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SWEETHEARTS Ahmed Sami Khalifa and Lujaina Amr were this week celebrating a sensational surprise after winning the prize-of-a-lifetime, the chance to make their dream wedding a reality at a five-star-hotel … for free!
When the lucky Egyptian expats attended Crowne Plaza Bahrain’s first wedding show in March to book their September 16 ceremony date, they never imagined that they would walk away with the exhibition’s grand raffle prize.
Up for grabs were BD7,000 worth of giveaways including a limousine ride, all-expenses paid function including the hall hire, food and beverages for 300-350 people, as well as a glittering gown for the bride.
Lujaina, 23, a business administrator, from Arad, beamed with joy when she and her fiancé, Ahmed, 28, who lives in Riffa and works in technical support, received the news of their perfect wedding prize.
She said: “It was so unexpected. When we booked our wedding at the Crowne Wedding Show at Bahrain Conference Centre, we didn’t take the raffle seriously – especially with so many people attending.
“How could we possibly win all those grand prizes, containing everything we needed for our wedding day? It just didn’t seem possible.
“I remember simply giving over our details and leaving it at that. Ahmed then received word around his birthday which proved to be the prefect present! It’s like a dream come true. I never thought something like this could ever happen to us. We are so happy and would like to thank everyone involved, particularly the hotel, for making it possible.”
At the event, which was featured in GulfWeekly, attendees were treated to fashion shows, make-up advice and other tips for making their big day truly memorable.
The excited duo was automatically entered into the raffle draw after booking their wedding between March 10 and March 31.
The prize includes a pearl-beaded wedding gown by designer Malikan, a blue wedding jalabiyah for the ‘henna night’ by designer White Jewel, bridal hair and make-up by La Belle Famme Salon, a BD20 voucher to be used with Daskalides Flowers & Chocolates and a stretch limousine to take the bride from the salon to the hotel in style, sponsored by Europcar.
The smart groom will also receive a swish matrimonial bisht, ghutra, agal, kabak and pen from Al Kabak, plus a BD30 voucher to be used at Panache Men Spa & Saloon.
On the day, DJ Om Fahad will entertain guests as Friends Events Service hands out cups of Arabic coffee to guests.
The couple will be able to treasure the memories within a 14-page wedding album and enjoy a one-hour photographic session at a studio with Reflector Media.
They also won an Al Hawaj ‘his and her’ gift hamper, a set of marble candles from Nafhah Candles, a bride and groom perfume glass box from Wahat Al Oud, 41,000 InterContinental Hotels Group reward points, a wedding stage by Red Carpet, a suite at the hotel for three days with breakfast and dinner included, plus two honeymoon nights at the Holiday Inn Singapore.
Lujaina added: “Wow! The Singapore trip was a complete surprise and we are extremely happy about that. What a wedding we are going to have!”
