It wasn’t love at first sight. But it was something better. When Christine Alhajj Moussa met Elias Al Chtaioui at a friend’s birthday party in the summer of 2019, their connection was quiet and unassuming. She was studying in Milan; he had just emerged from a long-term relationship. Introduced by a mutual friend to help her with a software program, Elias offered his guidance. What began as a one-hour tutorial turned into ten-hour conversations, laughter echoing through late-night study sessions. There was no rush. No declarations. Just the slow, steady rhythm of two souls finding harmony in shared curiosity. It wasn’t love at first sight. It was love at every moment after.
“Even with the distance, he insisted on keeping the connection alive,” Christine recalls. “When I finally returned to Lebanon in 2020, he asked me out on Valentine’s Day. That night, everything felt so natural and effortless, like we had known each other forever.”
Their bond, forged through shared dreams, only deepened. Together, they weathered the storms of a global pandemic, the pressures of building their careers and the exhilarating chaos of launching their own architectural firm, ESCA Studio, in 2021. “We’re partners in every sense,” Christine tells Dream Weddings. “We’ve had our ups and downs, but we always chose each other. We are best friends. Together we’re unbreakable.”
On July 17, 2024, Christine thought she was heading out for a casual evening with friends. Instead, she was led to a secluded, historic house nestled in the Lebanese mountains. There, a path of hundreds of flickering candles illuminated the way to Elias, waiting on one knee. “He’s not usually the romantic type,” Christine laughs, “so I was completely shocked. I cried as I said yes. It was exactly where we were meant to be.”
With a nine-month engagement ahead, the couple dove into planning their dream wedding. Christine, an architect with an eye for detail, collaborated closely with her sisters and her sister-in-law, the creative force behind event planning agency The Aura Touch. “We designed every detail together, from the smallest element to the grandest gesture.”
On August 30, 2025 – exactly six years after their first encounter – Christine and Elias were married at Les Vignobles, a breathtaking venue in Zahle, not far from Elias’ hometown. “We chose it for its location in the valley and the surrounding vineyards,” Christine explains. It felt like a natural extension of who the couple are – romantic, grounded and full of life.
The ceremony unfolded beneath the open sky, with the mountains standing witness. Christine prepared for the day at the historic Hotel Kadri, where a surprise awaited her: a handwritten letter from Elias. “We had agreed not to write vows,” she says, “but he left me a beautiful letter. I cried the moment I read it. It was so honest, so full of love.”
The ceremony began with the ethereal notes of Ave Maria, performed live by a choral group, echoing through the hills as the bride made her way down the aisle. The service was simple, emotional and full of meaning. “All we needed was love, honesty and the people who mattered most around us. Walking down the aisle and meeting Elias at the altar felt like living a dream we had both waited for and worked for.”
Mirroring the poetic nature was Christine’s gown. Designed by her uncle, the legendary Zuhair Murad, the custom-made dress was a labour of love. “From the beginning, I trusted him completely. We spent time discussing how the dress should reflect my personality – timeless, feminine and unique. He spent hours sketching and refining the design until we found the perfect balance between structure and romance.”
The result was a masterpiece: a corset bodice adorned with delicate lace embroidery; detachable sleeves and a dramatic overskirt tied with a couture bow. A cathedral-length veil, embroidered with intricate lace, gently trailed behind her. “Each fitting was magical,” she says. “Watching the dress evolve from a sketch into reality was surreal.”
Christine paired the gown with white lace pointed-toe heels, also designed by Zuhair Murad. Her sister Sabine, her sole bridesmaid, wore a custom sage-green dress from the atelier.
The wedding’s aesthetic was a masterclass in organic elegance. Inspired by the venue’s lush surroundings, Christine and her team curated a palette of greens and whites, accented with natural textures and soft drapery. The tables were dressed in off-white linens, adorned with silver tableware and garden-style centrepieces of white lilies, roses, lisianthus, dahlias and anthuriums. Eucalyptus and green amaranthus added texture. As twilight fell, fairy lights twinkled above, casting a golden glow over the celebration and transforming the vineyard into a dreamscape.
As the sun dipped below the mountains, the celebrations continued. The couple’s first dance was to W Btir by Ziad Bourji. The evening unfolded with a blend of Arabic and international music, with Carlos Hikri performing live and setting a soulful tone. At midnight, the energy shifted into high gear with an afterparty that pulsed with delight and dancing.
Personal touches made the night unforgettable: a vintage-style photo booth captured candid moments during the welcome drinks; a Champagne tower sparkled under the stars; and instead of a traditional cake, a grand grape tart was served. Each guest received a personalised marble coaster – crafted from Carrara and Calacatta stone – engraved with the couple’s initials and wedding date. “We wanted to give something meaningful,” Christine explains.
After the final dance, as the fairy lights dimmed and the last notes of music faded into the night, Christine and Elias lingered in the magic of the moment. “The day went by so fast – faster than I ever imagined. But it was full of love, emotion and unforgettable memories. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
The newlyweds spent the days after the wedding exploring Lebanon’s hidden gems, savouring quiet moments before their winter honeymoon in Switzerland. “We chose it for its romantic scenery, festive charm and peaceful atmosphere,” Christine shares.
When the bride reflects on her wedding day, she recalls: “It was real, romantic and ours.” Words that echo the essence of their love story. It was never about perfection, but about presence. About choosing each other through every season.
DRESS, VEIL & SHOES: Zuhair Murad
ENGAGEMENT RING: Baaklini Jewellery
HAIR: Gerard Koberssy
MAKE-UP: Jianna Mrad
GROOM’S SUIT: Pini Parma
GROOM’S SHOES: Fratelli Rossetti
PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER: Lens Tales
PLANNER: The Aura Touch
VENUE: Les vignobles, Domaine Warde
FLORIST: Fleurs de la Sagesse
CAKE & CATERER: Dalia Catering
ENTERTAINMENT: DJ Eyli, Carlos Hikri, Hayakel Baalbeck
PHOTOBOOTH: Pic Me
GRAPHICS: Bad Idea Studios
GIFTS: Promar Marble
BAR: Booz Experience
