Modern Multicultural Rooftop Wedding in Denver

Antoinette and Almouayed celebrated their multicultural union with a week-long celebration that included two beautiful ceremonies and an intimate rooftop reception!

Antoinette and Almouayed first met as neighbors in college but were only able to interact in passing because of their hectic schedules. Almouayed moved cities to pursue his career but eventually came back to Denver to visit a friend, which is when the couple had a chance to reconnect. They formed a long-distance relationship that lasted three years before they decided to start their life together in Los Angeles.

Knowing that Antoinette values intimacy, Almouayed proposed at her favorite park in Pasadena, California.

Their week-long multicultural wedding celebration included an elegant wedding ceremony and reception, as well as a traditional Sudanese Jirtig, which also included separate henna parties for the bride and groom.

Learn more about their love story and see the beautiful details below!

Couple: Antoinette & Almouayed
Occupations: Assistant Director of Development at University of Southern California’s Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy | Private Air Charter Broker
Wedding date: September 4, 2021
Wedding location: Denver, Colorado

Quick Facts

Gift for Mother of the Bride: My mother, a long supporter of our union, was also a huge part of making the wedding happen, so to express our gratitude, we gifted her with a gorgeous Tiffany & Co. necklace.
Gifts for one another: Almouayed gifted me with a luxurious facial and spa package, and I gifted him with a watch.
Ceremony entrance song: Almouayed entered to Nas’ Cherry Wine, and I walked down the aisle to Snoh Alegra’s Whoah.
First dance song: We danced to HER, and Daniel Cesar’s the Best Part with a mix into Drake’s Right Hand. We also entered into Kanye’s and Lupe Fiasco’s Touch the Sky.
Cake cutting song: Frank Ocean’s Sweet Life.

How did you meet?

Almouayed and I were neighbors in our hometown Denver, Colorado. We were both attracted to one another during our time as neighbors but had only ever interacted in passing because of our busy lifestyles as working college students. After graduation, Almouayed relocated to Detroit, Michigan, to pursue an internship with an aviation firm. Soon after, he returned to his old apartment to visit his former roommate, and it was during that time that we reconnected. Ironically, we shortly formed a long-distance relationship that traversed the cities of Detroit, Manchester, Tampa, and Los Angeles. After three years of long-distance dating and a few relocations, Almouayed and I moved to Los Angeles where we started our life together.

Tell us about the proposal

Antoinette values intimacy and sentimentality, so Almouayed chose to propose privately at her favorite park in Pasadena, CA.

Wedding Style

My wedding gown was influenced by the understated elegance, timelessness, and minimalist looks of brides like Meghan Markle and the late Carolyn Bassett Kennedy. I wanted a flattering dress, classic with clean lines and a feminine silhouette.

It was also important to Almouayed that his tux was tailored with a cropped hem. He paired his TUX with a black plaid Burberry bow tie.

What was the wedding shopping experience like for you?

As the only girl out of four children, I decided that trying dresses solely with my mother would be most meaningful. I had a distinct look in mind, making it easy to decide. I am also fortunate to have a supportive mother. She was exclusively interested in my happiness and held no other agenda, which allowed me to pick a dress without pressure.

Culture

We honored my West African and Gaelic heritage during the white dress wedding by incorporating the tradition of jumping the broom.

Tradition Sudanese Jirtig

As a child, Almouayed and his family emigrated from Sudan. Sudan is known for its elaborate and grandiose week-long wedding traditions, dating back to the Nubian kingdoms. We opted to maintain these traditions; however, we kept them modest compared to traditional Sudanese weddings. In observance of these wedding traditions, Almouayed’s parents hosted individual henna parties for the bride and groom as well as a traditional Jirtig.

During the bridal henna party, my closest female family and friends were invited to my mother in laws home. She treated us to sweets and lunch while a henna artist decorated our hands, arms, feet, and legs.

The groom also has his henna night, where his male friends and female relatives join him. During this gathering, his mother adorned his hands with henna. The henna is also placed on three of his nearest male friends.

The Jirtig was held as a separate celebration at a wedding hall two days before the wedding. During the Jirtig, Almouayed and I sat side by side on a stage while close female relatives anointed us with sacred objects, including sibhayusr, black wood, and red coral prayer beads. The ritual also included the placement of scented oils and perfumes on our heads. Symbolic beads and jewelry were adorned on our arms and neck. Almouayed was also wrapped in a surrati toab (cloak), and a gold crescent was placed on his forehead. Part of the ceremony included female elders setting Sudanese “khomra” perfume on my hair parting. Then Almouayed and I exchanged dates and sweets a total of seven times. After receiving their blessing from the female elders, Almouayed misted our wedding guests’ with perfume oil as I threw candy.

Ceremony reading

Additionally, during the ceremony, we incorporated a reading by Bell Hooks, which included the following:

“The moment we choose to love, we begin to move against domination, against oppression. The moment we choose to love we begin to move towards freedom, to act in ways that liberate ourselves and others. That action is the testimony of love as the practice of freedom…When we choose to love, we choose to move against fear, against alienation and separation. The choice to love is a choice to connect, to find ourselves in the other.”

What is your best memory from your wedding?

Most memorable was pulling up to the hall for the Jirtig and seeing my brothers “dipped” in their Jalabiya’s (traditional Sudanese male attire). They were stunning handsome, and most importantly, they displayed their respect for my husband’s culture and their support for their sister. I will never forget that. I will also always remember the moments my husband and I had before the wedding ceremony during our photo session on the Wazee bridge. It was nothing but joy, flyness, and celebration between best friends and life partners.

What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?

I would remind future couples that, first and foremost, marriage is a sacred institution that is absolutely worth celebrating. Beyond this, I would recommend that they clearly define what a true celebration means to them and try and stick to that vision throughout the planning process.