This Danish stylist's idyllic wedding united Arabic and Scandinavian traditions

“Our different cultural backgrounds – Danish and Iraqi – meant our journey didn’t follow the typical path,” Copenhagen-based stylist, podcaster and creative director Fatimah Gabriella explains. After meeting at a Han Kjøbenhavn runway show at Copenhagen Fashion Week in 2017, the couple’s connection was instant. It wasn’t long before they realised they were falling for each other. “One day, Ditlev asked me how we could make things more serious,” Fatimah recalls, smiling. “I remember saying, ‘I don’t think you quite know what you’re getting yourself into.’”

Eventually, Ditlev – who holds a master’s in astrophysics specializing in distant galaxies – chose the traditional approach, asking Fatimah’s father for her hand. With his blessing, the couple got engaged in 2019. In many Arabic cultures, engagements are followed by a wedding within a year. But Fatimah and Ditlev decided to do it their way, allowing their engagement to stretch across five years. “In a way, we kept the tradition but with our twist,” Fatimah reflects.

True to her styling profession, Fatimah curated their attires to reflect personal style paired with heritage, determined that her dress would be more than just a gown – it had to tell her story. “I wanted it to be modest yet expressive,” she explains. Ultimately, one dress became two, both designed by Cecilie Bahnsen. “One had a more ceremonial feel, while the other had a cool, modern look with oversized bows.” She paired them with Mark Kenly Domino Tan trousers and glossy ballerina flats from Miu Miu. The 22-karat gold jewellery from local jeweller Al-Hussein Gold Souk was an essential element, wearing gold at weddings is a significant part of Fatimah’s culture. Later in the evening, during Sivas’ concert, she added a Moncler jacket.

Hairstylist Lizzbdope styled Fatimah’s hair. “After trying different styles, I put my complete trust in her. She made my hair look smooth and elegant,” Fatimah gushes. Her makeup, done by the talented Magdalena Long using Shiseido products, was dewy, glossy, and fresh.

For Ditlev, the couple collaborated on his outfit, opting for a timeless look from Filippa K. The ensemble included a black boxy jacket, wide pants, and a white shirt paired with Vinny’s loafers. It was all tied together with a Louis Vuitton tie and pocket square.

Fatimah’s bridesmaids and childhood friends – Lea Damgaard, Nicoline Thim, Salma Badeh, and Lilo Weers – wore Cecilie Bahnsen. “I wanted to add a unique touch, so I styled Salma with COS black long sleeves and trousers, all my bridesmaids had a different look.”

The ceremony was a beautiful fusion of Scandinavian and Middle Eastern elements. Ditlev entered with a Zaffet, a traditional Iraqi musical procession, while Fatimah walked down the aisle in true Scandinavian style, accompanied by her bridesmaids. The ceremony unfolded at Marienlyst Castle Gardens, followed by a break at Ditlev’s parents’ home, and concluded with a reception and dinner overlooking a stunning landscape bathed in the setting September sun.

“We chose the locations to create a change of scenery,” Fatimah continues. “One of the differences between Ditlev’s and my upbringing is that, since I moved to Denmark, I have lived at 14 different addresses,” she continues. “Ditlev, on the other hand, was born and raised in the same house. We hoped that by changing settings throughout the day, we could help distinguish each moment from the next.”

The elegant setting of Marienlyst Castle Gardens mirrored Fatimah’s love for natural ceremonial aisles. The intimate garden allowed the couple to blend conventional and contemporary touches, making the ceremony uniquely theirs. During the ceremony, emotions ran deep. Delicate flute music by Anna Aurora filled the air as Fatimah walked towards Ditlev. There was a moment when she reached him, and happy tears welled up, forcing her to pause to catch her breath. “I was very touched,” Fatimah reflects. For Ditlev, the entire ceremony felt surreal. “My mind went completely blank,” he recalls, describing the sensation as a passage between sensory input and emotional response.

Afterwards, guests gathered at Ditlev’s parents’ cosy 1930s house. First, the Zaffet band played in the street while neighbours cheered. Afterwards, guests enjoyed soft Medjool dates, figs, and tea sandwiches surrounded by a lush garden with beehives before heading to the lakeside reception venue.

Andreas Bach, a Paris-bound Danish photographer, shot the wedding, capturing the magic of the day and night. “Andreas has an incredible talent for seeing the beauty in everything,” Fatimah says. He grabbed the newlyweds at sunset and led them to a field overlooking the lake. The scene was breathtaking. Guests couldn’t help but gush at how they looked like a Renaissance painting from Tuscany.

The reception venue had no kitchen or furniture, allowing Fatimah and Ditlev to bring in their chefs and decorate the space as they envisioned. “With Helene Forchhammer’s Eat Real Be Real, we crafted a perfect Italian menu featuring all our favourite dishes from Italy, all vegetarian and served family-style to create an informal and familial atmosphere,” Fatimah says.

Round tables, iconic Arne Jacobsen Series 7 chairs from Fritz Hansen, elegant floral arrangements by set designer Fatima Fransson, and table setting from Georg Jensen transformed the venue into an intimate setting that combined the surrounding nature with a warm, inviting vibrancy. “We wanted the setting to feel like an extension of our personalities,” Fatimah says. “The flowers, the layout, and even the furniture, everything was chosen to make our guests feel as comfortable as possible.”

“It was important that the venue didn’t serve alcohol; we wanted our big day to be alcohol-free.” Instead, they served Copenhagen Sparkling Tea with small cakes from Andersen Bakery. The pastry chef from Maison d’Angleterre designed the red lacquered wedding cake, which was served before dinner. Under a beautiful tent by Cirkus Panik, furnished with pieces from Frama and &Tradition, a cosy oasis was created where guests could mingle, relax, and enjoy the evening.

“Music played an essential role in the celebration, a specially curated playlist named ‘Cute State of Mind’ featured a mix of Danish, Arabic, French, and English songs crafted over two years,” Ditlev says, smiling. The couple’s first dance was to 'Aloula' by Fairuz, an Arabic song that captured the beauty of cherished moments. “That song means so much to me,” Fatimah shares. “It’s one of those songs that just takes you back to a moment, like you’re living in a beautiful memory.”

Later, Sivas and his producer Reza came to perform a live concert at the wedding. Sivas is the godfather of modern Danish hip-hop. “Having Sivas perform felt like a dream,” Fatimah says. “The energy was incredible, he played all our favourite songs.”

“We agreed that we needed to create a detailed schedule for the day, especially since we bravely decided to go without a wedding planner,” Ditlev explains. “But we also wanted things to unfold naturally, without feeling overly rigid.” Fatimah nods, adding, “Luckily, everything turned out perfectly. Even though we had no official planner, the day flowed just as they had hoped even with a twist for the newly-weds at the end.

During Sivas’ concert, the couple was surprised by a fireworks display. “We had no idea about the fireworks,” Fatimah recalls with a smile. “When they went off, it truly added the finishing touch, it felt like a dream.” Ditlev agrees, “It was such an incredible surprise. Seeing those fireworks with our favourite music in the background, surrounded by everyone we love, was one of the most magical moments of the entire day.”

See all the snapshots from the wedding day below.