Sukaina and Ali Wedding - December 27th to 30th, 2007

We ended the year with a blast; the marriage of Sukaina and Ali.  This was our first Muslim wedding ceremony.  It was performed in the Persian style at Sukaina’s parents’ house.  It was one of the most intimate wedding ceremonies that we have attended.  We were present for four days of the multi-day event.  We were able to witness many beautiful moments.

Thursday - Mendhi and Trashing

The first day started with us going to Sukaina’s house where she was getting her mendhi (henna) applied.  It is a very delicate procedure and the artist from Toronto was amazing.  She wants to study to be a surgeon and with those fingers and attention to detail she will surely succeed.

Sukaina’s bridesmaids got to relax with her while she had her mendhi applied.  We listened to Indian music videos during the evening.  This is the first time that two of the girls had tried on Indian clothes.

 The Mendhi looks the best when it is freshly applied.

 

The ceremony cannot start until the groom finds his name on the bride.  Can you find Ali’s name in the mendhi?

At Ali’s Auntie’s house they were performing ceremonies.

Then we witnessed a ritual like none that we had ever seen before.  The ‘trashing’ is when the bridesmaids and the groom’s family get a chance to mess up the groom before he gets married.  They covered him in syrup, silly-string, cotton balls, and a mess of other things.  Of course the groom gets to fight back and we got to see some pretty fun and sticky wrestling.

Friday - Ladies’ Mendhi Party

Friday night was Sukaina’s Mendhi Party at the Meridian Banquet & Conference Centre where the ladies attending the wedding had mendhi applied.  There were ceremonies and dancing.

Sukaina was fed Smarties throughout the ceremonies.  Traditionally the bride and groom are fed nuts and desserts by family members, however, Sukaina has a sensitivity to nuts so the Smarties were a safe (and tasty) alternative.

Saturday - Wedding Ceremony and Dinner

We started our Saturday out at Sukaina’s house where she had her makeup applied and gems attached to her mendhi.  Her amazing wedding outfir was from Dubai and was very heavily laden with jewels and beads.

Ali arrived and the ceremony began.

A gorgeous veiled Sukaina came down the stairs.

 

Sukaina was veiled throughout the ceremony, and the veil was removed after they became husband and wife.  The first time that Ali saw Sukaina’s face at the ceremony was through a mirror opposite to them when the veil was removed.

This is a picture of Sukaina through the mirror.  She looks stunning.  Like a movie star.

Family members ground sugar over the couple’s head to ’sweeten the relationship’.

Sukaina leaving her family’s house as a newly married woman.  A very emotional time, especially since she is leaving her family in Edmonton to begin a new family of her own in Houston.

We headed to City Hall for formals since it was freezing outside!

 

Sukaina and Ali stayed at the Hotel MacDonald and we were able to take some beautiful portraits of them there.

Saturday night was an intimate dinner at Ziveli’s restaurant where family and friends relaxed and enjoyed good food and good company.  It was the first time we’d seen a groom feed wedding cake to one of the kids at the wedding - it sure made him happy!

Sunday Morning - Breakfast

The newly married couple arrived at Ali’s aunt’s house for breakfast and gifts.

A ceremony is held when the couple enters the family home where they jump on to small pots.  Whoever breaks their pot first will rule the household.  A similar ceremony was held at Sukaina’s house on Saturday and Sukaina broke hers first, therefore officially wearing the pants in the relationship.  On Sunday, Ali got a head start….before Sukaina even had her shoes on!  Judges rule: it’s a tie!

We couldn’t help but join in the gift giving.  Over the last 4 days we’ve felt like members of the family, and wanted to express our joy at being part of this wedding.  We presented Ali and Sukaina an album of some highlights over the days of the wedding, something they can take with them back to Houston while we work on their wedding album.  I’m happy to say that they loved it!

Sunday Evening - Reception

Now here’s where our couple really showed their true love and passion for one another.  They braved chilly temperatures at the Royal Alberta Museum for some amazing nightime portraits.  Keep in mind that Ali is here for the wedding from Houston!  With love to keep them warm, you can’t even tell how cold it was out there.  We are constantly amazed by what our couples will do to ensure the best photos.

 

Sukaina and Ali held their reception at the Meridian Banquet and Conference Centre (http://www.meridianbanquets.ca/).  It was a great party!  The couple had a unique second cake made of several mini cakes.  Yum!

The bridesmaids presented Ali with some rules for taking care of Sukaina

Congratulations, Sukaina and Ali!  You are a beautiful couple, and we wish you a blessed future together in Houston.  Come back and visit often!