I had the pleasure of photographing Banoo and Ilyas’s wedding this past summer and boy was it a beautiful affair! Banoo planned the entire wedding from New York..I know that can be quite challenging..but she did an amazing job! Today I’m going to be sharing pictures from Banoo and Ilyas’s Mehendi event. This event was full of beauty, intimacy, love and lots of laughter! Banoo and Ilyas had a lot of family come in from out-of-town and I could tell that they really wanted to spend as much time with them as possible, and I think this event was the perfect start to the wedding festivities! So let me take you through the pictures.

This was the main stage where the Nikah was to take place the following day - Mufaddal did an amazing job decorating it! For anyone getting married this year, definitely get in touch with Mufaddal - he designed the Stage for all of Banoo and Ilyas’s events.  I’ll post his contact info at the bottom of this post.

Banoo and Ilyas - two of the most genuine people I have ever met. I totally felt as if I was part of the wedding festivities and not ‘working’ - thank you guys for making me feel so welcome in your families.

There is a custom in Banoo’s family, that I thought was just wonderful - The families gather around these huge ‘Thals (trays)’ and eat food together, so it’s basically like you are sharing a plate with 8-10 other people. I think this creates a bond of love and shows respect for one another. Just beautiful! oh and the food looked SCRUMPTIOUS!!!

These 2 cuties quickly became my friends! and I was especially fond of the one on the left…her name being AMNA and all

Another cutie pie! this is Ilyas’s Niece. Super CUTE I tell ya!

okay so before you start raving about the Mehendi /Henna - let me introduce you all to Asma! She’s one of the most sweetest and most down to earth person I know! Even though this was the first time I was meeting her, we quickly became friends and were chatting away - and she does an AMAZING job at the mehendi/henna! Just beautiful! Asma my friend, you are truly a beautiful person, inside and out and you have a gift that’s just as beautiful! I will be posting her contact info below also

This is Banoo’s grandmother who also happens to be Banoo’s namesake! She is such a beautiful person - constantly smiling - You could totally read her emotions from her eyes and the way she would look at Banoo, just totally makes your heart melt! Banoo you are super lucky to have such a loving and lovely grandmother!

Now on to some more traditions, Sweet feeding time!

Okay so this had to be my most favourite part of the entire mehendi/henna event - 4 of Banoo’s close family members (females) sit around  and had to grind some herbs. Once ground, they mixed in some jasmine oil and normally they would’ve put those little balls outside Banoo’s new house in her flower beds to make her new life fragrant, bring her luck and love. I loved how everyone got so into it all and was totally enjoying themselves!

One of Banoo’s cousins was having a hard time since she had henna on one hand, so her father who happens to be Banoo’s maternal uncle who happens to be a pharmacist stepped in to save the day! Just so much fun!!

Here they are mixing jasmine oil, to make little balls - I think you can even spot one on the floor.

I loved this moment where Ilyas’s grandmother was showing her henna to one of Banoo’s cousins.

and what’s a Mehendi without a henna shot of all the girls and their hands! Asma you did GOOD!!!!

Ok so now as promised, I’m going to provide you with Mufaddal and Asma’s contact info! I’ll be back with more pictures guys so stay tuned!!

Mufaddal - mufdee@hotmail.com

Asma - asma.husainy@gmail.com