FAQs

Question

Where is Tunisia and what's it like?

Answer

Tunisia is a small country in North Africa, just across the Mediterranean from Italy. People in Tunisia are mostly Muslim and speak a mix of Tunisian Arabic, French, and English. Tunisia is one of the most progressive countries in the Arab world, so drinking alcohol is not uncommon and there's no expectation to dress more modestly than you normally would. Hammamet is Mido's hometown and will be the home base for the wedding where most events will take place. It is a big tourist destination, so everyone's very used to foreigners and there's a lot of great restaurants, hotels, and things to see and do. Hammamet is about an hour from Tunis, the capital of Tunisia and where your flight will probably land. Flights to Tunisia also always have a layover in France, Italy, or Germany, so you can easily extend your trip with a few days in Paris, Rome, or wherever you want.

Question

What are Tunisian weddings like?

Answer

Tunisian weddings can be up to a whole week of different events. We won't do that many, but will probably plan at least three different ones. Some will be at night, and some during the day; some will be for women only, and some for everyone. Of course, all events will be totally optional if you want more time to explore Tunisia!

Question

Why are you having the wedding in Tunisia, and will there be a celebration in the US?

Answer

Tunisia is Mido's home country, and Gabrielle and Mido met in Tunisia and spent the first two years of their relationship living in Tunis. We initially planned to have an American wedding in the US with Gabrielle's friends and family and a Tunisian wedding in Tunisia with Mido's, but quickly discovered that the Americans were really excited about coming for a Tunisian wedding! We are also so excited about this rare opportunity to share Tunisia's beautiful culture and landscapes with our friends and family abroad, and for everyone we love to meet and mingle for the first time. That being said, we of course know that Tunisia is very far away and won't be feasible for everyone. We also like having as many parties as possible. For that reason, we will definitely plan for a celebration in North Carolina, either before or soon after the wedding in Tunisia.

Question

How much are flights/accommodations/etc in Tunisia?

Answer

We know that an international trip is a big decision and a big cost, so we want to give you all the information we can ahead of time. Here is a summary of what I would guess you can expect to spend: Flight: typically $1,000-$1,300 round trip (from an East Coast hub airport like Charlotte) Accommodation: varies widely! A night in a five-star oceanfront hotel for two people starts at $180. My parent's favorite hotel in Hammamet is about $130 a night for a double room, and there are lots of options for renting a villa or apartment with friends - often as low as $20-$50 a person per night. Everything else: A main course at an upscale restaurant for dinner is about $20-30. Lunch is maybe $13, and there's lots of cheaper street food options as well under $10. Hiring a driver for four people from Tunis to Hammamet is about $50. If you want to rent a car to get around (they drive on the same side of the road we do!), that's probably $40/day.