Together with their families

Layla& Omar

request the pleasure of your company

The Courtyard at Fairlane House

Dearborn, Michigan

Illustration of a tiled courtyard at dusk: an arcade of pointed arches, two orange trees in clay pots, a star-shaped fountain and strings of brass lanterns overhead, rose petals on the paving

Countdown

until Nikah

220 days until Nikah

Schedule

  1. Henna Night

    7:00 PM

    When
    Friday, June 18, 2027, 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM EDT
    Where
    The Haddad Home — Back Garden27 Orchard Lane, Dearborn, MI 48124
    Attire
    Dressy casualColor is welcome. Wear something you can sit on a cushion in.
    Notes
    Henna artists from 7:30, Lebanese and Pakistani street food, and both aunties’ playlists. Mostly family and close friends.
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  1. Nikah

    4:00 PM

    When
    Saturday, June 19, 2027, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDT
    Where
    The Courtyard at Fairlane House410 Courtyard Drive, Dearborn, MI 48126
    Attire
    FormalFormal and modest: shoulders and knees covered. Scarves are available at the gate for anyone who would like one.
    Notes
    A short ceremony of about forty minutes, under the arcade by the fountain. Please arrive by 3:45; the doors close when it begins.
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  2. Tea in the Courtyard

    5:00 PM

    When
    Saturday, June 19, 2027, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM EDT
    Where
    The Courtyard at Fairlane House410 Courtyard Drive, Dearborn, MI 48126
    Attire
    FormalDark suits and ties; long dresses, formal cocktail dresses or elegant separates.
    Notes
    Mint tea, rose lemonade, ka’ak and knafeh under the orange trees. An alcohol-free celebration, all weekend.
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  1. Walima

    6:30 PM

    When
    Sunday, June 20, 2027, 6:30 PM – 11:00 PM EDT
    Where
    The Garden Hall at Rouge River House1200 Rouge Parkway, Dearborn, MI 48128
    Attire
    FormalEvening formal. Jewel tones look wonderful under the lanterns.
    Notes
    Dinner at 7, then speeches, dessert and dancing. Separate seating is available on request; tell us on your reply.
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Our story

The reading room

Layla and Omar met in 2020 at a library table neither would give up during finals. By the end of the week they were sharing it, and a thermos of cardamom coffee.

Two kitchens

His mother makes the best biryani in Michigan, her mother the best maqluba, and both families have opinions. Sunday dinners became a friendly rivalry that is still going.

The porch light

Omar asked on Layla’s parents’ porch, under the brass lantern her grandfather brought from Beirut, with both families watching very badly from behind the curtains.

Wedding party

  • Yasmin Haddad

    Maid of Honor

    Layla’s sister, keeper of every family recipe and every embarrassing story.

  • Bilal Siddiqui

    Best Man

    Omar’s older brother. Practicing his speech in both languages.

  • Nour Khalil

    Bridesmaid

    Layla’s roommate from the reading-room year.

  • Hamza Qureshi

    Groomsman

    Omar’s cousin and the official tea pourer.

Traditions

The nikah

The nikah is the marriage itself: a short ceremony in which the couple agree to marry before their families and two witnesses, followed by a few words from the officiant. Guests of every faith are warmly welcome to watch.

The walima

The walima is the wedding feast, given by the couple the day after to share their happiness. It is the big party of the weekend: dinner, speeches from both families and dancing.

Travel & stay

Where to stay

Airports

  • DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport about 20 minutes
  • FNT Bishop International Airport, Flint about 1 hour 10 minutes

Getting around

A shuttle runs between both hotels, the courtyard and Rouge River House on Saturday and Sunday from an hour before each event, and back until half an hour after. Rideshares are easy everywhere in Dearborn.

Good to know

Mid-June in Michigan is warm and long: around 80°F by day and 60°F in the evening, with sunset near 9:15. Bring a light layer for the walima.

Things to do

  • The Arab American National Museum In the middle of town, and worth an afternoon.
  • Bakeries on Warren Avenue Knafeh for breakfast is allowed on a wedding weekend.
  • The Henry Ford Cars, inventions and a whole historic village, ten minutes away.

Gallery

  • Mint tea at her aunt’s, the first visit
  • Granada, our first trip
  • The porch light, the night he asked
  • Her grandmother’s dish
  • An orange tree in Michigan (it lived)
  • Our first front door
Illustration of a silver teapot and two glasses of mint tea with gold rims on a brass tray, in front of a wall of blue, gold and white star tiles
Photo 1 of 6 Mint tea at her aunt’s, the first visit

RSVP

Kindly reply by May 14, 2027

For a copy of your reply and a link to change it.

Henna Night Friday, June 18, 2027, 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Nikah Saturday, June 19, 2027, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Walima Sunday, June 20, 2027, 6:30 PM – 11:00 PM
How many in your party, including you?

  1. 1 You

  2. Leave empty if not coming

  3. Leave empty if not coming

  4. Leave empty if not coming

Registry

Questions

Yes, to everything. The courtyard has room to run and the walima has a kids’ table with its own dessert.

Your reply form shows how many seats we have saved for you.

Formal and modest for the nikah: shoulders and knees covered. Evening formal for the walima. Scarves are at the gate on Saturday if you would like one; nobody is expected to cover.

No. Expect excellent tea, fresh juices and far too much dessert.

Yes. Quiet rooms are set aside at both venues, with the prayer times posted at the door.

Both are step-free, with accessible restrooms and seating in the shade.