My couple reached out to me with a wish to have a fusion Persian celebration, one that reflected who they are, and acknowledged their culture, but was intertwined with a western wedding. This was the type of ceremony that I love to create, something bespoke, elegant, warm, and full of lovely moments!

I began with an outline and worked on the flow of the words, keeping in mind the ones they used to describe their ideal ceremony. It began taking shape and together we added stories, and personal details until it was just what they wanted.  My practice runs at home commended, and it sounded lovely and flowed beautifully and I was excited to bring it all to life for them on the day.

After a few final check-ins, the script was printed, and the day soon arrived.  My journey to Bristol was lovely.  The City is gorgeous, and despite it being a fairly overcast and chilly day, the welcome at the Marriott was warm and the suppliers on site were all in good spirits.

I set about getting things ready and in place and working around the florist and co-ordinator who were putting finishing touches to the space up until the last minute.  It looked absolutely sensational. The character in the ceremony room was in abundance, the lighting incredible, showcasing all of the details perfectly.  It was atmospheric, grandiose, yet warm and intimate, all thanks to the fabulous touches by the other suppliers.

In a slightly different position to that which I am normally situated, I began welcoming the couple's guests and chatting with family and friends.  There was a wonderful feeling in the room, and from my position, I could see the groom as he entered and he came to me, looking quite overwhelmed.  With his back to his guests, he whispered to me that he felt quite nervous. The couple had pictured the space in their minds, had Pinterest boards full of inspiration, and yet to see it for the first time on the day brought many feelings to the fore, and I think he felt quite emotional about how it had all come together so brilliantly.  I comforted him, explained what we were about to do, made sure to break the ice with my welcome to the guests, and set the tone with a lovely introduction and welcome to the groom.  We then awaited the cue from the events team that the bride was in position.

"As we have our lovely Groom Moe standing here with us, we welcome him to the front of this beautiful ceremony setting and acknowledge what a big milestone event this is for him. With you all gathered here today, let us show him our support and our love with a warm round of applause."

The moment arrived, and it was my turn to create a build up to her entrance, one that acknowledged all of the hard work and effort that they had put into this, and one that would ensure everyone was full of anticipation.  As my words finished, and the doors opened, the bride entered looking absolutely out of this World.  Naturally beautiful anyway, her makeup, hair, and dress were exquisite, and she was a vision coming down the aisle towards us.

"After many months of planning, and arranging this beautiful wedding, we have finally arrived at the moment where Puye will be entering this room and making wonderful memories together with you all. I know that this is a big moment for her, and she is excited to see all of your faces and feel the warmth and love from you all.

So, it is now time for our beautiful bride to join us, and for these two lovely people to be united in this special ceremony."
 

As always, I look to the groom to note his expression and he was full of emotion, and it was plain to see how much this meant to them both.

As the ceremony got underway, we spoke of family, culture, traditions and shared details of what their guests would soon witness.  The couple had chosen to have a Sofreh Aghd, and the setting included visual representation of many of the elements of this traditional wedding ritual.

It was beautiful, and a complete honour to speak of this wonderful wedding tradition, to give depth and meaning to those not familiar with this cultural aspect.

We invited female guests up to carry out the sugar rubbing element and as they concluded this, I shared details of just what marriage means to the couple.

"For Moe, it is a lifelong journey of love. Building and sharing a future together, creating memories, sharing their lives, creating a family, and committing to one another.  It is about supporting each other through good and bad times, creating a bond that becomes stronger with time as they grow old together.

For Puye, it is a journey of personal and collective growth. It allows them as individuals to grow alongside one another, facing challenges, celebrating successes, and continuously evolving as partners and individuals. It is about the union of two individuals as a team, committed to supporting and uplifting each other in both everyday life and its challenges. 

It is about a deep commitment to stand by one another through thick and thin.  For her, it is the ultimate expression of loyalty, trust, and the decision to grow together over time.  Marriage for Puye is a sacred bond, a commitment that goes beyond the legal and social aspects.
 

It was then time to say their I do's, and as is with Persian traditions, the bride is to hesitate so as to represent her considering her commitment and to kee the groom on his toes.  I made sure to explain this to the guests so as not to worry anyone, and it all went brilliantly.

The couple then exchanged honey as a symbol of the sweetness of their relationship, and we congratulated them both on this part of the ceremony, before moving on to the Western elements. 

These began with the re-telling of their love story, sharing the lovely details of their partnership, and how much they value the people around them.  As I looked around the room, I could see lots of smiling faces and a sense of love for this amazing couple.  I felt completely privileged to be a part of such a special time in their lives and to be in such an incredible setting with their nearest and dearest.

As we moved on to the exchange of their rings, I explained the meaning behind this and the origin of this age-old tradition. Both mums brought the rings up to the front of the ceremony which was a wonderful acknowledgment of their support and signified the wonderful family ties that they have, and how these two were about to take steps into the next phase of their lives together.

They both confirmed their promises, placed rings on each other's fingers, and the room filled with applause as they shared their first kiss!  What a moment! 

As the couple moved over to sign their certificate, guests moved into position to extend their aisle ready for the confetti throw and all that was left for me to do was bring this magnificent celebration to a lovely crescendo, and re-present them back to their guests.  As they glided back down the aisle, with hearts full of love and happiness, their family and friends welcomed them and the new Mr & Mrs Manesh enjoyed time together before their drinks reception and evening celebrations.

What a wonderful couple, what a fabulous wedding, and what a lovely way to finish my season.

May I wish Moe and Puye a lifetime of love, laughter, and happiness.  Congratulations!

Jenny

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