An Afghan wedding in a Georgian house, London Mayfair
2024 truly is the year of weddings. Why are all of them at the back end of the year (from Aug - Nov) is beyond me. So hold tight as I may have another post or two coming up this year (well, beats having another post or two about afternoon tea in London!)
My brother’s friends have become like family, which, if I dare say, is a rare thing in this day and age. The bride-to-be who is Afghan, was wedding an Iraqi groom in a traditional ceremony, the whole event is actually akin to English weddings with the exception of there being a Nikkah (the muslim wedding process).
Aside from an excuse to dress up, and a night away from the kids (!) for me weddings are synonymous with stationery; it’s an excuse to gift a beautiful card with genuine love and wishes for the couple that’s about to embark on a new chapter in their life. If it wasn’t obvious by now, I *love* stationary (and gifting) and there's nothing that makes me swoon than traditional craftsmanship of the likes of Smythson (and Mount St.Printers). I’m aware most people probably don’t care and the cards probably go in the bin, but for me it’s a ritual, these small details bring me personal delight and joy. What someone chooses to do with it is entirely up to them.
Dartmouth house, like all Georgian Houses, has quite the History. It’s located in the heart of Mayfair in St.James and next to the Chesterfield Hotel. Upon entry it is moody and dark, though a few steps in you quickly spot the grand staircase to your left which has the most beautiful mural painted on the ceiling.
The courtyard was absolutely stunning; there was definitely something unique about how the interior held the light; the white stone and marble reflected the evening sunlight in such a way that it felt like the golden hour was endless. And even as the sun set, the impending darkness was so romantic, especially against the back dop of the trickling fountain. One can never underestimate the power raw materials have in creating a certain kind of atmosphere, whether it’s a personal or a public space.
The bride wore a traditional white gown with long sleeves, a long tail and boat neck accompanied with hair loosely tied up and diamonds… she looked absolutely stunning. A very relaxed, approachable, elegant and above all else, a joyful bride.
We were lucky enough to be seated at a table with a long, over aching window overlooking the streets of Mayfair. I’ve been to a couple of weddings in townhouses and the only downside to hosting weddings in traditional English homes is the difficulty in seating everyone in one room. Bearing in mind these used to be houses which were lived in, and not event spaces as some of them have become (quite a sad turn of affairs) unless there’s a ballroom, it can be challenging to seat a wedding party in a room which was originally designed to be a grand dining room for a family….nonetheless, it doesn’t take away from the splendor of the space.
It was a three course dinner and as far as wedding food goes, it was wonderfully done. I particularly loved the petit fours which accompanied the teas and coffees (I love petit fours as a concept and it’s a shame such a few places do them). I believe they were traditional Iraqi sweets though we never did get to the bottom of it (anything with condensed milk is a winner for me).
Shortly after, guests made their way to the break out room for the wedded couple to cut the cake and dance the night away to Arab soundtracks. There truly is something magical about Arab / Middle Eastern women; they are the bringer of life, not just the life of the party. The dancing is so freeing, feminine and even eloquent. They listen to their bodies and they flow.
So cheers to love <3 and celebrating life.
There’s a lot of it this year!
More from a life being (well?) lived
