Real Wedding: Nathan & Bahar – Photography by Chellise Michael Photography

We’re both architects and we run our own design-build firm in Brooklyn. We love working on design projects together. The process is always exciting: thinking together, drawing, making diagrams and problem solving. Nathan—I love Bahar’s toughness, resilience and unshakable ambition to move forward. Her ability to meet new people and bring people together is innate. Her family is the same way. Nothing can stop them or hold them back. Always positive, supportive, and extremely loving! Bahar—I think the most special thing about our relationship is the mutual understanding that life is in motion and everything is constantly changing, so we give each other the freedom and space to evolve. We never stop growing in each others’ presence and our love has been growing with us as well. Nathan is curious, creative, natural and extremely sincere. His peaceful and honest relationship with himself and whoever he comes into contact with is truly inspiring. Our wedding day, in an art museum by the sea, had an informal feel, which made everyone comfortable and set the tone for an incredible night. I think most people were so happy to be in such beautiful scenery, with fresh air and cocktails. We both loved the space and the minimal nature of the area where we set up the ceremony. It had all the things we both love — beautiful architecture, warmth and the ocean. We didn’t know they allowed weddings but one day Bahar spontaneously called them to ask. We had already looked all over for a place. The Parrish felt perfect and because it’s next to the ocean, we could host a beach party the night before at Dune Beach. We felt so grateful to have such a supportive and loving community of people around us on our wedding day. We had friends and family flying in from many different places to be with us that night. We had a Persian ceremony, which is a cultural ceremony that goes back to the ancient Zoroastrian tradition. It consists of a spread with items symbolizing something important for the future couple. For example, candles for energy and clarity, bread for prosperity, eggs for fertility, apples for health etc. Our fathers read poems and writings in Farsi and English. It was personal, emotional and funny at times, too. It’s great tackling life’s challenges as a team. If you are lucky enough to find a partner with an amazing family that you can join forces with, you will certainly have a better life. Declaring your love for one another in front of everyone that you care about makes it very powerful. It seems to set things in motion. It’s like a springboard into your life together.