In case you didn't have your fill of sweets this past weekend, we've got two amazingly decadent shaadis to share with you today, starting with this one-of-kind South Asian celebration in Toronto, Canada, stunningly photographed by Banga Studios. BeYOUtiful Beginnings planned Rumi and Nazaam's wondrously enchanting wedding, and we're kicking things off by hitting the road with the adorable duo and some of their breathtaking portraits and nikkah highlights! Maharani Rumi picked out the most divine, white sari for her ceremony, and the Raja of her dreams, Nazaam, looked handsome as can be in his matching pants and sherwani. The blushing bride's perfectly placed side updo and flawlessly finished face were fabulously created by her hair and makeup artist from Amplified Soul Makeup + Hair Couture, and when I get back later today, I'll be delivering all the exclusive details on her incredibly gorgeous reception style! For now, head into the complete gallery for a quick peek at what's to come!
Maharani Rumi, on how she met the Raja of her dreams, Nazaam:
"Nazaam and I met at a camp in 2004 (we were both about 16 years old at the time). We were very interested in each other at the camp and were always glued to one another during our time there. When the two weeks were over, I was devastated. The camp seemed like a dream-world and now I was back into reality. After camp, Nazaam and I did not date because he lived in Ottawa, ON and I lived in Toronto, ON. We spent about 7 years doing our own thing and living our own lives. However, every so often, Nazaam and I would communicate over email or social media to catch up on each others lives and to see how we were doing. For some reason, we were drawn to each other even though we weren’t in constant communication. In August 2011, Nazaam was living in Angola, Africa as he was helping to run a business there. He sent me one of his regular emails to catch up. This time, something for some reason was different. This email resulted in constant emails back and forth and whatsapp messages all day. That first email he sent me while he was in Angola flicked on a light bulb in my brain. I felt an instant connection and just knew and realized that it was Nazaam the whole time. Nazaam eventually moved back to Ottawa, because his health was not holding up in Angola. Timing was on our side and we felt our relationship was strong enough for the two of us to be together even though we were still living in different cities (Ottawa and Toronto)."
On her Raja's romantic proposal:
"Nazaam and I had been planning a weekend getaway to Montreal, Quebec. The timing on this trip could not have been more perfect. After long days at work and a busy schedule, I could not wait to get out of my hometown and relax. To make it even better, I’ve always loved Montreal (Old Montreal in particular) for its historic feel.
As we entered the city, Nazaam handed me a beautifully wrapped gift. Inside was a handmade fortune cookie. As I devoured the cookie, I read the fortune, which read – “Beauty comes in many locations, styles and prices but only one rustic destination satisfies your appetite.” As I finished reading the fortune, we had just pulled up to a gorgeous hotel named Le Place D’Armes. It was stunning, and just my cup of tea.
To my surprise, this was only the beginning. Over the course of the weekend Nazaam surprised me with several handmade fortune cookies with fortunes leading to a jet boat ride over the rapids of the St. Lawrence River, a delicious (yet healthy) picnic lunch, a relaxing couples massage and facial, a manicure and pedicure, and a personal hair stylist who greeted me back at our hotel room. Things could not be more perfect.
I was all ready to go, for what I thought was a romantic dinner for two. We left the hotel room and began our walk through the Old Port of Montreal, towards the restaurant. Nazaam then stopped me in front of a horse and carriage, as he knew how much I loved horses. As I was admiring the horses, Nazaam handed me the last fortune cookie of the weekend. This one, as you can guess read, “Will you Marry me?” When I looked up, Nazaam was already on one knee. I squealed yes, and hugged him for as long as I could.
From this point on, it was a great celebration – with a horse and carriage ride around the Old Port, a romantic photo shoot, delicious ice cream and a fantastic customized meal with a side of a surprise visit from our families."
On choosing her dream wedding sari:
"During wedding planning, Pinterest was my life. I spent countless hours looking for wedding outfits. I wanted simple, yes classy. For my nikkah ceremony I wore a saree. I was looking online for styles that set me apart. I visited tonnes of places and realized that one boutique stood out. The quality was beautiful and the design could be customized to my style and body type. It was important for me to choose what I loved so I could feel fabulous on my wedding day. After researching this boutique and speaking to people about their experiences– I had chosen and worked with the boutique to get exactly what I wanted. It was a great experience!"
On her hair and makeup:
"I always knew I wanted a loose tossled bun and simple, yet elegant stunning natural makeup for my wedding day. I got exactly that. I worked with a hair and makeup artist whose focus was to make sure that the bride looked like herself but just amplified. This is exactly what I wanted. I managed to get the loose tossled bun with a vintage flair. It was perfect!"
We'll dive right into an unforgettable post-ceremony celebration, next!
No comments yet.
Please, sign in to leave a comment.