Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Engagement Ceremony | Lydia and Mina

This was the first time we had photographed a Coptic Orthodox ceremony, and we loved it! The ceremony was held at St Mark & St George Coptic Orthodox church in Wanneroo where Lydia and Mina exchanged rings engraved with each others name. The church was huge, with amazing architecture and the ceremony was beautiful. After a quick stop in a field in Wanneroo to capture the fluffy clouds and blue sky, we made our way to the Burswood Entertainment Complex for some portraits of Lydia and Mina in the recently renovated lobby. The reception was held at Zafferanos Restaurant, at the Old Swan Brewery. Although Lydia claims the dancing was rather low key as the real celebration will be saved or their wedding in Melbourne this October we are not convinced. With props such as drums, swords even crutches and energetic dance moves… we’ll let you decide for yourself after you see these awesome pictures.

Lydia and Mina pose beneath soaring hotel architecture at night, her grey gown catching warm light

Crystal chandeliers hang over the icon-adorned sanctuary of a white Coptic Orthodox church A white-bearded Coptic priest in a black embroidered hood gazes down during the engagement service A woman bows to kiss the priest's hand as smiling family members watch from the wooden pews Sparkling chandelier crystals frame a painted icon of Christ and his disciples inside the church Mina in a dark suit poses beside his priest, then elders exchange warm greetings in the church vestibule Lydia beams from the driver's seat of a polished black coupe in soft overcast light Lydia in a flowing grey gown steps out beside the black coupe with Mina on her arrival Two guests bite their knuckles in nervous anticipation as the service unfolds inside the church Lydia walks the church corridor on Mina's arm, then the pair smile together before the ceremony Two bearded Coptic priests embrace warmly at the altar as clergy and guests look on A hand lifts an embroidered wooden cross aloft against the plain wall of the church Lydia looks down pensively while Mina smiles softly beside her during the service Mina bows to kiss the priest's hand in a close-up of reverence and tradition Mina slides the engagement ring onto Lydia's finger, a gold watch waiting in its box nearby Family members hold small wooden crosses over the couple's clasped hands in blessing Lydia smiles up at the iconostasis mural while Mina watches on inside the church Lydia and Mina laugh from gilded throne chairs against the carved screens of the church A young girl in polka dots pauses on the white upper balcony beneath a crystal chandelier Close on the couple's hands at the altar, her bracelet and his gold ring in view Lydia rests her forehead against Mina's, then gazes up at him in a tender two-panel portrait Crystal chandeliers glitter above the congregation gathered at the altar of the white church Lydia and Mina grin alongside four bearded priests in cream vestments after the ceremony The couple walks the red-carpet aisle past guests, then embrace by a glowing lattice window Lydia and Mina embrace on the roadway beneath a dramatic dusk sky in two romantic frames Mina proudly flashes his new ring beside laughing Lydia, then the pair lean close on a timber wall Lydia glances back over her bare shoulder in a beaded grey gown against dusk-lit hotel glass Face to face in the teal-lit lobby, Lydia rests a hand on Mina's chest as they lean close Dwarfed by glowing lattice walls, Lydia and Mina hold hands, then stare down the lens Lydia poses beneath a geometric chandelier while Mina stands coolly against dark mirrored walls Lydia sweeps through the vast hotel atrium at night, her grey gown trailing across the patterned carpet Mina tips Lydia's chin up as the pair dissolve into laughter in warm lobby light Hand in hand at the water's edge, the couple stands silhouetted against golden rushing surf His engraved dark band and her diamond halo ring catch the golden glow of city lights A diamond halo ring rests atop stacked gold bands against the blur of warm night lights Lydia dances before the drummer in his embroidered sash as clapping guests circle the floor Guests in suits and blue gowns sway around the kneeling drummer on the chequered dance floor Friends hoist Mina onto their shoulders, his arms flung wide over the packed dance floor Cheering guests lift Lydia high on a chair, her fist punched into the party lights The drummer hugs Mina from behind as the pair grin amid the swirling celebration Lydia shares a laughing dance with a white-haired elder in a bow tie as guests applaud Arms reach in from every side as Lydia dances at the centre of the packed floor Mina dances at the heart of the crowd while Lydia spins before him in her grey gown Guests in vivid blue gowns sway beneath streaks of party light on the dance floor An elderly guest in royal blue dances joyfully with Lydia amid colour-flecked light Lydia sways low with one arm flung out as the drummer pounds away behind her A grinning guest dances arms wide while the drummer hoists his bass drum overhead The drummer lunges mid-beat, head thrown back, gold sash flying across the chequered floor An elder waves his cane overhead as the blue-feathered guest dances past the wedding cake Lydia sweeps her hair back under a flare of green light, lost in the music Lydia and Mina embrace on a packed dance floor as guests raise ringed hands in celebration Wedding guests dance arm in arm under warm lights, the man mid-laugh in striped shirt and tie Women in cocktail dresses laugh and dance together on the checkered floor of the reception Men in suits dance with raised arms beside the speakers as colored lights sweep the party Lydia and Mina cut their blue and white engagement cake as guests applaud around them Hands clasped over a knife slicing the striped purple and white cake ringed by glowing tealights Lydia and Mina smile cheek to cheek after dark, city bokeh glinting on the water behind them Two night portraits side by side show Lydia and Mina forehead to forehead beside the river The couple stands close on the waterfront at night, city lights blurred across the dark water