Sunday, 31 July 2011

ahzum & alisa

Had a cousin (the groom) get married last week, yay! They asked me to snap a few photos here and there of the family :) I also tried back button focus and rear sync flash for the very first time, and I gotta say...It. Is. Awesome. The difference is monumental!


This is the henna night. I didn't take a whole lot then, only a few, and this is the only photo I took of them dancing. Bride in the yellow, groom is second guy on the right.


The next day was spent at Alisa's house for a lunch, before the wedding (nikkah) ceremony at the gardens.

One of the nephews looking sharp in his little suit :)

Did I mention the bride's family is Bosnian? As per tradition, everyone in the bridal party that isn't an immediate family member of the B&G get two small white roses (left or right side depending on whether you're married or single). All the immediate family members get purple roses pinned. Pretty cool.



These guys make delicious desserts! My tummy was extremely happy that day :)

And the groom, Ahzum, himself! All the men were outside in tents (shelter from the rain), and the women inside. He popped in for a minute.

Some of the cousins.

My mom (left). Ahzum's mom (right).

I'm pretty big on the black and white, as you can see!


After the wedding ceremony, Ahzum brings Alisa home.


But...he's barred from entering!

Meanwhile, Alisa is carried by his cousins and brother inside on a chair. She is clearly amused by this.

Poor Azhum is still at the door, his cousins not letting him in, while his friends negotiate for him to enter the house. This is all just a game for the girls to get some money out of the groom (he has to bargain his way in), haha!

The uncles are amused. They remember what it was like ;)


Ahzum finally breaks through the crowd, and into the house!

He is extremely happy.

So they do a little dance.

Then some hugs.

Then more dance.

The kids want to dance too.



A day later was the reception. For the record, this isn't my appetizer plate!


Ahahaha, this kid always makes me laugh.





My dad (right). Ahzum's dad (left).

Monday, 11 July 2011

Bismillah, Ameen.

Edit: July 16, 2011 - Photos are now up on Facebook.

So, this past Sunday I was invited to a very special occasion for some pretty great kids - Jibreel's Bismillah (when a child first starts reading the Qur'an) and Haleemah's and Sumayyah's Ameen (when they first finish it). Usually this celebration is common in Pakistani culture as a way to encourage the children to learn about Islam. They dress up in nice clothes, have people over to hear them recite Qur'an, and eat lots of food! :)


The girls getting ready.

      


Little Jibreel!

And his little shoes!

Jibreel shares a secret with Uncle Farooq.

 The three siblings.


Sumayyah with her dad.

The whole family :)

Can't forget the giant laddoo! Haha :)

Thanks Maleeha & Murtada for having me over! :D

Hope to have all the photos done and up by Saturday.