Four seasons resort | Scottsdale, az

A Multi-Day Pakistani
Celebration in the Arizona Desert

Behind the Frame

Hina & Shahmeer

Hina and Shahmeer celebrated their multi-day Pakistani wedding celebration in Scottsdale, AZ. The couple began their celebrations with a Mehndi Celebration at the Omni Montelucia with Camelback mountain serving as their backdrop. The following day they were married in their Nikkah ceremony at the Four Seasons Resort followed by an evening Qawwali celebration. The festivities continued the next day back at the Omni with a Valima reception.

From the intentional selection of each editorial portrait location to the fly on the wall captures of the joy of the day, the photographs layer together to create a portfolio that captures both the spirit of the couple and of the ephemeral microcosm created at each of their events.

Mehndi

The ceremony was meant to evoke old world Karachi with candle screen doors and vintage bazaar themed beverage carts. The traditional Pakistani ceremony involved the bride and groom each processing down the aisle surrounded by their friends and family under a veil and then taking their place under a lush canopy of bright florals where their extended family members fed them sweets (fresh berries) to celebrate their marriage.

After the ceremony guests headed inside where the couple and their friends performed elaborate choreographed dances before dancing the night away.

Vendors

Planner & Designer: Anais Events | Production & Rentals: Fine Linen Creations | Makeup: Prinyanka Babriya | Hair: Luli Sela | Music: DJ Biks

The Nikkah

The AZ mountains served as the backdrop for the ceremony with beautiful oversized paper flowers. The Nikkah consisted of Pakistani traditions including both mothers placing floral garlands around the bride and groom and the signing of the traditional marriage contract with a blessing from the Imam.

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a beautiful desert sunset and surprise fireworks. After dinner, guests were surprised by finding a ticket under the plate that resembled a vintage Pakistani train ticket that invited them to the Qawalli with live Mehfil music performance by the world renowned Sabri Brothers. The evening ended with joyous dancing followed by a traditional Rukshati where the couple made their grand exit, representing the bride leaving her family home and entering into married life with her new husband.

Vendors

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“We have no words to express our love for our photos! Rebecca captured all the little moments that made our weekend what it was... gosh darn extraordinary!”

—Hina & Shahmeer

Valima

The Valima took place on the final day back at the Omni Montelucia and is a traditional feast to publicly announce and celebrate the marriage and honor the couple, giving them blessings for their future.

The bride and groom sat on a stage draped with rugs, garlands, and custom embroidered velvet panels brought back from Pakistan. Their guests dined in the ballroom surrounding them and were each gifted silk Ajrak scarves as a nod to the groom's Sindhi heritage. While guests dined, they made their way up to the stage to give the couple their best wishes for a happy marriage and take photos with them.

Planner & Designer: Anais Events | Production & Rentals: Fine Linen Creations | Makeup: Prinyanka Babriya | Hair: Luli Sela | Attire: Dr Haroon