A Middle Eastern Cultural
Wedding Filled with Dancing

– SALMA & ABDEL

Enjoying life is to plunge into it, move with it and join the dance

Salma and Abdel initially met during their first year at Concordia University. They both attended the same business course and had several mutual friends with which they would socialize from time to time. A casual friendship developed. After graduation, their paths diverged as Abdel moved to Calgary and Salma remained in Montreal. But their relationship would take a turn when, three years after graduating, the pair met up again at a mutual friend’s house for dinner. “That evening, we connected on a whole different level”, said the bride. “We discovered that we had a lot in common with our Middle Eastern heritage and we just felt so comfortable speaking to each other about everything and anything.” Abdel was to return to Calgary 3 days later, but for those 3 days, the couple was inseparable. With frequent phone calls, the long distance relationship blossomed. “Our long distance relationship has taught us the importance of good communication and compromise,” said Salma.

The wedding took place on October 5, 2019. The guest list included 150 people with many flying in from overseas. The couple wanted to embrace their cultural roots and included the Zaffa, a wedding march and musical procession of belly dancers, singers, bendir drummers and sword carrying men.

“What made our wedding so special, was the fun everyone had dancing” said Salma

“We asked our guests to spend most of their time on the dance floor and we all literally danced the night away. Of course, my husband had fully anticipated this would happen and brought an extra dress shirt to the reception to change into.”