Exclusive: Rosemin Madhavji Shares Never-Seen-Before Pictures From Her Fairytale Wedding in Paris

Rosemin Madhavji. Photo: Pervez Taufiq

If there’s one thing the world can expect from Rosemin Madhavji, it’s beauty in every sphere. The Dubai-based presenter and entrepreneur isn’t just the founder of RR&Co. Luxury, she’s also played muse to some of the world’s most renowned fashion houses, be it Tom Ford Eyewear, Christian Louboutin, or Misa Los Angeles. So it comes as no surprise that for her own wedding this month, she pulled out all the stops — and then some.

On the weekend of September 7, Rosemin tied the knot with Belgium-based businessman Javed Opgenhaffen with a weekend full of lavish celebrations in Paris. The couple, who met by chance just over a year ago, said “I do” at Marie Antoinette’s private garden, the Jardin de Bagatelle, in the presence of 600 guests from around the globe, including actors Ram Charan and Husein Madhavji, musicians Sukhbir Singh and Kanika Kapoor, designers Christian Louboutin, Tamara Ralph, Roksanda Illinic, Alice Temperley, and Rami Al Ali, and jewelry icons Caroline Scheufele, Roberto Coin, and Samer Haliemeh, to name a few.

Kanika Kapoor brings the bride up on stage. Photo: Mokshada Amur

The wedding, designed by Ali Bakhtiar, brimmed with picture-perfect moments. But while the world got to glimpse Rosemin and Javed’s weekend of love via Instagram, Vogue Arabia sat down with the newly-wed for a deeper understanding of her love story, and how it culminated in the wedding of a lifetime. Just days post the wedding, Rosemin reflects on her new life, saying, “I feel very loved and safe with Javed, and our bond was truly just being ourselves around each other, and more importantly, we share the same family values. We are so blessed we found each other and starting our journey together.”

Below, Rosemin opens up about her lovingly made wedding ensembles, before sharing details on some of the most special moments from her big day, and her love story.

A closer look at the bride’s incredible ensembles

With Tamara Ralph. Photo: Pervez Taufiq

For Rosemin, it was important to work with designers who she shares a close bond with when it came to designing her two wedding looks. “I have known Christian Louboutin for 20 years, and Daniela Karnuts of Safiyaa, Tamara Ralph, and Faraz Manan for the past 15 years,” she explains. “The designing process was wonderful, and each piece has been made with love. Everything is classic and timeless — I want to look back at the photos in 20 years and still love each piece.”

The floral Oscar de le Renta for breakfast

Rosemin Madhavji in Oscar de la Renta with mom Malek Madhavji. Photo: Mokshada Amur

The first celebration on Rosemin’s list was a wedding breakfast at the Four Seasons on September 7, where she opted for an ivory lace Oscar de la Renta number with Chanel flats. Pearl earrings added an elegant finishing touch.

The Safiyaa welcome dinner dress

Safiyaa’s sketch of Rosemin’s welcome breakfast dress

White was clearly the palette of choice for Rosemin throughout her wedding weekend. For the welcome dinner on September 7, the bride greeted guests in a simple, yet elegant caped dress from London-based label Safiyaa’s white bridal collection. “Rosemin has been an invaluable friend and a true brand ambassador since day one,” Daniela Karnuts shared. “Creating her Welcome Dinner dress for such a remarkable wedding has been an absolute delight.”

All set for the welcome breakfast in Safiyaa. Photo: Mokshada Amur

While the dress itself came sans embellishment, the cape, which was dotted with delicate crystal work, added just the right amount of sparkle to her look. The bride wore the dress with matching white Manolos, and a sparkling bow-shaped Judith Leiber clutch. A voluminous blowout by hairstylist Jacque la coupe completed the look.

The sparkling Faraz Manan lehenga

Faraz Manan’s sketch of Rosemin’s lehenga

Rosemin and Javed’s action-packed pre-wedding bash saw the couple in coordinated looks by none other than Pakistani couturier Faraz Manan. While the bride lit up Opera Garnier in an intricately beaded silver lehenga, the groom complemented her perfectly in an understated gold and gray jacket set.

Rosemin made her entrance in a sparkling Faraz Manan lehenga. Photo: Badal Raja Company

“Rosemin is not just a very dear friend, but also a beautiful woman of substance, class and grace,” Manan shared with Vogue Arabia. “She truly embodies the Faraz Manan woman. The rose bridal set was designed specially for her in my signature style: east-meets-west in the city of love, Paris.” For her grand entrance, Rosemin layered her lehenga with a stunning sheer trail. Jimmy Choo shoes completed the look.

The Tamara Ralph wedding gown

Tamara Ralph’s sketch of Rosemin’s wedding gown

Rosemin’s wedding gown wasn’t just a special choice because of its timeless style, it also makes her the first Tamara Ralph bride since the designer’s namesake show. For Ralph, dressing Rosemin was a welcome task. “Rosemin has been a dear friend for many years and it is with heartfelt joy that she has found true love,” the designer shared with Vogue Arabia. “I have had the pleasure to create her dream haute couture bridal gown for her special day. To be involved with this special moment in her life is so special for me, and I wish her the lifetime of happiness and love always.”

Rosemin was Tamara Ralph’s first bride post the designer’s namesake show. Photo: Pervez Taufiq

Rosemin’s pick for the Jardin de Bagatelle ceremony was an off-shoulder, delicately beaded full sleeve number which came with a detachable train. Standing alongside her new husband, who wore a Tom Ford tuxedo and shoes, Rosemin made a stunning bride with her locks swept back, and with a classic makeup look by Bassam Fattouh. The bride paired her haute couture gown with two custom made heels, both of which were made specially with blue soles for the occasion. For the ceremony itself, the bride wore Louboutins, and later changed into a pair of Aquazzuras.

A chance meeting of love

Thew newly-weds at their cake cutting ceremony. Photo: Badal Raja Company

Coming to the couple’s love story. “[Javed and I] met last year at a dinner party at a common friend’s house while he was visiting Dubai,” Rosemin recalls. Though the two didn’t speak for the rest of the evening, Opgenhaffen made sure to get in touch. “He called a common friend to make an introduction and started sending flowers and music links to me. Honestly, we fell in love over music. It was like he had my exact playlist!” From then on, Opgenhaffen built on his connection with Madhavji by visiting Dubai on a weekly basis under the pretense of work meetings. “Looking back, it’s all so charming,” she shares.

The first step to forever

There are proposals, and then there are declarations of love so romantic, they deserve their own book. It’s safe to say that thier proposal story is the stuff of fairytales. “I’m still gushing over it!” she exclaims.

To pop the question, Javed invited Rosemin to Leighton House Museum in London — “He told me we have a tour with the curator at 5pm,” she remembers — for the ultimate surprise. “I rushed home. I remember it was cold and rainy. I was in a black sweater dress with my hair up.”

Upon entering the museum, Rosemin couldn’t help but notice that all the museum’s visitors seemed to be leaving at the same time. “I thought we were late and it was closing time, only to later realize he had closed the museum for me!”

Rosemin poses for photos as a newly-wed. Photo: Pervez Taufiq

“The curator met us in the lobby and we turned to the hallway. On the left, we all paused to see a lady on a piano, singing, and the Islamic room (in blue and white tiles) filled with candles. I thought, ‘This is a romantic date, how lovely!’ As I entered, [I saw that] the room was filled with framed watercolor paintings. Each depicted us against the backdrop of all of our dates — starting from the moment we met. I was tearful and in shock as I walked around the fountain and paintings, and then saw the artist staring straight to the front of the room where two gold chairs were placed — which would be where she would be capturing our live proposal.”

“He sat me down on the chair, went down on one knee, said the kindest words, and I said yes, bursting into tears. The ring he gave me was engraved in Arabic with the words “Khadra and Noor”, to say “Rosemin, you are my light and my destiny.”

Bringing the wedding to life

Straight out of a fairytale, the grand staircase at the pre-wedding bash. Photo: Pervez Taufiq

Given that between the two of them, Rosemin and Javed have lived everywhere from the United States to Europe, Canada, and the Middle East, it was imperative for them to ensure that everyone they loved, no matter where they resided, was part of their special moment. In fact, Rosemin says finalizing the guest list was the hardest part of the wedding prep process. “We wanted to have friends and family from all over join us and represent our diversity. I love that there were so many nationalities attending the wedding.”

The Bollywood-theme welcome party

Opera meets Bollywood. Photo: Badal Raja Company

Not one to shy away from going above and beyond in any respect, Rosemin chose exceptional venues for each of her wedding celebrations. Post an intimate welcome dinner at Four Seasons Georges V, the couple kickstarted the celebrations on September 8 with an opera-meets-Bollywood themed celebration at the Palais Garnier. White roses filled the air with an intoxicating fragrance, while hundreds of candles lit up the venue.

Sukhbir Singh took the stage at the end of the evening. Photo: Badal Raja Company

Ballerinas dressed in pristine white took over the grand staircase for an added dose of drama. The highlight of the evening, of course, had to be the musical performances by Indian songstress Kanika Kapoor, and the legendary Sukhbir Singh.

The wedding ceremony

The stunning wedding venue. Photo: Pervez Taufiq

After a truly unforgettable evening of music and dancing, Rosemin and Javed sealed the deal at the Jardin de Bagatelle, and brought their dream weekend to a close with a wedding reception. For the wedding, the couple brought in a plethora of colors via flowers in shades of pink and violet.

The couple’s grand wedding cake. Photo: Pervez Taufiq

Post the official ceremony, Rosemin and Javed came together with guests to cut a towering eight-layered cake, and took over a fairy light dance floor to share heartfelt speeches. As a special surprise, Matteo Bocelli performed for the newly-weds’ first dance together as a married couple.

Below, take a deep dive into Rosemin and Javed Opgenhaffen’s wedding album.