While Haya & Husayn’s intimate private estate Nikah might not be our typical engagement session, it was one that we feel so honored to have been a part of and captured as they celebrated becoming husband and wife in the eyes of God.
When they first met, neither Haya or Husayn knew that their karaoke partner they met at a realtor networking event would be the person that they would spend the rest of their lives with. But those few songs at the end of the night turned into making their lives a duet; from casual nights in together to going to Coachella with their friends where they could sing and dance together just like the first night they met, they grew to know that they didn’t want to miss any moment in the other’s life; they were ready to take this next step.
As we got to know Haya and Husayn, we found out that while they had their engagement photos taken up in San Francisco, they wanted to make sure every step of their journey was captured– and we were thrilled to get the chance to capture such a major moment in their lives, an unforgettable and intimate private estate nikah that married them in the eyes of God and followed the Islamic tradition.
Getting ready for her intimate private estate Nikah, Haya was surrounded by the female members of her family as they tended to her, helping her get dressed and put on the jewelry she’d wear. Each woman attending wearing the saree that they had worn on their wedding day, she was surrounded by so many examples of love, commitment, and more in marriage.
Seeing this was particularly special to us at Clove & Kin; as family is one of the most important things to each of us who work here, getting to see the sarees that Haya & Husayn’s family had worn to their own weddings and the way that each of the women glowed (both with happiness and in the sarees) was unique and almost a way to see the family history.
With the men in their sherwani and the women in their sarees, the two sat and their intimate private estate nikah began. Their fathers lit the candles, creating a symbol of the clarity and energy in their lives together. The table filled with items such as almonds, special herbs, and more to symbolize what they looked to have their marriage be, the Imam started the ceremony and asked the two if they accepted the marriage to one another.
Repeating Qubool, or I accept, three times, the couple signed the paper the Imam gave them, and picked up the mirror as they looked into it–and their future as a married couple– together. Doing so, Haya and Husayn committed to bringing light and brightness to their future as a married couple; looking to the future was bright, beautiful, and full of love.
One of the most special parts of this intimate private estate Nikah? Getting to see the way that Husayn looked at Haya with such love and admiration, stealing glances at times throughout the sofreh and portraits. There was hardly a moment that we didn’t see him smiling at her, the two the image of pure happiness and joy.
To Haya & Husayn; Thank you for letting us be a part of this moment for you, and for having us be a part of your Nikah. Getting to see you with your families and take portraits of you afterwards was an incredible experience, and one that we’ll treasure forever. We are so thrilled that you chose us to capture your Fairmont Grand Del Mar wedding; we know that we’ll have an incredible time getting to photograph every moment, from your sofreh at your wedding to the small details that will make your Fairmont Grand Del Mar wedding even more special!
