Romance is in the air and with spring in bloom, couples everywhere are deciding to take the plunge and get married. Of course accepting a proposal is often the easy part; after that, the real work begins. For couples in the Middle East, planning a wedding is almost always a big affair. For some brides it’s the most exciting hard work of their lives. For others it’s an extremely stressful time full of anxiety, compromises and negotiations; and inevitably the groom and his family become part of the drama. At Enigma, we want every couple to enjoy the planning and build up to their big day, and end their journey with a fabulous celebration. That’s why every May, we dedicate our issue to all thrills and a frill of planning a wedding, and how to ensure it’s the best experience of your life.
 
As most men will admit, organizing a wedding is usually a much more important process for the bride than the groom. That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate wedding guide to fulfil every bride’s wedding fantasy. From high end bridal couture to listings for the best bridal beauty experts, planners, invitations, wedding halls and honeymoon locations, this guide leaves nothing to chance. We’ve even got a fool proof section for grooms, where they’ll find everything they’ll need to look and feel perfect (even if they’ve leave it to the last minute!). For brides who want to be extra creative with their nuptials, we’ve even got special sections for the latest wedding trends and international traditions that can be borrowed to make your special day truly unique.
 
Our London Art Director, Mohieb Dahabieh also convinced one of the ‘it brides’ of the past year, London socialite Tamara Beckwith, to model some of the most stunning bridal couture in our ‘Princess Bride’ fashion shoot. And because a fabulous wedding needs fabulously dressed guests, we’ve also got a special fashion section for the best guest outfits for beach, daytime and evening weddings. Then of course, there’s all essential bling factor, and we’ve got that covered in our ‘Frost Yourself’ jewellery section; a treasure trove of diamonds galore.
 
Yet getting married isn’t all about the wedding day of course; the real test is how solid the relationship is after the honeymoon. That’s why we’re featuring two celebrities this month, who’ve managed to build on their wedding vows to create strong, loving marital bonds; all why managing fame, fortune and children of course! The first is our cover girl, Ghada Adel, the striking Egyptian film star taking the Arab movie industry by storm. With her picture perfect looks and petit frame, she embodies the new generation of Arab cinema and takes her acting very seriously. Yet above all Ghada is a wife and mother of five (yes five!), who puts her personal life first. To read more about this amazing young star, be sure not to miss our exclusive feature and fashion shoot with Ghada ahead…
 
The second ultra glamorous celebrity we’re featuring in this issue is the international superstar Christina Aguilera. After holding one of the most fabulous celebrity weddings in 2005, Christina has gone on to have one of the most solid marriages in Hollywood; cemented this year with the birth of her first adorable baby boy. After a difficult childhood and the trappings of international fame at a young age, unlike her peers, Christina has managed to take her enormous success in her stride, while making sure both her personal and professional life move from strength to strength. Be sure not to miss our exclusive and interview with this dynamic star, where she opens up about her music, loves, fears and the beauty of being a new mom.

Of course, as this one of our biggest issues ever, I can’t possibly cover all the fantastic features ahead. So consider this just a glimpse of one our most exciting and romantic wedding issues to date!

My Best Regards

Yasmine Shihata
Founder & Editor in Chief
Enigma Magazine

Email Yasmine Shihata