Today we get to feature a three part wedding from an adorable couple from Georgia. From the mehndi to mayoon to the nikkah and walima, you will be left speechless with joy.
What we love about Naureen and Ghazaly’s wedding events is that the nikkah and the remaining events were set several months apart. Having an intimate, sweet nikah and reception, Naureen finished up grad school and planned the “big” mehndi, mayoon, and wedding reception later in the year. It was a whole year of festivities and happiness.
And let me tell you, this lovely bride can DIY (do it yourself)! DIY’ing for a wedding is hard, it’s for the birds, but Naureen had it planned out and enlisted the aid of friends and family.
As you are going through photos from their three part feature, be sure spot the kids in sunglasses, the coloring books, and the flower bracelets!
Today we are featuring their Nikah and the reception. Get ready to swoon lovelies.
Tell us about the wedding!
The celebrations started at our religious center, the beautiful Al-Farooq Masjid in downtown Atlanta. My husband and I exchanged our “I-dos” in front of close family and friends. Despite my bridal jitters, I smiled because my father semi-officiated our Nikkah ceremony. He came to ask for my formal acceptance of the marriage (my “kabool hai”) and I was so touched.
After the religious ceremony, my husband and I posed for pictures outside of the mosque and followed up with a couple session by the Millenium Gate in midtown Atlanta. We then parted ways to prepare for the evening reception at the Windgate by Wyndham. It was a tiny venue, really a conference room, but my family and friends helped make it special with DIY projects that we had worked on for several months.
We draped the room with white sheer fabric and accented it with a variety of teal/turquoise lanterns. The room was decorated to complement my pink and turquoise ensemble.
My favorite project involved the bridal entrance, where we gathered the kids and turned them into a bridal entourage, complete with sunglasses and badges. I walked in to the “Desi Girl” song, and my husband’s expression when I walked in was priceless. His look of awe, admiration, and nervousness is what made everything worth it.
It’s these kinds of cherished moments that help you remember the best part about a wedding is marrying your best friend!
Did you do any do it yourself projects (DIY)?
With the colors in mind, I found DIY projects for décor off Pinterest and materials from Oriental Trading online. One of my favorite décor details was the turquoise and silver lanterns that we lit up using “submersible” LED lights we found on sale at Michaels. The lit up lanterns added a pop of color amidst the sheer white draping on the ceiling.
Another fun project was the centerpieces that we made with simple vases, white flowers, silver ribbon, turquoise and silver petals, and lace doilies. We accented the centerpiece with silver petals to complement the silver table runners. It really made each table shine with an understated elegance.
What did you love about the wedding?
Although planning a wedding can be stressful and expensive, I was blessed to have the support of family and friends. I think it’s definitely possible to create a memorable event without the extravagance typically associated with Indian weddings. My husband and I did have a large and formal reception later in the year (we’re sharing the photos here), but we cherished our mini-reception because we got to share the occasion with a close group of family and friends.
What did you not like about the wedding planning?
I had envisioned a monogram cupcake cake for the wedding, where guests could break off a piece of our initials in every bite. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out the way I had planned. But, in the end, the kids and adults alike just loved the taste of the chocolate and vanilla cupcakes so much that the mishap seemed so minimal in comparison.
I think it was a learning point- not everything goes according to plan, but it’s important not to stress about the little things that go awry. I got to marry my best friend. His sister stuffed a cupcake in his face. We live blessed lives indeed!
Tell us about your outfits inspirations!
My morning ceremony outfit was based on my desire to wear white for my wedding. I like the idea of white symbolizing innocence, purity, and serenity, especially in a place of worship.
After selecting the white outfit for the ceremony, I wanted something with a little more pizzazz for the evening reception. I found the pink and turquoise gown in a boutique in Chicago and fell absolutely in love with it. I wanted a long kameez with a train in a bright hue. It was a fun and statement piece without a ton of bells and whistles.
My husband coordinated his suit’s tie with a tiny snapshot of my dupatta. I didn’t want him to see the outfit before the big day!
What is your advice for future brides-to-be?
Enjoy your wedding day and focus on your significant other. The decor, the food, the entertainment- everything will fall into place- just remember to smile! Hire a photographer that connects with you and your spouse. At the end of the day, the pictures will capture everything, and that’s what you both will cherish for years to come.
Thank you for sharing Naureen! Now to photos. Photographs by This Modern L<3ve Photography.
Stay tuned for the mehndi and mayoon parties!
{Wedding Suppliers}
Photographer: This Modern L<3ve Photography
Makeup Artist: Beautybott
Nikkah ceremony venue: Al Farooq Masjid, Atlanta, GA
Post-Nikkah Pictures: Millenium Gate, Atlanta, GA
Nikkah reception venue: Windgate by Wyndham, Atlanta, GA
Caterer: Lahore Grill, Atlanta, GA
Bridal Outfit: Ankit Creations, Kolkata, India
