Richmond, VA Fusion Wedding by Arazo Studios

Hello, darlings! We are thrilled to share the beautiful wedding of Pireya & Yousuf with you! If the name of this lovely couple sounds familiar, that's because their wedding was already featured in our Real Weddings Blog. But we loved this celebration so much that we couldn't wait to share the fabulous video by the incredible Arazo Studios with you. They captured every moment beautifully, from the couple's emotional vows to their energetic reception party. This couple's love story is nothing short of a fairytale, and their wedding day was just as magical. From the stunning venue at The Renaissance to the incredible floral and decor by Daisy Malik Decor, every detail was perfectly executed thanks to the expert planning and design by Richmond Bridal Consulting. Pireya looked breathtaking in her traditional bridal fashion from Maharani Fashions, which perfectly complemented her glowing hair and makeup by Afshan Makeup Artistry. As she walked down the aisle, her eyes locked with Yousuf's, and you could feel the love and joy radiating from the couple. Hercules Entertainment kept the dance floor packed all night for the reception, while Al-Medinah Restaurant provided delicious catering that had everyone raving. And let's remember the fantastic Cake Man's Boss cake and treats that were almost too beautiful to eat but too delicious not to! Pireya & Yousuf's wedding was a true celebration of love, family, and culture, and we're honored to have shared it with you. We invite you to watch their wedding video and experience its magic. Enjoy it!

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 in a different city (between the bride's 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 me 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 its 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 in different cities, we had to stay super organized when working with multiple vendors in multiple cities. Some vendors remained constant from our first events, such as our phenomenal photographers/videographers (Arazo Media) and decorator (Daisy Malik). Others, like our 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 are 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 attire 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 by 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 Bengali 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 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 Bengali food at the Gaye Holud. However, 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 our cultures, incorporating deep-rooted wedding customs and traditions straight from our 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, I hope this wedding will inspire you to jump aboard the wedding train. Have a great day!