Picture this: May 2020, a pandemic lurking around, and there we both were, trying out dating apps for the first time. We met for coffee at The Grounds of Alexandria which turned into an 8-hour coffee marathon! Forget love at first sight; it was love over coffee! As the months rolled on, we both just knew we were meant to be. Hessan proposed in May 2021 in Bowral, with coffee and croissants from our favourite cafe and I said yes! In May 2022, we celebrated with our closest family and friends with a 4 day wedding week full of joy, bhangra, laughter, love and gratitude.

About the wedding– the functions & venues

Engagement: In December 2021, surrounded by our dearest friends and family, we celebrated our engagement with an intimate gathering at home. The night was warm and filled with love as we came together to mark the beginning of our journey as a couple. The ambience was cosy and electric. We had onsite catering by Maya Da Dhaba was simply divine, adding a touch of culinary delight to the evening with live tandoor and jalebi stations. I felt beautiful in a whimsical lehenga by Shyamal and Bhumika, hair and makeup by Fareha Bridal Studio. Surrounded by love and the promise of a lifetime together, our engagement party became a cherished memory etched in our hearts forever.

I had a Mayoun at home together with the special women in my life. I had my Bridal Henna done by Nabila’s Exquisite Henna Art which was intricate and stunning, the stain coming out so beautifully. I wore a beautiful heirloom Sabyasachi  Chunri Saree, a gift from my mum. My glam was by Fareha Bridal Studio.

Sangeet/Mehendi: My Sangeet/Mehendi was such an incredibly fun night! It was held at my local community hall, which was so special as we’ve celebrated most of our momentous occasions there. My outfit is from Faiza Samee, a beautiful block print lehenga. I trusted Faiza with the entire design process. I couldn’t have asked for a more talented and wonderful hair and makeup artist for my wedding events! From the moment I met her, I knew I was in good hands. Her calm and collected demeanor instantly put me at ease, and I felt like I could trust her with the entire creative process. She was a calming presence amidst all the wedding day excitement, and I can’t thank her enough for that. I would wholeheartedly recommend her to any bride-to-be. She is not just a hair and makeup artist; she is a true artist and a gem of a person. I thank her to this day for making me feel like the most beautiful version of myself on the most important day of my life!

Wedding: We had an unforgettable wedding at The Stables, Bendooley Estate, nestled in the lush greenery of the Southern Highlands, NSW. Despite the wintery, rainy weather, the day was nothing short of magical! Our afternoon ceremony was a dream come true, filled with the enchanting melodies of live Sitar music and Tabla by the amazing Sarshar Saab. As I walked down the aisle in a mesmerizing candy pink Sabyasachi lehenga, adorned with exquisite jewels from Kishandas & Co, my heart swelled with joy seeing my love. The talented Janet from J Event Design worked her floral magic, transforming the venue into a breathtaking paradise. But the magic didn’t end there! Our reception night was a starlit affair. Wrapped in the warmth of love, I danced the night away in a stunning canary yellow Sabyasachi lehenga, just like the one Masaba Gupta wore. Our wedding was a fusion of elegance, love, and beautiful memories that will forever remain etched in our hearts. 

We’re so lucky to have such talented, creative and hardworking vendors in Australia, particularly Sydney. I found word of mouth the best way to find out about vendors and others experiences of them.

All our events were captured by Sidd Rishi’s team. From the very beginning, they were an absolute pleasure to work with. The team’s easy-going nature and friendly demeanor instantly put us at ease, making the entire experience enjoyable and stress-free. During the events, they were a true professional team, capturing every precious moment with incredible skill and artistry. They had an uncanny ability to blend in seamlessly, making everyone feel comfortable and natural in front of the camera.
It felt like they were just as invested in our special day as we were. Not only were they talented and efficient, but they also listened attentively to our feedback and preferences when we received our photos. Their willingness to accommodate our ideas and vision truly made our photos unique and personalised.

I have two pieces of advice for brides to be:

Amidst the whirlwind of wedding planning, it’s essential to keep the love and connection alive. My best advice is to carve out special moments with your fiancé and family to talk about things other than the wedding. Trust me; it’s so easy to get caught up in RSVPs, quotes, and endless emails, making the process feel overwhelming. Looking back on my own wedding journey, I cherish the moments when we stepped away from wedding talk and simply enjoyed quality time together. Setting boundaries allowed us to savor meaningful conversations and create beautiful memories that weren’t centered around planning. So, my dear brides-to-be, remember to balance the excitement of wedding preparations with moments of love and laughter that will make your journey even more special. Your big day is a celebration of love, and nurturing that love throughout the process will make it all the more memorable. 

Embarking on the journey to our wedding day was nothing short of surreal, sentimental, and undeniably beautiful. As the day approached, I couldn’t contain my excitement, but amidst all the anticipation, I realised the true joy lay in looking forward to our marriage. The wedding day itself passes by in the blink of an eye, but what truly matters is the love bubble we create in our married life. It’s about cherishing every moment together, building a future filled with love, laughter, and shared dreams.
While the wedding day is a magical celebration, the real magic lies in the lifetime of love and companionship that follows. So savor every precious moment on your special day, but let’s also keep your hearts open to the joy and bliss of married life that awaits you beyond the wedding vows.  💕

Wedding vendors

Photographer: Sidd Rishi
HMUA: Fareha Bridal Studio
Florist: J Event Design
Music: Sarshar Studios
DJ: Joe Johar
Bridal outfits: Sabyasachi
Bridal jewels: Kishandas & Co
Venue: The Stables, Bendooley Estate