Pari and Sean are my kind of people. Their wedding day honored the melding of their two cultures. This was complimented by a love for each other and the people they chose to surround them. It was so fun being a part of this stunning mix of Persian and Texan wedding traditions. Their loved ones traveled from all over the world to celebrate and you could feel how stoked everyone was! It’s tough to choose favorite moments from this multicultural wedding at Shiraz Garden, but these are some of them!

A Simple Love Story That Leads to Simple Wedding Day Moments

Knowing the start to this love story makes their new beginning in marriage even more meaningful. Sean, having zero fashion sense, arrived on their first date dressed in cargo shorts and flip flops. Pari admits that the connection was so strong that she “decided to turn a blind eye to his physical appearance.”

The physical attraction didn’t start until the second date but it quickly grew because they kissed by the third! From there, they developed a deep connection turning into the “rock” of each other’s lives. It’s the simple things that matter to these two, like the fun day they had exploring South Congress in Austin for their engagement session!

Moving away from the rigidity of posing or feeling like the center of attention the couple designed personalized moments where I could capture them naturally. After getting ready separately, these two enjoyed a first look in one of Shiraz Garden’s secret spots.

There’s a beautiful Hidden Staircase with a waterfall surrounded by tall trees that provides a perfect private space. Across the street from the staircase there’s the Colorado River also surrounded by trees. The fall colors were still on full display for this December wedding which is super rare in Texas.

Sean surprised Pari by wearing a burgundy suit and her father’s cufflinks. Usually the first look is a surprise for the groom, but this time it was an equal parts surprise! Pari was so excited! It was followed by taking a seat and cozying up to each other as they read private vows. It made me so happy to see them enjoy these sweet moments before their full ceremony.

Shiraz Garden: The Perfect Setting for Two Cultures Melding into One

These two expressed that hope that the day “would be a true coming together of American (Texan) and Persian cultures and traditions.” With such a good mix of guests from both backgrounds, they just really wanted everyone to have a great time together!

Pari shared that “Shiraz Garden is made very much like gardens you would see in the city of Shiraz in Iran. The architecture is exactly what I was looking for.” With fewer than 80 guests in attendance, the garden wedding venue offered more than enough differently styled outdoor spaces. 

Shiraz Garden Texas was the perfect setting for a combining of cultures. I loved witnessing the unique wedding ceremony ideas blending American and Persian traditions. The venue itself has Persian architectural elements, with a Bridal Cottage and Groom’s Cabin. Both of these getting-ready spaces have plenty of space!

Pari and Sean had their ceremony at the Mohana Overlook. Half of the guests seated on pillows and rugs and the other half in chairs lining the aisle. The cocktail hour and reception were held at the Formal Garden which is inspired by the gardens of Shiraz, Iran. The area includes a covered bar, fountain and fire pit.

Later, we took family portraits at the Sunset Vista and couples portraits down by the Colorado River. The riverside location combined with Persian-inspired architecture really sold them on this venue!

Persian Wedding Traditions Featured in a Texas Wedding at Shiraz Garden

The ceremony included Dipping Fingers in Honey, a Persian wedding tradition officiated by Pari’s hilarious sister. Her witty yet dry humor had both sides in tears from laughing so hard!

The couple placed a bowl of honey on their sofreh aghd, according to BRIDES, this is “‘an intricate spread of items that stand for the shared journey of life and marriage the couple is about to embark on.’ Some of the elements you’ll find on a sofreh include a mirror that signifies eternity, two candlesticks that signify light, nuts, and eggs for fertility, and coins for wealth and prosperity.”

BRIDES also notes that “at Persian weddings, a bowl of honey is placed on the sofreh aghd signifying sweetness for the couple,” then, “it is customary for the groom to hold the bowl of honey as they each dip one finger inside and feed it to each other. This symbolizes the idea that the couple will feed each other sweetness as they begin their lives as one.”

A Simple Day Crafted Just The Way They Wanted

Pari and Sean wanted the day to be as simple and relaxed as possible without any performance. Pari summarized the desire for their wedding day as “Not too formal, but simple and beautiful.” Their main wish, as Pari noted, was “to remember the happiness, the good times, and the celebration of our relationship with the next step it has taken.”

These newlyweds made the day their own linking it directly to spending time with their loved ones. So much of the joy they wanted for the day was wrapped up in being with their people. Pari shared that all they wanted was to “Get married and see all our friends and family in one place sharing our joy!” This included getting ready with family and as Pari explained, “seeing friends and family from around the world that we haven’t seen in over a decade.”

This valuing of simple things spent with loved ones is what led to the design of their sweet fusion wedding at Shiraz Garden.

Ready to start planning your own personalized wedding moments? Let’s start brainstorming together!

Wedding Vendors

Photographer | Nikole Velasco Photography
Venue | Shiraz Garden
Planning & Coordination | Wildflowers & Whiskey Events
Videographer | Ryan Chipman Films
Catering | Lily Grace Catering
DJ | Saina Saeedi
Rentals & Florals | Cat Haus Design & Rentals
Makeup | Heather Maria Beauty
Hair | Shannon McClenny
Desserts | Elisa’s Pastry Shop
Transportation | Austin Tour Company
Farm Table Rentals | Reventals
Dress | DAI Wedding
Suit | Soto & Co.

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