Noor Stars Is The Bazaar Bride Summer 2025 Issue Cover Star
Social media figure Noor Stars’ upcoming nuptials are this year’s hottest topic. Here, she reveals exclusively to Bazaar Bride, all about her dress, the destination and why her day will be anything but normal
When your marriage proposal and engagement party rack up almost 40 million views on Instagram, it stands to good reason that your upcoming wedding might also create quite the buzz. Such is the case for Iraqi-American content creator, podcaster and entrepreneur Noor Stars, whose life in the spotlight is happily shared with her 17.1 million-plus fans and social media followers.
Noor’s proposal took place on 25th May 2024 – a beautiful surprise expertly orchestrated by her fiancé Kareem Al-Sharif under the setting sun by Dubai Mall (accompanied by a little added sparkle courtesy of a 5.-something carat diamond ring). “It was a dream – the most perfect, romantic, unforgettable evening of my life,” she effuses.
Exactly one year later to the day, the couple threw a gorgeous ‘cathedral-themed’ engagement party on 25th May 2025 at Armani Hotel Dubai – Noor in a sparkly, ivory off-the-shoulder gown by Palestinian designer Alaa Duba and draped in a suite of Damas jewels.
Now it’s the turn of their nuptials, with both Noor and Kareem in full-blown wedding planning mode for the multi-day celebration. With their sights set on an early 2026 date (hinting at 25th May, 2026 for sentimental reasons), they’ve re-enlisted the expertise of event planner Elias Sarkis of Trend Events – who waved his creative wand over their engagement party. While some details remain a closely-guarded secret, Noor entrusts a few intimate details to Bazaar Bride.
“The wedding will probably start around 5pm or 6pm, which is how we usually do it in my culture,” she explains, before hinting at a few wedding destinations. “We’ve been to see a few venues in Lake Como, which is incredibly dreamy, but we haven’t 100 per cent decided yet,” Noor reveals. “My mum was diagnosed with cancer after the proposal, and is in a wheelchair, which makes it difficult for her to get around. These are the little details we have to think about.” While Europe may be calling, so too is the Middle East. “There are few venues in Lebanon that I really love, and we’re looking at places in the UAE and Dubai, which would be the perfect location because everything is close to me.” As for theme, well, that’s one secret she won’t part with, but does reveal that, “I know what I want and I’m very specific with that! What I can say, is that I’m full of surprises, and it will be a very intimate celebration that is very ‘me’.”
The ‘intimate’ guest-list might not stretch to Noor’s millions of followers, we laugh. “The first list we wrote was around 1,000 guests,” she recalls, “but we’ll probably have only 200 or 300 guests. It’s a very special day for us and I want to be able to talk to and have a special experience with each of my guests. We don’t want it to be chaotic and for our guests to hate the experience. Quality over quantity.”
Admitting that she likes “to do things differently,” Noor says that the day will be filled with personal touches that signify and celebrate her and Kareem. “I’m a person that values small, sentimental detail. My main rule for the wedding, is that we’re both involved in each step, with our own touches, so we remember it in a special way together.” Personal details include weaving in both Western and Middle Eastern elements to honour her Iraqi-American heritage. “I’m originally Iraqi and I like it when your culture is involved in the wedding, so I’d love to have Iraqi music, Iraqi touches throughout, but I also love the American touch of the party….” One element Noor is happy to confirm… “No buffets… I hate them! Unless it’s an elegantly designed one for desserts,” she laughs.
The dress, Noor confides, will be as unique as the wedding itself. “I don’t want to repeat or copy something,” she states. “Because why be a copy when you can be your original?” Hinting at the details, she says, “I want something timeless, that’s chic and elegant, but also comfortable so that I can move around and enjoy my day,” before whispering, conspiratorially, “There’s a possibility I might have two dresses.”
The next question on everyone’s lips is, will there be a honeymoon? “Oh, definitely girl, come on! I’m talking more about the honeymoon than the actual wedding,” Noor laughs. “Europe is an option, because you can ever get bored in Europe, right?” she smiles. “We also love exploring Asia, and are thinking about Mexico and South America. Or perhaps we’ll start in the Maldives, to chill and relax for a week, and then go do something more active elsewhere. So many ideas!”
Deep in the throes of wedding prep, Noor has some sage advice for other brides-to-be. “Have a clear vision of what you want and how you imagine your wedding. Research, research, research. Go on Pinterest, go online, look at other parties and weddings and take notes about what you liked and what you didn’t like. The more you know about what you want, the easier it will be to plan the wedding of your dreams.”
For those using a wedding planner, she expresses that “It’s important to find someone who listens to you. “Before the engagement party, we did calls, meetings and interviews with so many event planners from all over the world. I got so tired!” she laughs. “I wanted someone who understands me, my vision and the party that I’ve been thinking about since I was a little girl, and who can make it come to life. When I had my call with Elias, we just clicked. He’s very flexible, very passionate, and therefore gives the best results. I could ask him for the moon, and he’ll be like ‘OK, done!’ Honestly, if you have the best wedding planner, nothing will be challenging.”
On the day itself, Noor says it’s important to stay present. “Calm down, don’t stress and enjoy being in the moment, as it will be pass by very quickly. Look at your partner, talk to him when you dance, as these cute moments are what will be memories later.”
“Oh, and one last thing,” Noor smiles. “Pick the right shoes, so you’re comfortable dancing all night… and don’t kiss people on the cheek, because it will rub all your make-up off!” Learning the hard way at her engagement party, she laughs, “Air-kisses only!”
The wedding itself will be a very private affair to respect the privacy of family and friends in attendance, Noor says. “But…” she adds, with a twinkle in her eye, “I definitely want to share the day with my audience too, just in a controlled way, so… there will be a balance!”
As they say, watch this space…
Lead Image: All Lab-Grown Diamond Jewellery, POA, the Gaia Collection by Damas Jewellery. Jacket; Trousers, Dhs3,200 for Set, both Femme Fatale. Dress, POA, Saiid Kobeisy
Group Editor in Chief: Olivia Phillips. Group Deputy Editor: Sophia Serin. Group Managing Editor: Natasha Faruque. Photographer: Amer Mohamad. Senior Fashion Editor: Nour Bou Ezz. Hair Stylist: Sebastian Iskander. Make Up Artist: Sharbel Hasbany. Nails: Ginza Beauty Ladies Salon Dubai. Senior Producer: Steff Hawker. Styling Assistants: Lucy Semaan & Dalia Redai. Special thanks to Raffles The Palm Dubai.