In the heart of Sydney, a city known for its stunning harbors and iconic architecture, Masaba and Ahson’s love story began and and flourished with a Titanic and Bridgerton inspired wedding. What set their wedding apart was the gathering of friends and family from across the globe. “Every single one of my bridesmaids is from a different part of the world,” Masaba shared. They even had family members who flew in from London and Canada for 4 days just for the wedding! The couple’s commitment to showcasing Sydney’s splendor was evident in their choice of venues – the glass giant Starship and the 6-star Crown Sydney.
Table of Contents
How They Met
It was May 2020, as Sydney emerged from the shadows of lockdown, that Masaba and Ahson connected on Hinge. Their first date was nearly missed, thanks to Masaba’s disorganization. Receiving a message from Ahson, waiting at Max Brenner, Masaba hurried to meet him and made it within 37 minutes. What was meant to be a brief coffee date blossomed into a 6-hour long exploration of Sydney, meandering from the Opera House to Barangaroo and Darling Harbour. This spontaneous adventure, imprinted in their phone maps, marked the beginning of a beautiful journey together.
The Welcome Party
The Welcome Party, a spectacular event set against the picturesque Lavender Bay, flawlessly set the stage for the celebrations to come. With the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge serving as a breathtaking backdrop, it was the quintessential way to greet our guests. This was especially significant since, for Masaba’s side, the Bridgerton inspired wedding was a destination event, with every single guest journeying internationally to join us. The attendance of over 80 cherished friends and family made the evening even more memorable. For this special occasion, Masaba chose to wear a custom-designed dress, a personal creation that added an extra touch of uniqueness to the event.
Sangeet on the Sea Aboard The Starship
On the enchanting evening of October 28th, 2023, Masaba and Ahson’s Sangeet aboard the luxurious Starship Australia was a dream come true. The instant Masaba stepped onto the vessel, she was captivated by its exquisite interiors, and the promise of guiding their beloved guests through the stunning vistas of Sydney Harbour. This journey held a special resonance, as they were treated to the spectacular Darling Harbour fireworks, a cherished memory for the couple. The event was a grand international affair, welcoming over 150 guests from diverse corners of the world, including the US, Canada, London, South Africa, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, all gathered to revel in the ‘Sky & Sea’ theme of the night.
The Starship, embodying the ‘Sea,’ paid homage to the couple’s cherished strolls along Darling Harbour, the cradle of their blooming romance. This event symbolized their final walk by the harbor as fiancés, soon to be united in matrimony. In a stunning custom red lehenga, Masaba added a vibrant splash of color to the evening, complementing the bright hues worn by the female guests and contrasting with the black kurtas donned by the men. Her elegance was further accentuated by a striking diamond and emerald jewelry set from Pakistan, and the unmistakable glamor of Manolo shoes.
The Reception in the Sky At Crown Sydney
Masaba’s reception at the Crown Pearl Ballroom was a culmination of grandeur and elegance, perfectly aligning with the ‘Sky’ theme set against the backdrop of Sydney’s towering skyline. The dedicated team at Crown, renowned for their exceptional service in this 6-star luxury setting, collaborated closely to meticulously materialize our vision. Their commitment ensured that the 220+ guests were treated to an unforgettable experience, complete with sumptuous culinary delights.
The attire for the evening was a spectacle of glamor, with guests adorned in shimmering gold and silver long dresses, while the gentlemen complemented the theme in sharp tuxedos. Masaba’s own reception ensemble was a journey of discovery and sentiment. After a six-month quest with her mother, they selected an exquisite creation by a Pakistani designer, designed to shine amidst the ballroom’s chandeliers and candles.
The jewelry she donned held profound personal significance. The centerpiece was her mother’s necklace, featuring ten large princess-cut zircon stones from Indonesia, set in white gold and diamonds. This piece, resonating with her Indonesian roots, was central to her envisioned bridal look. To infuse a touch of color, she chose a secondary necklace, elegantly crafted with Zambian Emeralds set in white gold and diamonds, perfectly accentuating her overall attire.
The Titanic and Bridgerton Inspired Wedding Theme
The Titanic and Bridgerton Inspired wedding’s theme, encapsulating both Sky and Sea, drew inspiration from the majestic and luxurious ambiances of “Titanic” and “Bridgerton.” Despite the different historical settings of these two iconic productions, they converge in their portrayal of splendor and richness, especially in their use of ambient lighting, including candles and chandeliers, to foster a romantic and intimate environment. This blend of elegance and romance was at the heart of the event’s conception, where a staggering 144 candelabras illuminated the celebrations over three days.
The visionary behind this grand design was the bride’s mother, the driving force of Fairytale Events. Her passion for the grandeur and decadence of “Titanic” and “Bridgerton” was evident as she aimed to immerse the guests in an environment reminiscent of an opulent palace. The collaborative effort with the bride in working with Chandeliers to Die For & Sydney Table Centers was instrumental in materializing this vision. The use of the ‘Grand Josephine’ Chandelier aboard the Starship and the ‘Jewel’ at the Crown venue exemplified the theme’s magnificence. Further enhancing the palatial illusion was a four-dimensional backdrop depicting a luxurious Florentian palace, providing guests with an immersive experience of splendor.
In keeping with the palatial theme, the Titanic and Bridgerton inspired wedding featured a special performance by Cardinia the Electric Violinist, accompanied by The Series of Events Femtation team. This collaboration, a first of its kind, added a magical element to the wedding. The use of dry ice created an enchanting atmosphere, leaving guests in complete awe of the spectacular performance.
Cultural Elements
The bride, originally from Bangladesh but raised in Indonesia and now residing in Australia, envisioned a wedding that combined the essence of these diverse cultures. Her spouse, a Pakistani-born Australian, added to this rich cultural tapestry. The couple eagerly embraced the Bangladeshi tradition of family and friends performing dance routines, a practice that not only entertained but also brought everyone closer. A highlight was the groom and his friends performing a viral dance to “Kala Chasma”.
From her Indonesian heritage, the bride chose to wear a family heirloom – a stunning necklace with large Princess-cut White Zircon Stones from Indonesia, set in white gold and diamonds. This special piece was designed by her mother and had been a part of the bride’s luxury wedding vision for a long time.
Embracing her husband’s Pakistani roots, she adorned herself in outfits from renowned Pakistani designers, showcasing the rich red and silver traditional attire.
Finally, celebrating their life in Australia, the wedding featured three exquisite locations, each representing the finest offerings of Australia, thereby beautifully representing all four cultures in their celebration.
Masaba’s Advice to Future Brides
Investing in a quality DJ is crucial for any wedding, as the right music sets the tone for the entire event. This was precisely the approach taken by the couple, who chose DJ Ash for their special day. Equally important was their decision to hire exceptional photographers. Karen and Dean were their chosen professionals, delivering timely and beautifully captured photographs. These images now serve as cherished memories for the couple, allowing them to relive their special moments for years to come.
Additionally, the couple recommends scheduling a separate photoshoot in bridal attire, either before or after the wedding day. This approach alleviates the stress of fitting in a photoshoot amidst the wedding day’s activities. It also provides an opportunity for both the couple and the photographer/videographer to engage in the photoshoot more relaxed and enjoyably. The couple found that trying to cram everything into one day was quite hectic, and thus, suggest spreading out these moments to fully capture and enjoy them.
The Couple’s Favorite Moment
The couple described it as a surreal moment, having every loved person gather in Sydney to celebrate their union. Their gratitude was immense towards everyone who traveled from far and wide to be part of their special weekend.
A particularly heartwarming aspect of the wedding was the presence of the bride’s grandmother, despite her health challenges as a stroke patient. Her gift of Cartier watches to the couple was not only generous but also deeply meaningful, destined to be treasured for a lifetime.
A standout moment at the reception was the husband and his friends’ dance performance to “Kala Chasma.” This performance, which required diligent practice and preparation, ended up being a phenomenal success, captivating and energizing the crowd. It encapsulated the magic and joy of the occasion, leaving a lasting impression on all who witnessed it.
Masaba and Ahson’s luxury wedding was not just a celebration of their union but a homage to Sydney, the city that nurtured their love. From their first date to their ‘one last walk’ as singles along Darling Harbour, the city has been a silent witness to their growing love. Their choice of venues, the Starship and Crown Sydney, were symbolic anchors in their love story, framing their journey against the backdrop of the sea and sky.
The Wedding Vendors
The Nikkah
Photography @ks.creative_photography
Stage Decor @jddecor_
Hair @hairraya
Chair Hire @uniquepropsandevents
The Sangeet and Reception
Event Partner @fairytale_events_sydney
Photography @deansnushallphotography
Chandeliers @chandelierstodiefor
Table Decor @sydney.tablecentres
Florals @pohoflowers
Event lighting @encore
Violinist @cardisviolin
Ballerina Fog @seriesofeventsaus
Social Media @onthedaysocials
Event Flooring @ido_dancefloors
Event Signage @lettersbyloulou
Reception Bride Outfit @farazmanan
Reception Groom Outfit @hugo_boss_uz
Reception Bridal Heel @jimmychoo
Reception Hairstylist @hair_by_andi
Reception Venue @crownsydney
Sangeet Hairstylist @hairraya
Sangeet Venue @starship_sydney
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