From Aladdin to Arabian Nights, many of us grew up lost in the spellbinding world of Middle Eastern romances, where dreams and reality intertwine long into the night. For Brittany Frye and Ripul Chopra, however, their love story began not in a tale, but in the vibrant, dimly-lit ambiance of Dubai’s Lock Stock and Barrel. “I was out with my friends when he came over, said hi, and charmed me,” Brittany recalls of the night they met seven years ago. Their love story flourished in Dubai from 2018 onwards, with Ripul eventually planning a proposal that would perfectly capture Brittany’s heart. He chose Jordan, the first Arab country she had ever visited, and proposed in front of Petra—one of the seven wonders of the world. “She always had a special place in her heart for Jordan,” Ripul shared. “So, I decided to do it there, and luckily, we managed to steal a private moment in front of the site. I pretended to tie my shoelaces before popping the question.”
The vision
Camlition Productions
The seamless execution of their Arabian-inspired modern Indian wedding began with the bride’s heartfelt wish for a fully traditional Hindu ceremony. “Initially, I assumed we’d blend both our cultures for the wedding,” recalls Ripul. “But it was Brittany’s request and wish to have a completely Indian celebration.” While the rituals stayed true to tradition, the guest list brought a distinctly modern flair. With around 350 guests representing nearly sixteen nationalities, the wedding became a vibrant cultural mosaic. “Eighty per cent of our guests were young people,” the couple shared. “So while it wasn’t a conventional Indian wedding in every sense, it remained rooted in tradition. We wanted everyone to feel connected and spend a few days together getting to know one another.”
The destination
Camlition Productions
Finding a shared sense of home, haven, and love in the Middle East, Brittany and Ripul knew they wanted to celebrate their union within the vast, storied compass of the Arabian Peninsula. “I always wanted to do something with meaning and history,” said Brittany, echoing Ripul’s sentiment: “Even though I’m Indian and she’s American, we both have strong cultural and emotional ties to the Middle East. We wanted a place that represented us, something more meaningful than just a scenic backdrop.” Their search ended at the Anantara Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort, nestled deep in the Liwa Desert. Remote, otherworldly, and grounded in heritage, it felt like the perfect fit. “It was hard to get to, far, unique—and probably one of the best resorts in the region,” they shared, drawn by its departure from the usual UAE imagery of skyscrapers and steel.
The details
Camlition Productions
Camlition Productions
The celebrations began on an easy, intimate note with a poolside welcome dinner at the resort’s Gadheer restaurant. Surrounded by their closest friends and family, the evening set the tone for the days to come. “It was a really nice way to ease into everything and spend time with the people we’re closest to before it all got a little crazy,” Brittany recalled of the opening night.
