Persian Traditions Meet Modern Romance at a California Hillside Wedding

Featured Members:

Tina and Aria’s Persian-American wedding was a stunning celebration of love and culture. Held at the Spanish Hills Club in Camarillo, California, the day was filled with unique cultural traditions, elegant decor, and moments that will remain in their hearts forever. Despite starting with a rainy morning, the skies cleared just in time, leaving a perfect backdrop for their celebration—a fitting reflection of the couple’s journey.

Location: Camarillo, California, USA
Style: Elegant, timeless, and culturally-rich
Time of planning: 1 year
Number of guests: 28
Setting: Country club
Season: Summer

Tina and Aria’s love story began in 2020, when both found themselves back in Los Angeles after years of schooling and career-building in different cities. Thanks to Bumble, their paths crossed one summer evening at a local brewery, where sparks flew immediately. Just three days later, they had their second date, which lasted hours—well past the restaurant’s closing time.

Their relationship flourished as they bonded over their love for family, friends, and shared experiences. After a year of dating, Aria proposed to Tina at Demetria Winery, a place that held special meaning for them. It was the same winery they had visited early in their relationship, tucked away in the hills of Santa Ynez, offering a peaceful escape from their busy city lives. That moment marked the beginning of their next chapter, leading them to an unforgettable wedding day in Camarillo.

Location

Tina had first attended a wedding at Spanish Hills Club years before, admiring its picturesque views and romantic architecture. Little did she know, she would return to that same venue for her own wedding. When Tina and Aria started searching for the perfect location, they fell in love with the panoramic views and serene elegance of Spanish Hills, which also happened to be close to their hometown. As soon as they saw it, they knew it was “the one.”

Bridal Morning

Tina wore a breathtaking gown from Luv Bridal, opting for a timeless silhouette that perfectly matched the wedding’s elegant theme. Her bouquet, crafted by Garden Florist, was a delicate nosegay of white roses, peonies, ranunculus, and hydrangeas, tied with a satin ribbon. Their photographer from Jasmine Marie Photography, captured the bride’s quiet moments of reflection as she prepared for the day ahead.

The bridesmaids, dressed in soft hues from Birdy Grey, complemented Tina’s look with similar floral arrangements. Each detail of the morning, from the soft lighting to the delicate fowers, was designed to evoke a feeling of calm and anticipation.

Groom's Fashion

Dressed in a sleek suit by Hugo Boss, Aria looked every bit the classic groom. His white rose boutonniere, wrapped in satin ribbon to match Tina’s bouquet, was a subtle nod to the cohesiveness of the couple’s aesthetic.

The groomsmen, outfitted in sharp suits from The Black Tux, shared moments together with Aria as they prepared for the ceremony.

First Look

Before the ceremony, Tina and Aria shared a first look in the garden, joined by the bridesmaids who witnessed the emotional moment. Some of the bridesmaids even had tears in their eyes, moved by how heartfelt the moment was.

Jasmine Marie Photography expertly captured every moment of Tina and Aria’s wedding day with clarity and attention to detail. From the heartfelt smiles during the first look to the intricate decor at the reception, her photography showcased the beauty and emotion of each part of the celebration. Jasmine’s ability to document the big and small moments alike ensured that no detail was missed, preserving the essence of this special day for the couple to cherish forever.

Ceremony

Tina and Aria’s ceremony beautifully combined their Persian heritage with modern traditions. They began with a Persian Sofreh ceremony, where they sat in front of an elaborately decorated spread of symbolic items, including herbs, nuts, honey, and a central mirror. Each element carried meaning—fertility, prosperity, sweetness in life—while the mirror symbolized brightness in their future together. One especially meaningful touch was the religious book placed on the sofreh. This was the same book used in Tina’s parents’ sofreh 38 years earlier, a special family heirloom gifted by her late grandfather.

The groom was first asked whether he takes the bride to be his wife, to which he immediately responds yes in Farsi (“Baleh”). The bride however, is expected to take her time responding. She was asked whether she takes the groom to be her husband but the married women surrounding her respond for her. They say that she is out picking roses, giving her time to think things over one last time! The bride is then asked a second time but she is again unavailable to respond. By the third time she is asked, she happily exclaims “With the permission of my mother and father, Yes” in Farsi. The bride and groom then feed each other a spoon of honey, concluding the Persian ceremony.

The ceremony also included a reading of Persian poems, with an excerpt from Rumi recited in Farsi and translated for the guests. Following the Persian ceremony, the couple exchanged vows in an American ceremony officiated by Aria’s best friend. It was a beautiful combination of the couple’s cultural roots and their modern love story.

"The unscripted moments of the wedding were amongst their favorites, like when the best man, the groom’s brother, hilariously forgot to hand over one of the rings during the ceremony."

Jasmine, the photographer

Private Moment

After the ceremony, Tina and Aria took a moment to themselves, allowing the photographer to capture intimate portraits. The alone time was important to both of them, as it gave them a chance to reflect on their day and enjoy the company of each other.

"Tina and Aria look back at their wedding as the best day of their lives and the couple wishes they could relive it."

Jasmine, the photographer

Decor & Setting

The reception hall at the Spanish Hills Club was transformed into an elegant space with elegant floral arrangements. Hints of blush added a soft contrast to the otherwise all-white decor. Floating candles surrounded the flowers, casting a romantic glow throughout the room. Tina and Aria also displayed their engagement photos on the fireplace mantles, adding a personal and homey touch to the decor.

"The bride and groom displayed pictures from their engagement day on the fireplace mantles, just like they had it set up on the mantle in their own home to give their reception space that special homey feel."

Jasmine, the photographer

The couple incorporated a nod to their Persian heritage into the reception as well, offering traditional appetizers during the cocktail hour, catered by Maral Restaurant. The outdoor space allowed guests to enjoy the sunset while sampling a mix of Persian and American hors d’oeuvres.

Reception

Dinner started with a lively entrance of the couple and their wedding party. After the meal, Tina and Aria shared their first dance as husband and wife, a special moment in the evening. The cake, a simple yet elegant three-tiered design adorned with cascading lilies, roses, and orchids, was a sweet centerpiece for the night.

As the night progressed, Tina and Aria surprised their guests with a cigar station, offering hand-rolled Nicaraguan cigars. Each cigar was personalized with the couple’s names and wedding date, giving guests a memorable keepsake from the night. Late-night flatbreads, a nod to the couple’s love for pizza, were also served, rounding out the evening with a relaxed and intimate atmosphere.

Advice from the couple:

• Enjoy the process, lean into the madness that is wedding planning, and take several moments throughout the wedding night to enjoy the fun that comes along with seeing all of your closest friends and relatives dancing, laughing, and celebrating.

• Don’t get lost in the schedule or the details of the big day because it can feel like you’re just running through the motions but not actually getting a chance to truly feel the depth of your emotions.