A Colorful Dance Party Wedding in Brooklyn

Hira Ahmed and David Moss first crossed paths during their freshman year of college in September 2009 while living on the same floor of their dorm. Throughout their undergraduate careers, the two of them were just friends. It wasn’t until the winter of 2013 that they decided to pursue a romantic relationship.

After several years of dating, Hira and David already knew they were “life partners,” but they decided to make their relationship status official with a double proposal, which took place in March 2019. “We planned the date and the location where we would propose to each other and also planned little surprises for each other throughout the day,” the couple reflects.

Following their engagement, the beginning of the wedding planning process was relatively seamless for the pair. “We had a strong vision for our wedding and trusted our vendors to execute it,” they recall. They were on schedule to tie the knot in August 2020 until the COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench in their plans. Due to the state of the world, Hira and David had no choice but to postpone their big day to the following summer. A few months before their nuptials, the duo pushed their date another year to make sure their event and their guests were as safe as possible.

Once Hira and David thought they were in the clear, they had to pivot yet again: The forecast for their wedding day called for rain. Since they had imagined a colorful outdoor dance party for their celebration, the couple moved their reception location indoors at the last second. Thankfully, the shift didn’t interfere with their vision. “It worked out well because the inside is a blank canvas, and our florist decorated it so beautifully,” Hira optimistically remarks.

Finally, after multiple years of planning and several postponements, Hira and David said “I do” on July 16, 2022, in front of 180 guests at 99 Scott in Brooklyn, New York. Read on to pore over all of the details, with planning by the couple and Fallon Carter Events and photography by Les Loups.

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The bride settled on natural, glowy makeup for the festivities. Two products helped her achieve her look: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation and Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate Contour Duo. Plus, for months ahead of the festivities, Hira called on Masque Vivant and Lotion P50 from Biologique Recherche and U Beauty Resurfacing Compound to illuminate her complexion. Since Hira was going to wear a tikka, she had her locks pulled back in a polished updo, parted in the center.

For the wedding, the bride wore a sari by Sabyasachi, which featured a sequined top and an organza skirt embroidered with gold designs. Hira always knew she wanted to sport a piece by the Indian designer, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, but his salon hadn’t opened in New York yet, and the bride wasn’t able to visit his store in India. “So, I had to pick something online without ever trying it,” she admits. “I gave them my measurements through a Zoom call and hoped that when the sari arrived, it fit and looked as I hoped.” 

Once Hira tried on the getup, the bodice was too big, unfortunately. Luckily, tailors were able to work their magic, so the piece ended up fitting. “I wish I had a more traditional shopping experience, where I could try lots of pieces on and have options to choose from, but I was very happy with my sari and felt like myself in it, which was important to me,” Hira concludes.

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To pull her ensemble together, Hira donned chandelier earrings, a matching choker, and beaded bracelets from Shri Paramani Jewels. She also carried a white marble clutch with a pearl-studded strap and Manolo Blahnik shoes.

Like Hira, David also tapped Sabyasachi for his wedding attire. For a personal touch, the groom paired his white sherwani with his late grandfather’s watch. “He passed away when I was very young, and my mother gave me this watch when I turned 13,” he says. “I have kept it safe for big life moments, like this, and had it refitted for the occasion.” David also honored his mother by wearing a spritz of Tom Ford Ébène Fumé Eau De Parfum which she gifted him a few months ahead of the wedding.

Before they exchanged vows, Hira and David set aside time for a first look. Even though the two of them already knew what the other was wearing, the moment was nonetheless profound. “We were both speechless and all smiles,” the couple reminisces.

The bride and groom kicked off their nuptials with a Nikah ceremony to legally marry one another under Islamic law. The service took place in their reception room, and Mouhamadou Diagne of Muslim Wedding Service served as the officiant.

Then, the couple and their guests moved on to the second half of the ceremony—officiated by David’s sister—which was able to happen outside. The groom made his entrance by his mother’s side before the bride walked down the aisle with her parents while “Nothing Without You” by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan wafted around them.

After David’s brother read “Having a Coke With You” by Frank O’Hara, the pair recited handwritten vows in front of a backdrop of colorful marigolds—a nod to Hira’s Pakistani heritage. “David’s vows took me on a trip down memory lane,” Hira expresses. “He recounted small details and memories that brought our entire relationship before my eyes. My heart swelled to see our love story through his eyes and in front of all our friends and family.” Once they were pronounced husband and wife, the newly married couple recessed to “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” by Lauryn Hill.

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Their reception, which was supposed to occur outside, took place in an industrial room with exposed brick walls. White linens topped with muted pink taper candles, brightly-hued floral centerpieces, and peach napkins tucked in between white plates added a cheerful and romantic touch to the minimalist open space. 

While listening to speeches—including a tear-jerker from the father of the bride—and eating dinner, the bride and groom sat at seats reserved specially for them. Their sweetheart table boasted technicolor blooms that popped against a white base, which matched the rest of their guests’ seating arrangements. An installation composed of orange marigolds hanging from branches and greenery floated above the setup. 

During their first dance, Hira and David swayed to the tune of “My Song” by Labi Siffre.

After dining on a seasonal family-style meal catered by STE Events, the newlyweds cut into a crepe cake from Lady M, which was adorned with lush flowers in pink and red tones. The couple supplemented their traditional wedding dessert with an ice cream cart from Ample Hills Creamery.

Since throwing a laid-back dance party was the couple’s ultimate goal, they enlisted DJ Rekha, who kept the dance floor packed all night. According to the pair, everyone was dancing bhangra, the traditional folk dance that originated from South Asia.

Even though Hira and David’s wedding day wasn’t exactly what they anticipated, those unforeseen circumstances—from the global pandemic to the gloomy forecast—ended up being a blessing in disguise. “Everything that can go wrong will go wrong, and that’s okay,” Hira shares. “There’s lots you can’t control, and if you get caught up in it, you’ll miss the day. There is so much beauty in the unplanned.”