We are getting married

Raouf & Lea

The 14th of November, 2026

Cairo, Egypt

Illustration of the Cairo skyline along the Nile
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Nothing is more beautiful than celebrating love surrounded by the people who mean the most to us.

Just Us

Raouf and Lea beside a mountain lake
Raouf and Lea among tall evergreen trees
Raouf and Lea on a night out
Raouf and Lea celebrating their engagement
Raouf and Lea at the Pyramids of Giza

The Day

Illustration of a Coptic Orthodox church

The Ceremony

Time 2:30 in the afternoon

Church St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Church · Zamalek

Illustration of the Muhammad Ali Palace in Shubra

The Reception

Time 4:00 in the afternoon until late

Venue Mohamed Ali Palace · Shubra

Please head straight to the Mohamed Ali Palace in Shubra for food, music & dancing on the banks of the Nile.

Will You Join Us?

We would be honored to have you celebrate with us. Please let us know whether you will be joining for the celebration.

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Gift Registry

Your presence at our celebration is the greatest gift of all. Should you wish to be part of our new chapter together, we are grateful for any gesture, big or small.

Venmo

@Raouf-Tawfik

Send via Venmo

Zelle

+1 (267) 629-1140

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InstaPay

+20 100 010 8789

Unfortunately, InstaPay does not share the sender’s name with us. We would be grateful if you could send a screenshot of your transfer to this number, so we can properly thank you for your thoughtful gift.

Copy Number

Whish

Account ID · 31552437

Please use this account ID (Raouf & Lea's Wedding Registry) at any Whish Money branch or through the Whish Money app.

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To send a gift by bank transfer or another method, please reach out directly and we will share the details with you personally. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Discovering Cairo

A vintage postcard reading Greetings from Cairo, illustrating the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and palm trees

A little welcome for our friends and family travelling to us from outside Egypt.

Cairo is timeless and electric, a city where pharaonic wonders, Coptic and Islamic heritage, and warm-hearted hospitality all meet on the banks of the Nile. Below is a curated guide for guests arriving from abroad, covering four of the most rewarding corners of the city.

Illustration of the Cairo Tower and Qasr El Nil bridge
01

Zamalek

Island · Galleries · The Church

A leafy island in the middle of the Nile and Cairo's most elegant quarter, home to the ceremony church, tree-lined streets, galleries, and the city's best dining.

Where to Stay

  • Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah On the island's southern tip · panoramic Nile views from every room
  • Cairo Marriott Hotel A 19th-century khedival palace with gardens, in the heart of Zamalek
  • Hotel Longchamps Beloved boutique hideaway · leafy terraces and old-Cairo charm

What to Do

  • Cairo Tower The city's lattice landmark · the finest panorama over the Nile and rooftops
  • Aquarium Grotto Garden A quiet, romantic garden of grottoes and palms in the middle of the island
  • Zamalek Galleries Safarkhan, Picasso, and the Gezira Art Center · the heart of Cairo's contemporary art scene
  • Sunset Felucca on the Nile Hire a traditional sail boat from the Zamalek bank · the classic Cairo golden hour

Where to Eat

  • Crimson Bar & Grill Chic rooftop terrace offering spectacular Nile views and great grills, perfect for a sunset cocktail
  • Zooba Modern Egyptian street food, koshary, taameya, and the best casual lunch
  • Pier 88 Stylish Nile-side dining aboard a moored boat, lively in the evening
To the Church ~5 mins by car
To the Palace ~15 mins by car
Illustration of a Belle Epoque Cairo building
02

Downtown & Garden City

Belle Époque · Nile · Museums

The historic heart of the city, featuring Belle Époque boulevards, the Egyptian Museum, and grand Nile-side hotels, all within an easy stroll of the river.

Where to Stay

  • The Nile Ritz-Carlton Beside Tahrir and the Egyptian Museum · polished luxury with river views
  • Four Seasons Cairo at Nile Plaza Garden City · the city's most refined address, impeccable service
  • Kempinski Nile Hotel Garden City · intimate and elegant, right on the corniche

What to Do

  • The Egyptian Museum — Tahrir The historic home of antiquities · mummies, treasures, and a century of discovery
  • Downtown Architecture Khedival boulevards, Talaat Harb Square, and the faded grandeur of belle-époque Cairo
  • Café Riche A literary landmark since 1908 · coffee where the city's writers once gathered
  • Nile Corniche Walk A riverside stroll at dusk as the feluccas drift and the bridges light up

Where to Eat

  • Mazeej Balad Rooftop Sophisticated traditional Egyptian dining with scenic views over Downtown atop the beautiful Mazeej hotel
  • Felfela A Downtown institution · classic Egyptian mezze, taameya, and grills since 1959
  • Abou Tarek The temple of koshary · Egypt's national dish at its very best
To the Church ~15 mins by car
To the Palace ~10 mins by car
Illustration of the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
03

Giza & the Pyramids

Pyramids · History · The Sphinx

Home of the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. Wake to the most iconic skyline on earth, an unforgettable base for your first days in Cairo.

Where to Stay

  • Marriott Mena House A landmark hotel at the foot of the Pyramids · historic gardens and direct Pyramid views
  • Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo Polished modern comfort moments from the Giza plateau
  • Pyramids-View Boutiques Small rooftop guesthouses in Nazlet El Semman · unbeatable views at a friendly price

What to Do

  • Great Pyramids & the Sphinx The last surviving wonder of the ancient world · go early to beat the heat and the crowds
  • Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) The world's largest archaeological museum, Tutankhamun's full collection beside the plateau, allowing a half day
  • Sound & Light Show The Pyramids and Sphinx illuminated after dark, offering an unforgettable evening hour
  • Sunset on the Plateau A horse or camel ride along the desert ridge as the sky turns gold

Where to Eat

  • El Prince Immensely popular, high-energy traditional Egyptian liver and street meats institution
  • Khufu's Restaurant Directly on the Giza Plateau, beautiful elevated dining overlooking the Pyramids
  • 9 Pyramids Lounge On the plateau itself, a relaxed terrace lunch with all nine pyramids in view
To the Church ~35 mins by car
To the Palace ~30 mins by car

Stay here to wake beside the Pyramids · an unforgettable start to your days in Cairo.

Illustration of Coptic and Islamic Cairo
04

Coptic & Islamic Cairo

Heritage · Souks · Sacred Sites

The ancient soul of the city, showing the churches of Coptic Cairo, the medieval souks and mosques of Islamic Cairo, and the Citadel crowning the skyline.

What to Do

  • Coptic Cairo The Hanging Church, Abu Serga, the Coptic Museum, and Ben Ezra Synagogue · the cradle of Christian Egypt
  • Khan el-Khalili The great medieval bazaar · lanterns, spices, copperware, and centuries of trade
  • The Citadel & Muhammad Ali Mosque Saladin's fortress crowned by the alabaster mosque · sweeping views over the whole city
  • Al-Muizz Street & Al-Azhar Park An open-air museum of Islamic architecture, then a green hilltop at sunset

Where to Eat & Drink

  • Naguib Mahfouz Café Tucked inside Khan el-Khalili · mezze and mint tea in a jewel-box setting
  • El Fishawy The oldest café in the bazaar · mint tea and shisha amid mirrors and bustle
To the Church ~25 mins by car
To the Palace ~10 mins by car

Practical Notes

Restaurants

Reservations are strongly recommended for popular Nile-side and Zamalek tables, especially Thursday–Saturday evenings. Your hotel concierge can book ahead for you.

Transport

Ride-hailing via Uber is plentiful and inexpensive, and a private driver for the day is easily arranged through your hotel. Allow extra time for Cairo traffic, as the airport is roughly an hour from most hotels.

Weather

Mid-November in Cairo is mild and dry, bringing low-to-mid-20s°C by day and cooler evenings. Comfortable layers during the day; a jacket or wrap for the evening.

Currency

The Egyptian Pound (EGP) is the local currency. Cards are widely accepted in hotels and major restaurants; carry some cash for markets, cafés, and taxis. ATMs are plentiful across the city.

Entry & Visas

If you're traveling on a U.S.A, Canadian, or European passport, you can obtain your tourist visa upon arrival in Egypt.

For our Lebanese guests, a visa is generally not required in advance if you are 50 years of age or older, 16 years of age or younger, hold a valid U.S., Canadian, U.K., or Schengen visa, or have a valid GCC residency permit. Otherwise, you will need to apply for an Egyptian visa at the Egyptian Consulate in Lebanon at least one month before the wedding date.