Jamel & Jon’s Black Tie Wedding was one for the books. What started out as planning an intimate Boston elopement quickly turned into an elegant, all day, epic celebration and I’m so happy I got to be a part of it. The moment I walked into Jamel’s parent’s house, where all the ladies were getting ready, I knew this day was going to be unforgettable. From the gorgeous details, a super fun wedding party, and beautiful ceremony to the most upbeat Lebanese reception I’ve ever seen. This day was so much fun!
In Jamel’s own words, this is their story:
“In 2012 I’d frequently visit TD bank every Friday in Boston to make deposits and remember you being the sweetest bank teller with the really long eyelashes. In 2013 I went to my friend Odette’s graduation party on a boat in the seaport (the party I was plotting my matchmaking skills for Odette to date my brother). I remember being so confused as to why my bank teller was at my family friend’s graduation party?! You were talking to my mom who I later found out has known you since you were a baby – my whole family did because you were Odette’s cousin!
Years went by we saw each other at family events, weddings, your marathon fundraisers, your cousin Odette married my brother 7 years later 😍😂. We went our own separate ways, experienced life… I started Melsy’s moved to NYC and you lived in Boston. In December of 2019 I got an invite to Celine Dion (the only thing that would make me leave Bryant Park/work in NYC) from Odette (now she was setting us up!!) That night the stars aligned….. who would have thought all along my future husband was in my life since we were little 💗. I was the last of my friends to get engaged, the last of my family members and I never thought I’d find the right one… until you.
We grew. We lived life. We went through our own ups and downs. We found ourselves and in finding ourselves we found each other. I love you so much, Jon and can’t wait to be the future Mrs. Wakim. I’m so blessed to have you in my life and call you my future husband. I love you more than you will ever know. To all of you looking for love, stop. Love yourself first. Live your life. I didn’t find my forever love until I was 34…. age is just a number and time is so precious. It’s so important to marry right than to marry wrong. Never settle. Never lose sight of you who are before finding Mr./Mrs. Right ”
How cute is their story? It’s literally straight out of a movie! Side note, if it’s seems a little confusing, Jamel’s brother married Jon’s cousin and they met at the wedding! That’s literally how my parent’s met. My dad’s brother married my mom’s cousin and my parent’s met at their wedding 🤯
This couple has so many cousins and friends which equaled a huge wedding party. At Jamel’s parent’s house there were bridesmaids all over the place having the best time getting ready and drinking mimosas. And her parent’s house was the perfect backdrop, lots of white, lots of windows and flowers everywhere! A wedding photographer’s dream! Jamel is a full time illustrator (Melsy’s Illustrations) who built her business from the ground up all on her own. She’s so talented and of course used her illustrations in her invitations and in other wedding decor which made for really unique personalized details.
Once hair and makeup was all done the bridesmaids put on their gorgeous mismatched dresses while Jamel got into her gown. With 12 bridesmaids we decided it would be fun to do a first look with them, so they all held hands with their eyes closed and walked into the room where Jamel got dressed. They all opened their eyes together and had the best reactions! One of my favorite parts of the day. Then she had an emotional first look with her parents as well before we all took off to the church.
At the church, they had a beautiful, traditional wedding ceremony. But Jon’s teary reaction to Jamel walking down the aisle with her dad was just the best 🥺 Lots of photos later, we made our way to Atkinson Country Club for the most fun reception. If you’ve never been to a Lebanese wedding reception, there is so much dancing! The Bride & Groom’s entrance is so hyped up and they come out dancing with live drummers and everyone dances and claps all around them and picks them up. This energy carries all throughout the night. it was really hard to no jump in and dance with them.
They did break to eat dinner and have toasts though, don’t worry! Lots of emotional toasts actually. Jon’s sister held her phone up to a microphone so their father could give a speech. He couldn’t attend the reception due to health reasons, there was not a dry eye in the house, including mine. Luckily Jamel’s dad got up for a speech as well and decided to bring his food up with him so that got us laughing again. And as you can see in their story above, they love Celine Dion, and Jamel’s brother did an impressive job tying her into his speech. Anyways, I could go on, there were 3 more speeches! And lots more dancing. But I’ll let the photos tell the rest of the day.
VENDORS
