1. Real Weddings

Ellie & Edward: A Cultural Wedding in San Francisco, CA

What do you get when you combine two culture-rich ceremonies, a regal color palette, and creative table cards? A truly personalized city celebration.

What do you get when you combine two culture-rich ceremonies, a regal color palette, and creative table cards? A truly personalized city celebration. The Bride Ellie Bagherian, 30 The Groom Edward Han, 44 The Date April 24 Ellie and Eddie share a passion for beautiful things. After all, they're both in the jewelry business. The two met as business colleagues but eventually realized they couldn't live without each other. Ten years later, their inseparability was made official: With a beautiful engagement ring he designed himself, Eddie proposed at a restaurant in Pebble Beach, overlooking the Monterey Coast at sunset -- a perfect evening that heralded more beautiful events to come.

Ellie wore a white silk satin A-line gown from Alvina Valenta.
The Bridesmaid Looks
Raised in the U.S. and born in Iran, Ellie wanted to honor her heritage with a Persian ceremony but did not want to ignore the American culture that permeates her and Eddie's life together. So the couple decided to say I do twice. Guests first gathered in the breathtaking rotunda at San Francisco's City Hall for the traditional Western service. The ceremony programs, designed by the couple, featured the symbol for double happiness, a nod to Eddie's Chinese heritage. Next up: the Persian ceremony at the Palace Hotel. Ellie and Eddie rendered the Garden Court, a majestic domed space with columns and greenery, even more breathtaking with calla lily arrangements and rose petals scattered down the aisle. In keeping with Persian tradition, the couple included an elaborate spread on the floor with a mirror, decorated eggs and a tray of colorful herbs, each with its own symbolic meaning. Rose petals showered the bride and groom, a Persian custom, as they were pronounced husband and wife.
The Ceremony
Ellie walked down the aisle wearing jewelry specially designed by her father and carrying a bouquet of mango-color calla lilies. The bridesmaids carried a smaller version of Ellie's mango-color calla lily bouquet with white blooms mixed in.
Edward and groomsmen rented After Six tuxes -- Eddie's tie and vest were white; the others' were black.
Elegant ivory, champagne, and gold hues graced the Grand Ballroom reception space. Votive candles, along with tall centerpieces of calla lilies, tulips, white lilies, and curly willow, gave the formal room a warm glow.
The four bridesmaids wore champagne-color satin dresses.