This elegant backyard wedding will have you blushing! Filled with shades of the soft and sweet hue, Marriage and Mimosas planned and designed a day that’s utterly romantic. Following dinner, a Sudanese wedding ceremony was held honoring the bride’s heritage. Floral design by Darling and Daugthers filled the event with fun, and Mo Davis Photography elegantly captured every moment in timeless imagery. Visit the full gallery for a closer look at all the lovely.
From Marriage and Mimosas… Jonah (Brooklyn, NY) and Azza (London, UK) met in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2015 through a mutual friend. Jonah was at graduate school at the time studying a masters in economics and Azza was doing her postdoctoral studies in immunology. Azza and Jonah were married on Saturday, July 24th at the bride’s aunt’s home in Woodbridge, Virginia. They were engaged early in 2021 and due to their international backgrounds, they always wanted a wedding that could bring together their community scattered around the world. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic continuing, that didn’t seem feasible for at least a couple more years. They decided to get married and save the larger party for an anniversary one day. Azza’s parents were due to fly into the US in 19 days and as the pandemic was continuing, Jonah and Azza decided to get married with their parents, the groom’s sisters, and a handful of other family and friends in attendance. With the pandemic in full swing, they didn’t want the risk of Azza’s family not being there should travel restrictions worsen. The couple connected with their event designer and planner Samantha at Marriage and Mimosas and got to work immediately! Samantha had just 19 days to pull together this beautiful event.
Azza and Jonah wanted the day to focus on their love, blending their families, and sharing a beautiful meal outside. Before joining guests, the couple exchanged vows alone together. The couple chatted with their guests as an Oud player performed—a gift from Azza’s sister. Guests were invited to take a seat at one long table, set for 40 guests who enjoyed an al fresco meal under fairy lights and white canopies – middle-eastern food was served- a mix of meats, rice, and greens.
Following dinner, the bride and groom’s fathers both gave speeches, and a sudanese singer performed while guests danced. In the meantime, Azza and Jonah slipped away to change into Sudanese traditional wedding garments. The bride’s family is from Sudan and while born in London, her immediate family would visit sometimes multiple times a year. The couple returned to the party. Greeted to music and ululation from their guests for the Sudanese wedding ceremony (also called a Jertig). During the jertig ritual, the bride is dressed in a red silk ‘toub’ and gold and is seated next to her groom next to a gold platter holding Sudanese perfumes, cup of milk, incense and sweets. The couple complete a set of rituals, including passing sweets seven times between them, the couple drink milk and the bride sprays some on the groom. The groom showers the guests with perfume. After a few photos and more dancing the couple were seated and a projector was lowered, showing speeches from both of the bride’s siblings in London who were unable to attend due to pandemic US border closures. There were also videos and good wishes sent to the couple from the bride’s extended family worldwide.
Photography: Davis | Event Design: Marriage and Mimosas | Event Planning: Marriage and Mimosas | Floral Design: Darling & Daughters | Wedding Dress: Eva Lendel | wedding shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Catering: Damascene Catering | Beauty: Ariel Lewis | Rentals: White Glove Rentals | Rentals: DC Rental