Nessa and Pooya’s wedding was a breathtaking celebration set against the stunning coastal backdrop of Terranea Resort in Southern California. From heartfelt traditions to show-stopping florals and modern glamour, every detail was thoughtfully curated. With the expert guidance of Master Plans Events, who seamlessly coordinated numerous vendors, the celebration came to life in the most vibrant and sparkling way.
Location: Palos Verdes, California, USA
Style: Bohemian glamour, elegant
Time of planning: 1 year
Number of guests: 218
Setting: Resort
Season: Spring
After completing his surgical residency, Pooya moved to Los Angeles, not knowing fate had something beautiful in store. A year later, while Nessa was finishing nursing school at UCLA, her Godmother mentioned a job opening at a private practice, Pooya’s workplace. When she walked in, radiant with her “killer smile”, he had no idea she’d soon become his everything. A late night at work turned into a spark-filled conversation about life and music, and the rest unfolded like a love song.
Pooya soon made Los Angeles his permanent home, not just for the sunshine, but for Nessa. Together, they’ve built a joyful life with two playful Frenchies, blending their Mexican and Persian roots in a shared love of family, food, and celebration. For the proposal, Pooya surprised Nessa during her birthday week with a candlelit suite, rose petals, and Elvis playing in the background.
Bride's Look
Nessa wore the Archie gown by Made With Love Bridal, a fitted lace design with a dramatic train, paired with off-white Loubi Queen sandals by Christian Louboutin. Her accessories, rhinestone headpiece, crystal teardrop headchain, leaf drop earrings, and a Swarovski hair comb, added just the right touch of sparkle.
The neutral ivory palette carried through her stunning bouquet of white orchids, ivory roses, and pearlescent dried florals, crafted by Bloom Box Designs and echoing the soft tones of her ensemble. As a finishing touch Nessa wore her signature scent, Chanel Coco Mademoiselle. Beautify By JMarie crafted soft, voluminous waves that framed Nessa’s face beautifully, allowing her stunning headpiece to take center stage. Complementing the look, Glam My Face by Sara created a bronzed, luminous glow that radiated elegance and glamour.
After revealing the look to her joyful bridesmaids, each radiant in matching champagne-toned satin gowns styled with unique touches like slits, draped necklines, or asymmetrical straps, Nessa was ready for the most special day. Her bridal ensemble was everything she had envisioned, striking yet graceful.
Groom's Fashion
Pooya looked dashing in a custom Indochino tuxedo, featuring a white jacket with a sleek black silk lapel, paired with classic black trousers. Thoughtful personal touches made the look even more meaningful. His tux jacket was embroidered with two special messages inside the lining: “Forever and always, Pooya and Nessa” and “Nessa and Pooya” alongside their wedding date. He completed his ensemble with custom cufflinks engraved with his initials, while the groomsmen matched his polished vibe in coordinating black tuxedos, creating a sharp, unified look for the groom’s party.
Ceremony
Set against the picturesque coastal backdrop of Southern California, Nessa and Pooya’s ceremony blended gorgeous decor with cherished traditions. The ocean view played a pivotal role in the couple’s decision to begin their forever in California. With help from their design and planning team from Master Plans Events, the ceremony space featured an elevated petal-lined walkway, creating a dramatic entrance for the wedding party and the bride. Towering arrangements of ivory and cream roses, white hydrangeas, and delicate orchids stood atop modern clear vases, adding a touch of grand luxury to the space.
Honoring the importance of family, the aisle was thoughtfully designed to highlight their walk and presence. As a nod to their Persian roots, a beautifully arranged sofreh graced the stage, allowing the couple to carry on a cherished tradition. The atmosphere was made even more magical as a violinist and harpist played classical melodies, setting the tone for an unforgettable “I do.”
With the misty weather casting a dreamy glow and the ocean stretching in front of them, the scene felt straight out of a fairytale, but it was Nessa who truly stole the show. As she walked down the aisle arm-in-arm with her father, all eyes were on her. Guests rose to their feet in awe, taking in the breathtaking bride against the picturesque coastal backdrop. Later, Nessa shared that it was the most unforgettable moment of her wedding day.
Nessa and Pooya exchanged rings, a pear-shaped diamond with a halo and a V-shaped wedding band, both custom-designed and engraved with personal messages. As their officiant, Rashed Iran, pronounced them husband and wife, they sealed the moment with a heartfelt kiss beneath a breathtaking floral arch adorned with cascading ivory blooms and soft pampas grass. The beauty of the ceremony was simply unforgettable, where meticulous design met nature’s raw elegance, creating a scene that felt nothing short of magical for the couple.
Decor & Setting
The reception seating chart was a stunning focal point, welcoming the couple’s beloved guests. Displayed on oversized mirrored panels with names delicately scripted in white calligraphy, the setup offered both beauty and function. At the base, floating candles in clear glass vases glowed softly atop scattered white rose petals, creating a warm, romantic ambiance.
Ceremony floral arch was seamlessly repurposed behind the elevated sweetheart table, which featured a sleek white-and-gold design. A breathtaking custom floral canopy floated above the white dance floor, adorned with a gold chrome monogram of the couple’s initials. The room bloomed with a mix of towering white floral arrangements and soft flowing draping garlands, creating a romantic and immersive setting for the celebration. The chairs from TMMPRO featured elegant white cushions with gold circular backs, adding a modern yet regal touch to the sophisticated tablescape.
The tablescape featured gold-rimmed glass chargers and glasses from Premiere Party Rents, elegant cream linens, polished silver flatware, and beautiful linens from Luxe Linen. A printed menu with delicate gold floral accents and personalized name cards added a custom touch. One of the groom’s favorite moments was seeing Nessa’s emotional reaction and tears of joy during the reveal of the reception space.
Reception
The celebration began with a truly enchanting moment, Nessa and Pooya stepped onto their white monogrammed dance floor for their first dance, accompanied by the soft sounds of live music and surrounded by cascading florals and candlelight. As they moved together under the floral canopy, cold sparklers lit up the room, adding a touch of magic to their grand entrance and this unforgettable first dance.
The wedding cake by Vanilla Bake Shop had a smooth white three-tiered design adorned with elegant clusters of fresh white roses. Simple, sophisticated, and romantic, it perfectly echoed the floral elegance of the celebration.
The celebration continued with vibrant energy, set by the upbeat set from DJ Pekas, iconic bouquet toss and heartfelt tributes to the couple’s heritage: a captivating performance by a professional belly dancer Stella Bnayan with pyrotechnic flair, and a powerful knife dance by the groom’s sister, both honoring their cultural roots. Rachel Madrigal Photography beautifully captured the vibrancy of Nessa and Pooya’s celebration, from heartfelt moments to lively party scenes, leaving the couple with a collection of unforgettable memories. It was a day filled with love, tradition and magic, one the couple will cherish and never forget.
Advice from the couple:
• Hiring a design team to assist with all the planning and to infuse both cultures made the wedding process much easier.
PLANNER Master Plans Events | PHOTOGRAPHER Rachel Madrigal Photography | VIDEOGRAPHER Cova Films | VENUE Terranea Resort | FLORALS Bloom Box Designs | MAKEUP Glam My Face by Sara | HAIR Beautify By JMarie | DRESS Made With Love Bridal | SHOES Christian Louboutin | ACCESSORIES Swarovski | PERFUME Chanel | SUIT Indochino | SHOES Christian Louboutin | CAKE Vanilla Bake Shop | CEREMONY OFFICIANT Rashed Iran | MUSIC Mariachi Los Angeles & Chiara Capobianco & William Yun | DANCER Stella Bnayan | DJ DJ Pekas | BAR RENTALS MTB & Del Ray Party Rentals | LINENS Luxe Linen | RECEPTION RENTALS TMMPRO & Premiere Party Rents | PHOTOBOOTH Stay Lit Photobooth | PRODUCTION & LIGHTING TMMPRO
