An Afghan Wedding Fit For Royalty

It was a chance meeting in San Diego that brought Nawa and Wahid together. Both children of refugees from Afghanistan, the couple knew they wanted to honour their culture when it came time to get married.

Inspired by Afghan royalty and drawing on old Afghan wedding traditions from decades past, Nawa and Wahid paid tribute to their background by using every ritual and tradition their parents used at their own weddings in Afghanistan.

Blending tradition and modernity, the colourful wedding included a cigar roller and guests were spoiled with a choice of 3 cigar flavours, proving to be a crowd favourite.

Adding creative flair to their wedding favours, Wahid and Nawa chose to give their guests mixtapes made of their 10 favourite songs, including Frank Ocean, The Weeknd, Chance The Rapper, and Leon Bridges.

A highlight of the day was a live painting of the wedding by Virginia Billes, who had the crowd watching in awe as she immortalised the day through art.

The final piece now hangs in Nawa and Wahid’s home as a heirloom for their children and grandchildren.

Photography by Josh Reiss