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The Couple

Gabrielle + Nuri

Making More Beautiful Memories at Hotel Monaco

Philly Raised, Philly Wed

Both born and raised in Philadelphia, Gabrielle and Nuri first met as teenagers at the Bar Mitzvah of a mutual friend. When it came to finding a destination for their big day, they felt their shared hometown was the perfect setting (it didn't hurt that they live in Philly as well). Choosing the ideal venue to host their wedding wasn’t as easy a decision, until a wonderful memory helped guide their decision. Gabrielle’s sister had stayed at Hotel Monaco for her wedding in 2016, and after seeing the hotel’s booth at a bridal convention, “Gabrielle was instantly flooded with memories of staying with her sister, the night before her wedding, laughing at memories they were recounting. She also remembered her grandfather coming into the hotel to see her sister in her wedding gown for the first time, and saw the love and pride in his eyes in her mind as she talked to the booth staff. She instantly knew this was the hotel for her wedding.”

The wedding itself was a stunning success, and the couple enthused that in addition to the wonderful event spaces and accommodations, “the people on staff made the moments we’ll cherish forever.”

Memorable Details

Gabrielle’s bridal suite at Hotel Monaco was the place to be. Her wedding prep took place in the suite and her nearest and dearest brought Champagne, treats, flowers to help get her special day off to a fabulous start. The couple’s first look even took place in the spacious and photogenic room.

Bridal Details
Bride in full gown
Gab with her niece

Of course, nothing made things easier, than having Desiree as our coordinator. She made every stage of planning fun and light, answering any question we had with detail and attention. Desiree made us feel like family right from the start and was by far the best part of hotel Monaco. When she left for the evening, she left us in the great care of Bernardo, who made sure all of our needs were met. Guests still remark how wonderful he was to them

Bride Close-up
Groom Getting Ready
First Look

It was truly magical having our wedding at hotel Monaco. It felt like we were at an all-inclusive. Every amenity offered was taken advantage of and made the planning process a breeze.

Couple Kissing
Ceremony
Couple at Stratus for cocktail hour

The ceremony took place in the Lafayette Ballroom, where guests were welcomed by the Elegance String Quartet. There was a beautiful multi-cultural element to the ceremony in the Lafayette Ballroom as the bride’s godmother and uncle presented a basket of wine, salt and bread, and gave a Catholic blessing in both English and Italian. Next, the groom’s aunt gave a Jewish blessing in both Hebrew and English, and finally a family friend of the groom, read two Islamic blessings in Arabic and English.

Nuri lifting child
gab on the stairs
Nuri and gab getting cannolis
Reception

After the ceremony, the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed cocktail hour at Stratus, Hotel Monaco’s rooftop cocktail bar and lounge, where they snacked on passed hors d'oeuvres and assorted Italian antipasti. The reception was back in the Lafayette Ballroom, which, post-ceremony, had been transformed into a lavish winter wonderland scene. The dancefloor was the place to be all night, the reception even featured an appearance from The Cannoli Guy, serving up fresh cannoli’s to the wedding revelers.

Reception