A Lavish Arabic Reception at The Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio

DINAH + OMAR

Dinah and Omar knew one another for years before finally deciding to take a chance on each other. After talking, then taking some time away to focus on their careers, they randomly crossed paths in downtown Columbus where and the rest is history.

By November 2020, the two did a Toulbe. A pre-wedding ceremony where the groom and the groom’s family come to the bride’s parent’s house to ask for her hand in marriage. While this tradition was important to them, they didn’t exchange rings. Omar wanted to create an American-style proposal for Dinah, so on March 20th, 2021 he got down on one knee at the Refectory and asked her to marry him. This restaurant became special to them and eventually is where the couple held their rehearsal dinner.

Exactly a year later they had their Arabic wedding ceremony, the Katb El-Kitaab. This was a very intimate celebration that only included the priest and immediate family. Although their marriage ceremony was small, their wedding reception was anything but. When Dinah and Omar were looking at venues to host their friends and family, they looked for a place that complimented an Arabic flair. The Ohio Statehouse was the obvious answer when walking in. The grandness of the building, the intricacies of the ceilings, and the beautiful architecture created the perfect backdrop for the couple's vision to come to life.

On the day of the celebrations, the space felt like an ethereal heaven thanks to Prema Designs. Cascading blooms of majolicas and hydrangeas carried your eyes through the tables to the cake. Tall votives led your eyes into the marble ceilings and babies breath reflected in the open-back chairs adorned in gold. This sea of gold accents gave an ode to their cultural traditions where gold symbolizes love, stability, and respect— all things the couple feels for each other.

Something special that Dinah and Omar wanted for their wedding was separate entrances for the celebration. Dinah said, “most of the time only the bride enters, but I wanted to make sure Omar felt special as well. I also wanted to walk in with both of my parents, not just my dad because they are both so important to me.” This entrance took everyone’s breath away as Dinah glided in wearing a gown by Eve of Milady. The three-dimensional design of the gown mimicked the same florals that were spread across the tables and the skirt danced with every movement like the dianthus that were suspended above guests.

However, that wasn’t the only thing that wowed guests. We know, what else could there be?! As everyone stood in ovation, the sound of large Arabic drums, from the Columbus Musicians, filled the air. As the performers made it onto the dance floor so did everyone who was seated, and they never sat again. Guests held hands, dancing shoulder to shoulder, joyfully singing and celebrating the bride and groom. The atmosphere was electric, and it remained that way until the end of the night.