This breathtaking Dubai Pakistani Wedding came after reconnecting nearly a decade after their school days. Meeral and Sami quickly realized that their connection was meant to be more than a childhood friendship. Just a year and a half after their first date, Sami proposed at the same place where they had taken their first walk together. With little time to plan and a growing guest list, the couple brought their families and friends together in Dubai for a beautiful January wedding filled with personal touches, Pakistani traditions and plenty of love. From Meeral’s custom traditional lehenga to their blue-and-white reception décor, their celebration was a heartfelt reflection of their journey together and the people who helped make it possible.

COUPLE: Meeral & Sami

DATE: January 21, 2024

CEREMONY LOCATION: Dubai, Arjan by Rotana

RECEPTION LOCATION: Skylight Hall  "We loved their Skylight hall and it just felt right. "

GUEST #: 130

PHOTOGRAPHER: Shehnila - It Is All About U Photography "I came to know from my dad that he knows of a photographer through his circle of friends, we connected on social media and chatted about our events.

We loved her personality and thought we wanted someone who understood the culture and though she was in Canada, we wanted our day to be covered by her! She made us feel very comfortable, sincere in her approach, communication was great and was fun to be around. We could tell that we could trust her with our story and it cam through beautifully in her pictures." 

COLOUR PALETTE: Blue and white

TELL US YOUR STORY: "My now husband and I went to middle school together, where he was a year above me. We always hung out in social settings and here and there on our own too. We knew we liked each other but we were kids back then, so never really took it too seriously.

He eventually changed schools and we didn't really keep in touch (though I found out much later he always followed me on social media!) I would say roughly 10 or so years passed where we weren't in contact with each other at all and I came across him on a social platform and we struck up a conversation and decided to meet up, but keep it super casual.

We were always very honest and open about our goals and what we were looking for in a relationship at the time and everything seemed to align like it was meant to be. A year and a half later he had one of his childhood friends and his wife drive me down to the same place we took our first walk together and got down on one knee and it was honestly the easiest 'Yes' I've ever had the privilege of saying.

We didn't want to wait out with a long engagement so we moved as fast as we could, making sure we could incorporate our cultures, families and friends together as we moved forward on this journey together and always knew that we would have each others backs no matter what.

We got married in January of 2024 and fast forward to now and we have our beautiful home with our gorgeous three cats who we absolutely adore and we're just enjoying going through life together and partners and equals.

INVITATIONS/STATIONERY: "They were digital. They were designed by myself and my sister-in-law

CAKE: Provided complimentary by the hotel  

DECOR: "I did this myself with the help of friends and family."  

BRIDE'S ATTIRE: Traditional Pakistani Lehnga - custom made over seas

DJ: Ziad Mounzer

BIGGEST CHALLENGE: "I would say it was the time we had to plan the wedding and find a venue. Our initial thoughts were to have a small backyard event with close family and friends only but as we know by now, families tend to get excited and too many people made it on the guest list and we only got the total number of guests around November and had till the end of January to find a venue. We ended up having to do all the centrepieces etc. ourselves by hand, but I think that's what made it more special."

BEST MEMORY: "When my husband and I took the floor for our first dance and the realization sunk in that this was it, we made it. Just him and I in that moment surrounded by so much love under on roof."

ADVICE FROM ONE COUPLE TO ANOTHER: "It's tough. It's challenging. You're going to get annoyed at each other and you might bicker and even fight, but always know, it's the two of you against the challenge or obstacle, not the two of you against each other!

Always remember to enjoy yourselves on your wedding day and don't separate during the event. Make sure to make time for yourselves to make memories that night too!"

As seen in the Spring/Summer 2026 issue of The Wedding Ring Magazine