Marriage prescription for the love doctors
Campus sweethearts tie the knot in traditional style
CAPE Town medical professionals Ayoob Mullah, 26, and Naazia Paruk, 25, chose to celebrate and formalise their union in Durban . . . with family. DATE NIGHT: The couple met at Tygerberg Hospital. Naazia was studying medicine at the University of Stellenbosch at the time and Ayoob was working in the hospital’s pharmacology department. SAY YES: They had a traditional Muslim proposal. After much discussion about marriage between the couple, Ayoob’s parents met with Naazia’s parents on behalf of Ayoob and requested Naazia’s hand in marriage. THE DATE: April 21. The nikaah, a wedding ceremony — conducted by an imam, performed by the groom and the bride’s father and male representatives of the families — took place in the Mallinson Road Masjid in Asherville. The wedding reception followed at the Exhibition Centre. “We wanted a date that would give us enough time before the holy month of Ramadan. The venue had to be large enough to accommodate our guests as well as our own caterer,” said Naazia. Ayoob and Naazia, whose families are formerly from Zimbabwe and Durban respectively and now live in Cape Town, chose to have the wedding in Durban, where most of Naazia’s extended family lives. THE INVITE: The pearly-white, rose-embossed card had diamante detail on the front. FIT FOR A KING: Ayoob wore a black suit comprising a Chinese collared coat, a black waistcoat, a white mandarin-collared shirt and a striped silver and black bow tie. Naazia was dressed in a white wedding gown embellished with crystals and diamante. Her netstyled bodice had long sleeves and a frilly bottom. CENTRESTAGE: The draped hall had a crystal theme. The colour scheme was silver and white with mixtures of purple and pink. Leading from the entrance to the stage was a red carpet. On the stage were two white and silver chairs in the centre, a silver table to the one side and on the other, the wedding cake. On each table was a floral arrangement to complement Naazia’s bouquet (different shades of purple and pink roses). GIVE AND TAKE: A traditional Muslim ceremony.
GUESTS: 500. TASTY TREATS: On the delectable menu were samoosas, chicken kebab and chips, ghajar and dodi halva, salads, Portuguese chicken, creamy pasta, prawns with almond savoury rice and a leg of lamb accompanied with roast potatoes. To sweeten the palates for dessert was a range of designer cakes served with coffee and tea. LET THEM EAT CAKE: The strawberry and vanilla flavoured five-tier cake was white and silver with crystal work. MEMENTOES: Each family received a pretty little jar — with a Cote D’Or Bouchee chocolate inside — and a spoon.
HONEYMOON: Mauritius. EVER AFTER: Panorama, Cape Town. TREASURED MEMORY: Naazia and her mother made most of the choices. “It was both an exciting and stressful time,” said Naazia. The rest of the planning was handled by the caterer, Shiraan Kara of Whisper Your Dream.