Shirin and Milaad - Balboa Bay Club & Resort Newport Beach

It was a perfect day at Balboa Bay Club for Shirin and Milaad's beautiful Wedding! After filming the morning preparations, we drove down the peninisula for a fun photo session with lots of colorful backdrops. I love this part of the day when we have time alone with the couple to capture some really wonderful moments before the ceremony begins.

They had a georgeous sofre, and the officiant performed the ceremony in both Farsi and English. The messages from Shirin and Milaad to each other, were so thoughtful and full of love.

The Reception started with a traditional Zaffa, and then a night of dancing with an awesome DJ accompinied by a few musicians who really ROCKED. If you look closely you might even see Bob Ortiz up on stage playing some drums!

Shirin and Milaad...it was such an honor to be a part of your day.

Balboa Bay Club Coordinator Abbie Contreras
Officiant Golnar Djahanbani
Sofre Decorator Afsaneh Sargordan@yahoo.com
DJ Ben Nafissi of 4th Dimension Entertainment
Photographer Bob Ortiz

Sasa and Arif - Rancho Las Lomas

Another fantastic wedding at Rancho Las Lomas!

Sasa and Arif had a Persian wedding ceremony which included a BEAUTIFUL Sofreh. The Sofreh is where the ceremony takes place, and is decorated with very symbolic items. Each item represents qualities that the couple will bring into their new life together. Some of my favorites are the large mirror and candles, representing purity, light and fire. Honey, which the couple feeds to each other representing sweetness in life. Walnuts and almonds representing fertility.

The ceremony also has other traditions including the Kalleh Ghand. They are two sugar cones which are rubbed together over the couples head to shower them with sweetness! Sasa was asked three times for her hand before she said yes! It's a fun moment where all the guests pretend the bride is busy elsewhere...collecting rosebuds, or the bride is thinking about it!

Afsaneh Sargordian creates these beautiful Sofreh's.

There were so many special moments throughout their day...one of my favorites was Sasa's father Hamid's toast. It is definately one of the most sweet, poignant, and fun toast I have ever heard.

The event was coordinated by the awesome Jill Watson. And photographed by Chenin Boutwell.

Here's a highlight film from their wedding production.