Bazaar Bride: Aya and Mohamed’s Picture Perfect Blend Of Glamour And Bygone Times
Tradition, glamour and modernity intertwine in this celebration of love amidst the enchanting backdrop of an Egyptian castle
They say you should never mix business with pleasure, but for Aya Abdel Raouf and Mohamed El Kahhal, it was a work meeting that kickstarted their enduring love story. She, the co-founder and co-creative director of Okhtein, a luxury fashion and accessories brand with an outpost in Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates, and he the managing director of Kahhal 1871, which specialises in bespoke hand-knotted rugs. Three years ago the Egyptian couple teamed up to create a collection and the rest, as they say, is history. “As we worked together, we grew closer and realised we wanted to spend more time together beyond work,” Aya reminisces.
It was a year and a half later in February 2023, during a New Year’s trip to Barcelona, that Mohamed popped the question. “We visited the Moco Museum, and he unexpectedly proposed in a traditional Arab manner, asking to meet my father,” she explains. “It was a heartfelt moment, perfectly reflecting our intimacy and tradition, set amidst a room filled with art.”
After just five months of planning, the pair pulled together a spectacular winter wedding with 350 guests at Dahab Island Palace, a lavish castle on a picturesque island on the Nile accessible only by felucca [wooden sailing boat]. “I was determined to have our wedding in a venue whose beauty stood out naturally, without needing elaborate construction,” continues Aya. “It was important for me to embrace my culture and history, and I wanted a unique experience for our international friends too, so it was just perfect.”
Honouring the castle’s architecture by enhancing it with elegant flowers and lighting, Aya and Mohamed weaved inspiration from ancient floral motifs found in Ottoman carpets throughout their wedding décor – a subtle reference to how the pair met. They also incorporated a printed sail along with their hashtag ‘Kayoko’, a fusion of Mohamed’s surname and Aya’s nickname, Yoko.
Fresh and dried flowers were mixed with each centrepiece featuring anthurium, chrysanthemums, gypsophila, cordyline and olive leaves, to name a few. “The inclusion of rosa cappuccino and rosa athena represented themes of love and admiration, adding depth to the overall aesthetic,” adds Aya, who walked down the aisle to a unique version of Lana Del Ray’s Young and Beautiful by a Saudi composer that the bride discovered on TikTok. She was styled by her friend Yasmine Kennawi, and wore a dress by Hamda Al Fahim, working closely with founder Layal to choose the perfect shape and fabric. “Our synergy was incredible, leading us to brainstorm ideas like adding a bridal bag to my look, which eventually evolved into a collaboration on a bridal collection,” she adds.
Not to be outdone by the elegant aesthetics and fabulous wardrobe, guests were treated to a delectable feast throughout the day, starting with canapés followed by the likes of salmon gravlax and panko breaded shrimps. The main course featured a food station with live grilling alongside porcini mushroom risotto and truffle pasta, while Aya collaborated with Fou by Farah to curate a dessert table of bite-size desserts and larger cakes with a vintage aesthetic using lace and silver tableware. “I wanted a vintage-style cake with a twist, steering away from overly layered designs,” explains Aya. “Inspired by the trend of Italian single-layer cakes, I went for a wide, double-layered style that merged traditional aesthetics with modern simplicity. The strawberry filling coincided with December strawberry season, adding a touch of freshness to the confection.”
The highlight for the couple, Aya tells us, was undoubtedly the dancing, with For Your Precious Love by Otis Redding coming on as they took to the floor man and wife. “We had first dances with our families too, and watching both families come together on the floor was incredibly special,” she explains. DJ Zenhom got the party started with a mix of Arabic and old-school hits, while Madrid-based DJ duo Sparrow and Barbossa followed up with house music and Afro beats. “It was the perfect mini rave,” she enthuses. “Finally, Cairo-based funky house DJ Aly B closed the night with his infectious tunes, ensuring the celebration ended on a high note.”
Thankfully Aya was able to dance all night long after switching from her Jimmy Choo pumps into a pair of Nike Air Force 1 Low Drake Certified Lover Boy sneakers for the party, while her glowing make-up from Chanel – product highlights included Les Beiges Healthy Glow Luminous Colour, Lumiere Graphique eyeshadow palette and Rouge Allure lipstick in Mise A Nu – kept the bride looking radiant from ceremony to after-hours.
Post wedding, the duo jetted off to the Maldives to make the most of its perfect winter sun season, spending their days relaxing and soaking up rays on the beach.
Bride’s Black Book
Dress: Hamda Al Fahim, hamdaalfahimofficial.com
Shoes: Jimmy Choo and Nike, jimmychoo.com and nike.com
Jewellery: Diamond Land, @diamondlandofficial
Stylist: Yasmine Kenawi, @yasminekenawi
Photography and Videography: Muhammad Gamal El-Din,@muhammadgamaleldin
Venue: Dahab Island Palace, @dahabislandpalace
Caterer: Sage, @thesageexperience
Florist: Karim Violette, @karimviolette
Cake: Soufflé, @souffle_egypt
Beauty: Reham Khalifa using Chanel Beauty, chanel.com @chanel.beauty
Invitations: Mona Zanana, @monalikethelisa
Wedding Planner: The Ape Studio, @theapestudio
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s Bride Spring/Summer 2024 issue