Raabia and Sameer, California, USA
This bride allowed her creativity to soar, with her mehndi outfit and decor mirroring the colors of her pet bird’s feathers!
Raabia and Sameer’s intimate wedding, planned lovingly by the bride’s sister, consisted of details that perfectly reflected the bride’s and groom’s personalities. Reminiscing about her big day, Raabia tells us about some of the most memorable moments of the wedding.
How They Met
“Sameer’s cousin (whom I went to kindergarten with) and my best friend orchestrated our meeting. My best friend ran into Sameer and his cousin at dinner and instantly thought of hooking me up with Sameer. Within a few days, he sent me a DM via Instagram and the rest is history!”
The Proposal
“The day after Sameer’s family came over to ask for my hand, we had our engagement party. As our wedding was only six months away and we were both really caught up with the planning process, I had given up on the idea of any fairytale proposal. He, however, was secretly planning the details of when and how he would pop the big question with the help of my sisters. My bridal shower was a month before the wedding and Sameer was supposed to be out of town. I thought I wasn’t going to see him until the wedding. During one of the games, my sisters played a video in which Sameer appeared on one knee holding an engagement ring in the middle of a field with ‘Will you marry me?’ spelled out in red rose petals. I was then prompted to turn around and there he was, in person, down on one knee! He surprised me in front of all my family and friends. I will never forget that day!”
Wedding Venue
“The Resort at Pelican Hill took my breath away when I first laid eyes on it. Overlooking the Pacific Coast, this place is absolutely splendid. I knew I had to get married there. We had our ceremony on the lawns, under a gazebo. Our reception was inside the Mar Vista ballroom.”
Wedding Planning
“My dear sister, Saadia Kibriya, who is also the CEO of Kismet Events, was my wedding planner. In my eyes, she is the Pakistani Martha Stewart! I couldn’t have dreamed of anyone besides her managing my big day. She is a visionary, entrepreneur and a true artist. I gave her zero direction, inputs or ideas, yet she was able to pull off my dream wedding so beautifully that I’m still in a haze!”
Wedding Functions
Mehndi
“The venue for our mehndi was Fete the Venue in Costa Mesa, California. The atmosphere was lighthearted and joyous. The decor was really colorful and vibrant. What made the setup so special was that the palette was decided based on my pet cockatiel, Chubz. He is a colorful bird – his feathers are grey, burnt orange and yellow. My mehndi outfit was inspired by him as well!”
Wedding
“We wed in the most romantic and ethereal outdoor ceremony, with blush pink and white tones dictating the decor. Large floral arrangements with cherry blossoms and a beautiful chandelier were also part of the elegant setup. We even released doves as part of the celebration. The affair was intimate and brimming with love. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”
Reception
“The reception was an extension of the wedding in terms of the mood, however, we shifted the party indoors. At one end of the ballroom, we had the prettiest seating setup for Sameer and myself. It was surrounded by chandeliers, fresh blooms and candles. Even our wedding cake was in sync with the muted color scheme and the floral theme of the function.”
The Wedding Makers
Venues: Fete the Venue, Costa Mesa (Mehndi), The Resort at Pelican Hill (Wedding and Reception)
Wedding Planner: Kismet Events
Bride’s Outfits: Archna Vig
Makeup Artist: Jhon Nanz
Hairstylist: Farah M
Mehendi: Nadia Ali of Henna Dil Se
Photography: Warrior and The Gypsy
Videography: White Rose Production
