One Couple's Two Over-the-Top Weddings in Greece and Lebanon

Celine Zabad and Jad Najjar have known one another since they were children. “Our fathers were both working in Nigeria in the 1980s, so that’s where we first met,” says Celine. “When we were teens, Jad and his family moved back to the U.S., and my family moved back to Lebanon, and we lost touch. Many years later, we ran into one another in a nightclub in Beirut!” Adding to the list of international destinations that make up their relationship, Jad took Celine on a surprise birthday trip to the Maldives, which is where he proposed in April of 2015.

When planning their wedding, the couple couldn’t decide between a more intimate celebration and a blowout bash, so they had both! Over the course of two weeks, they celebrated in both Greece and Lebanon, with hundreds (literally!) of family and friends in attendance. First up: their July 8, 2017 wedding in Spetses, Greece. There, 180 guests joined the couple for two events designed by the bride herself. “Jad and I are both beach babies, and always envisioned a sunset ceremony,” says Celine. “Greece was central for both of our families to arrive from all over the world, and a short trip to Lebanon for the rest of the festivities. We chose Spetses for its natural beauty and the quaint village feel.” The celebration—planned by Cherry on Top, produced by Deplan V, coordinated by Lauren Drablier, and photographed by Pablo Beglez—was the perfect combination of luxe and laid back. And of course, it took place on the beach!

After spending some intimate time with their guests in Greece, they newlyweds hopped on a plane and headed to Lebanon, where nearly 900 people joined them for a party like nothing you’ve ever seen before. From July 11 to July 15, they treated their loved ones to incredible entertainment, spectacular design, and more than a few surprises. “I wanted to complete the story we began in Greece with an evening inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” says Celine, taking a cue from her passion for literature. “My vision was to create something truly extraordinary and unique, and brought together a number of teams to make it happen.” She worked with Matisse Events for the events leading up to the wedding, and then turned to Stree Events and John McGuire for the wedding on July 15, 2017. Photographed by A Fist Full of Bolts and PULSE Productions and coordinated by Lauren Drablier, this extravagant wedding is one for the ages.

Keep reading to see Celine and Jad's two-week wedding extravaganza, which featured six parties across two countries. Seriously, prepare to be amazed!