62

A MIX OF CLASSIC ELEMENTS AND MODERN TOUCHES BROUGHT THIS FAIRYTALE WEDDING TO LIFE.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: JONETSU STUDIOS

ELNAZ

MOE

63WWW.WEDLUXE.COM

i m m e d i a t e c o n n e c t i o n Elnaz Ghandchi and Moe Kasaei met at the birthday party of a mutual friend in the spring of 2010 and connected immediately. “I was in first year dentistry and with him being in the dental field, we connected right away,” explains Elnaz. “We talked and danced all night and the rest is history.”

i t a l i a n p r o p o s a l Three years later, Moe proposed while the couple was on holiday in southern Italy. The two had just enjoyed a romantic dinner and were relaxing on their private patio overlooking the Mediterranean Sea when Moe popped the question. “We were enjoying a nice bottle of wine and chocolate when Moe started saying how much he loves me,” shares Elnaz. “He then bent down on one knee and asked me to marry him. And of course I said, ‘yes!’”

p l a n n i n g

The couple’s modern interpretation of a fairytale wedding took place at Vancouver’s Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel on August 3, 2014. Soha Lavin of CountDown Events Planning & Design was hired to provide full-service planning and design assistance for the occasion.

f a s h i o n n o t e s

Elnaz wore a mermaid-style gown designed by Lazaro from Bisou Bridal. Her long veil was also purchased from Bisou Bridal and she wore a crystal headpiece from Iran. Cameron Martens styled her hair and her makeup artist for the day was Haleh Tafteh.

Bridesmaids wore lilac mini dresses in different styles designed by Manuel Mendoza. Moe was dressed in a custom navy tuxedo from Ermenegildo Zegna.

Mona Lotfizadeh of Invite Avenue created a glamorous gold wedding invitation. The suite featured a poem written in Farsi script, sealed with a jewelled brooch.

Christian Louboutin bow pumps from Saks Fifth Avenue served as the bride’s “something blue.”

64 WINTER/SPRING 2015 • WESTERN CANADA EDITION

f a b u l o u s f l o r a l Tina and Hassan Aghamohseni of Tala Florist produced all of the floral designs for the event, including the bride’s beautiful cascading bouquet made with calla lilies, roses, and orchids. Bridesmaids carried chic bouquets composed of simple, white calla lilies.

p e r s i a n c e r e m o n y The couple’s traditional Persian ceremony took place in the Emerald Ballroom of the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel with decor by Neda Emami of Éclat Decor Inc. The aisle runner featured a custom monogram of the couple’s initials designed by Wintons Social Stationery.

Ten-foot tall Manzanita trees imported from California by Tala Florist for the occasion lined the aisle. The trees were placed on white stands and adorned with strands of crystals and white orchids. Floating candles in crystal holders and crystal Louis Ghost chairs enhanced the fairytale-like feel of the ceremony. “We were married under the love and support of our families over a traditional Persian sofreh which was designed and created with the co-operation of our families led by my sister and sister-in-law. The plexiglass platform was custom made by Éclat Decor Inc. especially for our wedding with flowers by Tala Florist and overall co-ordination by Soha Lavin of CountDown Events Planning & Design,” describes Elnaz.

65WWW.WEDLUXE.COM

“The flowers for the ceremony were extremely important to me. I had always wanted to have beautiful trees and branches lining the aisle and Tala Florist was

able to bring that vision to life. It was truly a dream come true.” –Elnaz

66 WINTER/SPRING 2015 • WESTERN CANADA EDITION

67WWW.WEDLUXE.COM

m o d e r n f a i r y t a l e

The couple’s wedding dream team (Neda Emami of Éclat Decor Inc, Tina and Hassan Aghamohseni of Tala Florist, and Soha Lavin of CountDown Events Planning & Design) collectively worked together on a design that transformed the Sapphire Ballroom into a romantic, opulent oasis for the reception.

Guests entered the room through a breathtaking white canopy decorated with hundreds of crystal strands and pink rose buds. Soft pink uplighting with an intricate floral design was projected on the walls. “Moe and I were both stunned when we walked into the ballroom with Soha. We felt like we had walked into a fairytale,” recalls Elnaz.

d r e a m y d e t a i l s

Two head tables were placed across from a custom dance floor. The tables were paired with white Louis XVI chairs that featured beautiful carved designs. Crystal candelabras were displayed on tall, crystal pillars. The pillars were used to hold a suspended floral arrangement made with Manzanita tree branches, orchids, and hanging crystals. A table runner of crystal candleholders and silver leaf charger plates completed the stunning tablescape design.

Elnaz and Moe sat on a white chaise lounge at a flower-covered sweetheart table on a white stage. The stage was draped in white fabric and decorated with strands of crystals along with a hanging crystal chandelier.

CAMILLE AND CHADWICK BENSLER, JONETSU STUDIOS; Celebrating their 15th year in business, the Benslers

are ‘Canon Northern Explorers of Light’, ‘Top Ten Wedding Photographers in the World’ by American Photo Magazine, and ‘B.C.’s Best Overall Wedding Photographers’ 2012 & 2013 BC Pro Wed Awards.” Available Canada-wide.JONETSUPHOTOGRAPHY.COM | 604.817.1440

ABOUTTHE PHOTOGRAPHER

t r a d i t i o n a l c e r e m o n y

Peter Fong of Ganache Patisserie created an all-white wedding cake that featured floral detailing and a sparkly monogram of the couple’s initials. The traditional Persian knife dance took place on the dance floor before the cutting of the cake.

68 WINTER/SPRING 2015 • WESTERN CANADA EDITION