The world was hit by a lockdown. Her dad was in hospital undergoing surgery and just when hope was bleak, Zaid found her and recognised her voice in the unlikeliest of places! Such is the power of destiny that when paths are destined to cross, they do with such surety that the serendipity feels unreal.

As Gauahar and Zaid became friends 'for the shortest time possible', they knew they belonged to each other. The similarities were uncanny and the love for family cemented their faith in each other. Gauahar lost her dad to cancer two months after the wedding but in her own words - He was just waiting to meet Zaid and pray at my Nikaah.

This is a dedication to every soul that believes in Aqeedah - the faith that has the power to change our destinies!

The Pre-Wedding Shoot

The pre-wedding photoshoot was shot keeping in mind the fun & vibrant personalities of Gauahar & Zaid without losing the essence & grace of their culture. The outdoor shoot was casual & candid amidst the green palm trees and bright blue skies at the ITC, Mumbai. The second half of the shoot was shot against a traditional Islamic backdrop lit up with candles while a subtle haze from lobaan (a fragrant balsamic resin) lent an element of surreality.

The Chiksa Ceremony

The wedding celebrations started with a Chiksa ceremony amid close family & friends. After adorning her with floral jewellery, Gauahar’s sisters broke into a merry song and dance sequence with the couple. Punjabi dhol players kept the enthusiasm high as Gauahar & Zaid received blessings and gifts from their relatives.

Gauahar’s Mehendi

Surrounded by a tight group of family & friends, Gauahar applied mehendi on her hands & beautifully incorporated her to-be-groom, Zaid’s name. Half way through, he walked in and surprised her with balloons, flowers & a cake. He upped the comical quotient by entering with a tiara and a sash that read “Bride to be” before settling down with the Mehendi gang who insisted on writing the words ‘Gauahar ka Dulha’ (Gauahar’s groom) on his palm.

The Haldi Ceremony

This ‘lockdown wedding’ themed event had quirky banners that read - “Distance brings us closer”. Riding a bicycle adorned with floral bouquets, Gauahar and Zaid made a spectacular entry into the event wherein family and friends welcomed them with colourful smoke bombs and a cheering applause.

The Badi Mehendi

This evening was one full of games, dances, music & fun! Guests played light hearted games like ‘dog and the bone’ before the bride & groom entered. The audience laughed along as Gauahar & Zaid answered questions about each other in another game that tested their knowledge about each other. A lineup of family dances followed, post which Zaid’s family expressed their love for the couple through music.

The main highlight of the evening was when the father of the groom, the renowned music composer, Ismail Darbar took over the stage and sang his iconic songs like Tadap Tadap ke from Hum dil de chuke sanam.

The Dress up

Gauahar chose to do her own make-up on her big day. After she got ready, the perfectionist in her reached out to her beau and helped him get his act in place by draping his shawl ‘the right way’. It was adorable to see the bride and groom get ready together for their big day. Both Gauahar & Zaid wore custom made outfits straight from the Pakistani label ‘Laam’. Dressed in pristine, white outfits, the two were an epitome of divine grace on their Nikaah day.

The Nikaah

It was a sight to behold as Gauahar gracefully walked down the aisle under a ‘phoolon ki chaadar’. Mesmerised by the purity of that moment, onlookers stood still and watched in silence. Emotions ran high as they both shared adorable glances through the floral chaddar that separated them. The energy of the room changed from emotional to joyous when Zaid said ‘Qubool hai’ as they were officially declared man and wife and saw each other through the mirror for the first time. The Nikaah ceremony was followed by an exchange of garlands and rings ceremony & concluded with friends & family congratulating the newly weds.

The Reception

The Reception was a grand affair with all their guests joining in to celebrate their big day as husband and wife. Gauahar donned a stunning Manish Malhotra lehenga for the evening as Zaid complemented her in an all black sherwani by the same designer. The evening kickstarted with a cake cutting ceremony, followed by meeting & greeting the guests before the Sangeet electrified the audiences.

The Sangeet

The Sangeet night started with the brother of the groom, Awez Darbar, along with his siblings planning a surprise act for the couple. The Instagram sensation got his dance troupe to put up a creative act that narrated the entire love story of the couple through the medium of dance. Gauahar & Zaid grooving to Bollywood dance numbers was a sight to behold. The evening ended in an after-party with everyone putting on their dancing hats as Gauahar did an impromptu dance on her famous dance numbers - Jhalla Walla & Chokra Jawaan with her new husband.

The Walima

After welcoming the newly-weds with showers of rose petals, family and friends took to the stage to share heartwarming stories about their respective childhoods, and blessed the couple. The evening ended with the couple zooming away in a decked up car, donning their hashtag #GaZa - another surprise planned by their siblings. And just like that, they found their happily ever after…