Sara and Adrian were not my typical wedding couple ~ they had been married for several months already when I met them! Sara’s parents hosted a beautiful wedding celebration for them, incorporating Afghan wedding traditions and rooted in their Muslim faith.

What struck me about this wedding celebration was how the involvement of family made the details of the day even more special.  The ceremony was under a white tent at her parents’ home. Sara’s sister made her bouquet, the rose centerpieces, and even decorated the cake. Sara’s mother and mother-in-law sewed her amazing dress, hand-stitching the lace detail on the waist, sleeves, and scarf. Cousins, parents, friends, and siblings gave speeches honoring the couple. My favorite part of their ceremony was when Sara’s sisters held a decorated veil over them, and her grandmother handed them a mirror so they could view each other as a married couple, and then the Qur’an to open and read from together. Sara’s sisters placed henna on their hands, which were tied with a ribbon for the rest of the ceremony.

After dinner the entire party danced the Attan – the national dance of Afghanistan – which starts slowly, and gets faster and faster until everyone is whirling around in total smiling chaos. Even better? Sara and Adrian had changed into traditional dress for the dance. SO awesome ~ I totally wanted to put down the camera and join in!

Sara and Adrian, you are a wonderful couple with amazing family and friends, and you have such a bright future. I wish you all the happiness in the world!