Location: Trenton, US
Style: Ballroom at the Conservatory
Time of planning: 8 months
Number of guests: 210
Setting: Romantic, eclectic, intimate, modern with Pakistani influences
Season: Summer
Rameez and Nabiha, two software engineers based in the Bay Area, share a passion for intentional living — from fashion and meaningful social experiences to finding creative solutions in everyday life. The couple first met at a gelato shop in San Francisco’s North Beach two years ago. Rameez proposed the following December at the iconic Sutro Baths, where he gathered their closest friends, each holding a single lily stem along the path leading to a cave, the same one they had tried to visit the night they first met but never reached. This time, they made it all the way.
For their wedding, Rameez and Nabiha envisioned a celebration that reflected their love for bringing people together over good food, eclectic florals, and a thoughtfully curated soundscape.
Bride's Morning & Fashion
Nabiha’s dress was the result of months of design, hand-embellishment, and stitching, brought to life over two trips to Pakistan. Crafted by renowned Pakistani designer Sania Maskatiya, the gown was made in a soft pistachio hue adorned with intricate ivory, lilac, and silver embroidery.
Her ivory Jimmy Choos were a gift from her now-husband, as was her signature scent – a rose, patchouli, and sandalwood fragrance by Fueguia, a boutique perfumery the couple discovered together in Soho, New York.
Completing the look, Nabiha wore jewelry gifted by the groom’s parents and carried a bouquet of Anthurium, Calla Lily, Clematis, Grass Explosion, and James Storie Orchids, thoughtfully designed to echo the delicate details of her dress.
Groom's Fashion
Rameez wore a traditional Pakistani sherwani (a long, formal outer coat) by Sania Maskatiya, featuring intricate Mughal-inspired embroidery that immediately caught his eye. His farshi-shalwar style pants reflected both his love for wide-legged silhouettes and admiration for 1940s fashion icon and Pakistan’s founder, Quaid-e-Azam. He completed his look with brown Ferragamo loafers, a gift from the bride’s parents, and a hand-tied pagri (traditional hat) by Pakistani designer and actor Yousuf Qureshi. His chosen scent, Diptyque’s Eau Capitale, blended rose, pink pepper, and bergamot, a fragrance he picked out with Nabiha.
First Look
The couple shared that their most memorable moment was the first look. After a whirlwind morning and an even busier year, it was the moment they finally got to press “play.” That’s when the day and their celebration truly began.
Since they hadn’t had much time alone that day, it felt especially meaningful, just the two of them, taking it all in before the celebration began. It was a quiet, grounding pause that gave them even more energy and joy for the rest of the day.
Ceremony
The stunning ceremony took place at the gazebo of The Conservatory. Before it began, Rameez and his family made their entrance to “Starboy” by The Weeknd, performed on the violin, as Nabiha’s family, led by her relatives, lined up along the path to welcome them. Once guests were seated in the ceremony space, Nabiha’s sisters walked down the aisle, followed by the bride herself, accompanied by her parents, to Young & Beautiful by Lana Del Rey, also played on the violin.
Rameez and Nabiha exchanged vows in a traditional Islamic Nikkah ceremony, an intimate and profoundly meaningful moment for them and their families. What they expected to be a nerve-wracking, emotional experience turned out to feel effortless and serene. As they said their vows, a sense of peace, joy, and light filled the space – everything they had been working toward coming together in one magical moment. Guests were moved to tears, overwhelmed by the beauty of it all.
Cocktail Hour & Moments Together
The cocktail hour took place outdoors immediately after the ceremony, where the newlyweds were showered with warm wishes and love from their guests.
They also added playful personal touches: cocktail napkins at the gelato stand highlighted that the couple’s first meal together was a mango sorbet, which was served to guests, and the gelato cups were customized. The bars had custom matchboxes adorned with illustrations inspired by the bride and groom, adding a whimsical and intimate detail to the celebration.
The bride and groom didn’t have many moments alone, but the shared glances and gentle hand squeezes were enough to make each instant meaningful. Every detail of the wedding was beautifully documented by the talented Kim Hymes Photography, who combined digital and film techniques to create images that feel timeless and uniquely special.
One of Nabiha’s favorite memories from the day was Rameez’s ever-present thoughtfulness, from calmly handling last-minute details, to surprising her with a handwritten letter and a beautiful bouquet in her bridal suite, to guiding her through mindful breathing during their first look. His sweet surprises continued throughout the day, including a pair of elegant Vera Wang champagne flutes he gifted her during the cake cutting – a gesture that made the moment even more special.
Inspiration, Planning & Decor
The wedding was inspired by everything Nabiha had envisioned stylistically: thoughtful, coordinated, understated, yet with intentional “wow” moments. The color palette was chosen around the couple’s outfits: deep reds and eggplant were paired with lilac and earthy greens and browns, creating a bold yet natural feel. The reception decor was a true highlight: the florist, Harley at Echoes of Eden Florals, and planner, Emma at Claudio & Co. Events, along with their teams, elevated the bride’s vision of elaborate drapery and artful arrangements.
Pops of red in the florals, menus, and name cards paid homage to the traditional South Asian Shaadi color, as the bride chose not to wear it herself. A deep-red sofa contrasted beautifully with a 20-foot, floor-to-ceiling drapery installation at the couple’s seating. Tapered candles, ruffled table lamps, and elaborate chandeliers combined to cast a romantic golden glow as the sun set, creating a truly magical evening.
Reception
Toasts were heartfelt and emotional. The bride’s two sisters, the groom’s two sisters, and a trio of close friends from San Francisco, affectionately called “The Family”, all shared moving speeches. The bride’s parents, hosts of the wedding, opened the reception with words that brought the bride to tears, especially as her mother’s speech came as a complete surprise. The groom’s father closed with a touching recitation of an Urdu poem he had written specially for the couple.
Music played a special role throughout the night. The bride and groom flew in Baalti, a house music duo and close friends of the groom, also the first DJs the couple ever danced to on their third date. They performed an eclectic set of South Asian-inspired house tracks, sampling classics from 1960s Nazia Hassan and Bollywood favorites. The newlyweds shared their first dance to a custom mashup of Can’t Help Falling in Love with You and Madhaniya by a Bay Area-based singer.
The evening drew to a close with a long, single-tier rectangular cake, beautifully adorned with delicate florals, a sweet and elegant reflection of the love and joy that filled the day.
Advice from the couple:
• Music should not be an afterthought. It should be reflective of who you are, who your guests are, and the emotions you want to evoke through the event.
• Tradition is important, but nothing is as important as your wedding day, reflecting your relationship and your personalities. Strike a balance, people who walk into your wedding should know it’s YOURS without needing to see a welcome sign.
• Pick vendors you can trust. As the bride, I had huge dreams and expectations, probably more than most, and the way my planner, Emma, and her team were able to pull everything off (with only a couple of months until the wedding, might I add) is nothing short of wizardry. They saw me, they understood, and they executed to perfection. Pick a planner who gets you.
PHOTOGRAPHER Kim Hymes Photography | PLANNING + DESIGN Claudio & Co. Events | FLORAL + DRAPING DESIGN Echoes of Eden Florals | VENUE The Conservatory at Blackberry Ridge | VIDEOGRAPHER T Haley Media | BRIDE BEAUTY Glam by Leanna | WEDDING PARTY BEAUTY Chatt Beauty and Co | CATERING Rumi’s Kitchen | ICE CREAM CART The Milky Cow | CAKE Cakemakers | SPECIALTY LINENS White Table | RENTALS TableMade, The Copper Quail, Rent All | DJ Baalti | CEREMONY VIOLINIST Jessica Nunn | AUDIO/VISUAL Chattanooga Pro Audio | EVENT STAFF Legendary Bartenders
