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  4. Ethereal, Romantic, Intimate: Inside Joseph & Marianne’s Luxury Celebration of Love
Real WeddingsFeatured

Ethereal, Romantic, Intimate: Inside Joseph & Marianne’s Luxury Celebration of Love

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Ethereal, Romantic, Intimate: Inside Joseph & Marianne’s Luxury Celebration of Love

On Saturday, 21 February 2026, beneath the soaring gothic arches of St Mary’s Cathedral, Marianne and Joseph began their next chapter exactly as they had envisioned, with reverence, romance and remarkable intention.


“For our wedding, our vision was to create something that felt timeless, intimate, and deeply romantic,” Marianne shared. “We wanted to capture something warm, refined, and meaningful.”
And they did.

A Ceremony Rooted in Presence

The grandeur of St Mary’s Cathedral set a breath-taking stage, but the true beauty lay in the atmosphere they cultivated. From the beginning, the couple prioritised an intimate guest list. “We wanted to truly be present with the people who mean the most to us,” Marianne explained.


Soft romantic tones, candlelight, and classic floral arrangements framed the ceremony in quiet elegance. Nothing felt excessive. Everything felt considered. It was not about spectacle, it was about connection.

An Evening at Oliveto, Designed With Heart


The celebration continued at Oliveto Ristorante, where candlelit tables glowed against a backdrop of understated refinement. Every sensory detail was intentional.
Music carried the emotion of the evening, a live violinist, a Lebanese singer who surprised the couple with a serenade of “Nasini el Dounia”, and a vocalist who performed the father-daughter and mother-son dances live. It was immersive and deeply personal.


But the most unforgettable moment unfolded during the speeches.
Following an emotional tribute, Marianne surprised Joseph with a custom portrait of him and his late father, something she had been quietly planning since the beginning of their engagement. “It was an extremely tender and emotional moment for us,” they reflected. The room fell silent. Tears were shared freely. It was love in its most vulnerable form.

Food as Their Love Language

For Joseph and Marianne, the menu was never just catering, it was storytelling.
“Food is far more than hospitality; it’s our love language,” they said. “It’s how we celebrate, how we gather people, and how we express care.”


Working closely with the venue, they curated a bespoke culinary journey: roaming canapés, abundant seafood towers complete with whole lobsters, and their favourite pasta prepared exactly as they love it. To honour their Lebanese heritage, a dedicated Lebanese sweet station added depth and nostalgia to the dessert course. And as the evening reached its crescendo, a tequila cart delivered a spirited finale that felt unmistakably theirs.

“These weren’t just menu choices; they were personal signatures woven into the evening.”

A Marriage Built on Partnership

Joseph was equally intentional in the planning process. His advice to other grooms is refreshingly simple: “Be curious. Be present. Be involved.”


“I chose to lean in, to ask questions, to care about the details, and to understand the vision,” he said. “What made our wedding so special was that it didn’t feel like one person’s vision, it felt like ours.”


For Joseph, the planning process was more than logistics, it was practice for marriage itself. “This is the first major project you undertake together. Marriage is built on partnership, teamwork, and shared vision.”

The Feeling That Lingers

When asked to describe their day in three words, they answered without hesitation: ethereal, romantic and intimate.
And that is precisely how it felt.
Beyond the cathedral’s grandeur, beyond the candlelight and curated menu, what lingered most was the emotion in the room, the warmth of family, the tenderness of remembrance, and the unmistakable sense that this wedding was not designed for trend cycles.
This was a wedding designed for forever.

The Dream Team


Groom: @josephassaf
Bride: @mariannepierre
Stylist/Planner: @marynehmestylist
Day Management and MC: @jade.themc
Photo & Video: @imagehaus.co
Content: @socialsbyjoshjoseph
Bride’s Gown: @suzannablazevic
Groom’s Suits: @tailorandco
Groom’s Hair: @thebarberworkshop
Makeup: @moniquejoybeauty
Hair: @salonelle__
Florals: @montana__flora
Table Decor: @theprettytablehire
Lebanese singer: @rami_el_mir
English singer: @lisakhouri_music
Violinist: @mariamusic._
Entertainment: @itsdavidk_
Cars: @rollupinarolls
Dessert Stations: @seasweetsu
Stationery: @kindlyinvited
Cake: @p4ndaco
Wedding Bands and Engagement Ring: @houseofkdor
Bride’s Jewellery: @kahawatyjewels

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