Ever since he mustered the strength to talk to Jomanna Zreiqat in a Mount Prospect lounge in May 2009, Emil Aldaddah knew it was only a matter of time before he would propose. “From [then on], I don’t think there’s been a day we haven’t spoken,” says Aldaddah, 28, wealth manager at Morgan Stanley. “We just knew we’d be married to each other, but we were still young, so we let things progress.”
Nearly six years later, it was finally time. In April 2015, Aldaddah told Zreiqat, 28, production manager at a consulting group, that they were going to a quiet dinner at Chicago Cut Steakhouse (300 N. LaSalle). But as they walked to the back of the restaurant, Zreiqat noticed her family sitting at a table. “She went to say hi, and when she turned around, she saw me down on one knee,” Aldaddah says. “She grabbed my hand because she thought I fell!”
On May 15, Zreiqat and Aldaddah circled the altar in an Antiochian Greek Orthodox wedding at St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church (733 S. Ashland). The couple then brought out their Middle Eastern roots for the reception at Bridgeport Art Center’s Sculpture Garden (1200 W. 35th): They were lifted off the ground in chairs as guests clapped and danced to traditional Arabic music. “It was one of my favorite moments,” Aldaddah says. “Everyone is dancing really hard, the drums are going off, and meanwhile we’re in the air.”
Photos by Collin Pierson Photography
It’s in the details
Bride’s gown: Eve of Milady, Eva’s Bridal of Oak Lawn, 5269 95th, Oak Lawn; Evasbridalofoaklawn.com
Bride’s shoes: Manolo Blahnik, Neiman Marcus, 737 N. Michigan; Neimanmarcus.com
Bride’s hair & makeup: Marina Samuel, Hairbymarina@yahoo.com; Cindy Vazquez, Sukyvstudio@gmail.com
Bride’s jewelry: Adriana Orsini, Saks Fifth Avenue, 700 N. Michigan; Saksfifthavenue.com
Groom’s & groomsmen’s attire: Ike Behar, 67 E. Oak; Ikebehar.com
Bridesmaids’ dresses: Affairs Collection at Mori Lee; Morilee.com
Rings: Imperial Jewelry Co., 1 N. Wabash; Imperialjewelryco.com
Wedding planner: Christine Janda Design & Events; Christinejanda.com
Catering: Inspired Catering and Events, 1300 W. Hubbard; Inspiredcateringandevents.com
Cake: Il Giardino Del Dolce, 2859 N. Harlem, Elmwood Park; Ilgiardinodeldolce.com
Décor & florist: Platinum Events, 1918 Raymond, Northbrook; Enjoyplatinum.com
Entertainment: DJ Sultan; S_s.soso@hotmail.com
Videographer: Alan Whitney; Whitneycinema.com
Invitations: LBrown Design & Paperie; Lbrowndesignpaperie.com
Tags: 061216
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