Dahlonega, Georgia Wedding at Montaluce Winery & Estates by LeahAndMark & Co.
The traditional Iranian wedding between Ramak and Saman paid homage to their Persian roots with gorgeous details, from the meticulously designed Persian table, to the handmade Persian sweets, to the unforgettable night of dancing. The marriage ceremony incorporated the carefully chosen display of desired traits in a marriage arranged with care atop a table on, of course, a Persian rug. Guests sat in the shade of giant trees on the grounds of Montaluce, a winery and restaurant venue in Dahlonega, GA., a violinist playing as the bridal party took their places. The bride arrived to the scene in a white horse-drawn carriage, the perfect fairy tale detail. The rest of the night followed in similar splendor with a cocktail hour and dinner so complete with delicacies that guests could have their hearts’ content of anything from steak to strawberry cake. Dancing and entertainment by two Persian DJs had guests young and old on their feet from the moment dinner ended to the very last pic snapped in the photobooth. Overjoyed, Ramak and Saman exited in style amid the glow of cheerfully waving sparklers. This beautiful affair is brought to you by LeahAndMark & Co.!
Tell us about your wedding gown and what your wedding party wore.
My wedding gown was strapless. It was beaded on top with silk on the bottom. Very princess-like. The wedding party wore strapless chiffon dresses in victorian lilac. The color scheme fit perfectly with the vineyard.
Tell us how you met. Was it love at first sight, blind date, friends forever?
I was in my first week of college at Georgia Tech when I first met Saman. It was at a weekend social gathering where I was hanging out with my friends, walking through a hallway, when I heard “Hey! You’re Persian aren’t you?” It was Saman, who can now admit that he was staring at me from the moment he saw me. I turned back with a smile and testified that I was Persian, from Shiraz in fact, which just so happens to the be same small city where Saman’s family has its origins. We talked, joked, and became acquaintances, enjoying each other’s company throughout the rest of the evening. After our first date to a Coldplay concert, our friendship took a turn towards something more meaningful, and the love we felt at our first meeting on that summer night more than six years ago has blossomed into a true union of two soulmates, the closest of friends.
Was there a specific theme or style?
The wedding was very much a contemporary version of an Iranian wedding with traditional aspects for the ceremony (the table and spread) but the ‘Westernization’ of the day’s layout.
Did you DIY any of the details?
The Persian table was entirely designed and coordinated by the MOB with help from the MOG, both of whom worked tirelessly to make sure every detail from the ceremony to the reception was perfect for the newlyweds.
What was the most memorable moment?
The carriage ride after the couple left the ceremony was a treasured sanctuary for the both of us. We knew that it was going to be a hectic day where the time we spent with each other was going to be largely with those we loved, but it was still wonderful to have some time to ourselves in the quiet scenery of the vineyard, living in the moment.
Don’t sweat…
Seriously – the small stuff. Think big picture, and everything else will fall into place. Start with an empty jar and fill it with the biggest items first, then add smaller things until all the space is filled up. Never start a project with a detail!
Tell us about the food and desserts.
The Montaluce Restaurant was a big selling point for the venue. The food was prepared in several courses, with multiple options for appetizers and entrees as guests could enjoy as much of anything from steak, to chicken, fish and pasta they wanted. Dessert included the handmade Persian sweets from the MOG, as well as a delicious Persian-style cake with fresh fruit laid within the three tiers of the marble, chocolate, and strawberry cake.
If there was one thing you could change, what would it be?
We wish we could have accommodated more of our friends and family, but were limited by venue size, even though we were content with the number of people we could have join us.
Wedding Professionals
Event Planning & Design: Park Avenue Events | Venue & Catering: Montaluce Winery & Estates | Floral: The Perfect Stem | Photography & Videography: LeahAndMark & Co. | Violinist: Mary Reese | Guitarist: Tyler Mann | DJ: DJ Pejman Entertainment | Cake: Flavor Cafe Bakery | Transportation: Gold City Corral & Carriage Company
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