look. Every element throughout the day was bespoke with cream velvet invitation boxes tied with ribbon, revealing an illustration of the Fitzroy and a gold mirror plate with the day’s details. Inside, a monogrammed envelope held a QR code linking to the wedding website. “The boxes were designed like keepsake books, something guests could treasure,” the bride adds. The tables felt like an intimate dinner party with gold mirror menus, personalised tassels and gold picture frames in place of name cards. Favours were diamond-like ring boxes tied with engraved ribbon, each filled with noghle, a Persian sweet symbolising joy and celebration. TO DINE FOR Food and drink were as memorable as the setting. Guests were welcomed with hors d’oeuvres including lobster croustades, spiced lamb kofta, glazed chicken skewers and truffle goat’s cheese crostini. “For something sweet, we offered praline ice cream cones and miso caramel apple tarts — indulgent and playful.” The sit-down meal featured choices such as wagyu beef short rib, hot smoked salmon, and truffled chicken liver parfait to start, followed by chicken breast with wild garlic, miso-glazed cod or Suffolk beef tenderloin. Desserts included banana cheesecake with passionfruit sorbet, Guanaja chocolate ganache with pistachio namelaka and a vegan salted caramel slice. “As the night went on, we served warm lobster rolls and cheeseburger sliders,” Dorna says. Drinks included his-and-hers margaritas, carefully paired wines, prosecco and a full bar. An 11-tiered cake, decorated with delicate white flowers and pearls, offered rich Dubai-inspired flavours of dark chocolate, pistachio cream and kunafa. “It was the perfect balance of overthe-top and understated,” says the bride. From a custom DJ booth and dancefloor to personalised cake-cutting forks, every detail was considered. A lighting engineer created a soft, romantic atmosphere for dinner, then turned up the energy for dancing. LOOKING THE PART Dorna wore seven dresses across the celebration. “I realised I didn’t need to choose just one. Each dress spoke to a different moment, from timeless elegance to playful glamour,” she says. These included a lace mermaid gown with a flowing train and a custom Galia Lahav veil for the traditional ceremony, a satin ballgown with an off-shoulder neckline for the Persian ceremony and a sleek satin gown with gloves, a feather boa and a playful ‘Wifey for Lifey’ clutch for the prosecco tower. A heavily embellished crystal ballgown was worn for the grand entrance, while a strapless reworked Oscar de la Renta dress was worn for the first dance. A pearl-encrusted mermaid gown by Lorenzo Rossi was picked for dancing in the evening, while a silver fringe mini from Annie’s Ibiza was to end the night in style. She paired her gowns with eight pairs of shoes, including a favourite lace heel by Alexandre Birman, and began the day in four bridal morning looks, from a crystal-adorned robe to feather pyjamas and slip dresses. Akil wore a custom Forbes Tailors suit, while the groomsmen chose classic black tie and the bridesmaids wore champagne satin oneshoulder gowns. TIME TO CELEBRATE The entertainment was layered from start to finish. Guests were welcomed by a violinist, enjoyed a live trio in Palm Court and experienced singers, violinists, drummers and even a ballerina during both the ceremonies. “As the evening began, the energy turned up with DJs, live percussion, trumpets, surna and drummers. The music was a mix of English, Persian and Albanian, and guests danced all night.” Dorna adds. “We wanted it to feel like an experience, not just a wedding.” There were so many highlights from the day for the pair, like walking into the ballroom as husband and wife, and seeing everything they’d dreamed of come to life. The bride says, “There were also quiet, personal moments like the look on Akil’s face during the ceremony, the gold mirror menus, the Persian favours our guests held onto and more. It truly was the most magical day of our lives!” 22
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