BEIRUT, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- At the Forum De Beyrouth exhibition hall in Beirut, where the largest annual wedding fair in Lebanon was in full swing, the hum of conversation mingled with the scent of roses and fondant.
Brides-to-be wandered between lace and jewelry stalls, while grooms weighed catering options and photographers thumbed through glossy albums -- After years of disruptions resulted from economic crisis and conflicts, the fair was crowded again, with aisles teeming with couples ready to tie the knot.
The renewed enthusiasm for weddings is seen by many as a quiet indicator of Lebanon's economic recovery. As couples spend and vendors rehire, the industry's rebound reflects a fragile return of consumer confidence and the resilience of a service economy that has survived war and inflation.
"We finally had a good year," said Charbel Krayem Al-Asmar, owner of the Grand House wedding venue and Carre Sucre catering. "After years of fear, people are encouraged again. Couples are paying from their own savings ... but they still want to celebrate."
His company handles weddings of 300 to 500 guests, with most budgets between 15,000 and 30,000 U.S. dollars. "We Lebanese love life," he added. "If you offer good packages, people will celebrate no matter what happens."
Across the hall, hotel representatives and venue managers shared similar optimism. At Coral Beach Resort, senior banquet manager Vinane Nadar described a noticeable rebound. "After Ramadan, activity was great. As soon as the war ended, people started reserving again -- some with 400 guests," she said. "They're tired of postponing. The mood is changing."
In the mountains of Faytroun, newly-opened wedding venues are also benefiting from the sentiment. "We didn't expect to host 12 weddings in our first year," said Elie Badr, owner of Upper House. "If calm continues, 2026 will be even better."
The recovery stretches far beyond ballrooms. On the fashion floor, sequined gowns caught the light as designer Christian Abdallah explained that "demand for dress rentals above 3,500 dollars is back." He produces locally despite higher costs. "People are starting to spend again. It's a sign that the crisis is easing."
Photographers, jewelers, and entertainers echoed the sense of momentum. Patrick Nicolas, a photographer, has already booked 30 weddings for next year. "People want to move on," he said.
Jewelry retailer Elie Nassif said that "2025 was better than 2024" despite the high gold price, with couples already commissioning pieces for 2026.
At a booth festooned with cascading blooms, planner Wafica Ramadan sifted through color palettes between client consultations. "Budgets may be tighter, but ... people are craving joy again," she said.
Entertainment provider Miriam Rayes, whose team stages contemporary wedding performances, agreed. "We had a wedding every weekend. Couples don't give up on the entrance show -- it is tradition."
For organizer Fadi Semaan, who heads Wedding Small, the company that organizes the wedding fair, the turnout itself was proof of renewed confidence. "We have 215 exhibitors this year," he said. "After years of interruption -- from political turmoil to the explosion and war -- vendors wouldn't return if they didn't believe next year will be stronger."
Economist Nassib Ghobril of Byblos Bank believes the revival of wedding activity offers a measurable sign of stabilization. "Early reservations show people's willingness to plan and spend again," he said. "The sector has wide linkages, from food and clothing to transport, and when expatriates hold weddings here, they inject fresh cash into the economy."
Yet, he cautioned, "security is key. Some expatriates still choose Italy or Cyprus for stability."
Around the stands, the crowd mixed locals and diaspora couples returning to celebrate at home. Rita and Daniel, Lebanese expatriates from Montreal, Canada had just signed a venue contract for next summer. "We could have done it in Canada," Daniel said, "but we want our families together in Lebanon. It's cheaper here, and the service is better."
Nearby, Layal and Karim from Tripoli, Italy leaned over a floral display. "We postponed twice. First because of the crisis, then the war," Layal said. "Now we're saving money and keeping it small, but it feels right to do it here."
Even the more cautious players sense a slow return of stability. George Sarrouh, who runs a restaurant near the southern suburbs of Beirut, said bookings in 2025 were low because his venue was close to an area once hit by Israel, but he is "seeing interest for 2026."
"We reduced prices to attract couples, hoping calm will continue." His hesitation underscores how uneven the rebound remains -- stronger in stable regions, slower where insecurity lingers.
Fouad Frangieh, from the Syndicate of Marine Tourism Establishments, said middle-class weddings dropped by 30 percent compared with last year, yet early inquiries for 2026 are rising. "It means people believe next year will be better. They're ready to plan again." he said. ■
