The White Room

El Khatib Reception

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

It all started in the most 21st-century way possible: with a swipe on Hinge. Ahmad had just moved to the U.S. from Lebanon for work, and a few months later, fate—or the app—introduced him to Amanda. What began as casual messages soon turned into daily conversations that neither of us could imagine going a day without. Ahmad might say Amanda played it a bit cool at first, carefully taking her time before agreeing to a date. But really, Amanda just wanted to make sure they’d built a genuine connection before taking the plunge. So, for the next month, they texted nonstop, getting to know each other on a deeper level. Of course, there was also a fair amount of social media stalking on both sides (we all do it, don't lie). Just when they were ready to meet in person, life threw a curveball: Ahmad had to fly back to Lebanon for his best friend’s wedding. While Ahmad was away, he promised to stay in touch—but then… radio silence. Naturally, Amanda began to wonder if he had forgotten about her. But she knew exactly when his flight was landing, so she took a chance and sent him a text wishing him a safe trip back to the U.S. When Ahmad’s plane landed and his phone buzzed, there it was—her message. The first one he saw. And it made him smile. “She didn’t forget about me,” he thought. In that moment, he realized just how much Amanda had already come to mean to him. A few days later, they finally met in person at Bocado's in Worcester. And from the moment they sat down, something felt undeniably special. Amanda’s friends would later tell you that she was a bit of a mess after that night—nervous, giddy, and full of excitement, knowing she had finally found him. Ahmad felt the same way, like he’d finally found the missing piece he hadn’t even known he was looking for. After that, things moved quickly—but just as they were settling into their new relationship, the pandemic hit. Suddenly, they had to get creative about how they spent time together. But even the distance and challenges couldn’t shake their bond. In fact, the pandemic proved just how strong their connection really was. Though they come from different corners of the world—Ahmad from Lebanon, Amanda from the U.S.—they were surprised to find how many things they had in common. From their love of music to their shared passions, and even some surprising cultural overlaps, they discovered they were more alike than they had ever imagined. In embracing both their shared traditions and differences, they've learned that what makes them unique is what makes their relationship so special. The way their backgrounds blend and complement each other is what makes their love story one-of-a-kind. As they begin the next chapter of their lives together, they are so grateful for the journey that brought them here. They can’t wait to celebrate with all of you and continue creating beautiful memories—this time, as husband and wife.

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

Q + A

Hotel Block

We have reserved a courtesy block of 16 rooms for our guests at the below hotel. There is a two-night minimum so we please ask you to book early to guarantee a room, and mention the El Khatib wedding. <a href="https://shorturl.at/eVQWa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Homewood Suites by Hilton Boston Marlborough</a>60 River Rd WBerlin, MA 01503&nbsp;(978) 838-9940

Other Local Hotels

There are also a number of hotels in the immediate proximity to The White Room. You can find some of those accommodations below.

<a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/bedwogi-hilton-garden-inn-worcester/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hilton Garden Inn Worcester</a>35 Major Taylor Boulevard, Worcester, MA 01608 <a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/orhsshw-homewood-suites-worcester/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Homewood Suites by Hilton Worcester</a>1 Washington Square, Worcester, MA 01604 <a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/orhmahx-hampton-auburn/?flexibleDates=false&amp;numRooms=1&amp;numAdults=1&amp;numChildren=0&amp;room1ChildAges=&amp;room1AdultAges=&amp;sessionToken=815884a8-271f-4443-be11-d98281eb0190" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hampton Inn Auburn</a>736 Southbridge Street, Auburn, MA 01501

Parking

Street ParkingPay-by-plate meter (2 hour limit)

Parking Lots<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/42.2560043,-71.7970801/138+Green+Street,+Worcester,+MA/@42.2558584,-71.7996462,840m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m9!4m8!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e4067006547ead:0x2d5ec3b35b60d1b9!2m2!1d-71.7975295!2d42.2562404!3e2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">220 Harding St, Worcester, MA 01604</a> (0.1 miles from venue)<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/42.2559317,-71.7969991/138+Green+St,+Worcester,+MA+01604/@42.2558585,-71.7996018,840m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m9!4m8!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e4067006547ead:0x2d5ec3b35b60d1b9!2m2!1d-71.7975295!2d42.2562404!3e2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">219 Harding St, Worcester, MA 01604</a> (0.1 miles from venue)<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/25+Lamartine+St,+Worcester,+MA+01610/@42.254017,-71.801081,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89e4067bb5c7722f:0x714f9434723c231!8m2!3d42.254017!4d-71.801081!16s%2Fg%2F11csfyt9yj?entry=ttu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">25 Lamartine Street</a> - <a href="https://www.passportparking.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Passport App</a> (Zone 50833, 0.3 Miles)<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/156+Washington+St,+Worcester,+MA+01610/@42.2540679,-71.8023603,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89e4067a443fd435:0x155e4c3d584c187f!8m2!3d42.2540679!4d-71.79978!16s%2Fg%2F11c5pwd18b?entry=ttu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">156 Washington Street</a> - <a href="https://www.passportparking.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Passport App</a> (Zone 50701,150 Spaces. 0.2 Miles, $2 per day / $15 Polar Stadium Game Day Parking)

Parking Garages<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Green+Island+Blvd,+Worcester,+MA+01610/138+Green+St,+Worcester,+MA+01604/@42.2559351,-71.8007939,18z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e4067b8d89ab6d:0x8cc4634a52395443!2m2!1d-71.8018643!2d42.255076!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e4067006547ead:0x2d5ec3b35b60d1b9!2m2!1d-71.7975295!2d42.2562404!3e2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">WooSox Parking, 115 Green Island Boulevard. Worcester, MA 01608</a> (350 Spaces, 0.3 miles)<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Union+Station+Garage,+225+Franklin+St,+Worcester,+MA+01604/138+Green+St,+Worcester,+MA+01604/@42.2583166,-71.7983623,17z/data=!4m24!4m23!1m15!1m1!1s0x89e4066edf332c19:0x8cc21a8348a214a8!2m2!1d-71.7944385!2d42.2602464!3m4!1m2!1d-71.7952962!2d42.2577777!3s0x89e4066fb627b74b:0x36f91c0b9e079ee!3m4!1m2!1d-71.7979534!2d42.2573257!3s0x89e4066555cc2075:0x5311c6d243e882b4!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e4067006547ead:0x2d5ec3b35b60d1b9!2m2!1d-71.7975295!2d42.2562404!3e2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Union Station Garage, 225 Franklin St, Worcester, MA 01604</a> (882 Spaces, 0.5 miles)

City of Worcester Municipal Lots<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/96+Green+St,+Worcester,+MA+01604/138+Green+St,+Worcester,+MA+01604/@42.2570976,-71.7999652,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e4066ff68ae5e3:0xd8bf58a0c9e91c0f!2m2!1d-71.7978956!2d42.2578758!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e4067006547ead:0x2d5ec3b35b60d1b9!2m2!1d-71.7975295!2d42.2562404!3e2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">96 Green Street, Worcester, MA 01604</a> (27 Spaces, $2 per hour, 0.1 miles)<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/85+Water+St,+Worcester,+MA+01604/138+Green+St,+Worcester,+MA+01604/@42.2562413,-71.7991112,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e406702723d74f:0x9484f36a5e0d80fb!2m2!1d-71.7959016!2d42.256519!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e4067006547ead:0x2d5ec3b35b60d1b9!2m2!1d-71.7975295!2d42.2562404!3e2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">85 Water Street, Worcester, MA 01604</a> (34 Spaces, $2 per hour, 0.2 miles)Worcester Public Library <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/40+Salem+St,+Worcester,+MA+01608/138+Green+St,+Worcester,+MA+01604/@42.2586531,-71.8012751,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e40665b684d32d:0xac17beb80377d70a!2m2!1d-71.8006291!2d42.2604721!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e4067006547ead:0x2d5ec3b35b60d1b9!2m2!1d-71.7975295!2d42.2562404!3e2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">40 Salem Street, Worcester, MA 01608</a> (282 Spaces, $2 per hour, 0.4 miles)

How to Find The White Room

(Between El Patron Mexican Restaurant and The Worcester Public Market)Look for the large “THE WHITE ROOM” sign on the side of the Crompton Building facing Harding St.The White Room is on the ground floor.Enter through courtyard.

Travel

Things to Do

Registry

We are so grateful to celebrate our special day with you; your love and support mean the world to us.   As we begin this new chapter of our lives together, we are focusing on building our future—saving for a home, planning for a family, and traveling to create cherished memories.   Instead of a traditional registry, we kindly ask that you (if you have the means) make contributions to help us reach these milestones. Your generosity will help us build a foundation for our future, and we truly appreciate your thoughtfulness.   For your convenience, we’ve included a few options:   Venmo: @Amanda-Canale Zelle: (765) 400-8994 | Ahmad El Khatib Cash or Check: You're welcome to bring these to the celebration or mail them to 22 Sophia Drive, Worcester, MA 01607.   Your thoughtfulness means the world to us, and we thank you for being part of our journey. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Ahmad + Amanda

Ahmad + Amanda

Photos