KUALA LUMPUR: The bride was stunning in a white baju kurung and veil embroidered with gold and white beads, offset by diamond and south sea pearls. Her groom was the perfect foil in a white baju Melayu with a pale mauve songket samping.

The marriage of 33-year-old songstress Ning Baizura Hamzah and Omar Sharif Christopher Layton Dalton, 34, was solemnised in an akad nikah in Bangsar yesterday morning.

Ning's parents, Sheikh Hamzah Sheikh Mohamed and Satilah Abdullah, and Omar's parents, Colin and Maureen Dalton, were among the family and close friends who witnessed the two-hour ceremony at the Saidina Abu Bakar As-Siddiq mosque. Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad represented the groom's side.

Omar presented her with a RM66,666.66 dowry that marked the number of the verses in the Quran multiplied by 10. He also gave her sirih Junjung (betelnut set), a prayer shawl, songket beaded with stones from India, a Judith Leiber bag, a pair of L.K. Bennett shoes, a Tag Heuer watch, a pen and a cake with a bouquet of peony flowers.

Ning presented her groom with sirih Junjung, a prayer mat, a Quran, a Massimo Dutti shirt, songket from Terengganu, a pair of Gucci shoes, a Louis Vuitton wallet, a Tag Heuer watch, a cake and a music box from Reuge.
"I am thankful with the blessings that Allah has bestowed on us on this very special day. I am entering a new realm of life. I am more than just a wife, but a mother to Omar's children (from his first marriage)," said the very happy bride after the ceremony.

The groom shed tears of joy during the ceremony.

"I was so happy and I simply could not control my emotions. It is a blessing to be married to Ning," he said.

The newlyweds will hold their kampung-themed wedding reception tomorrow at the Matrade Convention Centre. The pair also plan to have a reception in England in the middle of the year.