Richmond, VA Fusion Wedding by Arazo Studios

Love recognizes no barriers. But in real life, is that even true? Well, it is! Despite their nations conflicting many years ago. Pireya and Yousuf, a lovely Bangladeshi and Pakistani couple, crossed all barriers full of hope. They got engaged in 2021 and finally tied the knot on June 2022! The duo rolled their sleeves and DIYed many of their pre-wedding functions. It was a lovely way to add personal touches to each event! They dived into their wedding planning with a clear vision of wanting to transport their loved ones to their motherlands for a celebration that incorporated many elements and traditions of their cultures, Bangladeshi and Pakistani. Sought after planning experts, Richmond Bridal Consulting helped them plan and execute their main events at the fabulous Renaissance. The splendid venue's architecture was a beautiful canvas for Daisy Malik Decor to create a dreamy decor with red accents against white linens and bright gold drapery. While vibrant red roses arranged in tight tall vases floated above each table! Amidst this magical red wonderland, the duo wed in a traditional Nikkah ceremony and then offered a lively reception for their nearest and dearest. Maharani Pireya was breathtaking! The stylish bride opted for a richly embroidered cherry red lehenga set by Maharani Fashions while Afshan Makeup Artistry created a bold makeup look, sure to elevate any attire! Perfectly accessorized with an elaborate jewelry set, her exuberant bridal trousseau was a striking fashion masterpiece. The bridal entourage flaunted exquisite Gharara Suits in dusty rose shades and matching hairstyles. They all looked beautiful as they twirled and danced during the performances! Guests dined thanks to Al-Medinah Restaurant. The traditional restaurant catered for the reception and served the best meals for the partygoers and newlyweds. And last but not least, Cake Man's Boss created a four-tiered red fondant cake decorated with edible gold lace so everyone could enjoy honoring the newlyweds. There was something magical about this soiree that Arazo Studios perfectly captured, and we gathered in a curated gallery! See the most charming and epic moments of this fusion wedding that knew no boundaries. Just click here.

Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
In March 2017, I was in college and working through spring break. He was back home (in the same town I was) from his college for spring break. We found ourselves sharing a special moment together on a patio outside of a club while our friends were dancing the night away inside. It was getting rowdy in there and shortly after I stepped outside for a breath of fresh air, I saw him standing right next to me. It was the first time we were around each other without the company of our mutual friends. I remember staring out into the distance not sure what was in front of us since I was not familiar with the area too much and it was very dark. Fast forward to April 2021, I woke up that morning and found a gorgeous blue dress laid out for me to wear on a date later that night. It is very usual for Yousuf to select and surprise me with outfits for date nights so I did not think anything of it. He took my hand and we went on a boat ride through the infamous canal in the city we reside in now. We had a tour exclaims "and there's the most beautiful site in Richmond, Virginia!" I turn around and see my family, his family, and my best friends. Each holding a letter that spells out "Will You Marry Me?" I instantly started crying and when we stepped out of the boat, Yousuf bent down on one knee. He talked about that night in March 2017 and mentioned how I was unaware of what was in front of me that night. Well, the exact spot where our loved ones were now standing along the canal and where he was down on one knee, happens to be what I was looking out into.

Tell us how you went about planning your wedding, and your overall experience with the Venues, Hair & Makeup, Outfits, Decor Theme, and all of the other important details.
We are a union of two countries coming together. Since this was a fusion wedding, we wanted to highlight each culture through our wedding events. Each event was at a different city (between the bride's town and groom's town) with a different atmosphere and color palette, making them unique and unlike each other so our guests could experience the best of both worlds. The venue, food, attire, and all other details were aligned with the respective culture that was highlighted for that event. We decided to highlight the Pakistani culture at our Nikkah/Engagement event in 2021. Our families entered with our country flags, which were then displayed on the stage and served as the backdrop to symbolize the union. I chose a very special song for my entrance, and our favorite comedian performed a halal comedy show. The theme colors were white, gold, and black. For the Gaye Holud in May 2022, we highlighted the Bangladeshi culture. The event was at an outdoor garden space filled with bright colors of green, yellow, and orange. We had a bangle bar and table designated for "Bangali Street and Sweet Treats". We all know street food back home is incomparable, and it's not a Gaye Holud without the overwhelming amount of sugar. My mom and bridal party spend months helping my DIY the decor for that event. Our grand finale was the Shaadi in June 2022. We wanted the traditional bold red and gold and decided to go with hints of coral/peach and beige for the secondary colors. The theme was red royalty, and the venue was an absolutely perfect gem. The grandiose building was filled with a vintage appearance, rich history, and heavy red/gold hues throughout it's interior. We knew it was the one because it's called the Renaissance. We're obsessed with Italy and actually had our honeymoon there too. My hair and makeup looks were carefully selected for each event. I incorporated various styles for the occasions, and they were all done by the same incredible artist for all the events (Makeup by Afshan). Since we had our wedding events at different cities, we had to stay super organized when working with multiple vendors in multiple cities. Some vendors remained constant from our first event, such as our phenomenal photographers/videographers (Arazo Media) and decorator (Daisy Malik). Others like out caterers, cake bakers, DJs, day-of coordinators, etc. were based on location. Every vendor was unconditionally helpful and contributed perfectly to our events. All gratitude and praise due to them for being a part of our celebrations!

How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I always knew I wanted the traditional color red. That was a definite choice for me since I was a little girl. Plus, it is my favorite color so it made sense. Our Nikkah ceremony took place in May 2021, and I wore traditional Pakistani attires to honor my husband's culture. For the ceremony, I wore a beautiful white and gold floral gharara to the mosque and then changed into a handcrafted white and gold embroidered Anarkali for the engagement reception at another venue. Both attires, including jewelry, were custom-made in Pakistan and gifted from my in-laws. For my Gaye Holud in May 2022, I wanted to honor my roots and Bangladeshi culture. So of course, I wore a traditional sari with bright floral jewelry. My saree matched the colors of the event, which were green, yellow, and orange. The jewelry I selected paired perfectly with my attire and I looked like your typical Bangladeshi Gaye Holud "bou". For the grand finale, our Shaadi in June 2022, I wanted to wear a lehenga since it was the common attire for both of our cultures. I chose a bold red that struck the eye with heavy gold details. I went shopping with my mom, mother-in-law, father-in-law, and Yousuf one weekend in New York/New Jersey, and it's a core memory I will never forget. Yousuf did not see my final selection, as it remained a surprise for him. After saying yes to the dress, I selected all my jewelry and other pieces for the big day. I knew exactly what I wanted as my vision remained constant since I was a little girl dreaming of her fairytale wedding. I'm a Bangali bride, so I have to fit in my red benarasi sari somewhere. Since I did not get to wear one, my plan is to wear one on our one-year anniversary at an intimate event with loved ones.

What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
The stress was incomparable but I would do it all over again to relive the feelings of the big days. It was so fun and loving to work with my best friends and family members to create memories of a lifetime. Since Yousuf and I are the first ones in our families to get married, it was a new and thrilling experience for both of our sides. We set our Nikkah/Engagement date 2 months in advance and our Holud/Shaadi date 6 months in advance so the clock was really ticking! Time flew by in the process and there's no way we could have done it without the support, encouragement, and help from our dear ones. Our wedding party surprised us with the most amazing bach weekend trips and held our hands throughout the wedding planning journey. It was an emotional moment for Yousuf and I to be on stage at our Shaadi standing side by side with everyone who matters to us. There is a definitely a part of us that misses the rush of planning Desi wedding events!

What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
How detailed it was! From the cakes to the attires, to the stage set-ups, and everything in between. We also catered food according to the specific event. For example, we had traditional Pakistani food at the engagement reception and Bangali food at the Gaye Holud. Although our cultures are very similar. they are strikingly different as well. I always say it was a second war between Bangladesh and Pakistan for our love to win. Guests felt that at our events and commented on how beautifully we told our story through our celebrations. We stayed true to cultures, incorporating deep-rooted wedding customs and traditions straight from out motherlands. Guests learned about our backgrounds and the significance of each activity at our wedding events. Although we faced a battle, love always wins and our marriage was the beginning of two becoming one.

Maharanis, if you plan to host a big and bright wedding, this union will inspire your very own dream affair! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!