Today's tale of love transcends boundaries, where East meets West in a spectacular fusion of cultures at Alex & Ali's wedding. Alex, a radiant Russian beauty, was embraced wholeheartedly by Ali's large, exuberant Pakistani family, marking the beginning of their enchanting journey together. The Whistling Gardens served as the idyllic backdrop for their ceremony, meticulously orchestrated by Cloud 9 Events. As Alex walked down the aisle, the air was perfumed with the scent of bespoke arrangements from In Bloom Flowers. On her wedding day, her cousin-in-law Fatima, from Beaut by Far, worked magic, turning Alex from a Slavic princess into a dazzling Pakistani bride, complemented by the elegant bridal fashion by Zainab Salman, and the heirloom jewelry from the groom's mother whispered stories of love and legacy. Ali, dashing in his attire by Mohsin Naveed Ranjha, stood as a proud groom, his eyes reflecting his love and admiration for Alex. Immediately following the ceremony, the daytime reception was a delight for the senses, with Zauq Live Barbecue serving up delectable delights and Laroque Weddings capturing every precious moment with their lenses.
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How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Ali and I met in London, England, on our first day of work at Bain & Co., a consulting firm. Over time, we became close friends. One day, I hosted friends at my house, and Ali seamlessly took on the role of co-host - filling up our friend's glasses and even taking out the trash. The next day, he asked me out, and I said 100% yes.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Ali knew how important family is to both of us, so he looked for opportunities to include them in the proposal. The two of us and his brother went to visit my parents in Florida. One evening, we went for a sunset walk on the beach, and Ali surprised me by getting down on one knee! He claimed he had allergies, but I could tell he was tearing up. We all celebrated together that evening.
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I picked out my dress with the help of Ali’s mom and sister. I wanted a white dress with a touch of red. I found one at Zainab Salman, but it came with a heavy and expensive velvet dupatta. Luckily, they were able to make a custom dupatta for me that was lighter and a better fit for our outdoor wedding.
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Doing activities together - such as going to see venues or trying out tasting menus. The parts we planned together are by far my favorite!
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
They really liked the outdoor venue - Whistling Gardens is a sprawling garden where guests can go on walks, birds (swans, chickens, and even exotic birds) run wild, and the venue plays a custom fountain show for all the guests. Guests also commented on the food from Zauq. We knew we wanted to have a live barbecue prepared in front of all the guests, and Zauq was fantastic both in terms of the flavor of the food and working with their catering group.
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
My two favorite moments were grounded in tradition. First was the Arsi Mushaf, when Ali’s family lifted up my head covering, and we saw each other for the first time in the mirror as man and wife. We have the mirror hung up in our home now, and it makes me smile every time I pass it. Second was the Eastern European bread and salt ceremony, where the bride and groom simultaneously took a bite of decorative bread. Whoever takes the biggest bite becomes head of household (me, of course!)
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Enjoy the process and do as much of the planning together as you can. I have equally happy memories of us picking out parts of the wedding as I do of the day itself!
Anything else you want to tell us? We'd love to hear all about your other details! (jewelry, mehndi, venue, cake, bouquets, etc.)
My hair and make-up artist, Fatima from Beauty by Far, did an absolutely fantastic job! I don’t wear a lot of makeup, so I asked her to give me a natural look, and she truly delivered. I felt gorgeous, and my husband couldn’t look away!
Revel in the beauty, the traditions, and the love that shines through in every detail of our features.
