Love at first swipe

Posted by Claire Muffett-Reece on 11 November 2022

Both leading busy lives, Neda and Pedram didn't have much spare time to meet anyone – until they were introduced via the dating app Hinge. "Within a matter of days of being on the app, we matched, and the rest was history," says Neda. "What attracted me to Pedram was his charm, intellect, and great looks. He was a breath of fresh air. Not only did he tick every box, he brought the best out of me; a side of myself I never knew existed," she says.

“I was so nervous on our first date. From that moment, when he looked at me from across the road and then held my hand it was like magic, and I knew this was it,” Neda remembers. “It might sound crazy, but it’s true that sometimes, it’s like a spark that lights up your heart and there’s an instant connection.”

Happy Couple BEST NIGHT OF OUR LIVES - Pedram proposed to Neda on the Golden Jubilee bridge. "He told me that we were invited to a work dinner and that we had to cross over the bridge as it was close to it," recalls Neda. Pedram chose this location because Neda's late father was the chief engineer and had led the bridge project to completion, so it was special to her. Family from around the world had travelled to London and while Pedram was popping the question, they were waiting in a Persian restaurant in Notting Hill, ready to surprise Neda. "Once I'd said yes, I realised there was no work event. Instead, we got into a taxi and drove to the restaurant. It was one of the best nights of our lives."

Venue STYLISH SURROUNDINGS - Neda and Pedram always wanted to get married somewhere with class, grandeur, style, and elegance and with a royal feel to it. "The Kimpton Fitzroy had it all. The beautiful ballroom has a feel of history. The hotel's luxurious with every room having its own character, and the Palm Court is a mixture of an exquisite oasis and bright grandeur," says Neda. "The white-glove service just amplified our feeling that this was the perfect place for our special day," she adds. The duo had guests flying in from all over the world, so being so close to St Pancras International and connections from Heathrow was ideal.

LOOKING THE PART - "When I started looking for my dress, I knew I wanted to try on ballgown styles," says Neda. "I found many that were beautiful, but Demetrios designs stood out to me as being stunning. Once I'd tried it on, I knew this was the one." The dress was adorned with detail and sequins, so Neda opted for simple accessories. "I wore a tiara from Ivory and Co and paired it with simple earrings and necklace from David Deyong, to suit the sweetheart neckline of the dress," she says.

The bridesmaids wore a silk emerald green maxi dress. "I searched long and hard for bridesmaid dresses and it was hard to get the fit right, but I came across Trend Story on Instagram and the experience was the best," says Neda. "The beauty is that you can choose any style dress in their collection and choose the material and colour to match your theme." Pedram wanted the groomsmen and himself to be matching and they all looked the part in classic black tuxedos.

SOMETHING OUT OF A FAIRYTALE - The venue styling was breathtaking! For their centrepieces white blossom trees brimming with white roses lined the tables with hanging tealight candles. "The Blossom Company elevated the space to new heights. It was truly something out of a fairytale and the pictures speak for themselves," says Neda. Flowers used throughout were a mix of white and blush pink with foliage in abundance and the stunning floral arch framed the alter perfectly.

Stylish white acrylic with gold lettering was used for the table plan and table names and gold wooden laser cut names were used for the place settings. The dancefloor design incorporating the couple's initials complemented the look. When it came to the cake, the six-tier fondant showstopper with white sugared flowers and a gold tier was truly fit for royalty.

Cherished memories CHERISHED MEMORIES - "For our favours we created boxes for our guests that included gold trinket pomegranates, sweets and a gold chain with hanging evil eye," says Neda. Throughout the day they entertained friends and family with music-a-plenty. A string quartet played traditional music during the ceremony and drinks reception and a DJ played a mix of English music with a hint of Persian heritage so they could experience both during the evening party. "We also hired a photobooth, which went down a treat! It kept the guests entertained and we ended up with great photos and a signed album in the end, which we'll cherish forever" she says.

Dancing A DAY TO REMEMBER - "The ceremony was without a doubt the most amazing moment of the day. This is what it was all about – coming together as one. Our Persian ceremony was also beautiful, and it involved multiple family members. It felt so wholesome," says Neda. "The speeches were also special. Each person did a tremendous job with every message coming straight from the heart." For Neda and Pedram, their day was perfect and full of emotion. "Apart from the usual nerves, this was the best day of our lives. It was surreal that we were getting married and that all our loved ones were there from all ends of the world," she says. "It was hard to keep the emotions away. From the moment you walk down the aisle, the emotions kick in and you feel this is it. We enjoyed every single second; it was the happiest day of our lives."