3 DAY PAKISTANI WEDDING | MARIAM AND SAMEER | JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

MARIAM + SAMEER

WOO-HOO! The much anticipated (mainly by me) 3 day Pakistani wedding celebration blog is here!! I can’t wait for you all to be immersed into a new culture and see the beauty of it!

When Mariam first inquired with us, she wrote that it was going to be a 3 day wedding and honestly, we didn’t know what to think. We were excited to shoot our first Pakistani wedding but also terrified of not capturing something that means a lot to them in their culture. For example, the most important part in their “I do” ceremony was the signing of their marriage license.

Once we sat down with Mariam and she showed us pictures and videos of her friends weddings, we were sooo excited to be part of something so unlike anything we’ve ever done before. The outfits, the colors, the traditions, the henna. All of it was absolutely beautiful and we couldn’t wait to capture it all.

Each day was completely different. different outfits, different hair and makeup up, different ceremonies. What intrigued me the most were the different ceremonies and traditions. I loved learning so much about their culture and you’ll see, I even dove into it by getting henna done and wearing a traditional Pakistani salwar ( Mariam was so sweet to let me borrow one of hers- she’s the best!).

Ive broken up the blog into the 3 days and be sure to watch the video at the bottom!

Thank you Mariam and Sameer for trusting us with something so special! We miss you both and wish you nothing but happiness and babies =) wink wink.

DAY 1

MENDI (HENNA) NIGHT

The first day was called the Mehndi (Henna) Ceremony. A Mehndi party is the pre-wedding celebration in Hindu and Sikh culture when the bride has the red-orange henna "stain" applied to her palms, back of hands, and feet. Typically held the day before the wedding, the event often has a lounge feel, with colorful pillows.

Tradition says the deeper the color of the bride's mehndi, the happier the bride and groom's marriage will be. Mariam even got Sameer’s name hidden within her henna!

This night was full of color, happiness and dancing!

Each guest was able to approach the bride and groom and apply apply henna to their palms as well as wish them happiness or bless them with advice.

DAY 2

THE NIKAH (CEREMONY)

The second day was their wedding ceremony, the day they said “i accept” and signed their marriage contract in their mosque. We loved being able to witness a ceremony that was different than what we’ve been exposed to. Out of respect, i joined the women and wore a head covering. The biggest difference for us was the fact that the bride and groom sat on separate sides of the mosque and there was no first kiss. It was the signing of the contract that binds them in marriage.

After their ceremony, we went to Downtown Jacksonville for a portrait session. Post wedding, Mariam was MOVING to Chicago, so visiting our downtown was kind of like a farewell to the city she was leaving.

DAY 3

WALIMA (RECEPTION + FAREWELL)

Day 3 was called Walima which is the final day of the wedding held by the couple as they host their first dinner as husband and wife. This was very similar to a traditional reception with a first dance, ring exchange, cake cutting and an exit.

The exit however, was VERY different from what we are used to. The exit was very quit and somber. This was the brides family officially giving her away to Sameer. This was a very emotional moment. We all stood in complete silence, other than the families crying, with tears flowing down as we watched Mariam say goodbye to her family, one by one.