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Meant to be

A few days after first meeting, Hagir Elawad and Medhat Ismail decided they'd found life partners in each other.

Hagir Elawad, right, and Medhat Ismail's parents were friends for years before the two actually met earlier this year. There was an instant connection. The couple was married in a civil ceremony in July in Fairfax County, and held an official wedding reception on Nov. 14 at the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly, Va.

Hagir Elawad, right, and Medhat Ismail's parents were friends for years before the two actually met earlier this year. There was an instant connection. The couple was married in a civil ceremony in July in Fairfax County, and held an official wedding reception on Nov. 14 at the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly, Va.

Tracy A Woodward-The Washington Post

Before meeting Ismail, Elawad had recently ended a nearly seven-year relationship. Elawad, who's Sudanese and practices Islam, felt the cultural and religious differences were far too great in her previous relationship: "I could only show 45 percent of my personality or myself."

Before meeting Ismail, Elawad had recently ended a nearly seven-year relationship. Elawad, who's Sudanese and practices Islam, felt the cultural and religious differences were far too great in her previous relationship: "I could only show 45 percent of my personality or myself."

Tracy A Woodward-The Washington Post

Ismail's parents had shown him pictures of Elawad and her family prior to their initial meeting during a family trip. He was immediately drawn to her. "Every time I looked at her I thought, 'She means something to me,' " he recalls. Here, the groom spends time with family while waiting on his bride to enter the banquet room to start the reception.

Ismail's parents had shown him pictures of Elawad and her family prior to their initial meeting during a family trip. He was immediately drawn to her. "Every time I looked at her I thought, 'She means something to me,' " he recalls. Here, the groom spends time with family while waiting on his bride to enter the banquet room to start the reception.

Tracy A Woodward-The Washington Post

In addition to their civil ceremony, the couple was also blessed in a small Muslim ceremony a few days later.

In addition to their civil ceremony, the couple was also blessed in a small Muslim ceremony a few days later.

Tracy A Woodward-The Washington Post

Flower girl Dalia Rizkuna, center, is escorted by the groom's sisters, Mona Ismail, left, and Mervat Ismail to the reception area.

Flower girl Dalia Rizkuna, center, is escorted by the groom's sisters, Mona Ismail, left, and Mervat Ismail to the reception area.

Tracy A Woodward-The Washington Post

Guests gather to take photos of the newlyweds.

Guests gather to take photos of the newlyweds.

Tracy A Woodward-The Washington Post

Friends and family members sign a framed portrait of the couple just outside the banquet room during the reception celebration at the Westfields Marriott.

Friends and family members sign a framed portrait of the couple just outside the banquet room during the reception celebration at the Westfields Marriott.

Tracy A Woodward-The Washington Post

The bride found her dress off-the-rack and customized it by adding lace to the shoulders.

The bride found her dress off-the-rack and customized it by adding lace to the shoulders.

Tracy A Woodward-The Washington Post

Elawad shows off her bouquet and henna artwork on her arms. It's tradition in the Muslim culture for brides to be decorated with henna.

Elawad shows off her bouquet and henna artwork on her arms. It's tradition in the Muslim culture for brides to be decorated with henna.

Tracy A Woodward-The Washington Post

In addition to the traditional wedding cake, the pair had a chocolate fountain station, where guests dipped fruit and sweets into melted milk chocolate.

In addition to the traditional wedding cake, the pair had a chocolate fountain station, where guests dipped fruit and sweets into melted milk chocolate.

Tracy A Woodward-The Washington Post

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This Story "It'll just happen, whenever God knows you're ready." Article \| Last November, after 6 1/2 years together, Hagir Elawad's boyfriend finally proposed. Meant to be On Love: The details On Faith and Love: What God has joined together, let no mom put asunder Suvi Gezari & F. Chase Stock Meghan Ramirez & Jacob McKenzie		TOOLBOX E-Mail This Save/Share + Digg Facebook Reddit Twitter myspace del.icio.us NewsTrust Stumble It! COMMENT 0 Comments Your browser's settings may be preventing you from commenting on and viewing comments about this item. See instructions for fixing the problem. Discussion Policy CLOSE Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post. Who's Blogging » Links to this gallery		More on washingtonpost.com • More Photo News » washingtonpost.com
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