Christina Torres thought she was out for a fun, relaxing girls’ night with a friend. The agenda: pedicures and a nice dinner following a refreshing walk up picturesque Mount Bonnell overlooking Lake Austin.
“My friend said, ‘It’s really pretty up there. We can see the sunset,’” Christina says. “I thought, ‘Why not? I can get some exercise in.’”
She didn’t expect to see her boyfriend, Rehan Siddiqui, at the top, fully clad in his favorite suit and bearing an engagement ring.
“I was really surprised. He had a bunch of our friends and coworkers hiding out in the bushes. They popped out after he popped the question. He had music playing and even a photographer,” Christina recalls. “Obviously, I said yes.”
The couple married July 10, 2016, and while they were living in Austin, they chose the Dallas area for their wedding festivities so their families could have easy access from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The ceremony and reception took place at Hidden Pines Chapel in Highland Village.
They wanted to incorporate elements of Christina’s Hispanic-Catholic upbringing and Rehan’s Pakistani-Muslim background into their union, so they called on Significant Events of Texas to help pull together all the details of the wedding day.
The November prior, they'd held a small Pakistani wedding ceremony at Rehan’s parents's home in Cambridge, Massachusetts to honor his family's traditions.
“For the big wedding, we decided to go with the American route because we were both very much raised that way, beyond our two cultures,” Christina says. “I had the white dress, which was something my mom was looking forward to. And Pastor Noah from Love Notes was very respectful of both religions.”
At the reception, too, the fusion of cultures came together in color palette and décor. Table linens and floral arrangements featured bold colors like fuchsia, teal, bright yellow and gold.
“The color scheme was very similar to traditional Pakistani outfits,” Christina says. “It was the same kind of colors you see in Mexican peasant dresses. When I was little, my mom would put me in those all the time.”
Even the dinner menu represented a fusion of cultures, featuring items like street tacos, chicken biryani, grilled salmon, and chicken and vegetable skewers.
Christina says her most memorable moment happened once DJ Yoonis Alsarabi started spinning tunes. Rehan’s cousins and his twin sister performed a choreographed dance in traditional desi clothing. The performance eventually led to a dance floor packed with guests.
“Being on the dance floor with Rehan, with his family, and my friends and family was the best part,” she says. “It was great to bring both worlds together.”
Wedding Coordinator: Significant Events of Texas
Bridal Gown Designer: Essense of Australia
Bridal Gown Retailer: Bridal Boutique Lewisville
Bridesmaid Gown Retailer: David’s Bridal
Groomsmen Designer & Retailer: The Black Tux
Photography: Photography by Laceymarie
Hair & Makeup: AW Wedding Hair
Transportation: Premier Transportation
Venue: Hidden Pines Chapel
Floral: Kate Foley Designs
Linens: BBJ Linen
Officiant: Love Notes
Lighting: Beyond
Catering: Food Glorious Food
Cake: Frosted Art Bakery & Studio
Christina Torres and Rehan Siddiqui had a small, traditional Pakistani ceremony at his parents' Massachusetts home months prior to their big wedding in the Dallas area.
Texas Ballet Theater and The Dallas Opera performed together during cocktail hour.Photo by Can Turkyilmaz
Headliner Michael Cavanaugh and honorees Shannon and Ted Skokos.Photo by Can Turkyilmaz
Dinner was served on the Winspear Opera House stage.Photo by Can Turkyilmaz