Marleen & Phillip
When & Where
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Halaaka + Zyaneh + Ta'alileh | حلاقة / زيانة العريس - تعليلة
6:30 pm
Attire: Semi Formal... Elegant and festive (if you already have a Thobe, this is your chance to wear it) — Most importantly wear something comfortable, cool and get ready to dance!
Update: We've combined the Ta'alileh & the Halaaka. The Ta'alileh is a musical gathering to celebrate the bride’s transition to married life The Ta’alileh is an intimate night where our family and close friends gather to sing traditional songs and offer blessings to the bride. This event emphasizes the community’s role in celebrating the union. The Halaaka is a preparation event where the groom... gets groomed. Halaaka and Zyaneh literally translate to Shaving and Decorating. Typically, this event is all about the groom getting a fresh shave, symbolizing his readiness for marriage. However, in this case, Marleen has made it clear—the beard stays. So, instead of a close shave, expect something closer to a shaving cream battle. Phillip will emerge not necessarily clean-shaven, but definitely covered in foam—and, most importantly, ready to meet his bride!
Friday, August 8, 2025
Wedding Ceremony | إكليل
5:00 pm
Nazareth
Attire: Formal
A sacred union in a place where faith, history, and love converge. Perched above Nazareth, the city where Marleen was born, raised, and spent most of her life, the Basilica of Jesus the Adolescent is a symbol of devotion, patience, and divine love. Dedicated to Christ’s formative years, it is a place where faith and heritage intertwine—a fitting setting for the beginning of a lifelong journey. Nazareth is a city of beginnings (It’s, of course, where Jesus was ‘of’). Here, Mary received the angel’s Annunciation (البشارة | Bishara)—a name forever tied to Phillip’s grandfather, whose life was taken long before he could know him. In this sacred place, where history, love, and remembrance converge, Phillip and Marleen will exchange vows, uniting their lives in a bond that carries both legacy and hope. Beneath soaring arches and stained-glass windows, surrounded by family and history, they step into marriage not just as two individuals, but as part of a story far greater than themselves.
Wedding Reception | حفل
7:30 pm
Attire: Formal
After the ceremony, guests will be transported to the wedding reception, where the big celebration begins. With a feast worthy of the occasion and dancing that will last long into the night, the outdoor reception is more than just a party; it’s a tribute to joy, family, and tradition. Whether you’re leading the Dabke or just trying to keep up, one thing is certain—this is a night you won’t forget.