“Sam + Nick’s wedding at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel was like a blast from the past, complete with old Hollywood glam, jazz influences, vintage elements, and even an old-school ragtime band. These two were all smiles throughout the entire day and absolutely radiated joy. Nick had the COOLEST green suit with custom embroidery details, and Sam looked like a total bombshell in her BHLDN gown.

Their ceremony was a mixture of both Persian + Italian traditions, which they participated in surrounded by their guests, who had a 360 degree view of their vows. Family + friends showered Sam + Nick with love, gifts, and best wishes throughout the night. We snuck away to the rooftop for a quick sunset session, then hurried back down to rejoin the party. This day was filled with nothing but laughter, jazz, and happy tears!” –Tayler Ashley Photography

What is your favorite wedding day memory?

The moment the band started playing our processional!! We chose “Si Tu Vois Ma Mère” by Sidney Bechet, which had so much meaning for us.

Everything immediately leading to that moment had been running so fast. We had to scrap everything from our rehearsal and restructure the processional after last minute changes were made to the ceremony set-up (our coordinator and wedding party handled it like bosses), and I had been focused on making sure everything was all set. But as soon as I heard that music it’s like everything clicked. We had arrived at this moment we had planned for so long, and I was about to stand in front of 230 friends and relatives! I was filled with elation, and pride, and a little disbelief. I was nervous, but I had both my parents next to me about to walk me down the aisle, and everything just felt right. Then I heard the most phenomenal eruption of cheering and clapping, which was my husband-to-be taking his walk down the aisle. I had no idea our guests would cheer us on like that, it was such a magical experience. I’m tearing up just tell you about it!

What did you DIY for your wedding?

Almost ALL the paper goods in our wedding were DIY! Invitations, seating cards, welcome packets for guests, signage at the event, etc.! All paper items were designed with our old Hollywood/jazz age theme in mind. We wanted to DIY key elements of the wedding that we could do ahead, and that would bring an elegant personal touch to our guests without being overwhelming for us to execute.

Invitations: we typed out an invitation letter on our typewriter. The letter included date, time and location details and the URL for our website to RSVP. We typed it on plain printer paper, then used our printer/scanner to print the letter on chose cream-colored linen paper from Paper Source. This allowed us to mass-produce the invitations, and all we had to do was use the typewriter again to type Dear ___ at the top. It looked great and pretty seamless on the linen paper, several guests asked how we managed to type all the invites on a typewriter (which would’ve been insane)! We the invites with a paper cutter and stuffed them in brown “paper bag” envelopes, also from Paper Source. We typed the addresses on the envelopes (pre-stuffing) with the typewriter, used an embosser stamp for the return address on the back, and sealed them with a red wax stamp (which requires extra postage but was worth it)!

We designed other paper elements like a little flier that was tucked in the napkin on each place setting, invites to the rehearsal dinner, suggestions for local sight seeing (many guessed traveled from out of town), etc. in the same vein, printing ourselves on cool paper and cutting with the paper cutter. My aunts also home baked hundreds of cookies for the dessert table!

Did you have a something old, new, borrowed and blue?

Old: The first gift my husband ever gave me was a vintage string of small pearls from the 20’s. I had my hair stylist weave them into my updo for wedding day. Also, instead of holding a bouquet, I held the little book that the officiant held at my maternal grandmother’s ceremony.

New: Do my dress and shoes count!?

Borrowed: My paternal grandmother’s wedding ring. We pass it along between members in the family who get married to wear down the aisle, and that person holds onto it until the next wedding. I received it from my sister the day of my wedding, and I’m probably holding onto it for a long time, since I’m the youngest and my cousins are all still little!

Blue: Nothing blue, but I had something green! My earrings and my wedding band had small matching emeralds (perks when your cousin is a jeweler!)

Any advice for brides currently in the planning process?

1) No, you’re not crazy!

To me, one of the most challenging parts about planning a wedding is that so many people have really strong opinions about what a wedding is supposed to be like. There is protocol for everything, and sometimes that’s helpful but sometimes it’s the worst. People’s concerned questions and opinions can feel like straight up attacks or judgement when you’re already just trying to keep your head above water in the planning process! I suggest using traditions and insights from others as a starting point, but don’t let it discourage you from talking about your own cool ideas. Be prepared for people to say “it’s whatever you two want! It’s your day!” but also have strong opinions about it, but know that in the end they really do want you to do whatever you want to, and will support you and see how awesome it is in the end.

2) Do what you need to do to find joy in the planning process!

We had two big families to represent on each side, and it was important to us to make sure everyone felt involved and happy, which was stressful at times. We did our best to make decisions based on what we felt represented US as a couple, and went with felt genuine, even when it scoffed precedent. That way in the end, no matter what happened, we had no regrets!

3) Beware, you CAN give too many hugs!!

Your body is probably going to be tense all day, even if you don’t feel stressed – It’s the adrenaline! So just take care – I gave like thousands of hugs over the course of the wedding weekend and by the time I got to my honeymoon my left shoulder was not ok! No joke. I wish I had thought of something as ridiculous sounding as switching which arm goes up when I give a hug. -Samantha, the Bride

Event Credits

Photography: Tayler Ashley Photography // Venue + Catering: Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel // Florist: Events by Sammy // Cake: Lark Cake Shop // Ceremony Music: The California Feetwarmers // Reception Music: DJ Lani Love // Rentals: Bright Event Rentals // Engagement Ring Restoration: Greenwich Street Jewelers // Bride's Dress + Shoes: BHLDN // Bride's Jewelry: Salehi Jewelry // Bridesmaid's Attire: Azazie // Hair + Make-up: Society Salons // Groom's Attire: Trunk Club // Groom's Shoes: Del Toro // Groomsmen's Attire: The Black Tux // Groom + Groomsmen's Hair/Beard: Haar & Co Barbershop // Bridesmaid Gifts: Bright Echo Vintage // Parent Gifts: Outrageous Embroidery // Maid-of-Honor and Best Man Gifts: RSVP Hand Crafted // Custom Map of LA: Ratbee Press // Silhouette Artist: Sylhouettes by Sylvia