5 minute read
Jilan and Omar
JilanOmar AND
KURRAJONG
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IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT – AND BITE – WHEN JILAN MET HER FUTURE HUSBAND OMAR IN HIS SOUTH COAST RESTAURANT.
There’s an old saying about the way to a man’s heart being through his stomach, but roles were reversed when Jilan Shamdin ate at Omar Osaj’s Wollongong restaurant. The chance encounter resulted in the ultimate commitment of love – a marriage proposal and an autumn wedding in the picturesque lower Blue Mountains village of Kurrajong.
“We are both originally from Iraq – I am from Kurdistan in Northern Iraq and moved to Australia with my family 19 years ago,” Jilan explains while describing how she met the love of her life. “One day, Mum and I visited a friend in Wollongong who recommended we try the food at Casablanca on Crown. It sounded great, so we went there for a traditional Moroccan breakfast. The fi rst person I saw was Omar welcoming us into the restaurant.”
Jilan admits there was a spark between them on that very fi rst meeting but that it took a few months for the pair to really get to know each other. “After a while, when we felt the time was right, Omar came to introduce himself to my family,” Jilan recalls. “The family meeting was intense, but Omar answered all the questions well.”
Words: Jacqueline Forster. PHOTOS: BOW TIE PHOTOGRAPHY
Omar must have done something right, as he got the nod of approval from Jilan’s family and it wasn’t long before the couple set their wedding date. Tradition dictated that the official marriage take place before the wedding celebrations. “We were married by a Sheikh (as per Islamic practices) in a simple ceremony in front of my family at my house,” says Jilan.
It may have been simple but traditional elements such as having their pinkie fingers covered in henna were incorporated into the ceremony, and the significance of the event was certainly not lost on Jilan and Omar. “It was very special for us because we were both so happy that it was all coming together, and we were officially husband and wife.”
The actual wedding day was held a few weeks later at The Turpentine Tree in Kurrajong. “We found The Turpentine Tree on Facebook,” says Jilan. “And when we went there to meet the lovely owners of the property, Joanne and Allan, we were instantly in love with it. The location was so peaceful and the venue had special little places at every corner.”
The beauty of the autumnal setting was also a drawcard. “When we saw the red, yellow and green of the leaves, we knew we’d picked the right season to get married,” adds Jilan.
On the morning of the wedding, Jilan’s sister Diljn took her to the makeup artist, Makeup by Tania. “As soon as we finished with the makeup, we stopped to have breakfast, as if my wedding wasn’t even on that day. I went home to get dressed with the help of my mother and a dear friend, Mervat (from Hijabs by Mervat), who helped me to wear my veil.”
Jilan and Omar arrived at the venue before the guests to make sure photographs were not rushed. Being able to take their time with the photographer, Chris Braga, was a really special moment for the pair and one Omar remembers as a highlight.
The shoot included a boat ride on The Turpentine Tree’s lake, which Jilan says was a lot of fun. “I would have to say getting into the little, unstable canoe was the best part of the day for both of us. No-one expected us to do it and the reaction on my Mum’s face when she saw me getting into the canoe in my heels was priceless!”
After photographs, the couple spent time outdoors with their guests, enjoying canapés and lawn games before making their way into the marquee, where The Turpentine Tree’s styling set the scene for a magical evening.
“There were red roses hanging from the ceiling of the marquee and red and pale-pink flowers on the tables, set on top of eucalyptus-leaf arrangements, and the marquee was covered in fairy lights,” Jilan recalls. “It was even more beautiful at night.”
Everything went to plan and Jilan says the couple enjoyed their wedding immensely: “Both Omar and I were so calm on our wedding day – it was stress-free and we just had so much fun. We were so glad that we had the opportunity to share the day with my beautiful family members and our close friends. Unfortunately Omar’s parents could not join us, as they live overseas in Dubai.”
After the celebrations, the newlyweds began their life together. Jilan recalls: “On the way home we stopped for petrol and bought our favourite drink and a packet of chips to snack on during the drive back to our new home as husband and wife.” BML
STYLE FILE
RECEPTION The Turpentine Tree, Kurrajong MAKEUP By Tania Nasr of Makeup by Tania BRIDE Gown from The Sposa Group, Leichhardt. Worn with a custom-made headpiece and pearl veil by Hijabs by Mervat and shoes from Myer GROOM Suit from Vespa Fashion, Liverpool WEDDING RINGS Goldland Jewellery, Liverpool FLOWERS My Little Peony, Sydney PROPS, STYLING & CATERING The Turpentine Tree MUSIC In-house music, with Omar’s brother playing DJ TRANSPORT Jilan’s brother’s BMW M5 was used to transport the bride and groom PHOTOS Chris Braga of Bow Tie Photography
