This Ethereal Garden Soiree Blended Persian Cultural Elements, Thoughtful Details, and Southern California Charm

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November 7, 2023

The Planning

Design / Vibe / Vision

We wanted our wedding day to encompass our 10 years of love, include aspects of my Persian culture, have thoughtful details, and, most importantly, allow us to be surrounded by those who share a love for us and our families. The theme for the wedding was an elegant, ethereal garden soiree, and we envisioned a peaceful day that transformed into an epic party at night. When we began wedding planning, we both knew we wanted to find a venue in Southern California, as it is where we both grew up and it would be close to many of our family and friends. With the beautiful Southern California weather we knew we wanted our ceremony and reception outdoors if possible. We toured Saddlerock Ranch, which is located in the Santa Monica Mountains of Malibu, and fell in love with the views that surrounded the venue space. With the rolling hills of vineyards, the infamous “Saddlerock” in the distance, and the serene lawns that spanned the venue, it was the perfect backdrop.

Proposal Story

Nick and I share a love for traveling and he enjoys doing most of the planning for our trips, researching the best places to eat, see, and stay. In 2021 we decided to plan a trip to Anguilla, as many countries were starting to open back up after COVID. Nick planned the trip as he usually does, so it definitely made it easier to hide his proposal plans from me. Nick found a beautiful boutique hotel, The Malliouhana Resort, which sits on a little cliff off Meads Bay. One of the evenings as we were on our way to dinner, walking along the beach of Meads Bay to the restaurant (which was just a ploy to get us onto the beach), Nick stopped me and got down on one knee. He had a whole speech prepared and it was such a special moment that was also a blur for the both of us. He had a photographer hidden and then after the proposal surprised me with a private dinner on the cliff at the resort. The proposal, trip, and island were a dream and one we continue to reminisce on.

Getting Ready

Bridal Portraits

Flat Lays

The Fashion

Wedding Gown

While looking for a wedding dress, I gravitated towards A-line gowns and always loved Monique Lhuillier's romantic designs. Then I saw a gown in her Spring 2023 collection, and immediately fell in love. When a collection first comes out, it usually takes several months before the dresses arrive are in flagship stores. As I patiently waited for my dress to come to a store near me, it started nearing the deadline for ordering. So I called the Orange County flagship store and they were able to ship in the model dress for me to try on. My dress was the last dress I tried on, and I knew immediately that it was the one. I loved the sweetheart neckline, corset bodice, A-line gown, and all the intricate floral lace and beading appliqué. To give dramatic, but clean lines, I paired the dress with a cathedral-length veil made by my seamstress, and the look was complete.

Bridesmaid Dresses

The bridesmaids wore mismatched Jenny Yoo dresses in varying shades of blush, champagne, and gold. This artful mix of colors not only enhanced the ambiance but also added an extra layer of sophistication to the enchanting garden party theme.

Groomsman Attire

The groomsmen exuded timeless sophistication in their tailored black tuxedos, a sleek and classic choice. In a strategic move to command attention and stand out as the man of the hour, Nick opted for a navy blue tuxedo, casting a distinct and dashing presence amidst the sea of ebony elegance.

Wedding Party

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

The Details

Food & Drink

Lila and Nick selected Harvest Kitchen to cater their wedding, drawn to their dedication for using the freshest, in-season ingredients to craft dishes bursting with flavor. The hors d'oeuvres had an assortment of unique treats, including chicken and waffle cones, and refreshing melon ceviche. To add an element of sophistication, Lila curated custom hand towels from Etsy, which the servers gracefully draped over their arms as they served guests during cocktail hour. The signature cocktail selection was crafted to embody the essence of summer, each drink infused with Lila and Nick's favorite ingredients. They chose a timeless Old Fashioned for "His," a delicate vodka Lavender Lemon libation for "Hers," and a spicy Margarita for "Ours," which added a spirited touch to the mix. The signature cocktail menus were displayed on an elegant, cascading linen that draped over the bar. At Persian weddings, Persian sweet and tea are a must! In a nod to Persian tradition, Lila and Nick included a dessert table adorned with an array of bite-sized pastries, all skillfully prepared by Lila's family's favorite local Persian bakery, Asal Bakery in Irvine. It was a sweet tribute to Lila's Persian heritage and a delightful treat for guests.

Florals & Decor

My mom and I love florals! Gardening is one of her biggest passions, and she is nicknamed “gol” by her Persian friends, which means flower. Needless to say, the flowers were important to us. We already had a beautiful backdrop for the wedding with the venue but to bring our ethereal garden vision to life, we chose to go with meadow-like florals. I wanted soft shades of peach and blush with hints of white, and lush greenery added a clean look with dimension and texture.

Wedding Cake

We opted for a smaller 2 tier cake with sugar flowers and fondant to give the cake a clean look while also helping it stay intact with the summer heat. The cake stand was a special gift from one of my best friends who had the stand handmade in Turkey, and the engraved serving knife set was gifted to us by my sister at my bridal shower. There were so many personal and thoughtful items incorporated throughout the wedding day, which made the day all that much more special.

Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs

Nick’s brother, Jake, sang and played the guitar and harmonica for our first dance. We chose the song Harvest Moon, and it was so special to have him perform it while we danced. We kept it a surprise from our guests and our families did not know he would be performing either. It was so important to us to have an energetic and fun dance party, so we had our DJ accompanied by a percussionist and a violinist, and our reception came alive with an energy that was palpable. The dance floor was filled and we did not stop.

Special Detail #1

Instead of hiring a vendor to design and set up a Persian Sofreh Aghd, I chose to design it myself and had my good friends set it up the day of the wedding. Each piece of the Sofreh I curated from different places; some pieces were from Iran gifted by relatives, some were made by an Iranian woman I met through Etsy, and some I found in antique shops or borrowed from my mother’s collection. The Persian Sofreh Aghd is a cultural wedding tradition that has been around for over 2500 years, and it was important to me to have this incorporated into our wedding. By blending the Persian Sofreh Aghd with a traditional American ceremony, we celebrated not only our union but also the rich tapestry of our diverse cultural heritages.

Special Detail #2

For the reception space we wanted to make that a classy dinner under the massive oak grove trees that would then become an ultimate party space after dinner. We chose French inspired cutlery and plates with scrolls on the champagne glasses as the meal and seat assignments. At this venue you must provide the power and most of the lighting. So we had a structure built over the dance floor with chandeliers and string lights coming off of the structure over the dinner tables. We had risers for the DJ and musicians so that it would be a stage. The DJ brought a CO2 cannon and cold sparks which really made for an epic party. It was beyond what we had hoped for dancing with our loved ones who brought so much love and energy with them. We are truly so lucky to have these friends and family in our lives.

Special Detail #3

In the early stages of wedding planning, long before I had chosen my wedding dress or any other wedding details, I stumbled upon a beautiful lace cloth adorned with butterflies. Butterflies have always held a profound significance for my mother and me, and I felt an instant connection to the fabric. My seamstress cut and sewed some of the butterflies onto my flower girl's dress and we wrapped some of the lace around my bouquet. It was a meaning tribute to the connection my mother and I share, woven into the very fabric of our wedding day.

Couple Portraits