Mayyadah & Joshua’s Cultural Fusion Wedding at The Farm at Dover

The Proposal

Mayyadah and Joshua met years before they started dating. When their paths crossed again, the stars aligned for the two to get together. “We often joke that it seems to have been a matter of when rather than if.” Joshua proposed to Mayyadah at Harry Potter World, while snapping a picture together in front of the Hogwarts castle. “As I started to walk away, Josh grabbed my hand and tugged me around,” Mayyadah recalls. “I found him on one knee, the ring tied to an Amortentia bottle — also known as Love Potion in the Harry Potter universe.”

The Planning

The happy, Harry Potter-loving couple planned an October wedding with a theme of cultural fusion. “Josh’s dad’s side of the family is Italian, and my dad’s side of the family is Middle Eastern — but we were both born and raised here in the U.S. We wanted to bring who we are as individuals and who we are as a couple into our wedding, thus the fusion. We also incorporated a little bit of our love for Harry Potter, which has played such a huge role in our childhoods, our relationship, and our engagement. If you look closely, you can find a little Harry Potter magic hidden throughout our décor and theme.”

In preparation for the big day, Mayyadah attended a handful of bridal shows, including the Bridal Expo in Brookfield and the Dekoven Center Bridal Show. For colors, the couple landed on emerald green and silvery grey. Mayydah found her wedding dress at Amelishan Bridal in Hubertus and had it personalized to make it exactly what she wanted. Josh’s parents hosted the rehearsal dinner at The Cotton Exchange in Waterford.“It was the perfect location and aesthetic for a rehearsal dinner. The food was delicious, the staff was incredible, and the hall was beautiful.”

The Farm at Dover

Both the ceremony and reception were held at The Farm at Dover in Kansasville, Wisconsin. “The Farm at Dover was the first venue we toured — and our only. The second we stepped foot on the grounds, we knew we were about to cancel every other venue visit we had planned for the rest of the weekend. The space, the décor, the lighting — every detail was so well thought out, and the whole place screamed romance. It was impossible not to fall in love.”

“Tom and Juan at The Farm are incredible. They were so patient with our every question, request, and need while planning the wedding. They went above and beyond to make our day as special as it was, even when our plans for an outdoor ceremony were cancelled due to pouring rain. They were on top of things, made the barn everything we dreamed of and more for our vows, and we couldn’t be more grateful. From the groom and bridal quarters, to the ceremony and barn space, to the many gorgeous paths and gardens outdoors, our friends and family have not stopped talking about our beautiful wedding venue. It was truly the most perfect, magical day, and it really is all thanks to the incredible owners, staff, and location at The Farm at Dover.”

The Vows

During the ceremony, Mayyadah and Joshua exchanged their own vows written from the heart. “This is something Josh, to my surprise, insisted on,” Mayyadah says. “It was so heartfelt and sincere, sharing what we loved and admired about one another and how we would choose each other every day, forever.” Mayyadah also says that it was very special for her to involve two of her father figures in the ceremony. “My best friend and Matron of Honor’s dad walked me down the aisle and gave me away to Josh, while my other father figure officiated our ceremony. These two men have always meant the world to me, and having their love and support on one of the biggest days of my life is something I will cherish forever.”

Cultural Fusion Reception

At the reception, the cultural fusion really came into play. “I think anyone who attended our wedding would agree that the Henna hour definitely is what made our reception unique,” Mayyadah reflects. “After our first dance, I changed into my handmade Indian sari, and the DJ began to play Arabic music. My family took over the dance floor and taught Josh the traditional dance done at weddings in my culture, and our Henna artists began painting Henna on our guests. Although I share as much of my culture and tradition as I can with Josh in our everyday lives, sharing these wedding traditions with him that day made me feel that much closer to him.”

The cultural fusion continued with the food, which featured three entrée options: a Middle Eastern plate of chicken shwarma, an Italian plate of chicken bruschetta, and an American plate of braised beef short ribs. Dessert was a buffet complete with Italian cookies and cannolis, mini pies, platters of an Arabic dessert called kanafeh, as well as a lemon poppyseed wedding cake. As favors for their guests, Joshua and Mayyadah infused olive oil with seasonings and herbs used in Middle Eastern and Italian cooking, then poured the oils into little glass bottles and added a custom label. “They were a huge hit!”

A bit of DIY

There was also a basket of tissues next to the wedding programs with a note: “For your happy tears.” For the kids, Mayyadah and Joshua made boxes with handmade coloring books, crayons, puzzles, snacks, stickers, and more to keep them entertained all evening. The Best Man made all of the wooden signs on the road leading guests to the venue. “They were absolutely stunning and some of our favorite décor pieces of the day.” The evening ended with an unforgettable sparkler send-off.

Mayyadah’s advice to other brides who are currently wedding planning:

“Take a break when the planning gets intense. Go on a date with your guy, leave your phone in your purse, and do not talk about the wedding! Focus on one another and the reasons why you’re planning this wedding in the first place.”