Aisha Suara marries Mazen Istanbouli

wear a traditional, ornate headpiece, called a gele, and a shoulder scarf called an ìpèlé.

The groom wore a buba and shokoto, a matching top and pants, covered by an agbádá, an over-sized robe with open sleeves. On his head was a fila, a hat specific to Yoruba attire. The wedding party wore traditional Nigerian clothes: bridesmaids wore gold and lace dresses, carrying wine-colored Nigerian fans in lieu of flowers, while groomsmen wore buba and shokoto with wine-colored embroidery.

For the reception, Aisha changed into a white dress featuring gold embroidery and a detachable train, and Mazen donned a tuxedo.

Guests enjoyed a Mediterranean buffet prepared by Music City Center. Mrs. Ganiyat Adewole provided the àmàlà, a Nigerian delicacy served with saffron stew, goat meat and jute leaves. Reception music was by DJ Ahmad, and the wedding cake was by Joseph’s Bakery in Antioch.

“Our wedding was a celebration of all of our cultures — Yoruba-Nigerian, Egyptian, Syrian and American — with Islamic ideals at the core of it. The ambience of the venue at Music City Center — combined with their wonderful staff, amazing food and location — made everything that much more special,” said the bride. Following a trip to St. Martin, the couple returned to Nashville where Aisha works as a physician, and Mazen is a Ph.D candidate in graduate school. Parents are Rahaman and Zulfat Suara and Wajih Istanbouli and Eman Elgendy.

BY SANDRA NELSON