Your Surrey Wedding- Page number 49 - June/July 2021 (Issue 89)

My mum made sure the driver used ivory ribbon on the car to match my dress. Liberty Executive Cars did a superb job of getting me to my pre-ceremony interview on time, and our driver saved the day by keeping the car warm with heated seats! A DREAMY DAY Mariam and Ahmed had an intimate ceremony at Weybridge Register Office Images courtesy of Trilion Productions M ariam and Ahmed met in Doha, Qatar, through mutual friends. “I thought we’d end up being friends when we first met, but Ahmed continued to pursue me in romantic ways,” says Mariam. “He would spontaneously take me to the beach where we would have food and talk until the late hours of the night. I was drawn to his strong character, persevering nature and gorgeous beard!” “We knew when we got into a relationship that it was either going to lead to marriage or nothing at all, as I guess that’s just how we do it as Muslims, so there wasn’t much of a surprise when he proposed,” shares the bride. “He said it was time for us to take our relationship to the next level, and I agreed, so that weekend we looked for a diamond to set in a custom made ring and told our parents via video chat.” Here she shares some of her favourite moments from their big day... We were bombarded with bouquets that my aunts sent through the post! I wore the dress that we bought for our original hotel wedding, so it was a bit extra for a registry office ceremony, but I was in love with it, and I’m so glad I got the opportunity to wear it! Designed by David Tutera, I found it at Brides Visited in Ashtead. My biggest bridal inspiration was the Duchess of Cambridge, so I tried to emanate her with the train and French silk veil. I finished the look with statement porcelain earrings and a handmade tiara. We had our reception at home, and my mum and sister got really creative. My mum should have been an events planner as she pulled the whole thing off while also cooking a full three-course meal, making our cake and decorating our living room to look like a wedding reception venue! o Our first wedding date was in October 2019, but we had some complications with visas, so we then fixed the date for April 2020, but COV ID-19 meant we had to cancel. We eventually planned a registry office ceremony in Fe bruary 2021 under exceptional circumstances. Ahmed chose a blazer and trousers from Mango, and the rest of his outfit was from Zara. REAL WEDDINGS 49 