PAGE 122 X METROPOLITAN WEDDINGS X WINTER / SPRING 2023
WRITTEN BY | JULIE DAWSON PHOTOGRAPHED BY | ADAM + DAWN PHOTOGRAPHY
A World-Wide Wedding
When Brooke met Nayeem in 2018 , it was far from love at first sight . The two were both working at the Meyer Center when a mutual coworker and friend of theirs connected the two of them , which prompted Brooke to add Nayeem on Facebook , leading to their first date a few days later . Brooke remembers their love story fondly , though notes that it didn ’ t start out as love at first sight . The future Mr . and Mrs . were in different places at the time of their first date , and Nayeem didn ’ t care for dogs , much to Brooke ’ s dismay , so they parted amicably and went their separate ways . Not long after though , when Brooke needed a ride home after a night out , the two found their way back to each other and became inseparable .
In 2020 , after two years of courtship , Brooke and Nayeem were at the Raleigh , North Carolina Rose Garden . Brooke was suspicious of Nayeem as his behavior and nervous energy indicated something was up . Between his attempt to pick out their dinner clothes ( something Brooke notes he never did before ) and his obvious attempt to stall their date until the proposal was set ( trying to get Brooke to smell each different type of rose in the garden ), there was no denying that something was different about that night . Much to Brooke ’ s suspicions , and inevitable surprise , she was led to a beautiful pergola adorned with candles , wine and rose petals where Nayeem had photographers and Brooke ’ s best friend ready to record their proposal . After the question was asked and Brooke said yes , the couple joined their closest family and friends at a restaurant in Durham , North Carolina to celebrate their engagement .
Throughout their engagement , the happy couple continued to reside in North Carolina , however having roots in the 417 meant that they were quickly drawn to the southwestern Missouri area when planning their nuptials . Nayeem lived in Springfield before and Brooke was from Branson , so the two immediately thought they should wed near Table Rock Lake . Having two different religious backgrounds ( Muslim and Christian ), the couple had some difficulty in finding the perfect venue for their I dos , but they eventually decided on Integrity Hills in Ridgedale , Missouri .
From North Carolina to Missouri , the couple were no strangers to crossing borders and state lines for the sake of their wedding . Brooke remembers that choosing her wedding dress led her to the great state of New York . Throughout the planning process . Pallas Couture , an Australian wedding dress company , was hosting a trunk pop-up event in New York City , so Brooke , her mother and two bridesmaids went to the Big Apple for a weekend to seek and find Brooke ’ s dream dress . It was something that Brooke credits with making her wedding planning process so special , and her dress a dream come true .
As the couple continued to plan their wedding , they knew they wanted to incorporate some of Nayeem ’ s culture into their big day somehow . Being from Bangladesh meant that Nayeem stems from a rich culture , and the two ended up incorporating this through the food that they served at their wedding . Brooke notes that they served lamb biryani ( a rice dish ) and rasgullas ( a milk ball dish with sugar syrup ). It made for the perfect combination of both cultures on their wedding day .
Brooke remembers fondly that her favorite part of their big day was the ceremony itself . She recounts the moment she walked down the aisle to the person she loved more than anyone , her future husband , and says there ’ s no greater feeling than that moment . She recalls that all other concerns fade away in that moment and all that matters is you and your true love . It ’ s a memory she ’ ll hold near to her heart forever .
When asked to give advice to future brides and grooms , Brooke had one piece of advice to give , and it ’ s simple – enjoy the process . Wedding planning goes by quickly , and the day of goes even faster , so she encourages future couples who are getting married to enjoy every moment of the process as it will be over before you know it , and it ’ s truly something you want to savor and enjoy . From a rocky start , to an inseparable bond , to a wedding that led them halfway across the country , Brooke and Nayeem share a love and a promise to one another to have and to hold forevermore . A world-wide wedding and a devoted couple made this story one of fairytale proportions . Xxoxo