Set on the sunlit cliffs of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Kristen and Talaal’s wedding was a weekend-long celebration of elegance, culture, and joy. Framed by the Riviera’s iconic coastlines and curated with impeccable detail, their celebration blended tradition with style: from the Mehndi’s vibrant energy to the ceremony’s ocean-kissed serenity. Across rooftops, beaches, and garden paths, this wedding wasn’t just seen. It was felt.
Location: French Riviera, France
Style: Elegant, Sophisticated, Romantic
Time of planning: 1 year
Number of guests: 118
Setting: Seaside
Season: Spring
Kristen, a California native turned New Yorker, met Talaal during their final semester at NYU. What started as a campus friendship grew quietly, spanning years, cities, and continents. Eight years later, Talaal proposed in the soft light of Aix-en-Provence, marking the beginning of a month-long trip through France and Italy. But it was Nice that captured their hearts. As they explored the Riviera, it became clear, this place would be more than a memory. It would be where their next chapter began.
Concept & Planning
From the start, Kristen and Talaal envisioned a wedding that celebrated their roots while embracing the timeless beauty of the French Riviera. Their approach was thoughtful and rooted in authenticity. They didn’t set out to create something extravagant—they wanted something that felt deeply personal.
With the guidance of Wanderlust Wedding, that vision unfolded into something remarkable. Lisa, Franck, and Marion became more than planners—they were translators of emotion, culture, and atmosphere. They helped the couple shape a cohesive aesthetic that blended vibrant Pakistani celebration with quiet garden elegance. Through vendor recommendations, timeline mastery, and creative problem-solving, the team delivered a celebration that felt effortless, layered, and completely their own.
Welcome Day
The weekend began on a rooftop overlooking the glittering Bay of Angels. At Peska by La Terrasse in Nice, Kristen and Talaal welcomed guests with panoramic views, summer breeze, and a sense of ease that set the tone for everything to follow.
Kristen wore a textured ivory denim set by IRO Paris with coordinating heels, while Talaal kept it polished in a Reiss ensemble and Saint Laurent shoes. The ambiance was fresh and celebratory—sunset, rosé, and the buzz of anticipation.
Mehndi Party
Held at Le Galet, a beachfront venue in Nice, the Mehndi was the heartbeat of the weekend. This was where heritage, color, and movement came alive. Kristen wore a mirrored Falguni Shane Peacock lehenga paired with heirloom Hawaiian jewelry and custom Paisley Pop pieces. Talaal matched in a Faraz Manan outfit, finished with Pakistan-made custom loafers and a thoughtful nod to Kristen’s lehenga embroidery.
The setting was rich with texture and symbolism—orange velvet lounges under a cascade of hanging florals, custom mandala flooring, and seaside teepee lounges adorned with vibrant cushions and blooms. The signature bar was wrapped in bold prints and decorated with the couple’s monogram. Every visual spoke to tradition reimagined through a modern lens.
The decor featured 1,000 origami cranes strung by Kristen’s family—a Japanese tradition for good luck—reinterpreted into floral garlands. With styling by Wanderlust Wedding and flowers by Sisters and B, the space bloomed in bold hues. Guests danced to Afrobeats, Desi hits, and hip hop spun by MVP DJs, while sipping culturally inspired signature cocktails, including a pomegranate mojito with chaat masala and a hula sunset. It was joyful, expressive, and absolutely unforgettable.
Wedding Day
Bridal Morning & Fashion
Each event had its own mood, and Kristen’s fashion reflected that with range and heart. Bridal stylist Alisha Datwani helped craft looks that felt like an extension of who Kristen is—modern, expressive, and personal. From the comfort-focused Mehndi look to the ceremony gown with hand-beaded poppies, every choice told a story.
Her custom Enaura gown featured a removable cape and floral embellishments inspired by California’s state flower. For the reception, she changed into a vintage-modern piece made from her mother’s wedding dress. Designed by Lara Prawat of Folklore Dress Studio, it reimagined the past with billowing sleeves and floral textures, bringing generational beauty into the present.
Joana Ronquillo and her glam team created flawless, glowing looks all weekend with soft volume and a sun-kissed palette. Kristen’s makeup stayed fresh into the night, and her hair moved with the breeze—polished but never overdone.
Groom's Fashion
Talaal’s fashion choices were equally considered. For the ceremony, he wore a cream tuxedo with an oversized bowtie by Cad and the Dandy—timeless with a modern edge. He switched into a deep blue velvet jacket for the reception, balancing sophistication with personality. Every piece felt intentional, tailored, and true to his style.
First Look
Before the ceremony, the couple met in the gardens of the Grand-Hotel for a quiet first look. Captured beautifully by photographer Paola Colleoni and videographer Chromata Films, the moment was filled with light, movement, and intimacy that set the rhythm for the rest of the day. Their expressions said everything. It was a pause in time, surrounded by beauty but grounded in emotion.
"Looking back, it's one of the most meaningful moments of our wedding weekend. In the midst of all the craziness and fun, we were able to take a breath and reflect on what this whole weekend was really about—our love for each other and our promises for our future together."
Ceremony
The Volupté Gardens provided the perfect setting: lush, secluded, and open to the sea. Guests were seated between manicured hedges, facing a view of the Mediterranean behind the altar. Arrangements by Sisters and B featured white florals and tropical greens, softening the modern white platform with a natural texture. The altar was framed by organic columns of orchids, hydrangeas, and calla lilies, with monstera leaves adding a subtle tropical accent.
Kristen walked down the aisle with both parents, the music of her late grandfather’s favorite piano piece playing softly in the background. The officiant, Talaal’s best friend and best man, kept the tone light, personal, and meaningful. “His words were so thoughtful and funny, and having him up at the altar really helped us relax and enjoy the moment,” added the bride.
The ceremony was short, but rich—woven with warmth and laughter.
Cocktail Hour
After the vows, guests enjoyed cocktail hour just steps away in the garden, surrounded by pines and sea breeze. Signature drinks in hand, they mingled under the trees, grazing on fresh hors d’oeuvres while the Riviera light began to soften. It was lively and relaxed, full of hugs, conversation, and laughter.
Private Moment
As guests transitioned into dinner, Kristen and Talaal slipped away for a few moments alone. Framed by florals and Riviera light, they embraced quietly, sharing a laugh and watching the evening settle. These in-between moments became some of the most memorable: unscripted, genuine, and full of feeling.
Decor & Setting
The reception design was nothing short of breathtaking. Wanderlust Wedding, in collaboration with a curated team of vendors, created a space that felt romantic and refined, yet alive with personality. “Our reception was in the dreamiest location overlooking the sea, and The Wanderlust team put together the tablescape of our dreams!” added the bride.
Long dinner tables were layered with white tulips, orchids, and calla lilies. Black cutlery and plates added a modern contrast to the soft candlelight, and dozens of disco balls tucked within the florals added an unexpected glam twist. Over the pool, whimsical white balloons from Helplanner floated like bubbles, adding depth and playfulness to the otherwise elegant scene.
Crème de Papier provided flatlays and signage that blended seamlessly into the tablescape, while chandeliers by Phos Events added drama overhead. Every visual element was elevated but never overwhelming, perfectly balanced and deeply personal.
Reception & Party
Guests had arrived at the reception via the glass funicular—a scenic, almost cinematic descent that added to the experience. Dinner was served family-style with beautifully plated, refined dishes that delighted every guest. Kristen and Talaal danced their first dance to “Stand By Me,” with the saxophone echoing gently through the night.
As a final surprise, Kristen and her sister changed into their reception dresses both made from their mother’s original wedding gown. It was a powerful gesture, turning memory into something you could dance in.
The party wrapped up under the stars, with disco lights bouncing off the pool and bubbles floating through the air. Friends danced barefoot, toasted with espresso martinis, and swayed to live sax and percussion. It was the kind of night that didn’t need structure—just music, movement, and the people you love around you.
"Thanks to The Wanderlust team's dedication and professionalism, our wedding was everything we dreamed it would be."
Advice from the couple:
• Exchange your vows privately. We decided to read our vows to each other the morning of the wedding, just the two of us. Looking back, it was one of the most meaningful moments of the entire weekend. A major bonus of reading our vows early? We got all our ugly crying out of the way before makeup. I would have been a complete mess if I had heard Talaal’s vows for the first time at the altar!
• Leave instant cameras out for guests. We had a few digital instant cameras around the venue. Guests loved printing photos on the spot and taking them home, and the camera also saved copies for us to look through and print later. It was such a fun, low-pressure way to capture memories.
PLANNER & DESIGN Wanderlust Wedding | PHOTOGRAPHER Paola Colleoni | VIDEOGRAPHER Chromata Films | VENUE Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat | WELCOME DINNER VENUE Peska by La Terrasse | MEHNDI VENUE Le Galet | FLORALS Sisters and B | BRIDAL STYLIST Alisha Datwani | DRESS Enaura Bridal | RECEPTION DRESS DESIGN Folklore Dress Studio | MUAH Joana Ronquillo | GROOM’S ATTIRE Cad and the Dandy | STATIONERY Crème de Papier | DAY-OF PAPER GOODS Paige Tuzee Designs | RENTALS Aucop, Memorable Productions, Be Lounge, Options | BALLOONS Helplanner | CHANDALIERS Phos Events | DJ MVP DJs | SAXOPHONIST Warren Sax | PHOTO BOOTH VIP Box
