My Shaadi

It's finally here, the final post (well, there's still a few more after this, but this is the Big One). I'm still waiting for some more professional photographs from my photographers (we had two professional photographers, one from my side and one from my husband), but we are still waiting for half of the pictures so I'll post the ones I have for now!

My wedding day was a pretty emotional day, but it was also a very surreal one - both me and my husband later both agreed that the whole day was like a strange dream.  I'll be posting fuller posts about details of my outfit, my jewellery, make-up and lots of other stuff soon with my mehndi outfit, but here's the main stuff!

While I was getting ready in the early afternoon (the wedding was an evening function), my make-up artist was helping me get dressed, doing my hair and make-up and also my jewellery and dupatta setting, whcih she did an amazing job of! My photographer also turned up when I was nearly odne to take photographs of me getting ready and of all of my jewellery and outfit. Here's a few of the details - I was really happy with everything I had and the way it all came together. There's also a sneaky peek of my eye-makeup as well!

We took some shots before I left the house, I dont have a lot of full length shots but there are a couple, I'm hoping that there's more from the other professional photographers as well though. I loved how traditional and Pakistani my outfit looked, which was the style I was going for. I decided not to have a bouquet for the day because it would have gottten lost in the detail of my outfit, but I did get a beautiful clutch bag custom-made from India (more about this soon!) which I loved.

Here's a shot of my lengha below, I went for a very deep red (without going maroon, which was tempting but would have looked too dark in my photos) with a petrol blue and olive/lime green accent running through the scarf and skirt to add a splash of colour. My jewellery is a mix of real gold from my parents, pearl and polki/kundan jewellery and also some beautiful bangles from Bees which I got mixed (very last minute!). There's also a shot of my henna, which I was happy with because it was nice and deep red.

This is the venue that I got married in, the hall itself is on the left of this lobbey but this was the main bit that my husband and I took photographs in. You also can't see it, but what I loved was the huged black and white chequered floor when you enter which looked nice and dramatic! I kept the decor pretty simple, and went for mainly white and gold, with some accents of red (typical I know, but it was easy to be consistent with it!) and tried to keep the overall look very simple and striking.

One of the more amazing things from the day was the beautiful cake - the whole thing was made by my sister after months of planning. One of my closest friends also made some beautiful buttercream cupcakes to match which was also an amazing gesture, and really added a personal touch to the day.

Here's is the groom's entrance with his party, I was busy hiding in a separate room but I heard some of the noise when he came in! And below that is my immediate family as the welcome party, waiting to throw petals at the baraat or the groom's side. I loved what they all wore, soft colours like peaches and corals, and the babies all had matching, flouncy bridesmaid dresses that made them look like floating clouds.

Soon after this was the religious ceremony itself - this is me signing my nikah (the signing of the papers itself and the consent which is given, which is the main part of the wedding), which was a huge moment (although I wish I had a nicer pen, my sister had a lovely Swarovski one for me in her purse but didn't get a chance to pull it out!)

After this, the groom did his part of the nikah and we were married - which was time for me to finally come out. This is me being walked in by my brother, who looked amazing in a tux and bow-tie (he didn't want to wear it but did for me, bless him!) I was incredibly nervous at this point, and feeling a little dazed, with my brother telling me "don't be nervous!" over and over again!

And yes, I had a little cheesy moment here, the minute I walked in and saw all the guests, and also saw my husband on stage, I relaxed and the nervousness melted away. I also couldn't stop grinning, which makes me laugh I see the photos because I look so cheerful!

After my brother helped me up on stage, my husband and I did lots of posts - this is us posing awkwardly. Both of us are very used to being behind the camera, and not in front of what felt like paparazzi - but it was still an amazing moment, being with friends, family and neighbours in one room.

Once everyone was served dinner, we took the opportunity to go outside somewhere private and take photographs, which was fun. I remember trying to make my husband laugh and him telling me to stop it, and also telling my husband not to drop me in half of the poses we were told to do! Here's some of them, there's a few more but these were my favourite.

We then went back to in to eat out dinner, and then finally cut out cake. This was also a fun memory for me because while my husband fed me delicately (so he wouldn't mess up my lipstick), I ended up shoving a cake-piece in his face!

We also put our rings on - my husband and I had rushed to buy these last minute as well, but he had picked out a beautiful diamond ring which was also a lovely moment.

After a few final poses with friends and family, we eventually ended up doing the rukhsati (the leaving ceremony) which thankfully was short and sweet, and which was a very short drive to our new house. This is a shot of myself with two of my favourite friends, who both ended up wearing light pink by coincidence - I have happy memories of both of their weddings and it was amazing to see them both at mine.

I'll be posting more details of the wedding outfit and more soon, but for now, I think I've bombarded you enough with photos! I will leave you with my favourite moment of the day - my sisters, brother, sister-in-law and nieces all huddled together for a selfie on stage which was a really fun picture and which eveyerone looked amazing in. I can't show you the photo itself, but here's th emoment we took the selfie!

I also wanted to leave a message for everyone who has left me kind emails, messages, Instagram notes and comments - thank you so much for all of the blessings, congrats and kind words! It was a beautiful day and worth it to see so many happy faces!

-- Curly Fries x