What was supposed to be the happiest day of George and Nadeen Farahat’s lives ended in heartbreak when a bold thief crashed their glamorous California wedding and made off with nearly $100,000 in gifts.
The newlyweds were celebrating with close to 300 guests at the Renaissance Banquet in Glendale when the unthinkable happened—an unidentified man slipped into the reception and walked out with a box filled with cash, checks, and gift cards meant for the couple.
The Shocking Theft
The theft took place just after midnight, hours after the pair exchanged vows at a church in downtown Los Angeles.
Surveillance footage and videos from guests show the suspect, dressed all in black, helping himself to the gift box and then dashing out of the ballroom.
Shockingly, the man is believed to have mingled at the party for more than an hour before making his move.
He even ordered a drink at the bar and, according to the groom, may have gone as far as tipping the bartender.
The Bride’s Heartbreaking Reaction
The moment the couple discovered what had happened, the entire mood shifted.
“As soon as we found out what happened, the music shut down, everything immediately stopped,” Nadeen recalled. “I ended up sitting on the dance floor sobbing with my friends and cousins around me.”
What was supposed to be a night of joy and laughter suddenly turned into chaos as guests tried to process what had just unfolded.
How the Suspect Pulled It Off
Cameras captured the suspect pacing nervously in a hallway while scrolling through his phone before heading inside.
At one point, he was even seen heading to the bathroom before strolling into the lavish reception.
Once in the ballroom, he slipped past dancing guests, grabbed the gift box, and ran out through a side door.
Outside footage then showed him fleeing in a black Mercedes-Benz.
A Cultural Tradition Shattered
George explained why the theft was so devastating.
In Middle Eastern tradition, most wedding guests give cash or checks as gifts, making the stolen box an especially valuable target.
“All the money, cards, and envelopes from our family and friends were in there,” he said.
“It was a wonderful party until that moment.”
A Chilling Thought for the Couple
Perhaps the most unsettling part for Nadeen was realizing that a total stranger was not only at their wedding but watching their families celebrate.
“Looking back at the footage, it’s so scary to see someone you don’t know at such a private and intimate event,” she said.
Police Investigation and Reward
The couple, who had even hired extra security, filed a police report and are offering a $5,000 reward for any information that leads to the suspect’s arrest.
They’ve also asked their guests to share anything they might have seen that night.
Despite the painful ordeal, they made it clear they are not asking for donations—what they want most is justice.
Finding the Silver Lining
While the stolen gifts cast a shadow over their big day, George and Nadeen are determined not to let it define their wedding memories.
“We had a beautiful ceremony at our church and an incredible celebration with our loved ones,” George said.
Nadeen is also choosing to stay hopeful. “People say when it rains on your wedding day, it means good things are coming.
Maybe this is just our version of that. We’re really thankful for what we do have.”