This "high stakes romantic thriller" of a pre-wedding video was the perfect accompaniment to a lavish wedding for Salim Mehajer, a deputy mayor in Australia.
First he shut down Sydney and now he's shutting down the internet with a "must-see" pre-wedding video.
Because if one's wedding is to include fireworks, a convoy of 50 luxury cars, a plane towing a message of congratulations, a posse of police and four helicopters, one cannot skimp on the pre-wedding video.
The groom, Salim Mehajer, understood this. So the young deputy mayor of Auburn, a suburb in Sydney - whose "out of control" nuptials brought parts of the city to a standstill on Saturday - turned to professionals.
A month before the big day, Mehajer employed a cinematographer, an assistant, a sound engineer and a narrator. The team spent at least 15 hours filming at locations such as Sydney University and the Opera House. The editor laboured for a week.
The result? A two minute movie-trailer describing what happens when "a man who has it all" has his life "turned upside down".
In one dramatic scene, Salim Mehajer is depicted holding and firing a gun. Photo: Screenshot: YouTube
Manuel Abdo, whose True Dreams Media company made the short film, said it played as an introduction to "the best wedding I've ever been to".
"It's a personal joke," Abdo said of the pre-wedding video genre. Whereas some couples choose music videos to parody, the Mehajers went with high stakes romantic thriller.
Mehajer angered parts of his constituency with a wedding one police officer described as "out of control".
But Abdo described his client as "very kind", the type of man who can put everyone at ease. "I don't really know him that well but when you deal with him in professional life, he's a true gentleman."
And what about Mehajer's acting? "Seven out of 10," Mr Abdo said. "A high seven," he added after a pause.
OUT OF CONTROL WEDDING
A fleet of limousines was not enough for Salim Mehajer a deputy mayor in Australia, who married in a lavish ceremony which included the arrival of four helicopters.
The proud groom called it "AUSTRALIAS BEST WEDDING" on social media, but his neighbours were less impressed.
The opulent celebration began when Mehajer arrived in a local park by helicopter with his wedding entourage, stepping onto a freshly-rolled red carpet where he was greeted by cameras. He then travelled with a fleet of cars worth A$50 (NZ$56.39) million to a home in Lidcombe in Sydney, where his fiancee was waiting.
Residents were warned in a letterbox drop on Friday night to park on their own properties and to leave the street clear of vehicles. In the letter, titled "Important Notice Attention Frances Street Residence", they were warned that any cars left parked illegally on the road would be "towed and removed by police".
Salim Mehajer posted a photo of him and his bride on his Facebook page.
But police said they weren't officially involved in the wedding and were only at the street to control traffic and the large crowd.
"We were never told, and as you can see it was out of control," Inspector Chris Laird told media at the scene. "We'll be asking regional command to send the family the bill."
A police spokeswoman added: "He [the groom] didn't call us. We weren't there to make things easier for him."
Salim Mehajer arrived in a park by helicopter. Photo: Channel 9 News
At its height, the celebration included performers banging on large drums, a jet flyover, and a plane towing a sign announcing the nuptials with a love heart. Security was provided by former NRL footballer John Hopoate.
"He must have a bit of money. I wish I had some of that," said Hopoate, who was filming the spectacle on his phone.
The bride and groom and their family and friends celebrated by dancing in the street.
"This is how you do a wedding," the groom told TV cameras.
"Floyd Mayweather, you've got no chance on me motherf-----," he added, referring to the boxing world champion.
The letter distributed before the celebration was sent by "management" and had a mobile phone number to call as an emergency contact. When called on Saturday a man answered and said he was a friend of the groom and didn't have time to talk about the wedding because it was still going on.
A resident said he ignored the letter because it wasn't on headed notepaper. "I saw a policeman in the street in the morning and he told me they couldn't block the street without council approval," he said.
A fleet of stretch limousines, luxury cars including a Ferrari and and several Lamborghinis. Photo: Channel 9 News
Asking not to be named, he added: "They put cones down the road last night. The police said they would send a patrol car up and down to make sure nothing happened.
"I called the council and asked them why they couldn't send out a ranger but they wouldn't answer that. I checked the council website and there is no approval to block the road. The council haven't stepped in to do anything about it."
A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority said to land an aircraft the permission of the landowner was required. It also needed to be safe to land away from power lines, trees and with no risk of people wandering through the landing area, he said.
Auburn councillor Irene Simms said she had been contacted by numerous residents complaining and she said she was preparing an urgent motion for council asking questions about the arrangements for the wedding. Simms said Mehajer had been given approval to land a helicopter in the local park.
"I wish him every happiness in his marriage but this not the way to make friends with your neighbours," said Simms.
Bikies at the Mehajer wedding. Photo: Channel 9 News
Mehajer is no stranger to media after hitting the headlines in 2012 after being charged with negligent driving after running down two pedestrians – a mother and a daughter – with his Ferrari 612 Scaglietti in Lidcombe. Mehajer was acquitted on appeal in 2013.
The happy groom did not seem too put off by any of the complaints.
"To all the haters," he said on social media on Saturday. "Keep hating. I work hard. 100% legit."
- Sydney Morning Herald
Source: Extravagant wedding shuts down Sydney, then came the video
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