The couple posed for a portrait outside The Langham, Chicago, where the wedding party got ready.
FOR SAMEERA CHAUDHARY and Zain Qureshi, bigger is better when it comes to celebrating their love. In 2019, the couple had a dream engagement in Japan during the romantic cherry blossom season. They celebrated for two weeks in the mountains of Hakone before returning to Chicago and hiring their ideal wedding planner, Aliana Rubins of Aliana Events.
Two years later, the pair tied the knot with a multiday celebration for 300 guests, the main event being an epic reception at Morgan Manufacturing. “We felt the space was unique in design and fit our aesthetic,” Sameera says. A regal, deep color theme of fuchsias, pinks and purples created a dramatic and sensual atmosphere. The first dance was one of the bride’s most memorable moments. “We started off with a slow dance and then ended it with an upbeat traditional Pakistani song and dance,” she says. “It was just magical!”
The rest of the evening was filled with more dancing and lots of food. “Our favorite part of the reception were the beautiful traditional dances performed by our bridesmaids and groomsmen,” Sameera says. “Hats off to our bridal party for killing it on the dance floor!” Between dances, the couple and their guests ate everything from lamb sliders and chaat tots to panang curry and sushi rolls. And it didn’t end there. They cut into a 5-foot-tall cake, and for the Dior-themed afterparty, “we had Masala Pizza cater its famous pizza and our guests loved it!” Sameera says. After one final day of celebrations, the couple took off for a romantic honeymoon in Paris and the Greek islands.
Sameera and Zain posed in front of their getaway car, a Rolls-Royce Phantom.
Sameera’s jewelry included a matching set of earrings, necklace and maang tikka, made up of glittering jewels and stones.
The bride’s intricate beaded gown was designed in Pakistan.
Sameera’s bridal party wore purple dresses custom made in Lahore, Pakistan.
Morgan Manufacturing was draped in dramatic florals in dark hues of fuchsia, pink and purple.
Place settings featured custom chargers from Lola Valentina.
Bridesmaids also did a traditional dance.
Sameera wore a Bronx and Banco dress for their welcome dinner at Nobu Chicago.
Their farewell brunch at The Langham, Chicago featured a colorful floral photo-op for guests.
The Japanese-inspired welcome dinner had a black-and-white theme.
The chic newlyweds
The massive five-tier cake by ECBG Cake Studio was lemon with raspberry buttercream.
Groomsmen performed a traditional Indian dance.
The List
Venue Morgan Manufacturing, morgan-mfg.com
Wedding Planner Aliana Rubins, Aliana Events, alianaevents.com
Bride’s Gowns Saira Shakira, sairashakira.com; Suffuse by Sana Yasir, suffuse.pk
Bride’s Shoes Valentino, valentino.com
Bride’s Hair & Makeup Nadia Tikki, instagram.com/makeupbynadiatikki
Groom’s Tux & Shoes Tom Ford, tomford.com
Rings Hers: custom, Ethan Lord, ethanlord.com; His: Cartier, cartier.com
Florals HMR Designs, hmrdesigns.com
Rentals Bowery & Bash, boweryandbash.com
Chargers custom, Lola Valentina, lolavalentina.com
Invitations Luxe Marie Custom Stationery, racheljanecouture.com
Catering Blue Plate, blueplatechicago.com; Anmol, eatanmol.com; Masala Pizza, masalapizzacompany.com
Cake ECBG Cake Studio, ecbgstudio.com
Entertainment Sitar: Ronobir Lahiri Music, ronobirlahirimusic.com; Tabla & Drums: Dholnation, instagram.com/dholnation; Violin: DSharp, instagram.com/whoisdsharp; DJ: DJ Mixu, MX Entertainment, mxentertainment.net
Lighting FROST, frostchicago.com
Accommodations The Langham, Chicago, langhamhotels.com
Transportation V.I.P. Valet Services, vipvaletservices.com
Videographer Maksud Sharipov, maxsharipov.com
Photographer IVASH Photography, ivashstudio.com
Photography by: IVASH Photography
