A Colorful Fusion of Love and Heritage: An Unforgettable Rancho Las Lomas Wedding

Welcome to this Colorful Fusion of Love and Heritage: An Unforgettable Wedding at Rancho Las Lomas.

As a wedding planner and designer, I have had the pleasure of creating countless beautiful celebrations, but Hailey and Kimia’s wedding at Rancho Las Lomas in Orange County, California, holds a special place in my heart. After knowing these two myself for years, seeing them blossom from ‘just friends’ to finally saying ‘I do’ was a beautiful, full-circle moment.

This vibrant and culturally rich wedding not only celebrated their love but also paid homage to their diverse heritages. Join us as we delve into the enchanting details of this unforgettable celebration at Rancho Las Lomas captured by Peterson Design & Photography.

 

The Couple:

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For more engagement shoot tips and inspiration, check out this blog post

Hailey, a talented television writer, and Kimia, a hilarious comedian, and actor, share a love story that began in high school as best friends. From best friends to soulmates, their journey has spanned over a decade, and their wedding day marked a beautiful milestone in their love story. Hailey, with Cuban and Mexican roots, and Kimia, with Persian heritage, wanted their wedding to be a colorful fusion of their backgrounds, reflecting their unique love story and big personalities.

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2008 to 2022. From BFF to Mrs and Mrs. How adorable are they?! 

 

Publication:

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Very thankful to Love Inc Mag for showcasing this incredible wedding in a 5-page in-print publication.

Personal Items:

As a helpful tip to couples, have all your personal items neatly ready for the photographer on a wedding day. This includes your invitation suite, your wedding ring, and any other personal items you want photographed, like jewelry, shoes, or unique accessories.

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The Looks: 

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The gender-neutral and non-specific bride-to-bride wedding party wore a combination of suits, jumpsuits, and dresses in an array of colors from the overall wedding color palette.

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The Ceremony Experience: 

 

Nestled amidst the majestic tall trees at Rancho Las Lomas, dripping in florals from Winston & Main, the outdoor ceremony was a breathtaking setting for Hailey and Kimia to exchange their vows. Officiated by their long-time mutual friend, Patrick, the ceremony was filled with heartfelt moments and laughter, as their loved ones celebrated their journey from high school best friends to life partners.

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Let’s start normalizing letting our wedding party sit in the front row! They should get to enjoy the ceremony from the guests’ perspective as opposed to standing facing the audience.

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As a special tribute to their parents, who had each been married for over 34 and 42 years, this photo was taken of the newlyweds with their parents, symbolizing the enduring power of love along with both sets of parents’ wedding photos displayed at the ceremony for guests to enjoy.

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A Cultural Tapestry:

For Kimia’s Persian side of the family, immediately following the wedding ceremony was Sofreh. In Farsi, the word Sofreh means ‘spread’ and Aghd means ‘ceremony’. Symbolic items make up the display known as the Sofreh Aghd.

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Sofreh Ceremony:

Kimia hand-drew images that were displayed on a poster at the table representing each item seen and its meaning for those who may not be familiar.

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Some of the items that are traditionally seen on the Sofreh Aghd include a tray of seven herbs and spices, which symbolize health and happiness; decorated eggs, known as tokhmé morgh, which represent creativity and fertility; an arrangement of crystalized sugar known as nabat; nuts in shells; and esfand or wild rue to ward off any negative energies in the air. Every family is different though and items can be personalized accordingly.

 

Cocktail Hour:

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To honor Hailey’s family roots, a lively mariachi band, performed during cocktail hour followed by mesmerizing belly dancers at dinner. The added theatrical elements entertained the 200 guests, creating an atmosphere of lightness, celebration, and joy. The fusion of music and dance from both cultures added an extra layer of magic to the evening.

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A Colorful Design: 

The design, steeped in a Spanish Colonial style, is known for its white, stucco walls, red, clay roof tiles, and rustic appearance. Long before this style came to North America, however, it had a long, varied history in both Spain and Mexico. The tactile design is peppered with textures of lace, blown glass goblets, hints of gold, hand-made Mexican candle sticks, and terra cotta pots all drenched in colorful florals and warm candlelight. Truly this wedding design was one of my favorites to date!

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Hailey and Kimia’s wedding beautifully weaved together the vibrant threads of their cultural heritages. The outdoor reception showcased a stunning array of bold colors, including pink, yellow, blue, and green, representing the rich tapestry of their backgrounds.

 

I am always thankful to my team! It’s truly teamwork that makes the dream work. Helayne and Sierra (seen here) as well as Trista and Amanda who braved a huge heat wave and nearly 40k steps on this wedding day to bring all the details and logistics to life. Nothing will stop a woman with a mission and a walkie-talkie, damn it!

 

A Playful Touch:

Hailey and Kimia’s playful personalities shone through in every aspect of their wedding. To add a touch of laughter and surprise, whoopie cushions, created by Roseville Designs featuring Kimia’s artwork, were placed at each guest’s seat, creating unexpected moments of amusement. This lighthearted gesture perfectly captured the couple’s love for laughter and their desire to create a fun and memorable experience for their loved ones.

 

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Not one, but two amazing Father/Daughter dances, both unique to each bride and their style.

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The Cake:

A nod to their playful personalities, this golden cutting cake, created by Nicole Bakes Cakes, adorned with Lego cake toppers, representing each bride, was a sweet way to end the night.

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Hailey and Kimia’s Rancho Las Lomas wedding was a vibrant celebration of love, heritage, and laughter. As a wedding planner and designer, I am honored to have been a part of this joyous occasion, bringing their vision to life and creating memories that will be cherished for a lifetime. This wedding serves as a beautiful reminder of the power of love to transcend boundaries and celebrate the rich diversity that exists within our world. Rancho Las Lomas provided the perfect backdrop for this colorful fusion of cultures, creating an unforgettable experience for Hailey, Kimia, and their loved ones.

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The evening came to a close with the most epic dance party with DJ Dazzler lighting up the dance floor. To close, the ultimate karaoke version of ‘Suddenly Seymour’ from Little Shop of Horrors was performed by the brides. You know you have invited theatrical folks to your wedding when show tunes hit the dance floor and everyone gets on their feet to sing at the top of their theater nerd lungs. It was incredible sight and sound to behold.

Peterson Design and Photography is known for their signature, ‘end of the night’ shot that is truly magical!

 

Video: Spin The Dial Productions

Vendor Team:

Venue: @rancholaslomas
Planner: @anythingbutgrayevents
Photographer: @peterson.design.photo
Videography: @spinthedialfilms
Catering/Bar: @24carrotscatering
Cake: @nicolebakescakes
Floral Design: @winstonandmain
DJ: @dj_dazzler
Mariachi: @mariachifolklore
Live Musicians: @twotownsent
Belly Dancers: @marybellydancela
Stationery & Whoopie Cushions: @rosevilledesigns
Rings: @goldenstatejewelryinc
Beauty: @face_it_sugar
Hailey’s Dress: @casablancabridal @lilibridals
Hailey’s Shoes: @loefflerrandall
Kimia’s Suit: @lisalistyles
Kimia’s Shoes: @nike
Specialty Rentals: @sundrop_vintage @sigpartyrentals
Rentals: @sigpartyrentals
Hotel Blocks: @jcroomblocks
Shuttles: @riztransportation
Valet: Special Parking Services
Brides: @haileychavez & @childclown

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