A Lavish & Elegant 400-Guest Affair at The Venetian

Before their reception, the couple took stunning photos at the Van Vleck House & Gardens in Montclair. Then, Genan and Samer celebrated their marriage with 400 guests at a lavish ballroom reception at The Venetian in Garfield. They made a dramatic entrance, descending the grand staircase with sparklers adding to the festivities. Genan’s vision for an opulent, royal, elegant event was carried out in classic shades of white, ivory and champagne.

Their Story

It was a small world—and a single social media post—that brought Genan Rasheed, 24, of North Bergen, and Samer Abulebda, 28, of Fairview, together in August 2021. After he saw a photo of her on Instagram, Samer followed Genan and sent her a direct message, which led to their first coffee date. Genan soon learned that Samer lived 10 minutes away from her, that they shared many mutual friends and even that their parents knew one another. “When I first met him and we started talking, I couldn’t believe how small of a world it is that we live in,” says Genan. “It’s crazy how social media can bring people who are so close but so far to one another.” Genan found Samer smart and easy to talk to as she discovered they both love travel, adventure, interior design and sneakers. “The conversations were amazing,” says Genan. “We clicked very well, we had so much in common and our aspirations were the same.” She loves how much he cares about her, how protective he is and how he always makes her laugh.

The Proposal

On March 13, 2022, Samer and his family went to Genan’s home, and he asked Genan’s father for her hand in marriage, following their traditional Palestinian Muslim culture. He revealed her “dream ring” and placed it on her finger in front of their family members and close friends. “I was ecstatic to go on and explore life with him,” says Genan. The couple were married at the Muslim Center of Greater Princeton in West Windsor Township on September 25, 2022.

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Their Venetian Wedding

Before their reception, the couple took stunning photos at the Van Vleck House & Gardens in Montclair. Then, Genan and Samer celebrated their marriage with 400 guests at a lavish ballroom reception at The Venetian in Garfield on July 13, 2023. After cocktail hour, the couple made a dramatic entrance, descending the grand staircase with sparklers adding to the festivities. Genan’s vision for an opulent, royal, elegant event was carried out in classic shades of white, ivory and champagne. She held a hand-tied bouquet of white roses and stunned in a lace ballgown, with an overskirt she removed for dancing, and a long veil. With live Arabic music, the dance floor was packed. “The entire evening was filled with traditional dances. Not a single guest was standing on the sidelines, and everyone joyfully joined in the beautiful celebration of mine and Samer’s love,” says Genan. “Everybody was so happy. I have never seen a party where everyone was so happy to be around others.”

Favorite Detail

Genan loved The Venetian for its large size, colors that worked with her neutral palette and the beautiful chandeliers. “If it wasn’t for the venue, it wouldn’t be such a royal, gorgeous and unforgettable wedding,” she says.

Special Moment

When the couple danced to “Maktooba Leek” by Elissa, “that was finally when it was just us two dancing really slow and just being able to catch up on the day,” says Genan. “I was embracing the moment with him and singing the song that I wanted to play for my slow dance. It created an unforgettable moment.”

Advice

“I would soak up every single moment,” Genan says. “It goes by so fast.”

Honeymoon

The couple enjoyed a honeymoon to the Maldives and Qatar and are now at home in Ridgefield.

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