage isn’t much different from before. A new aspect of the relationship was built, but it didn’t cancel the old aspects. We were friends; we still act as friends in certain issues. I still do most of the activities that I used to do before marriage. I still go out with my friends, who now became her friends. The things that I had to change promptly were the small things that can make a girl go nuts but a guy won’t even notice. Sometimes when we have a fight, I start thinking about the reason why we started it and I really don’t seem to find a good reason. So I say to myself, it’s one of those things that I’ll never understand. I think women themselves don’t understand. However, she will forgive me, I’m sure. C’est la amour bro!

Page 50: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011

by: rania salem

career coaching

Hassle-free tips for inviting

co-workersyour to yourwedding.Is there a hope………... Check out the following

Page 51: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011

So, you are getting married and want to invite your co-workers, but, not the ones that are not that close to you. How do you do that without offending them? Or maybe you do not have

close friends at work and do not want to invite anyone from there. Is that acceptable? What about your boss, should you invite him/her or not? How you determine who to invite to your wedding from work can be really tough and many brides and grooms straggle on putting together such guest list. We spend a good amount of time with our co-workers day in and day out. In most cases, people, who work together, do talk about personal issues, including relationships and wedding plans.The question of having co-workers at your wedding can be tricky in many different ways. Nowadays, with both the bride and groom having careers, the list of co-workers to invite from both sides can end up being very long. On the one hand, you do not want to offend anybody (especially your boss!), but on the other hand, who can afford to have a bunch of extra guests at your wedding at a very high cost?Who you should consider inviting from the office will depend in part on the size of your company (for example, if you have 50 coworkers, there is no way you can include all of them in your wedding), your budget, your closeness to your coworkers and other factors.

Is there any light among all this stress and decision-making? Perhaps. Check out the following tips on how to handle your wedding at work and the etiquette surrounding this issue:

**If you have space on your guest list, then you might -but are not required- to invite all your co-workers. This will be a nice gesture. Start with an order of priority. You should invite your immediate supervisor and their spouse.

For political reasons, it is often a smart idea to also invite your boss (unless you two have a really poor relationship and they make your life miserable). Then the co-workers you work immediately with, starting with someone you work directly with (your work buddies).**If you simply cannot or do not want to invite the whole gang from the office, It is perfectly acceptable to just invite your close work friends. These are the people that you socialize with outside of work. You just need to draw the line at the people that you feel are more like a friend vs. a coworker. The best way to handle this without hurting anyone’s feeling is by making frequent remarks about the small size of your wedding, or how you can only afford to invite your family and closest friends. Not only will your co-workers take the hint, but they might actually be relieved! After all, it is a big deal to get all dressed up, buy a gift, and hire a babysitter. If you are not close friends, they might be happy to be let off the hook! However, consider organizing a small party at the office and explain to everyone that your wedding reception will be small, but you’d like to celebrate with them this way. You can order pizza, sandwiches and sodas. They will all have a good time and feel special.**The most awkward situation arises if you are inviting every single person from your department except one person. In order to avoid that person feeling completely left out, you need to do the proper thing and invite them, too. The only exceptional case is usually one in which the unpopular coworker has been openly rude and mean to you, then go ahead and cut them from your list without feeling guilty. Weddings are supposed to be a joyful celebration with those you care about.**If you have changed jobs recently and have only been at your new job six months or less, it’s not expected that you’ll invite anyone from work at all. Unless you are really friendly and became friends with the whole department instantly, it is ok not to invite anyone from your new workplace. And be very careful discussing

any details of your wedding planning at work, even casually. Just keep it to yourself.**If your co-worker is married or engaged, etiquette-wise you should allow them to bring their significant other. Just think how you would feel if your fiancé was invited to a wedding and you weren’t. If you are short on space or money, you can try addressing the invitation just to the coworker. In these situations, the best policy is honesty. Let your work friends know that you can’t afford to invite them with their spouses or children, but you would love for them to come to your wedding as a group. **Unless you are inviting everyone you work with, do not pass out invitations in the office or through intra-company mail. It’s a big etiquette No No. It’s rude to draw attention to the fact that some people are invited to a party and some are not. You can hand out the invitations when hanging out at one of your outings and ask your coworkers to keep it quiet so that other coworkers are not offended. This should prevent the rumor mill from taking over too badly. ** If both of you work at the same place, that might make your guest list shorter, because you probably have common friends as opposed to both of you working at different jobs and inviting different people.**Don’t forget to send thank you cards to all those who brought you gifts and to those who contributed to buy you a big nice gift.

In the end, who you want to share in your wedding is a personal decision. Many brides and grooms feel that they want to be surrounded only by those that they love best. On the other hand, some couples believe the more the better. Whichever is your preference, if you handle the situation with elegance and consideration; both you and your co-workers will be happier.

COnGRATULATIOnS On yOUR UPCOMInG MARRIAGE.

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Wedding gowns from the bestTop designers in the wedding worldWhen it comes to the ideal wedding gown, your options are infinite. It is all about uncovering the right style that suits your own individual needs, tastes and figure. There are plenty of exquisite designers out there filling the world with their fine wedding designs but here we’ll shed the light on some of the best.

MOnIqUE LHUILLIERMonique Lhuiller wedding dresses are, to say the least, elegant. Her fabulous and exceedingly popular designs never fail to be the talk of brides. She has therefore remained, for many years, on of the top of the list, especially among celebrities. Monique Lhuiller dresses ranges from $3,000 and upwards depending on the material you opt for, and other options.

MAGGIE SOTTEROMaggie Sottero is one of the most excellent wedding dress designers in the world, already a winner of numerous awards for her 2010 collection. Her new selection of expensive wedding dresses are more than worthy of the high price range. You pay for quality and she certainly delivers.

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REEM ACRAReem Acra dresses are a hot topic amongst brides to be. In terms of wedding dress designers, Reem Acra is a front runner. Her collections are a must see and will with no doubt find their way into every bride’s heart.

PROnOVIASPronovias, a world class wedding designer from Barcelona, is a name on every bride’s lips, due to his dazzling selection of out of this world wedding dresses. Pronovias costumes are so stunning it will make it hard to choose the perfect one. Made from natural fabrics, the comfort and magnificence come together as one. There is something for everyone, a mix of elegant and fun, to just plain gorgeous.

VERA WAnGStarting from the very top, Vera Wang is considered one of the finest wedding dress designers worldwide. With innumerable websites devoted to her eye catching creations, there is a reason Vera Wang remains ahead of the league. Her collections contain some very unusual and exclusive touches which always succeed to leave an unforgettable impact.

LAZAROLazaro is another front runner and one of the best, wide-reaching designers of wedding gowns. His collections feature some amazingly mesmerizing gowns. For a lady that likes something very unique, Lazaro is certainly the way to go.

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Fashion Director & Art Director: Zahra ElSherbiniAssistant: Alwaleed Osman

Photographer: Ahmed MobarezAssistant Photographer: ElSayed AbdelhamidBackstage documentation: Duaa Abdel-Salam

Makeup: AghaHair: Tharwat @ Alina Beauty Salon

Models: Martyna, Miriam, Sherifa and YahyaAll Tuxedos are provided by Orange Square

All diamonds are provided by ElMaghraby JewelryLocation: Dusit Thani Hotel

Special Thanks to: Youmna Sorour, Tito, Ahmed El-Maghraby, Lina Abdallah and Khaled Farouk

A tale of two brides

Marry me today, Marry me yesterday…To celebrate years and years of love, Martyna and Yahya decide to get

married today, ANYWHERE!

Waiting.. Oh the waitingSearching for the long lost love of hers, Sherifa decides to wait some

more, and more… If only he knew..

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On Martyna (on the cover):

White knee-length cotton and silk polyester dress with stitched pattern, organza frill at the bust line by Deana Shaaban 18K white gold, 8.48ct three-rowed pendant, 38 stoned-5.54 ct Tennis bracelet. Yahya proposes to Martyna with a 2.52 ct ring (0.32ct round diamonds and 2.20 ct princess diamonds

On Martyna(This page):

Draped cream dress with paisley lace at the front and back, heart shaped bust line and a cream satin ribbon bow at the waist by Deana Shaaban 18K white gold, 7.24 ct 8-shaped pendant, 1.69 ct circular earrings

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On Martyna:5 Fabric dress by Deana Shaaban. Bust line composed of gold cotton and silk polyester mix, gold tulle and an off-white organza that wraps around the shoulders. Skirting is composed of an off-white satin over which an off-white flower pattern lace is draped. 18K white gold, 5.27ct leaf pendant, 6.83ct leaf bangle and 4.36 leaf broche used as a hairpiece

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On Martyna:Chiffon and lace off-white dress by Deana Shaaban.Flower print lace draped and over lapping at bust line, draped and gathered at sleeves. Skirting is draped and gathered at the center by chiffon draping. 18K white gold, 7ct flower ring, 3.82ct bracelet used as a headpiece and pink and white gold 4.29ct earrings

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On sherifa:Romantic Queen inspired dress by Soucha. 22-meter, pearl and crystal ball embellished white Dantel and Tulle dress.18 k white gold , 8.57 ct round diamond Tennis Necklace and genuine pearl and white gold, round diamond earrings

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On sherifa:Romantic Queen inspired dress by Soucha. 22-meter, pearl and crystal ball embellished white Dantel and Tulle dress.18 k white gold , 8.57 ct round diamond Tennis Necklace and genuine pearl and white gold, round diamond earrings

On sherifa:BACKLESS GLAMOUR GLADI-ATOR DRESS by Soucha. Pure chiffon and tulle dress with a silver accessory added as a belt attached to elastic grey straps.18K white gold, 8.86ct black and white diamond bangle and 4.19ct black and white diamond ribbon ring

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Makeup styles are always changing; shades are bold and sexy one moment and natural and romantic the next. Here are some inspirations for Bridal makeup looks right from the 2012 runways

Top Bridal Makeup looksFrom the 2012 runways

we Just Love

RIVInI BRIDAL MAKEUP LOOKGleaming blue-grey eyeshadow, creamy peach blush, and shiny soft pink lips. This is precisely how to do makeup for a fashionable winter wedding.

AMSALE WEDDInG MAKEUP LOOKThe fresh, polished makeup at Amsale was punctuated with a bold tomato-red lip. An ideal look for classy, daring brides.

ADELE WECHSLER MAKEUP LOOKWechsler provides a subdued, natural look which let the bride be herself in the most elegant and stylish way. It’s all about setting makeup without building more color or coverage than actually needed for sheer touch.

AnGEL SAnCHEZ MAKEUP LOOKSuch thick black eyeliner, full lashes and sophisticated updo at Angel Sanchez certainly guarantees a polished look for practical brides. Even if you’re going for a natural look, don’t dismiss the idea of false eyelashes—they make eyes show very well in photos

OSCAR DE LA REnTA MAKEUP LOOK We adore the feminine berry-stained lips and rosy-pink cheeks at Oscar de la Renta. This is a bright, romantic look recommended to any bride getting married in the open.

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We are all familiar with the saying ‘Diamonds are a girl’s best friend’ and we sincerely acknowledge the fact that sometimes they might be our OnLy companions. It is true that every relationship has its ups and downs, but with such stones, the frequency of our ‘downs’ are close to nEVER! We do however experience some uncertainty moments as to picking our new rocks. Here’s absolutely everything a girl needs to know to make sure that those ‘moments’ become as rare as her new best friend.

HOW TO...SOLITAIRE

SHAPEDiamonds come in a huge variety of shapes that are extremely distinguished, the most common shapes are:

By Zahra El Sherbini

ROUnD BRILLIAnTRound Brilliant is the first shape with ideal proportions, which has greatly popularized diamonds as jewelry. Initially, the mathematician who created the Brilliant applied his knowledge of geometry to design a perfect diamond shape with an elusive sparkle to achieve a perfect light reflection.

EMERALDThe rectangular Emerald diamonds may be mistakenly confused with emerald gemstones. The same cutting technique was practiced on the rock and the Emerald shape was born. Polished facets reveal the shape’s quality, simultaneously making it prone to scratches.

OVALAn elliptical Oval diamonds started to manufacture half a century ago. The shape is reminiscent of an egg, hence the Latin name «Oval».

MARqUISEMarquise diamond is the first shape specially designed to be used as a present. Diamond was brought to the Marquise de Pompadour in order to point out her irresistible lips. Marquise is quite popular but never reached the fame that it had once.

PEARPear is sometimes called «Teardrop» because its shape reminds on a droplet. One peak is sharpened while the other side is curved. When placed on the ring finger, the rounded part faces upward. Negative bow-tie and high-shoulders effects are common for Pear diamonds.

CUSHIOnCushion or «Pillow» cut was fashionable during the Victorian era, two centuries ago. It now returned again in a vintage style. Shape draws from the roots of the very old, Old Mine cut, the representative of the age when diamonds were less valuable. Cushion is also called «Candlelight diamond» because watching it near a candle offered a considerable glow.

RADIAnTRadiant shape diamonds are the most famous hybrid cut. They are also considered as the first fancy diamond. The features of brilliance, in addition to advantageous attributes of step-cut diamonds, unite the finest properties of the greatest shapes. Radiant is relatively young shape but in the short history, it quickly became very well celebrated.

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HEARTHeart shapes have a romantic symbolism. The outline has emerged from Pear diamonds; a curved part of the diamond is split in half. The arches make it appear like a heart. Cutters not infrequently decide to take a rough stone and make Heart diamonds if inclusions are on the place where should an arc be formed.

ASSCHERAsscher cut diamonds are square in shape and represent Art Deco design style. The shape was developed by the Asscher brothers from Amsterdam, the famous home for diamond cutting. Modifications allowed diamonds to return the light much better than other step cuts which took it to the top for some time. A new version, the ‘Royal Asscher’ has additional facets and is therefore rare.

We commonly hear about the 4Cs; always associated with diamond industry; the Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat weight.

The Cut is commonly confused with the shape of the diamond which is totally incorrect. The cut is a measure of the angles, symmetry and proportions that were polished onto the diamond. The way diamonds are cut has evolved dramatically since its beginning that professionals now use mathematics to perfect the way light enters and leaves the diamond! It is no longer difficult to obtain the brightest and most glittery stone. Since different angles create different effects. There are over 25 different attributes to a single cut grade due to the presence of several angles. The Cut is commonly an overlooked quality that can hinge the price and look very different.

PRInCESSPrincess is the second top selling shape of the diamond, patented long ago but free to manufacture now. A great advantage is the exploitation of rough diamonds so the carat weight isn’t lost uselessly. The optical properties are good and resistance to surface damages will give you a guarantee for durability. The Princess cut diamonds look like an inverted pyramid so the top is almost always fixed on a ring.

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When jewelers speak of a diamond’s color, they are usually referring to the presence or absence of color in white diamonds. Color is a result of the composition of the diamond, and it never changes over time. Because a colorless diamond is like a clear window, allows more light to pass through it, colorless diamonds emit more sparkle and fire. The formation process of a diamond ensures that only a few, rare diamonds are truly colorless. Thus the whiter a diamond’s color is, the greater becomes its value. To grade ‘whiteness’ or ‘colorlessness’, most jewelers refer to a professional color scale that starts with the highest rating of D (colorless), and travels down the alphabet to grade stones with traces of very faint or light yellowish or brownish color. The color scale continues all the way to Z.

WHAT IS FLUORESCEnCE?Fluorescence is an effect that is seen in some gem-quality diamonds when they are exposed to long-wave ultraviolet light (such as the lighting frequently seen in dance clubs). Under most lighting conditions, this fluorescence is not detectable to the eye. While most gemologists prefer diamonds without this effect, some people enjoy it. It’s really just a matter of aesthetics.

Clarity is a measure of the number and size of the tiny imperfections that occur in almost all diamonds. It is the absence or degree of presence of clarity characteristics in a diamond. The reason behind the tiny imperfections requires the knowledge of very certain facts. Looking back, we happen to find out that diamonds were obtained at a distance of 140 to 190km beneath the earth’s crust. Carbon was subjected to extreme pressure and the heat then forced at great pressure to the earth in kimberlite or lipidolite pipes. Due to these unstable conditions, diamonds frequently contain evidence of their formation called ‘inclusions’ or ‘blemishes’. These inclusions vary in severity from pinpoint specs to major fractures protruding to the surface. The scale used is based on 10x magnification and starts at “FL” (flawless and free of inclusions) and goes to “I3” (heavily included). The fewer clarity characteristics a diamond contain, the more valuable and expensive it is

As the name suggests, carat weight specifically refers to a diamond’s weight. However, much as a person’s weight does not necessarily correlate with height, carat weight, by itself, may not accurately reflect a diamond’s size. Mostly, we tend to evaluate diamond size by viewing it from the top because that is how diamonds are presented to us when set into a ring. Still, to gain a precise understanding of diamond size, we should consider carat weight with two other characteristics: 1) The distance across the top of the diamond measured in millimeters.2) The diamond’s cut grade. It is important to measure such distance as this is how we view a stone when put into a ring. A diamond’s cut grade, on the other hand, should also be considered because, as we noted in the cut grade section; when a diamond is cut with the right proportions, light reflects out of the top making it appear larger. In addition, much of the weight of a poorly cut diamond, for example, may be “hidden” in the base of the diamond, making it appear smaller than its carat weight would imply. A one-carat diamond is comprised of 100 points. Hence, 50 points is equal to 1/2-carat, and so on.

WHAT IS A CERTIFICATE?A diamond certificate -also called a diamond grading report, diamond dossier, or diamond quality document- is a report created by a team of gemologists. The diamond is evaluated, measured, and scrutinized using trained eyes, a jeweler’s loupe, a microscope, and other industry tools. A completed certificate includes an analysis of the diamond’s dimensions, clarity, color, polish, symmetry, and other characteristics. Many round diamonds will also include a cut grade on the report.

WHAT IS THE GIA AnD THE AGSL AnD WHAT IS THE DIFFEREnCE BETWEEn THEM?The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the American Gem Society Laboratories (AGSL) are among the most respected laboratories in the diamond industry. Both laboratories are highly respected due to their consistency and their conservative grading standards. There are minor differences in the terms that each lab uses to describe the qualities of the stones, but a certificate from either of these laboratories ensures that you have an accurate assessment of your solitaire.

Since most of us only get one gigantic best friend in a lifetime, you have to be extra attentive to each and every detail to make such key decision during the wedding process. Every piece of information is valuable. Think of it like this, every piece of information that is well-understood does in fact equal a huge sum of money. The more familiar you are with each and every factor, the better you become at substituting one factor over the other which differs greatly in price. Happy knowledge…

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Wedding Gifts Advice from the specialists

Buying a wedding gift that is just right can be often challenging, which is why we got back to Quintes-sentially which has become the go-to spot for sug-gestions and for sourcing some of the world’s finest and most unique gifts.

quintessentially Gifts is a luxury gift service, dedicated to hand-picking the world’s finest, rarest and most exquisite designer gifts. The curated gift service is open to all, providing an utterly indulgent, stress-free shopping ex-perience, working in collaboration with some of the world’s most renowned craftsmen and design houses. Their dedicated Gift team comprises the UK’s foremost gift research-ers, personal shoppers and editorial stylists who spend their time scouring the globe for first-class, limited-edition and made-to-order luxury items. Whether you desire gift ideas for an upcoming occasion or a first edition book sourced, wrapped and delivered –there you can find help.

To find out more about global trends in wedding gifts, we turned to Lee Coleman, Managing Director of Quintessentially Gifts

and here’s what she had to tell us –

“At quintessentially Gifts, more and more we are finding that couples are interested in life-style focused items and Objets d’Art, rather than the standard china and flatware for their wedding registries. Most have bought all the basics, so what they are looking for are decorative design pieces that also have an investment appeal.”

We asked Lee how does one go about buying the gift for the couple that has it all. “It’s about thinking beyond the mantel piece. For the recent Royal wedding, we had requests for extremely personalised items such as be-spoke fishing poles, personalised Hermes polo pony saddles – things that could be used and enjoyed, not just put on a shelf and forgot-ten about.”

When money is no object and you’re looking for a unique and special gift, quintessentially Gifts has come through with some great op-tions that will surely impress. “Some of the most unusual and special pieces that we have recently sourced are a box set of limited-edi-tion Damien Hirst designed plates; each one is a little art piece. It’s a great time to invest

in Hirst given his 2012 Exhibition at London’s Tate Modern for the Olympic year.”

“Then taking it up a notch, there’s Shape Au-dio’s limited-edition ‘sound sculptures’ cast in precious metals such as bronze, silver and gold with prices ranging. Another cool inter-active gift for someone who has everything is Nottage Design’s transparent pool tables. Again, it’s about experience and enjoyment rather than just decoration.”

As for an out of the box, quirky gift; Lee suggested “Taxidermy is another big interiors trend and for something a little different we love Kelly McCallum’s Swarovski crystal flamingos.”

In Egypt, we have witnessed a change in se-lecting wedding gifts with the introduction of the Wedding List. While parents will still gift money and honeymoons to the newlyweds, friends and family are now often directed towards specific stores to select a gift from a predetermined list.

To learn more about trends in wedding gifts in Egypt, we turned to Sarah Aclimandos of TheGiftery.com, Egypt’s new online shopping

MAG DéCOR

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Since opening its virtual “doors” TheGiftery.com has hosted a wide range of gift lists, as well as provided gifting solution to a growing number of regular clients. We have asked them for a selection of the top most popular gifts since their launch –

The Picnic Basket by <KARE’: A great gift for a family of four or a newlywed couple who like to entertain in the outdoors in style.

The Portable Hammock by <Vision Trading’: Fits in any space and stands on its own, functional and contemporary. It also folds into a portable lightweight bag!

The Classic Christofle frame by ‘Table Royale’: Never runs out of style and matches any home. It carries value in its name and quality.

Spa Gift Card by <Al Sagheer’: Can be the perfect gift for pampering a special someone or even yourself.

experience with more than 50 of Cairo’s finest stores, launched December 2010.

The craziness of Cairo traffic and the distances you sometimes have to drive to get from one store to the other, make TheGiftery.com a gift-ing solution extraordinaire. It gives the couple the luxury of shopping from the comfort of home/office from some of Cairo’s top stores or creating their Wedding List without jumping from one store to the next. For the first time in Egypt, personalized gift lists for all special occasions like weddings and others are created online. The large variety of shops; ranging from home accessories, tableware, children’s toys & furniture, flowers, luxury foods and more; help shoppers pick most appropriate gifts for the occasion.

Why have gift lists?Since gift list registries mainly started out with wedding gift lists, they are the most popu-lar now in Egypt. Couples are finding it very convenient to create wedding lists at their favourite stores as it is very suitable for them to choose what they really need and avoid getting the same type of present twice. Friends and relatives are also happy to buy the couple what they have chosen on their list as it makes it easier for them to pick a gift without wondering about style, taste or preferred colours.

The perfect wedding gift listThe trend in Egypt is that couples are likely to have their wedding lists at several of their favourite stores to make it convenient for their guests to buy gifts with different price ranges as well as offering them different locations to buy from.

Tips to creating a functional wedding gift list:

• Make sure you know everything you already have and don’t buy extras until you do your list• Make sure you have different price ranges to meet everyone’s budget• Try to put as many items as the number of invitees to your special occasion• Make sure you leave your full name and your spouses’ to make it easy for shoppers to find your list

THE CLASSIC CHRISTOFLE FRAME BY TABLE ROYALE

SHAPE AUDIO LIMITED-EDITION - SOUND SCULPTURES

THE PORTABLE HAMMOCK BY VISION TRADING

THE PICNIC BASKET BY KARE

NOTTAGE DESIGN TRANSPARENT POOL TABLE

KELLY MCCALLUMS SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL FLAMINGOS

A BOX SET OF LIMITED-EDITION DAMIEN HIRST DESIGNED PLATES

Benefits to having an online wed-ding gift list

It is more convenient for the couple to have items from different stores with different brands in their home. This is where TheGiftery.com has an edge as it offers couples a wedding gift list from different stores in Cairo in one place. Couples won’t need to have wedding lists in stores in different areas of town just to make it easier for guests living all over Egypt. Besides, TheGiftery.com serves those living outside of Egypt as there are family members and friends living all over the world who are invited to weddings in Egypt and would like to purchase a gift for the bride and groom. Now they can order gifts the couple has chosen online. This is especially of use for Egyptians who have lived or studied abroad. And as since opening its virtual “doors”, TheGif-tery.com has hosted a wide range of gift lists, and provided gifting solution to a growing number of regular clients. We have asked them for a selection of the top most popular gifts since their launch –

The Picnic Basket by <KARE’: A great gift for a newlywed couple who like to entertain in the outdoors in style. The Portable Hammock by <Vision Trading’: Fits in any space and stands on its own, functional and contemporary. It also folds into a portable lightweight bag! The Classic Christofle frame by ‘Table Royale’: Never runs out of style and matches any home. It carries value in its name and quality.Spa Gift Card by <Al Sagheer’: Can be the perfect gift for pampering a special someone.

By quintessentially in cooperation with quintessentially Gifts & TheGiftery.com

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DE-STRESSbefore your big day

By reham Meky

• Delegate tasks to trustable family members and friends. By assigning each person with a specific role that they can fill for you, a lot will be taken off your back. Such roles could range from checking on bridal bouquets, calling the camera man, to ensuring that the invitations have reached everyone. You can also ask loved ones to help you organize your future home and go shopping with you. This will give you more time to spend with friends and at the same time release the stress and ensure you are enjoying yourself.

• Have Me Moments. This will help you ease the stress you have been coping with for months now. Such moments could include Spa and Massage sessions, going to the movies or simply watching your favorite romantic comedies in bed while relaxing.

• Maintain a month or more of a healthy routine: It will enhance your cycle both physically and psychologically. This routine suggests a healthy and balanced diet, consistent sports and appropriate sleep. This will help you become the princess or prince you have always dreamt to be on your wedding day. You will ensure no black circles, no body fat and a radiant glow to you.

• Spend quality and loving time with your spouse outside marriage commitments. Going out with your future partner to places other than furniture stores, wedding venues and other wedding related outings is a must. It relieves a lot of the stresses and strains both of you might be suffering, develops the relationship between the two of you and bonds you to one another.

• Find time to be with dear friends and family members who make you happy. By doing simple things together and sharing memorable moments, you will release a lot of stress and get your mood out of any wedding related issues. It will also let you share moments you will live to remember.

Another advice is to keep your wedding simple, and ensure that there aren’t a lot of things to attend to. A wedding from the heart reaches many hearts; and an engagement period that has been wasted and spent in stress and anger is something you will always live to regret. Make use of this period while preparing for your wedding day. Make each day a means to connect more to your spouse and learn more about the character you will spend the rest of your life with. Those moments are the moments that you will live to tell your children and grand children, and they cannot be anything other than enjoyable.

sound Body, Mind & soul

As brides and grooms prepare for their wedding, they often get overwhelmed with lots of tasks and commitments up until their special day. Preparing for wedding normally means a perfect blend between happiness and stress, both go hand in hand in most cases. The load of preparations and schedules usually let the couple forget about themselves throughout the entire process. not many couples are very much concerned about ideas for de-stressing to ensure they look their best on such special occasion. FyI what I am going to be listing below is not only indispensible for the pre-wedding time but for the couple’s entire life. It is essential that through stressful moments, one stands up and claims some rest through activities that he or she enjoys, or even through a simple night in bed watching a movie. Here is my list that is sure to help bride and groom through such inevitable hard moments in preparation for their life together.

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When a girl gets engaged, she considers frequent bridal shows to find vendors who could make her wedding day perfect. She drops by plenty of florists, photographers and bakers. One professional, is, however, nowhere in sight “A PERSONAL TRAINER”. No one from the fitness industry is there at any of these shows. Dear bride, our advice is that you’d better give yourself a healthy way to feel fit and gorgeous when you’re tying the knot. Consider these tips to get you into great shape for the one important day you have ahead.

EMPHASIZE STRESS RELEASE AnD BALAnCE. Being a bride, you know what it is like to plan for the biggest party of your life. It can be very stressful! Of course, it is such an exciting time, but there is so much to do which can be really time-consuming. Many brides are working full-time and planning their weddings concurrently. It’s sort of a part-time job. So no need here to emphasize the importance of staying consistent with your workouts. They provide a great outlet for stress, which helps keep your hormones in balance.

PROMOTE GOOD HEALTH. A “quick fix” is not the answer to being fit. It will not give you the shiny hair, glowing skin and high energy that you desire. You should lose weight at a healthy rate to set you up for future success in keeping the weight off. If you need help with healthy eating, refer to someone who can assist you in that. You should focus on arms, upper body and chest; these are often neglected strength areas for women in general, and are even more important for buff brides! The secret is to stay committed to a lifelong fitness program even after the wedding.

UnDERSTAnD THE DRESS FITTInG. You should lose weight and build strength. The wedding day may not be the only deadline that counts. But final dress-fitting appointment does. Losing weight only is not the target; you need to shape the rest of your body especially the exposed areas. By following this; you will look healthy; energetic and gorgeous at your very special day.

LOOK PAST THE WEDDInG. You may get so focused on the wedding day that you come back after the honeymoon 5 pounds heavier and with slight post wedding blues. You have worked so hard getting in shape and planning for this one day, and then it is over! You must get back to your healthy routines when you return. Encourage your spouse to follow a healthy active lifestyle as well, so you can gain and share the benefits of building new habits and being hale and hearty at the same time.

Help yourself look and feel your best at your big day .

YOu ARE A Bride? SO YOu NEEd TRAININg!

Copyright owner, © 2011 IDEA Health & Fitness Association

sound Body, Mind & soul

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How to plan a wedding…

STRESS-FREEIf you are planning your own wedding or getting help, here are some of our tips and answers to various frequently asked questions.

Why do people tend to bring in a wedding planner? To take the stress out of the planning process and to make sure that each element is addressed in plenty of time. Also, very much for guidance and suggestions on venues, design, catering and entertainment, realising your perfect day with a “best friend” who is a wedding/party expert. To con-trol budget spent, making sure that costs don’t get out of control and that there is sufficient and realistic allocation on costs from the beginning. And most especially to manage the smooth delivery of everything on the day. Some people may worry that a wedding planner will take over but this is not the case at all, a wedding planner’s job is to short-list and guide and not to make the decisions. The big decisions should always be up to the bride and groom.What advice and tips would you give to those couples who decide not to use a wedding plan-ner?The first step would be to answer the following ten key questions to help clarify where you need to start:1. Where do you want to get married (If you opted for a state which is not your home country, you need to check its licensing laws as various countries have specific restric-tions)??2. What kind of ceremony do you want?3. Which time do you want to get married? 4. How much time do you have for planning? How much time are you willing to give over in the process of planning?5. How many guests do you want to invite?6. What is your budget?7. What timeline do you want to follow for the day (e.g. Ceremony in the afternoon)?8. Are you sending out “Save the Dates” and/or invitations?9. What kind of entertainment are you considering?10. Do you know of any caterers, florists or entertainment options already?

Our TOP TIPs and advice would be:

- Ensure you have SUFFICIENT TIME – we normally advise giv-ing yourself at least eight months for planning, this means you are organised and can prioritise.

- Make sure you have HELP. – having friends to help with important decisions is essential. It can take alot of the pressure off and make you see ideas from different points of view.

A stunning classically British wedding reception at a country estate - qW

An extravagant wedding reception at a world renowned London hotel - qW

A sophisticated beach celebration - qW

HAPPILy EVER AFTER

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A central focal point of the reception with hanging flowers from the dome - qW

A country celebration with touches of Moroccan theme - qW

An English Summer themed celebration - qW

An extravagant wedding reception at a world renowned London hotel - qW

- Make LISTS and TIMELINES. – make a check list of tasks you need done in the run up to the wedding, start from the month you be-gin planning and fill it in as you move along and schedules become more apparent. Not only will this remind you of what you need to do but it will also keep a clear definition of what is happening when!A carefully plotted timeline will greatly assist, allowing time to consider and research before making each decision.

Keep in mind that guest logistics and table placement is always done last and can be stressful as there are often last minute changes so prepare to be a little flexible.

The main differences/difficulties with holding a wedding abroad, other than the paperwork and travel costs, is sourcing fantastic and trustworthy suppliers in order to ensure that the delivery on the day is exactly as you want it to be. This entails having the time to be in the country, sourcing everything, hunting for venues, trying out caterers, bands, florists as well as arranging getting guests to and from the wedding and moving them around in between. To avoid these problems it is a sound idea to hire someone local who can help you with a small amount of the wedding planning and get them involved to get the best rates and local produce as well hiring a travel agent to assist with the travel plans for you and all your guests.

The bride’s dress and groom’s tuxedo are always high up on the priority list when planning for your special day; and so they should be, since you will have the spotlight shining on you. For the groom, our advice is to purchase the tuxedo and all accessories at least 3 months before the wedding. For the bride, we highly recommend that you buy your dress at least 6 months in advance and schedule a final fitting no later than 2 weeks prior to the big day. Remember to pencil into your timeline at least 3 trials for hair and makeup, so that on the day itself, the hours spent get-ting ready can be as relaxing and enjoyable as possible.

Brides seem to forget that on the actual day, not only are there timings to keep to but there is the important task of someone being in charge and delegating the management of the day. Due to this, it is necessary to have a “PRODUCTION MANAGER” to oversee the timings of the day and ensure that your meticulous plans materialise; you don’t want to be stressed and panicking on your special day, do you?!

Quintessentially Events is the multi-award winning global event management company behind quintessentially Weddings. It was founded by leading event producers, Anabel Fielding and Caroline Hurley, who have a worldwide reputation for producing outstanding high profile events. Being a highly efficient, dedicated and passionate team, the company combines an unrivalled understanding of the luxury market with exceptional creative ability and flair. An impressive list of clients includes Gucci, Dior, YSL, Jaguar, Diageo, Perrier Jouet, UNICEF, Keanu Reeves and Sir David Tang and counts major international events such as The Elle Style Awards, The V&A Golden Age of Couture Gala, The Feast of Albion and The Serpentine Gallery Summer Party amongst its highlights.

quintessentially Weddings is a five star wedding planning company based in London which provides a truly exceptional service. They work with couples of all denominations to organise engagement parties, weddings and honeymoons all over the world. From intimate candle-lit gatherings to lavish stately occasions, they have access to an amazing range of venues, caterers, design and entertainment and are able to offer extraordinary savings due to connections and buying power. quintessentially Weddings have the ability to make fantasies into reality – from making chandeliers out of orchids to sculpting a spot with ornamental vases out of ice. A highly experienced and efficient team with a widespread reputation for attention to detail and exemplary budget management taking great pride in their enthusiastic and steady approach, leaving the couple to remain completely stress free and able to fully enjoy the preparation and the big day.

“ALL IMAGES ARE THE PROPERTy OF qUInTESSEnTIALLy EVEnTS.”-

Page 76: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011

Are you a“BrideZILLA?”

By Yasmine taha

• Common name: BRIDEZILLA (extracted from the Godzilla character)• Main characteristics: A female creature that attacks everyone in her field of vision with or without a cause, some believe this creature is somehow related to the human race.• Seasons of appearance: A few weeks before her own wedding.• How to know if you are changing into one and what to do then: Read the article below

A BRIDEZILLA BEHAVIOR:It all starts with a simple unhappy face in the first phase of wedding preparations and ends with your total transformation into that scary uncontrollable creature shouting and yelling at everyone at sight -whether involved in the wedding arrangements or not, i.e.: innocent people in the street may have to deal with your sudden bursts of anger.

WHAT REALLy HAPPEnS:

How could a cheerful bride turn into such scary bridezilla?Reaching this point is the final product of several phases. It starts by a grumpy face because you can’t find the perfect curtains for the kitchen. Little by little you get ill-tempered for hating your first make up rehearsal, not being fit for the dress, failing to find the perfect wedding shoes. It gets worse as your fiancée is not helpful enough, you disagree with your wedding planner about the

flowers, etc. The list can go on and on! The point is there would be endless situations that would keep chasing you till your wedding day.

THE CURE:

First: Admission ….. Once you admit you’re a real bridezilla, you are taking your first step on your healing path. Just admit that this creature is simply not who you really are and act to it.

Second: Look around …. I mean have you ever known a bride who did not face such situations? Never! It is like an official list that every bride should go through before her own wedding. The only difference is how you would deal with it. Some brides just rest their minds and relax as much as they can trying to enjoy every single moment of preparing for their new life and special day. Others (BRIDEZILLAS) act as if every single detail represents the end of the world, destroying their own nervous system -and brain cells. By the way, those normally

get very exhausted from the details to even enjoy their own wedding day.

Third: no excuses …. Do not give yourself excuses for being rude with other people; yelling at your mom, terrifying your best friend or fighting all the time with your future husband. Being stressed or even scared does not give you the right to push away all the people you need the most by your side.

Forth: Think positively…. Always think about stuff that would lift up your spirit. Enjoy the presence of your loved ones by your side during the preparations, presenting all the help they can. Visualize your future home and how it would be your own kingdom. Think about your honeymoon and how much you would enjoy it. Keep in mind that there is that guy who loves you enough to want to spend the rest of his life with you. And finally remember that whether other people would think your wedding was perfect of not, it is YOUR big day and you’ll certainly love it.

happily ever after

Page 77: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011
Page 78: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011

KIDS at weddings. This is a subject of endless debate.

Are you worried that if you include children in your wedding they might ruin your big day? And if you don’t, you might offend your guests?

For some couples whether to or not to invite chil-dren to their wedding can pose a real dilemma. There are those who feel the whole family should be invited to share in the festivities while there are others that feel children can’t be counted on to behave.

But here is the good news: Whether or not there should be children at weddings is entirely up to the bride and groom. Whatever you ultimately decide, here is some useful advice to help you if you do choose to include kiddies in your wedding and the etiquette of breaking the news to guests gently if you choose not to…read on:

- You do not want badly-behaved kids running up and down the hall, do you? In many cases parents can control their children, but what about those who can’t or won’t? Babies crying during the wedding ceremony and young children fidget and ask questions. Even the nicest of the kids might act up if he or she gets bored and it isn’t fair to ask a child to sit and behave themselves for hours on end. - An important consideration is that children cost money too. You have to pay by the head, no matter how little that head may be. When you consider that many children are picky eaters, their meal may even go to waste. - If the party is lasting late into the night kids might fall asleep or in some cases get cranky when they miss their bed times. - If, on the other hand, you are unable or would rather not invite children to your wedding for whatever reason or you want only older kids to be present, your intentions should be well worded on the wedding invitations. Make the age limit very

clear or you can say that only children of close family will be allowed to attend.- You should send out the invitation well in advance (6-8 weeks) of the wedding and this will certainly allow those who have children plenty of time to make any necessary arrangements.

- If you decide you really want to include kids in the wedding ceremony, it’s usually best to have kids aged four and above, not any younger.

- Make sure the parents understand that their kids should be dressed comfortably and nicely. For boys a dress shirt and slacks, with or without a tie is appropriate, and for girls, a pretty dress is perfect.

- Have an area set aside for children and make sure there is a TV where films/cartoons could be watched or some video games could be played & don’t forget to hire a baby sitter.- Bring coloring books, crayons and other activities

By: Rania Salem

Children Involvement in Wedding Ceremonies

yOUR WEDDInG with Or without LITTLE OnES??

APPLES OF Z HEART

by rania salem

Page 79: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011

that might keep them amused for a few hours. You might also want to consider hiring a children’s entertainer, such as a magician, balloonist, face painter or a story teller (if your budget allows).- Young children might not appreciate wedding food; you can request the catering facility to offer chicken fingers, French fries and ice cream to keep the little ones happy. - If you are planning a summer wedding then why not keep them entertained outside with giant party games such as a bouncy castle or an inflat-able slide. If you are trying to think of a way to involve a kid in your wedding there are plenty of imaginative and exciting ways children can be involved: Greeters and Ushers: Whether the children are toddlers or teens, it’s a nice touch for wedding guests to be greeted by the children of the family (your nephews and nieces) as they arrive at the

reception. Guests who know the children will enjoy chatting with them as the kids escort them to their seats. For wedding guests that don’t know the children, it’s a great time for the kids and guests to get to know each other. Keeper of the Guest Book: Kids can be a sight for sore eyes, so allowing one of more children to be in charge of the guest book is sure to draw your crowd over to leave their well wishes while hap-pily chatting up the kids. Cake Servers: Include the children in the wedding cake cutting ceremony by having them deliver slices of the sweet treat to the guests instead of having waiters do it. Kids are just adorable and everyone will love this. Flower Girls & Bridesmaids: Flower girls are normally between the ages of 5 and 10. They will walk up the aisle in front of the bride carrying a posy of flowers and handing out confetti (rose petals). Communicate clearly with your flower girl

or bridesmaids and their parents about the job you’ve given to each. Explain what they’ll wear and what they’ll need to do. Choosing the dresses for the bridesmaids and the flower girl can be a fun time for all of you. Begin by checking out boutiques that specialize in children’s wedding wear. Remember the parents will be paying for the dresses, so include them in the decision. Also let them know what kind of shoes they will be wearing. Traditionally, flower girl dresses are white with full ruffle skirts while bridesmaids’ dresses can be of any color. Don’t forget to find matching accents for their hair. They will feel like princesses.

Dance Fever: Choose a special song where every-one can dance with all the children on the dance floor. Pick a fun song to dance to, so the guests can really get their groove on. Of course, always ask the kids if they want to dance. Never force any child to be in the spotlight.The Gift Keeper: For those wedding guests that show up with wedding gifts, put the kids in charge as the Gift keeper. They will collect the gifts and bring them to a safe, specified area. Wedding favors handler: for the older kids, an usher to hand out the wedding favors to the guests, this will make them feel really special on the day. And finally, give each one of the kids who par-ticipated with any role a gift as a «Thank You». Something that they will appreciate and look back and remember the important role they had to play on your wedding day. Girls are usually given silverware jewelry such as a bracelet or necklace with matching earrings, while boys are presented with a watch; both gifts can be engraved with the child’s name and details of your wedding.Other classic gifts include cufflinks, personalized mugs, photo frames engraved with the wedding details and their photo, a camera and book so they can record the day from their perspective, music box or trinket box. It’s important to avoid giving the children money or buying them a pres-ent which isn’t representative of the role they had to play at your wedding, such as a game for a game console, as like with any toy, children will eventually get bored of it and grow out if it.

Page 80: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011

A bridal veil hovering about the

sides of her face, a tiara graces her charmingly arranged hair, and swish swish rustles her white dress with its majestic train. She is floating on the red carpet alongside the handsome man clad in a black suit with a bowtie, with a smile beaming across his face. It’s the wedding ceremony and the whole atmosphere is magical. But a picture-perfect celebration must have consumed days of planning and skimming through tons of ideas. And that’s where Our Wedding Journal and The Wedding Planner come in. These two guides are designed to facilitate the organization of your dream wedding.

MEDIA CORnER

THE BOOKWORM

By Radwa El shami

RyLAnD PETERS’ OUR WEDDInG JOURnALInspirations, planning, guests and the big day are the chapters under which the content is organized. The book is an interactive journal designed to help the couple focus on the main elements essential for the wedding, with a few lines describing each element, and the rest of the page dedicated to jotting down ideas and possibilities.

Inspirations introduces rings, color schemes, flowers, clothes, favors, food and drink, cake, music and honeymoon. Planning starts since the engagement day and brings to attention budgets, venues, stationery, seating and gift list. Guests is a thoughtful address book that includes the usual details in addition to guest-specific preferences. As for The Big Day, it introduces the responsibilities of wedding day helpers (best man, maid of honor and ushers), with a space to record their contact details and more pages to “store mementoes” of the wedding.

Our Wedding Journal is beautifully designed with inspiring photos all along and pockets to hold clippings and photos.

AnTOnIA SWInSOn’S THE WEDDInG PLAnnERAntonia Swinson, “an expert on fashion, beauty and wedding organization,” offers an A-Z guide for your wedding party—Western style. She tackles even the tiniest detail and answers questions that would have escaped our attention, moving from the broader lines to the ins and outs of the event.

The book falls in 8 main chapters: Planning Your Wedding, Celebrating Your Engagement, Invitations and Stationery, The Guests, The Bridal Party, The Wedding Day, The Gift List and The Honeymoon. Each chapter is illustrated with a wide range of photos accompanied by annotations, triggering more ideas and widening the options. Thorough explanations, plenty of examples, easy-to-follow lists and tips, a space to take notes and pockets to keep clippings make The Wedding Planner an optimal guide for the soon-to-be husband and wife. It’s tailored to your needs, arranged to your convenience and designed to meet your expectations.

Perfect, almost, but there is a sting in the tail: it is weddings the western style, and we are in the East—some cultural differences and some shortage of certain items, plus the extended list of suppliers is outside our reach—except for those stocked nationwide.

AVAILABLE AT ALEF BOOKSTORES

The Big dayforC h o i c e

Page 81: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011
Page 82: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011

MEDIA CORnER

Best Wedding reads

BRIDE’S InSTRUCTIOn MAnUALAt Last! A No-Nonsense Guide to Bridal Essentials! Feuding in-laws, rehearsal dinner meltdowns, controlling wedding planners— what’s a gal to do when her Big Day threatens to go down with more drama than a boatload of wedding crashers? Have no fear: The Bride’s Instruction Manual boils it all down to the basics, covering every topic you need to know to march down that aisle with confidence, from setting the date and choosing The Dress to creating your guest list. Chock-full of cheat sheets to keep you on track and on budget, The Bride’s Instruction Manual is the perfect shower gift for every blushing bride-to-be—courtesy of veteran wedding journalist Carrie Denny

HAnDMADE WEDDInGHandcrafted details are at the heart of a beautiful wedding adding charm, meaning, and style. In this delightful book, Eunice and Sabrina Moyle, the founders of Hello!Lucky, join forces with stylist Shana Faust to bring you over 50 gorgeous projects. Whether you favor a modern, classic look or a retro, homespun flavor, you’ll find plenty of crafts and inspiration suited to your taste from vintage-key save-the-dates to delicate paper wreaths to silhouette bride and groom signs. At the front of the book you’ll find guidance on choosing a look, sourcing materials, and working out timelines. Then, each of the 50 projects are fully explained with photos, how-to diagrams, and step-by-step directions

AVAILABLE AT VIRGIn MEGASTORE

PAT THE BRIDESince many little girls fantasize about one day being the princess or beautiful bride (some do it two or three times!) what>s better than celebrating with a toast and this hilarious adult humor parody in this great children>s format? Pat the Bride takes amusing aim at the oddities of brides everywhere, making it the perfect gift from girlfriend to girlfriend, as well as for bridal showers and anniversaries. Every bride will recognize the humor in the quirky characteristics played out - and laugh every time.

KnOT WEDDInG PLAnnER In A BOx Portable, sort-able, and indispensable cards for planning every aspect of your wedding. Wish so many stylistic, logistic, and financial decisions to make, planning the perfect wedding can be overwhelming. In this deck, the ultimate authority on weddings, The Knot, breaks down each step into tabbed and categorized cards, making the process more manageable—and more fun! You’ll find big-picture questions for refining your vision down to specific to-do lists and check-lists for every detail. The vendor interview question cards are especially convenient; you can tuck these cards into your notebook or wedding planner and carry them with you to various appointments

WHEn I WAS ABRIDESMAIDThis pretty little book is guaranteed to delight smaller members of the bridal party. It includes useful information about being a bridesmaid as well as a wealth of additional information on taking part in a wedding. There are also interactive sections with plenty of room for little bridesmaids to record all the details of the big day. There>s ample space for photographs and pictures, and two handy pockets to hold keepsakes and mementoes.

Page 83: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011
Page 84: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011

I am so happy for you. you will make a lovely bride. I wish you the perfect life you’ve always dreamt of. If you are hearing these words, you are probably a few hours away from getting mar-ried. How do you feel?

speak ur Mind

by amal hejazi

Sincere MoMentS before Wedding unveil the true feelings

ofyourFamily…

Page 85: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011

THE BRIDE’S WORDS: I am content but afraid, excited but worried, overwhelmed but confused. A Mixture of feelings is struggling inside me! I love my man, I want a great ceremony, I want to look pretty tonight, but I also will miss being here, at home, among my family, the place I have been living in for my entire life. I must admit that I didn’t think of that before. I was busy planning for the wedding. But while I was getting ready to leave home, I discovered everyone’s true feelings and I saw each one of them as I never did before.

DADDy..I KnOW HOW yOU FEEL! I‘ve been always his little girl. Although he seemed to be firm and strict, he was so wise and so kind. I’ve learned a lot from him. He is my role model. He is such a great dad. I remember when I was a little girl he once told me that it’s hard for him even to think of me going away and leaving home. But the time has come now. I should leave. I witnessed some tears in his eyes while I was packing today. I didn’t realize before that he is so sentimental. He told me that he is so happy to see his little girl has grown up to be such a beautiful bride, but at the same time it’s hard for him to think that I’m about to leave his nest to another one’s nest. He can’t imagine that he is going to hand me to my groom a few hours later. He hugged me tightly and said:” I love you darling and will miss you; the house will miss you too. Everyone here will do. As for me I will take some time to recover. Not seeing you around every day is very tough for me to imagine.”

HEy BRO..I’M LEAVInG nOW!I would like to introduce you to the person who never had enough of teasing me, fighting with me and even making fun of me. It is my big brother. We were like Tom and Jerry. We never stopped nagging, playing, running and making troubles. Actually we had lots and lots of fun together. Will he miss me? I went to his room, where I have lots of memories. We laughed there, we played there, I studied with him there and I hid there when we were playing Hide and Seek. He bought me a present. He knew that I was coming. He waited on the corner hiding something behind his back. He approached me and said:” So, you are leaving now, right? I have something for you.” He gave me a lovely photo of us together in a magnificent frame. He then added:” It is for you. You will always remember me when you look at it. As for me, you never left, you will always be here with me.” He

pointed to his heart.

SWEET SIS..My ROOM AnD SOUL MATE:When my mother was pregnant, I was praying to God that she would have a baby girl. Then you came and my life had changed for good. You filled the world with joy and pleasure. A sister is a girl friend too. We shared all the things together. We spent hours laughing, chatting, playing, quarrelling and studying together. We haven’t been away from each other for one single day. You helped me choosing my wedding dress, designed the cards and planned for the party. You were always there for me. I know it is so hard for you to leave me, although you will enjoy the room alone! I know my sister

was very busy arranging everything with me for the wedding but I could feel that she was very distressed. I heard her yesterday, the night before my wedding, weeping on her bed, and when I went to see what was wrong, she tried to hide her tears not to bother me, she smiled at me and said:” I hate you!!! How am I supposed to be here and not find you around? I didn’t know before that I love you this much. I will miss you so much sweet sister.” Actually we spent that night crying and sharing our childhood memories till dawn.

DEAR MOM..I’M SPEECHLESS! A very special person like my mom could never be described in a bunch of words. She actually

deserves a whole new article dedicated only to her. Being very busy with me the past few months, couldn’t prevent her from thinking and worrying, she rejoices and at the very next minute she cries. I am her baby, no matter how old and mature I am now; I will always be a little baby to her. I am really concerned about her; I wonder how would she handle coming back home after the wedding and not find me? But, hold on for a second, I’m as alarmed; how on earth am I supposed to leave her?? I’ll be living in my dream house with my lover. I am going to make a new family, but can I do it without mom? Of course not; I will always need her help, advice, support and everything. She entered my room hours before the wedding. I was waiting for it. I knew that this moment would come, like it or not. She had a smile on

her face and sparkles of tears in her eyes showing joy and fear. She hugged me in a way that I never felt before, a way that gave me strength and at the same time revealed how weak I would be away from her. I felt that I owned the world in her sweet tender arms; really nothing is compared to a mother’s gentle hug. My relationship with my mother is very special. We are bonded with a very strong tie. I share all my secrets with her, she is my best friend. In this very special moment, mom gave me a great piece of advice. Holding me tight in her arms, she tenderly whispered into my ears and said: “You are a gift from God honey, I have been always trying to prepare myself for this particular moment, I told myself that I had to be strong but I think I can’t. I know I have to but it was beyond my imagination how tough this moment would be! Baby, I’ve done my best to raise you in a way that made me so proud to be your mother. So, you too have to work hard every single day to make a family that you would be someday proud of. Daughter; you may outgrow my lap but will ever outgrow my heart.”

I DOn’T KnOW WHAT

TO SAyI guess it’s my turn to talk now but what shall I say after those lovely words! Dear family, Thank you all so much for everything. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for you. You have shown me through all these years the true meaning of love. You supported me with care and equipped me with faith. Simply you provided me with the most wonderful life anyone would ever dream of. You mean the world to me. I do appreciate very much the impressing words you’ve said and I am quite sure that they will be engraved in my memories for good. I have nothing left to say but I LOVE YOU.

Page 86: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011

How did you start your successful hotel career?I joined the College des frères until the third preparatory grade. After that I moved to London and stayed there for around 2 years. I returned to join the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, and immediately after my graduation I started my hotel career in the Sales Department in Luxor for about two years. I moved to Sinai for three years and worked in a number of Hilton resorts. During my stay, I prepared my Master’s thesis and then moved to work in the Four Seasons Hotel. Afterwards, I came back to Ramses Hilton, then Residence Hilton, and finally Hilton Plaza in Hurghada. Then there was the offer from Safir Hotel to work as the General Manager of the Hotel in Zamalek, later changed to Hilton Zamalek Residence Cairo. What is your vision in joining Hilton Zamalek Residence Cairo?Hilton Zamalek is privileged with a lot of success elements and high competitive potentials especially with the renovations made in the entire hotel.

How does the hotel appeal to Egyptians?The Egyptians come to the hotel in a satisfactory manner all year long, and they particularly increase around the swimming pool. As for the major occupancy, it is for the Kuwaiti guests. This is from the total occupancy of the year which mainly includes the Arabian tourism along with some different nationalities, thanks to the unique location of the hotel in-between many foreign and Arabian embassies. Moreover, the reservations of the extended stays have increased from the total activity in the hotel.

Don’t you see that the fever of hotel expansions has invaded everybody without exception?I strongly agree. Previously, the expanded management companies were the most spreading trademark companies known for a long time in Egypt, while new trademarks in the Egyptian market were unique and more conservative regarding their expansion in the number of hotels and resorts. As for today, everybody joined the race track, and owning the largest number of special unique locations has become one of the main goals for all the managements without exception. Also the deployment has become one of the main evidences of success. The issue is no longer limited to known traditional management companies, but also extended to new ones which increased the intensity of the competition. Egypt is currently facing the danger of increasing the tourist attraction areas on the Middle East level, how do you see the challenges and competitive qualities of the Egyptian tourism?

I firmly believe in the competitive capabilities of the Egyptian tourism and its ability of attracting the Arab and foreign tourists in comparison to other tourism destinations which lately appeared on the Middle East Map and truly strongly competed such as Jordan and Dubai. Egypt has a variety of touristic resorts which enable it to compete efficiently. Its touristic product is miscellaneous and unique at the same time. It’s not about what the individual or country owns, but about how to use and benefit from it. Yes, the touristic movement

was tainted with some relative recession in the previous seasons, but the phenomenon is general and not only in Egypt. May be the most famous reason for this is the global economic crisis and its repercussions which we still live till now, although the private sector is doing fine, especially with the steady and stable increase of foreign businesses in our country, which we can clearly observe in winter season as vacant rooms are rarely found in most hotels.

How do you measure the success rate of the hotel and its excellence?

Usually the success of any hotel is measured by occupancy rates. Profits of the food and beverages department are not included, as such department is not characterized with relative marketability in Egypt for many reasons. The most salient of them is that it is not popular among Egyptians to go and have frequent meals in hotel restaurants, as the Egyptian customer prefers outdoor restaurants in general. Such tendency makes some of the hotels recourse to the international restaurants to overcome such obstacle and depend on the marketability of the trademark and the interest

of the customer in it, hence supporting food and beverages inside the hotel with the least possible effort.

What about Hilton Zamalek Residence Cairo and its competitive potential?Despite the increase of the global trademarks and their spread and strong competitiveness, Hilton Zamalek Residence Cairo preserves some special qualities and high competitive potentials headed by its unique location as the hotel overlooks one of the most wide open areas on the Nile River. Moreover, it is not disturbed by any main streets as it is with most of the other hotels overlooking the Nile. This guarantees for the guests the most comfort and luxury and preserving their complete privacy. Also the neighborhood is an advantage for its elegance and farness from Cairo noise as plenty of Arab and foreign embassies exist in Zamalek area. We cannot also miss the extended stay service offered by the hotel which distinguishes it among only three hotels specialized in such kind of stays in Cairo. Last but not least, I think that the small number of hotel rooms in Hilton Zamalek Residence compared with other hotels is also another competitive edge, as the hotel preserves its luster by being able to occupy the rooms without resorting to touristic discount offers and others to occupy a large number of rooms in low touristic seasons. What about the challenges that the hotel faces?Like other hotels, Hilton Zamalek faces some challenges, but the biggest and the most important one is changing the image of the hotel as a whole in people’s mindsets. The recent renovations and including the hotel among the Hilton International Company hotels would be a great support. The change starts with reservations, as Hilton International provides the easiest ways of reservation through a central desk which combines all branches or through the website which is so easy to remember, Hilton.com. Hilton also leaves several prints that the hesitating guest might find appealing, such as the “point system” which extended-stay guests get and are exchanged for services inside the hotel or flying miles. Moreover, the Hilton is distinguished by plenty of advantages such as its famous breakfast menu and other Hilton services. And by hanging the Hilton mark on the building, several key additions will be made to the rooms, such as the modern electronic devices and internet services and other services which will increase the sense of comfort and luxury during the stay.

How does Ahmed El-Selawi see his reunion with Hilton?As one of the Hilton Family, I am truly happy, as Hilton is a big school from which many have graduated, and it has more than 3000 branches all over the world, hotels and resorts. Also its strong presence in the Middle East synchronically came with an ambitious expansion plan which is expected to be implemented on the hotel series in the region very soon. I consider myself lucky for returning with the Hilton Family again, and I see more success and accomplishments in the near future. Especially in the light of the ambitious plans of the country to support the touristic sector and vitalize the new touristic attractions on the Egyptian map. This will encourage the biggest trademarks, as Hilton and others, to invest in new areas. It will have a great impact on the sector, and consequently on the economic development wheel in general.

Mr. Ahmed el-selawiGeneral Manager of Hilton Zamalek Residence Cairo Hotel

Page 87: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011
Page 88: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011

JW MARRIOTT CAIRO WOn BUSInESS TRAVELER AWARD!JW Marriott Cairo is proud to have received, for the second consecutive time, the best business Hotel award by the Business Traveler magazine; one of the leading publications designated to business travelers with ten editions worldwide in Europe, the United States, Asia and the Middle East. As a corporate resort, the JW Marriott Cairo offers comprehensive business service making it one of the favorite designations for business travelers from all around the world. It is 7 minutes drive from the airport which provides a convenient location away from the loud and populated city. Hi-tech facilities are equipped with the latest AV technology, plasma screens, and high speed internet connectivity to cater for all business needs and events. JW Marriott Cairo is acknowledged with its overabundance of services, which are tailored for the convenience of every business traveler to delight their stay, along with luxurious Thai Mandara Spa, and state-of–art Fitness Center. Mr. Magdy Naguib, General Manager JW Marriott Cairo expressed his greatest honor to receive such an award that implies on the high standards of world class hospitality that exceeds guest’s expectations.

JAZ HOTELS RECEIVES THE “GULET HOTELO” AWARDJaz Hotels, Resorts & Cruises, received five from the total of eleven appreciation awards that the Austrian tour operator “Gulet Touristik” has given to hotels and resorts in Egypt.From Jaz Hotels & Resorts portfolio each of Iberotel Club Fanara, Iberotel Palace, Iberotel Samaya, Iberotel Makadi Oasis Club and Iberotel Makadi Beach had received this highly regarded award. The awarded hotels were chosen by the Austrian tour operator’s guests as one of the 100 most popular hotels worldwide for the year 2010. For awarding the wining hotels; “Gulet Touristik” collected and evaluated the feedback from thousands of guests’ surveys. The main criteria of valuation were the level of service, facilities, sport & activities, food & beverage of the hotels. Congratulations on a well deserved recognition! The Picture shows Mr. Hesham Said the GM of Iberotel Club Fanara while receiving the award

CAIRO MARRIOTT WINS THE MARRIOTT GLOBAL PRIZE OF BEST SALES AND MARKETING TEAMThe Sales & Marketing team of the Cairo Marriott Hotel smashed all records & expectations by receiving the most prestigious successive award, The Global “Sales & Marketing Award” among all Marriott properties worldwide for the year 2010. Worth mentioning is that it’s not only that the Cairo Marriott Sales & Marketing team won this global award for the second time, but that it was in a short period of three years, 2008 and 2010, which is considered an exclusivity between all Marriott Hotels and Resorts worldwide. This extremely well deserved recognition came as a result of the team’s hard work, dedication, creativity, resourcefulness and team work. The team collectively is not only totally customer focused but also have an unmatched, contagious passion and hunger for business. On this occasion; Mr. Mark Satterfield the Chief Operating Officer of Marriott Hotels and Resorts Middle East and Africa visited Egypt recently to congratulate the Sales and Marketing Team of the Cairo Marriott and commenting on these superb achievement, Richard Zeolla, the General Manager of the Cairo Marriott Hotel stated “What an honor to have a Global Award Winner amongst us! We were delighted when the team received the last award for the year 2008, now they smashed the records and won it twice in just three years!! I want to thank them very much for a very well deserved recognition.”Seen in the photo: Mark Satterfield, Chief Operating Officer of Marriott Hotels and Resorts Middle East and Africa, Richard Zeolla General Manager of Cairo Marriott Hotel. Omar Tantawy Resident Manager of Cairo Marriott Hotel – Nadia Al Ansari , Director of Sales & Marketing with the winning Sales & Marketing team.

TRAVCO GROUP REAPS IT’S FIFTH AMADEUS AWARDIn a revolution inspired event which took place on May 11th, Amadeus once again recognized Travco Group for generating the highest volume of business in the market. Since the revolution, Travco Group has been keen on promoting tourism domestically to help boost the economy, and has always remained optimistic about the revival of the industry. These efforts proved to be fruitful as the company maintained its status as the number one winner of the “Top Aviation Customer Award” for the fifth consecutive year, despite the circumstances. The Amadeus annual party took place at the Intercontinental City Stars, with an Egyptian theme to highlight the recent events and create a more patriotic feel. Another distinctive feature was the launch of the new “Ticketing” Award, whereas Travco Group was ranked as the second highest issuer of tickets through its 13 branches in Egypt. The awards were distributed by Mr. Ahmed Youssef, regional manager Amadeus. The awards were received by EgyptAir Reservation Manager, Mr. Mostafa Amin. Travco’s delegation also included Ms. Nabila Abdallah, aviation manager Travco, Manager of the aviation branches, Mr. Abdel Moti Zanaty, and Manager of Aviation Accounts, Mr. Hamed Abdel Maaboud.

AWARDS

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Page 90: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011

RED BULL PARK DRIFT, FIRST TIME In EGyPT Following the great success in the Middle East, the regional competitions of «Red Bull Car Park Drift» are held for a second successive year. The screening this year will include an Egyptian stop on July 8th. This stop will be an opportunity to determine «The Drifting King» who will represent Egypt in Beirut finals. The local championship of «Red Bull Car Park Drift», that Egypt hosts under the auspices of Chevrolet and Mega FM, will be held on Friday, July 8th, at 4 p.m. in Porto Marina- North Coast, on a special track that would be designed by the champion of rallies and speed racings, Abdo Faghaly who will evaluate the drivers’ performance in collaboration with jury. Taken into consideration at first place are the drift shows provided by the drivers in their modified cars through using hand brakes and special skills to enter the turns in most wonderful and accurate ways. The roar of car engine and its external appearance as well as the smoke produced by the friction of the tires and enthusiasm of the cheering audience will also affect the results. Lu’ai el-Shurafaa’, Regional Director of Chevrolet Trade Mark at General Motors, ME operations, said, «We are very enthusiastic to participate in Red Bull Car Park Drift. We will benefit from this activity to communicate with our clients and motor sport fans in Egypt, specifically the drifting sport. Red bull keeps providing activities that Camaro uses to show its legendary capabilities that have become synonymous to interesting and exciting driving as well as to show the drift driver’s skills.» «Red Bull Car Park Drift» competitions give the drivers in Egypt the opportunity to showcase their skills of driving and drift arts, stresses Faghaly who will give special show rounds within the screening process. Red Bull’s driver explains, «The importance of the event is that it combines both speed and showing implicit within a scope of a specific track in which all safety criteria are respected». The competitions are expected to reach their peak before determining «the Drift King» who will be qualified for the finals hosted in Lebanon , July 22nd, noting that screening include as well UAE, KSA, Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, Jordan and Iran, in addition to Lebanon ,the host country.

MITSUBISHI RACERS ASSURE THEIR TALEnTS In THE 1ST ROUnD OF EGyPT SPEED CHALLEnGE CHAMPIOnSHIP – 2011Under the slogan (Be Smart - Drive Safe) and in two consecutive days, El Wadi Karting track in Ein El-Sokhna hosted the first round of Egypt Speed Challenge 2011, which was attended by more than 60 of the best speed racers in Egypt. With the guidance of the main regulations and laws governing the international speed races by the International Federation of Motor Sport (FIA), the Championship was brought under the auspices of (EFMS) the Egyptian Federation for Motor Sports and under the supervision of (ATCE) Automobile & Touring Club of Egypt (the representative of the FIA in Egypt), and was sponsored by Horizon hotel and Red Bull (power drink).... The challenge was organized by SPARK Consultancy (Ashraf Kara) & the International Racer; Nader ELKhayyat where Haitham Samir won 1st round, Haitham Belal surprised all, while Khaled Imam came third

InTERCOnTInEnTAL CITySTARS SUPPORTS “THREE FARMERS AnD A GREEK” BIKE RIDERSInterContinental Cairo Citystars hosted “Three Farmers and a Greek” motor bike riders. They are a group of four South Africans travelling through Africa from Cape Town to Cairo covering around 13,000 kilometers starting from South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan and finally Egypt. They are supporting a charity cause by raising money for the Adelaide Hospital in South Africa which is a small rural hospital situated in the Eastern Cape. The hotel helped in recharging the bikers’ energy by pampering them with massage sessions to recover from the long journey and prepare them for their departure.Paul Schenk the hotel’s Executive Assistant Manager welcomed the group upon their arrival and wished them good luck in their noble mission

SPORTS

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Page 92: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011

Marriott Egypt Properties celebrate Egypt 25!

In the spirit of rebuilding and supporting Egypt, Marriott Egypt properties; JW Marriott Hotel Cairo, Renaissance Sharm El Sheikh Golden View Beach Resort, Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino, Sharm El Sheikh Marriott Red Sea Resorts, Hurghada Marriott Red Sea Resorts and Taba Heights Marriott Red Sea Resort are celebrating the 25th of January 2011 since it has become a significant date that represents the transformation of Egypt. They are bringing in a whole new irresistible bouquet of special packages and promotions this year. Marriott Egypt properties are launching the “Celebrate Egypt 25 Campaign” where they are offering to their esteemed guests attractive and exciting offers that all revolve around the number 25. Guests will experience special treats when staying on the 25th of each month, booking 5 nights, booking 25 rooms or saving 25%. Marriott Egypt properties are inviting tourists and Egyptian citizens to experience Egypt. This great country has numerous opportunities including ancient sightseeing, varied nightlife, top shopping malls and the finest places to dine. A vibrant destination offering a fascinating sensual experience unparalleled in the Middle East. Each Marriott Hotel & Resort in Egypt has a significant destination, offering a plethora of services, which are tailored for the convenience of guests to delight and enrich their stay. Famed for Food and Beverage excellence, elegantly furnished rooms, comfortable suites, comprehensive fitness and leisure facilities and welcoming associates. Marriott pledges that each community will be a better place to live and work because associates and management help in building it. Marriott Egypt properties have always been a great contributor to community service and will constantly exert efforts for serving and celebrating Egypt making history.

Chinese Reporters at Dusit Thani LakeViewDusit Thani LakeView hosted recently a group of prominent Chinese travel writers during their last visit to Egypt. The reason behind this visit is to promote travel business in Egypt from China and Asia. Not only the travel writers of the group showed their much admiration about the hotel’s tempting Thai interiors but also mentioned the hotel’s outstanding meeting facilities and quality of individual service. By the end of their tour the Chinese reporters had their dinner at the Ruen Thai restaurant, where they enjoyed plenty of significant Thai delights. In the picture Ms. Noha Fathy, Assistant Marketing Manager, welcoming

THE nEWLy RELEASED GRAnD nILE TOWER…COMMITMEnT TO ExCELLEnCEThe Saudi Egyptian Touristic Development Company has the pleasure to announce releasing Grand Nile Tower hotel directly poised on the banks of the Nile River. The company aims to show its continuous support to the Egyptian Economy via increasing its investments in Egypt through its superior flagship hotel in the capital Cairo, Grand Nile Tower. Stunningly glamorous is the best way to describe the newly released Tower beautifully located on the Nile, offering the highest standards of hospitality service. Grand Nile Tower is well known for its exceptional location, a haven poised directly on the banks of the Nile. Luxuriously appointed 715 rooms and suites offering the ultimate comfort, featuring panoramic views of the river, in addition to its famous restaurants with diversified authentic cuisines; Japanese, Indian, Italian, Oriental and International –all with the same exceptional views; including the magnificent Revolving restaurant, the highest restaurant in the Middle East rotating 360 degrees, with unprecedented views of Cairo. Craving an outstanding Nile cruise! There’s nothing better than Marquise, Grand Nile Tower’s floating yacht with

elegantly Nile cruises and live entertainment. Breathtaking views, spacious, flexible and exquisitely appointed facilities, superb support services make Grand Nile Tower the ideal venue for any event; large or small, wedding or themed parties, gala dinners or receptions, accommodating up to 900 guests. Grand Nile Tower offers spectacular banquet venues in Egypt.

GRAnD HyATT HOSTS MOUnIR ABDEL nOUR, MInISTER OF TOURISMGrand Hyatt Cairo recently hosted Minister Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour, Minister of Tourism to discuss the role of tourism after the revolution in the revival of the Egyptian economy, the challenges and obstacles, the plan of the tourism recovery and the optimistic expected outcome. The event started by luncheon held at Farhaty ballroom with its unique breathtaking views of the Nile, where Amr El Ezaby, Chairman of Egyptian Tourist Authority, key figures of the Egyptian tourism industry, and VIPs of the hospitality field attended. Grand Hyatt Cairo’s management team welcomed Minister Abdel Nour and all VIP attendees whom all praised the quality of service and hospitality that was provided by Grand Hyatt Cairo’s team during this key event.

InterContinental Citystars hosted a FAM trip from the Grand Duchy of LuxembourgInterContinental Cairo Citystars recently hosted a FAM trip from Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in collaboration with MTS Egypt. The delegation comprised of 20 journalists and travel agents to encourage tourists to resume their visits to Egypt. Thierry Perrot, Area General Manager InterContinental Hotels Group Citystars and General Manager InterContinental Cairo Citystars welcomed the group upon their arrival.

COMMUnITy

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LATIn AMERICA AnD MIDDLE EAST GET A STEP CLOSER THAnKS TO BRITISH AIRWAyS/IBERIA MERGER

BA announces special fares on all cabin classes to the UK and north AmericaBritish Airways and Iberia are placing their codes on a new tranche of one another’s flights, bringing Latin America closer for BA’s customers and the Middle East to the doorstep of Iberia’s travelers. Customers can now enjoy a wider range of flights that accommodate various travel schedules and budgets; all they need to do is to mix and match Iberia and British Airways’ flights to and from Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Johannesburg, Lagos, and Cairo. Andrew Crawley, British Airways’ Commercial Director, said: “Our customers can now reap the real benefit of our merger with Iberia as we introduce these exciting routes to them. Latin America is a real draw for our travellers and it will be simpler for Iberia’s customers to access the Middle East.” “As our operations around the world continue to achieve the very highest standards and in order to exceed our customers’ expectations, we recognize the importance of adapting to the needs of our clients,” said Mervat Alfy, Country Commercial Manager for British Airways in Egypt. “British Airways is excited to offer our award-winning services at an excellent value for all our travellers.” British Airways has invested significant resources to facilitate all travel processes for valued passengers by embracing the benefits of technology and automation every step of the way, from planning, booking, flying to interfacing with the airline. More details can be found at www.ba.com.

OHC Maintains Construction and Delivery Dates for new Phase ‘Haram Life’Building on the success of their flagship project in Egypt “Haram City”, Orascom Housing Communities maintains its scheduled progress of the newest phase “Haram Life”. The new phase will span over an area of 504,000 sq m and will include over 4,500 housing units upon completion. To date approximately 600 units were sold and their delivery is maintained at the set date. “Egypt’s population is rapidly growing at 1.5-2%pa with 48% of the population between the ages of 15 to 45 and an average of 540,000 marriages pa. The latter puts an enormous demand for affordable housing and according to statistics, there is a shortage of tens of thousands of units every year. OHC is constantly striving to meet this continuing demand and are committed to develop high-quality affordable housing units”, said Omar Elhitamy, Managing Director, OHC. Haram Life offers clients designs with modern architectural layouts; the 35 buildings currently under construction will have either 8 or 16 apartments. The newly adopted architecture caters to a larger pool of the Egyptian society by providing an additional option. Buyers can also choose from two, three, and four bedroom apartments, with all units including a living room, kitchen and bathroom. To further facilitate the purchase of Haram Life units, OHC has modified payment terms and conditions. The unit’s down-payment can be amortized on a period of 12 months after which the buyer starts settling the mortgage payments. Also, perspective buyers can choose between semi-finished or finished units that are expected to be delivered within two year of purchase.

Sequoia Opens “Meet me at the Garden” Kid Area Sequoia has allocated its private plant nursery for an outdoor children’s play area, making it a very special space with an authentic farm-like feel, where children can have an extraordinary outdoor experience overlooking the Nile, all in the comfort of staying in the Centre of Cairo. The design was done in coordination with Ms. Yasmine Abdel Gawad, a mother of two kids, who is a certified interior designer by the European Institute of design, Madrid. Out of Sequoia’s care for the young ones, they will be given a perfect chance to be in touch with nature and to stimulate all their senses by playing with various material including water, paint, sand, plants and even animals. The Garden will also feature a shaded play area with swings, slides, climbing obstacles and all sorts of interactive play material as well as an open green space for the freedom to play soccer, host picnics, or simply just run around. For the comfort of your mealtimes, there will be a seating area available for both adults and children to enjoy the full range of Sequoias’ famous menu. You can save the hassle of planning a birthday, and bring your party to The Garden and experience the exciting range of activities and events on offer to make your child’s day one that he/she will constantly remember. On Fridays and Saturdays, special events and shows will also be planned in accordance with guided professionals to involve children in a number of activities such as arts and crafts to give them a chance to learn and enjoy new skills and express their individual talents. The play area is open 7 days a week from 12:00 noon to 07:00 p.m.

Development Of Leadership A Top Priority For Starwood Hotels & ResortsBased on Starwood’s believe of the importance

of the constant training of all associates and its policy of enhancing the capabilities and skills of the individuals that will lead its hotels and its different Brands worldwide toward being a World Class Brand, Mrs. Faten Halim Director of Training, Sheraton Cairo, organized seminar for the Training leaders of Starwood 10 properties in Egypt for one week on Leadership and Coaching skills for Management. The leadership and coaching aimed at explaining the leader’s role in supporting the associate performance excellence and behaviors. Learning and development opportunities are an integrated part of the Starwood strategy to retain talent and lead with excellence. Seen in the picture, Mrs. Faten Halim among the Training Directors of Sheraton and Le Méridien Hotels in Egypt.

STARWOOD COnTInUES TO HIGHLIGHT EGyPT AS An ATTRACTIVE TOURIST DESTInATIOn Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced the launch of an integrated social media campaign to help promote Egypt as a safe tourist destination including key destinations within the region such as Cairo, Red Sea, Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab. “Starwood has a strong presence and a long history of operations in Egypt, managing ten properties under the Sheraton and Le Méridien brands. “These campaign initiatives aim to highlight Egypt as a secure and attractive tourist destination for international travellers as of Starwood’s commitment to actively promote tourism to the region.” says Hassan Ahdab, Starwood’s Vice President and Regional Director of Operations for Africa and the Indian Ocean. “Last year

Egypt welcomed close to 14 million travellers from all over the world underlining our confidence in the market and our commitment to restoring the confidence levels of both business and leisure travellers.” A dedicated website www.egypt-hospitality.com and a social media campaign will be launched soon, both of which will be rich in video and interactive content, to highlight the history of hospitality and service of all 10 Starwood Hotels in the country. The campaign also features the culture, diversity and stunning beauty which encompasses Egypt’s history and which are still present today. More information about the campaign will soon be available via the dedicated website www.egypt-hospitality.com. Starwood has also partnered on a project with UNICEF which will enable guests to donate money towards helping the street children of Egypt who have been most affected by the recent turmoil in the country. Through the dedicated Facebook page of the campaign, fans will be able to upload content from their past and current holidays in Egypt. Starwood Hotels in Egypt will donate $1 per each valid piece of content and a team will pick the best photo or video that will win 7 nights which can be used in any of Starwood hotels and resorts in Egypt.

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UnDER THE MICROSCOPE PART 3Find here with us things about your zodiac you’ve never guessed before; be it punctuality, bitch rating or even how sex is like; you’ll find it all here under your sign so as to give you a better idea about your inner self. In this part we’ll see through the Virgo, Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius

Your Zodiac’s personality

Virgo(Aug 23 - sep 22)

Punctuality: You are always exactly on time. If you ran the world, you would make being deliberately late a crime.

Temper Gauge: You maintain a constant inner seethe-rate. Although you can reach boiling point if disturbed, you never return to 0.

Bitch Rating: A+. You should just slash and run but you like to stay around and make sure the fine points have been rammed home.What’s sex with a Virgo like? A full service ;)

Dark Side: You have a martyr complex, feeling that you were put on this earth to do good work and not receive any credit for it. You tend to be ultra critical of yourself and others and you also worry about things that are beyond your control. A little pessimistic sometimes, you tend to be an intellectual snob. You bottle up all your insecurities and fears, and hesitate to reach out for help. And once in a while, you become a busybody- that’s when you also feel responsible for other people’s problems.

Summary: A peevish, hypercritical anal-retentive, with an obsession for sterile perfectionism and a pedantic fetish for detail.

Advice: Modesty has its own limits - take credit for your efforts. Give yourself a break and know that you do not have to be successful in everything you do. Keep focused and don’t get tangled in other people’s affairs too often..

Libra(sep 23 - oct 23))

Punctuality: You are always late because you take so damn long to decide what to wear. But you look so gorgeous that you are forgiven.

Temper Gauge: 0 degrees to boiling point in 20 secs but only when losing your cool will get you what you want. (It always works.)

Bitch Rating: A+. or D You never say anything to anyone’s face, but you whisper poisonous remarks behind your victim’s back.

What’s sex with a Libra like? Easy and teasy ;)

Dark Side: Your inability to reach a decision in matters of personal action is legendary. You like to weigh all the alternatives and hear every side of an argument -but this may take time and opportunities may pass you by because of it. You also like to expand energy on people who may not deserve it - You want to help the underdog. You are also sensitive to criticism and may take mild statements of fact very personally.

Summary: A vain, shallow, spendthrift w/ an unerring eye for style over substance & a lifelong dedication to the quest for an easy meal ticket.

Advice: Follow your instincts and act on them - stop sitting on fences. Don’t blindly trust people; learn to be a little more discriminating in your offers of help. Learn to think for yourself and don’t be swayed by persuasive tongues..

scorpio(oct 24 - nov 21)

Punctuality: You are always early to see everyone else arrive. That way you know when an enemy arrives and plan to ruin their night.

Temper Gauge: 0 degrees to boiling in 10 secs. You never shout, but you stare intimidatingly and summon you henchmen.

Bitch Rating: A+. You study one’s psychology, pinpoint their weaknesses and make a frightening strike where you know it will hurt.What’s sex with a Scorpio like? Obsessive, relentless and illicit ;)

Dark Side: You have a revengeful streak and a long memory for past hurts. Sometimes you’re downright spiteful. When you suffer, you make sure others suffer along with you. Sometimes, you may even use deception to get what you want and to influence others to stay out of your way. You may even believe these untruths and unrealistic fears will grow on you. Once in a while, you may come across someone that just rubs you on the wrong side for no apparent reason and you make it your mission to bury him or her.

Summary: An obsessive, possessive, manipulator with an unquenchable lust for power and a penchant for degradation.

Advice: Flight the negative emotions that arise in you, and resentment will not sour your life. Don’t’ give into temptation to tell lies, learn to conquer your strong tendency towards revenge and things will fall into place for you.

sagittarius (nov 22 - dec 21)

Punctuality: You are 4 hours late with scorch marks, 2 days late because you were arrested, or never show up because you do your own thing.

Temper Gauge: 0 degrees to boiling in a nanosecond. Loud shouting & violent rampage with weapons, but once done you forget it.

Bitch Rating: D-. You lack the finesse to be a bitch but you’re still crude & blunt enough to send one sobbing in the restroom.

What’s sex with a Sagittarius like? Rigorous, adventurous and energetic ;)

Dark Side: You’ve got a big mouth and unwittingly hurt and insult people with it. You can even go to utter strangers and give unsolicited advice and comments. You also seem to enjoy verbal duels with others whenever you can. And you sure can make sore losers, even suspecting foul play if things don’t go your way. You have a knack for confrontation and you can’t resist being sarcastic. You also don’t think too much of many people, because you have a mild superiority complex. Vanity is also a trait in many of you.

Summary: A reckless, tactless, obnoxious oaf, with a morbid fear of restraint and addiction to losing your shirt.

Advice: Learn with whom you can be frank otherwise keep your comments to yourself. Discretion is the better part of valor. Curb your cockiness, and you can combine it with your concern for serious issues, aiding in your search for truth.

ZODIAC

Page 95: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011
Page 96: Magnificent Wedding Issue 2011