When I first met Samira & Mohammad, I was struck by how kind, genuine and truly special they are, and I was honored they asked me to document their Muslim wedding. As the last wedding I photographed before the global pandemic and social distancing changed how we gather together and celebrate, it was so lovely to pull together my favorite captures, reminisce and tell the story of this beautiful Muslim Wedding in Downtown, Portland.

This Portland Wedding had so many memorable and unique highlights for me. Samira got ready with her closest friends and I loved being around the laughter and excited energy to start the day. She toasted her friends with sparkling cider as she gave them gifts and thanked them for being part of her life and her wedding. I really enjoyed documenting and watching the Nikah (wedding ceremony) at Samira’s local mosque amongst their closest family, dear friends and officiated by her Imam. We went downtown Portland to capture their couple portraits, walking through the city streets around Pioneer Square with a stop at Rocket Fizz candy store, where Samira and Mohammad went on their first date. Their couple portraits are some of my very favorites. After some captures on the rooftop of the Nines Hotel, the couple prepared for the Walima (wedding feast). One of the most memorable highlights was photographing the Zaffa (wedding entrance) where Samira & Mohammad entered the Walima accompanied by drums, horns and an amazing performance. They were both surrounded by so much love throughout the day.

Here are some of the amazingly talented and creative vendors who made this day possible: