I absolutely love Sascha and Laiqa's 3-day wedding celebrations – Mehndi Ceremony, Chinese Tea Ceremony, and Akad Nikah. It was a nostalgic wedding celebration which I treasure the most for it marked a milestone in my wedding planning journey.
Sascha and Laiqa come from two culturally diverse backgrounds: Sascha is from Pakistani-British parentage and Laiqa is a Malaysian of Chinese descent. Their interracial union added colors to their grand wedding celebration, with mixtures of Pakistani and Chinese cultures.
The venue of choice for the Mehndi Ceremony was Sascha's family residence which was in upscale Bangsar overlooking the affluent residential suburb. The Khans, who enjoy hosting parties for families and friends over the years, indeed had a great reason to plan for a joyous ceremony for the couple.
The décor set was inspired by the Moroccan architectural designs with its vibrant colors of red, gold, yellow and silver. Moroccan lanterns, tiki candles, and hanging tea-light candles were lit on the Mezzanine Floor and around the lush residential gardens to transform the venue magically. A settee with plush cushions was set up near a window for the couple to sit, with elegant wooden carvings adorned the window that overlooked a stunning view of Bangsar.
The overall concept of the ceremony was to have guests reclining amidst plush cushions and soft carpets while feasting on exquisite cuisines and having a great time with a variety of entertainment. To achieve this concept, Pakistani carpets in rich colors laid the flooring with custom made cushions and bolsters strategically arranged on the floor. Two large tables and chivalry chairs were also carefully arranged to accommodate those who prefer to be seated.
The splendid combination of colors, lights, and decorative pieces had transformed the place that almost resembled a royal's sanctuary!
In Pakistani wedding tradition, the Mehndi Ceremony is celebrated a few days before the Akad Nikah (solemnization of Muslims marriage). It is a fun-filled occasion full of dances, songs and music. The Mehndi are applied to create intricate patterns on bride's hands and feet. There are not only to enhance her beauty but also epitomize her new role as a wife. Female relatives also painted mehndi on their hands and feet to share the bride's joy.
On arrival, the ladies were welcomed with colorful bangles and jasmine garlands. The gentlemen were not left out and were received with colorful shawls draped around their necks. The ritual began with the couple ushered into the ceremony under an embroidered 'dupatta' by their male relatives. Laiqa was dressed in a stunning orange and red ghagra choli with a long dupatta draped over her head. Whereas Sascha, along with the male relatives donned in red salwar kameez and orange dupatta. The rich shades truly enhanced the festive mood of the evening.
As the couple seated, Sascha's aunt and cousins began to perform a ritual dance around the mehndi to kick off the ceremony. It really set the tone for everyone as the guests clapped and cheered them on. Family members later took turns to feed them sweets (signifies blessing to have a sweet marriage), brush a bit of mehndi on their hands, and finally perform the 'Sadka', by circling money three times above the couple's heads to bless them and ward off any evil.
To complement the tradition-rich occasion, an array of Arabian and Indian cuisines were served by two award winning restaurants; Sahara Tent and Bombay Palace.
Sahara Tent prepared some mouth-watering authentic Arabian cuisine which included their signature Roasted Lamb, the chef specialty of Baked Eggplant Dish, and Arabian Salad served with breads. Bombay Palace was equally impressive with their sumptuous spread of Indian cuisine such as Sheek Kebab, Murgh Tikka Masala, and Tandoori Roti and Naan.
An outdoor kitchen was set up under the canopies to prepare fresh specialty dishes such as Tandoori meats, grills and naan breads. The well-known secret to a satisfying meal is to have the dishes served hot and fresh. A sizable queue was seen beside the buffet table as the chefs prepared the food to last for the evening.
For desserts, delightful treats were catered from Strudels – Apple Cheesecake, Strawberry Delight, Strawberry Cube, Vanilla Chocolate Profiteroles, and assorted mini french pastries.
To ensure the celebration was at its finest, no details were overlooked. Sheraton Imperial KL was called to offer their exquisite service to set the tables and chairs with fine linens, polished silver cutleries, new White Bone China plates, and goblets fit for kings and queens. Their professional crews of chefs, bartenders and waiters provided the guests with a 5-star service in a homely setting.
It was a night of pure dances and music. To charge up the event, Tony (a relative), stood up to perform some catchy Bollywood and Bhangra tunes that got everyone dancing exuberantly.
To further spiced up the evening, three belly dancers in enticing costumes were invited to perform a belly dance. Five 'chooriwalas' were also called to perform dances and grace the ceremony. The 'chooriwalas' or eunuchs were traditionally invited to ceremonies to dance and bestow blessings on the hosts. In modern times, transgender Divas are invited to grace happy occasions such as weddings and the births of male babies. Their alluring moves and cheeky conducts in inviting the guests to dance amused everyone immensely.
The Khans residential reverberated with songs and music till late into the night. Everyone was up on their feet, swaying and raving to the beat, including Sascha and Laiqa who were happily reveled in the spirit of the celebration.
It was said that 'it takes a village to plan a wedding' – indeed the mehndi ceremony was a fine success with heartfelt contributions from the families and relatives. The most special thing for me was the chance I had to get to know the friendliest and down-to-earth families of the couple. Their passion for festivities and colorful traditions had enriched my overall experience in planning the event. The unforgettable dances and music and also the vibrant colors had impressed this particular evening in my memory to cherish for the rest of my days.