Persian University club wedding | Nika and Sam

University club wedding with Persian traditions

Nika and Sam met at a frozen yogurt shop in Iowa City, Iowa. But we’d both be telling a little bit of a white lie, if we started the story there. We found each other on Tinder, the online dating app, and both swiped right. Nika cancelled their second date, blaming it on “tests” and “exams” for dental school. Sam, on the other hand, just assumed that it was over. Needless to say, it was false alarm and couple fell in love shortly after that.

To Sam, Nika was and is the most generous, caring, and supportive person he ever met. Also, as he grew to know her more, along with her family, Sam realized special they all were. After all, marriage isn’t just between two people- there’s a family and network of friends, too.

It’s a pleasure to be able to trust and hold someone, knowing you both have shared this commitment to take on life’s journey- together.

As Nika and Sam are approaching their first-year wedding, they think the biggest change is in comfort with each other. While couple felt close before, they’re feel even more now. Sam notes, that it’s a pleasure to be able to trust and hold someone, knowing he have shared this commitment to take on life’s journey- together.

grooms wedding wows folded on a bed in the Best Western Premier Park hotel room in Madison, Wisconsin groomsmen rehearsing speeches in Best Western Premier Park hotel's hallway in Madison, WI bride’s Persian aunt smiling during getting ready in Hyatt Madison, Wisconsin bride and bridesmaids walking up the stairs before the wedding ceremony mother and father of the Persian bride tearing up during wedding ceremony groom tearing up during wedding ceremony in Wisconsin State CapitolPersian-American bride laughing during wedding ceremony in Wisconsin State Capitol bride and groom holding hands during wedding ceremony in Wisconsin State Capitol bride and groom having a quiet moment after wedding ceremony bridal party laughing outside of Wisconsin State Capitol wedding officiator holding flowers outside of Wisconsin State Capitol

 

For initial wedding consultation I’ve met Nika and Sam in my photography studio in Madison, Wisconsin. They left me with an impression of super relaxed, honest and very much down-to-earth couple. And down-to-earth they were.

Sam and Nika’s wedding day couple had two wedding ceremonies. First one in State Capitol’s second floor, overlooking rotunda. And a second one, Persian wedding ceremony, at The University Club later same day.

Ceremony in State Capitol was attended by just immediate family and a bridal party. And the rest of the wedding guests showed up for the Persian wedding ceremony in The University Club. And Persian wedding ceremony was the one that I was looking forward to the most.

Why? Just because photographing Persian wedding ceremony is something I’ve never done before. Also, because it had many exciting parts in it. Parts like Like Sofreh Aghd (centerpiece of a Persian wedding), Kaleh Ghadn (sugar shower), Asal (honey exchange), Raghshé Chaghoo (playful knife dance) etc. This video has some good explanations of Persian wedding traditions.

Sam’s article named “Loving in the time of Trump” was published in Isthmus magazine two days before the wedding day.

 

bride’s reflection in mirror during Persian wedding ceremony in The University Club bride and groom kissing during tradition Persian wedding ceremony outdoors portrait of bride and groom during University Club wedding bride playing with her niece and making up funny face wedding portrait of bride and groom in front of the University Club in Madison, Wisconsin candid picture of the bride and groom walking after their University Club wedding ceremony Persian bride playing with her nephew during wedding reception in University Club, Madison, Wisconsin guests dancing at the Persian wedding reception in University Club, Madison, Wisconsin Persian bride and groom being greeted by wedding guests during University Club wedding reception bride’s sister performing Raghshé Chaghoo playful knife dance Persian bride and groom tasting the wedding cake at University Club wedding wedding couple hugging a guest at the University Club wedding reception girl with face covered in chocolate after eating desert at the The University Club, Madison, Wisconsin bride and groom listening to speeches during their Persian wedding in University Club father of the groom and farther of the bride tearing up during wedding speeches bride and groom embracing during the first dance at University Club wedding reception Persian bride dancing with her dad at University Club wedding reception Persian-American mother of the bride dancing at the University Club wedding reception bride and groom dancing with guests at the University Club wedding reception night time exterior picture of University Club in Madison, Wisconsin

 

 See full gallery from Nika’s and Sam’s University club Persian wedding >>HERE<<.

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Thanks a bunch for stopping by, reading Nika’s and Sam’s love story and checking out their University Club  wedding images! I am an award-winning documentary wedding photographer.

If you’re planning your upcoming wedding and leaning towards wedding photojournalism, shoot me a message! I would love to be part of your adventure! I currently am based in Madison, Wisconsin, but available to travel nationwide/ worldwide if needed.

 

PERSIAN UNIVERSITY CLUB WEDDING VENDORS:

Wedding Ceremony 1: Wisconsin State Capitol
Ceremony 2/Reception:
The University Club
Flowers/Boutonnieres: Bought at Metcalfe’s. designed by Nika’s dad
Bride’s Shoes: Nina Bridal Shoes
Groom’s Shoes: Allen Edmonds
Bridesmaid Dresses:
BHLDN And Watters
Groom’s and Groomsmen Suits: Bonobos
DJ: Komlan from C’est La Vie
Wedding Cake: Madison Sourdough Co.
Centerpieces: handmade by Nika’s dad
Hotel: Best Western Premier Park
Honeymoon: Pacific Northwest (Seattle and Portland)
Wedding Date:
June 16, 2018

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