We are getting married

Raouf & Lea

The 29th of August, 2026

Lebanon

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A Story Worth Celebrating

Two people. One shared love for life, for warmth, for the places and moments that make time feel suspended. Raouf and Lea chose Lebanon — its ancient shores, its lavender dusk, its generous tables — as the setting where their forever begins. We cannot imagine a more fitting backdrop.

To every friend and family member travelling from near and far to be here — your presence is the greatest gift. This guide is for you.

The Day

The Ceremony

Time 2:00 in the afternoon

Church Lebanon Coptic Church

Guests are invited to be seated
fifteen minutes before the hour.

The Reception

Time Dinner & dancing to follow

Venue Domaine de Zekrit

An evening of Mediterranean
hospitality, food & celebration.

Discovering Lebanon

Lebanon is ancient and vivid — a country where civilisations overlap and every meal feels like a celebration. Below is a curated guide for guests arriving from abroad, covering four of the most beautiful stops along the coast.

01

Beirut

Culture · Cuisine · Nightlife

The capital is your starting point — vibrant, layered, and endlessly generous at the table. Base yourself in Achrafieh or downtown and let the city unfold.

Where to Stay

  • Four Seasons Beirut Zaitunay Bay · Waterfront luxury, the city's finest address
  • Phoenicia Beirut Ain el Mreisseh · Iconic landmark, sea views, timeless elegance
  • Sofitel Beirut Le Gabriel Achrafieh · Boutique, quiet, impeccably refined
  • The Smallville Hotel Badaro · Design-forward mid-range, popular with a creative crowd
  • Mayflower Hotel Hamra · Long-standing, well-located, comfortable & unpretentious

What to Do

  • Pigeon Rocks — Raouché Iconic coastal arches · best savoured at sunset from a corniche café
  • National Museum of Beirut Lebanon's finest archaeological collection, beautifully curated — allow two hours
  • Sursock Museum Achrafieh · Contemporary art in a grand 19th-century mansion
  • Gemmayzeh & Mar Mikhael Street art, galleries, and the city's most spirited evening quarter
  • Downtown & Place de l'Étoile The restored city centre · grand architecture, café terraces, and layered history
  • Corniche at Golden Hour The definitive Beirut ritual — a sea-facing stroll as the city turns amber

Where to Eat

  • Em Sherif Collection Em Sherif Restaurant · Em Sherif Café · Em Sherif Sea Café · Em Sherif Deli — the full spectrum of Lebanese dining under one celebrated name
  • Mounir Broummana · Traditional Lebanese mezze with sweeping mountain views — a perfect afternoon outing
  • Barbar Iconic Beirut institution · the finest shawarma in the city, open around the clock
  • Bouza Bachir Achrafieh · Lebanon's most beloved ice cream, made the traditional way — an unmissable stop
  • L'Abeille d'Or The destination for Kanafeh in Lebanon — rich, warm, worth every detour
To the Church ~15 mins by car
To Domaine de Zekrit ~30 mins by car

Our recommended base — the greatest concentration of things to see, eat, and explore, with comfortable access to both venues on the day.

02

Jounieh

Coastline · Views · Harissa

A sweeping bay north of Beirut, ideally placed for wedding guests — close to both the church and the venue, with easy access to the coast and the mountains. Our Lady of Lebanon watches over from above.

Where to Stay

  • Burj on Bay Hotel Tabarja · Sleek, sea-facing contemporary hotel with panoramic bay views
  • Zetta Hotel Kaslik · Modern boutique property, well-positioned on the bay
  • Holiday Suites & Beach Resort Comfortable mid-range · spacious rooms with beachfront access
  • Golden Tulip Serenada Jounieh · Reliable mid-range option, good location, no surprises

What to Do

  • Our Lady of Lebanon — Harissa Take the historic cable car up to the hilltop shrine · panoramic views over the bay and coast below
  • Jeita Grotto ~10 min away · A UNESCO candidate and one of the world's most spectacular cave systems — allow a half day
  • Jounieh Bay Waterfront A classic Lebanese promenade · waterfront cafés, sea air, and a beautiful sweep of coast
  • Kaslik Promenade Boutique shopping, café terraces, and easy evening dining along the seafront
  • Casino du Liban Hilltop landmark with sweeping bay views · a Lebanese institution worth seeing

Where to Eat

  • Babel Collection Babel Dbayeh · Babel Bay · Bebabel — celebrated Lebanese cuisine across three distinctive settings, all in Beirut
  • Punta Del Este Seafood-forward, popular for groups, beautiful coastal setting
  • Chez Toni Long-standing Lebanese with views · a reliable evening favourite
To the Church ~30 mins by car
To Domaine de Zekrit ~20 mins by car
03

Byblos

Ancient Harbour · Old Souk · History

One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth. The ancient harbour, the crusader citadel, the old souk — all walkable, all breathtaking at golden hour.

Where to Stay

  • Eddé Sands Upscale beach resort in season · the most refined address in the area
  • Ahiram Hotel Boutique mid-range · old-town atmosphere, steps from the ancient port
  • Maximus Hotel Byblos Comfortable mid-range · modern rooms, excellently located for exploring
  • Byblos Sur Mer Well-priced, sea-facing option in the heart of the old town

What to Do

  • Byblos Citadel & Ancient Harbour A Crusader castle rising over a Phoenician port · one of the most evocative sites in the Middle East
  • Old Souk Wander the cobbled lanes lined with antique dealers, jewellers, and artisan workshops
  • Church of St. John the Baptist 12th-century Crusader church · one of the finest medieval buildings in Lebanon
  • Byblos Fossil Museum World-class collection of 90-million-year-old fish fossils found in the Lebanese mountains
  • Sunset at the Port Sit at a harbour café as the fishing boats come in — an unhurried, unforgettable hour

Where to Eat

  • Bab El Mina Seafood by the ancient harbour · reserve a table at sunset
  • Pepe Abed Beloved Lebanese mezze · casual, generous, consistently excellent
  • Feniqia Seafront dining · romantic, simple, fresh
To the Church ~50 mins by car
To Domaine de Zekrit ~40 mins by car
04

Batroun

Beaches · Wine · Artisan Town

A charming coastal town celebrated for its microbreweries, natural wine bars, and beach clubs. The old stone souk and Phoenician sea wall make for an exceptional afternoon wander.

Where to Stay

  • Old Town Stone Houses Boutique guesthouses in beautifully restored stone buildings · walkable to restaurants and the sea
  • Beachfront Villas (seasonal) Private coastal rentals — ideal for groups or families, full comfort
  • Aqualand Hotel & Resort Mid-range resort-style · spacious, pool, good base for the wider area
  • Tama Hotel Comfortable budget-friendly option in the town centre, well-reviewed

What to Do

  • Phoenician Sea Wall A 2,500-year-old wall rising from the sea · one of the most remarkable ancient structures in Lebanon
  • Old Souk & Saint Stephan Cathedral A morning wander through Batroun's beautifully preserved historic centre
  • White Beach & Beach Clubs Arguably Lebanon's finest natural beach · clear water, fine sand, perfect for a summer day
  • Ixsir Winery Hilltop estate with stunning mountain views · tours, tastings, and a fine lunch — a half-day worth making
  • Douma Village A short drive into the mountains · a perfectly preserved Ottoman-era village with cool air and panoramic views

Where to Eat & Drink

  • Colonel Beer Microbrewery A Batroun institution · excellent craft beers, great for groups
  • Baton Rouge Casual dining favourite · lively, well-regarded
To the Church ~60 mins by car
To Domaine de Zekrit ~45 mins by car
Nothing is more beautiful than celebrating love surrounded by the people who mean the most to us.

A Suggested Itinerary

Not a strict plan — simply a way to make the most of Lebanon before or after the wedding. All distances are short. All moments are generous.

Day One

Arrive in Beirut

Settle into your hotel. An evening walk along the Zaitunay Bay waterfront, then dinner at Em Sherif or Liza. Drinks in Gemmayzeh to end the night.

Day Two

Beirut → Byblos

Morning at leisure in Beirut. Drive north to Byblos. Walk the old souk and citadel at golden hour. Dinner at Bab El Mina by the harbour.

Day Three

Batroun & the Coast

Morning at a beach club in Batroun. Afternoon visit to Ixsir Winery in the hills. Evening drinks at Colonel Beer, then dinner at Baton Rouge.

Day Four

Jounieh & Harissa

Cable car up to Harissa for panoramic views. Lunch in Kaslik. Afternoon at leisure by the bay. Rest and prepare for the wedding evening ahead.

August 29

The Wedding Day ✦

Raouf & Lea. A summer evening in Lebanon. A celebration that will endure.

Practical Notes

Restaurants

Reservations are strongly recommended for dinner Thursday–Sunday. Book ahead, especially for harbour tables in Byblos and top addresses in Beirut.

Transport

A private driver for the duration of your stay is the most comfortable option. Your hotel can arrange one. The coastal highway connects all four cities — no trip exceeds ninety minutes.

Weather

Late August in Lebanon is warm and clear — expect mid-30s by day and pleasant evenings with a sea breeze. Light summer clothing during the day; a light layer for evenings.

Currency

US Dollars are widely accepted alongside the Lebanese Pound. Major restaurants and hotels accept cards. It is worth carrying some cash. Your hotel concierge can advise on the current exchange.

Will You Join Us?

We would be honoured to have you celebrate with us. Please let us know whether you will be joining for the celebration.