We're getting married
Hotel Verandine, Beverly Hills, California
June 12, 2027
Save the date
Our parents left Tehran in the same year and landed four miles apart in Los Angeles. It took us another thirty years, and one very determined aunt, to meet. Come and sit with us at the sofreh while the sugar falls, then stay for dinner, the knife dance and a dance floor our families have been rehearsing for since 1987.
211
days until the aghd
Our story
2019
Her aunt seated us side by side at the haft-sin and then refused to let either of us move. Arash brought the wrong sweets. Shirin pretended not to notice and ate three.
2022
Saffron ice cream, a walk to the bookshop that sells Hafez in two languages, and an argument about whose mother makes the better tahdig. It's still open.
2026
Both families in one living room in Encino, tea in the good glasses, and a very long pause before everyone said yes at once.
2027
A mirror, two candelabra, a cloth held over our heads and everyone we love in one room on Wilshire.
The day
5:30 pm
The Verandine foyer
Sharbat and sparkling water on the marble. The doors to the ballroom open at six.
6:00 pm
At the sofreh, the Orchid Room
Our ceremony at the sofreh, with the cloth held over us and the sugar rubbed above our heads. It takes about forty minutes; the bride is famously slow to say yes.
7:00 pm
The mirrored gallery
Pomegranate and sour-cherry sharbat, saffron rice crisps and the first photographs.
8:00 pm
The grand ballroom
Dinner, a few short toasts in two languages, and the first dance.
10:30 pm
On the dance floor
Our friends dance off with the cake knife and won't give it back until we pay them. Bring cash for bribing, or for cheering.
11:30 pm
The grand ballroom
The band hands over to the DJ, the late-night kabob arrives at midnight, and the floor stays open until 2 am.
The aghd
At the aghd we sit side by side at the sofreh, facing the mirror, with the candelabra lit on either side. Married women from both our families hold a white silk cloth over our heads while two of them rub cones of sugar together above it, so that our life starts sweet. Then the officiant asks Shirin, three times, whether she will marry Arash. Tradition says she is out picking flowers the first time and fetching rosewater the second; on the third she says yes. Afterwards we feed each other a little honey from our little fingers, and the noghl goes everywhere.
What to wear
Tuxedos and long gowns or very good cocktail dresses. Ivory and white are for the bride; everything else is yours, though the room is black, pearl and brass if you'd like to match it. The marble is slippery and the night is long: bring flats for after midnight.
A small henna night at Shirin's parents' house in Encino. Wear colour, sit on the floor, eat too much.
Getting there
Hotel Verandine is on Wilshire, a few minutes from Rodeo Drive. Valet is at the front entrance and we've covered it; tell them you're with the wedding. From LAX it's about thirty minutes in good traffic and an hour in Friday traffic. If you're staying at either hotel below, a car leaves the lobby at 5:15 pm and brings everyone home after two. (Hotel Verandine is invented for this demo.)
Open in mapsWhere to stay
Mention Shirin and Arash when you book. Rooms are held until May 1.
Stay where the party is. Take the lift down to the ballroom and back up again at two, no driving needed.
Book a roomA quieter small hotel off Canon Drive with a courtyard and a good Sunday breakfast. The wedding car leaves from its door.
Book a roomGood to know
The henna night, on the Thursday before. A small, loud evening with our families, music and a lot of food. If you're invited, it's on your card.
Yes. Everyone on our list is welcome at the sofreh. Please be seated by six; the doors close once the cloth goes up.
If your invitation names one, yes. The ballroom seats exactly who we've invited, so please check yours before you reply.
Children in the family are, and there's a sitter in a suite upstairs from nine. Otherwise this one is for grown-ups.
The dance floor is open until 2 am and there's late-night kabob at midnight. Leave whenever you like; nobody will notice, everyone will be dancing.
Please keep your phone away during the aghd. From the gallery onwards, take as many as you like.
Registry
Your being there is the gift. If you'd still like to give something, here are two ideas.
RSVP
Please reply by April 15. One form per household.
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