Silveen + Dara by Anni Martikainen

We envisioned it as something artistic, immersive, and full of allure.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

We both call London home, though our journeys here are a little different. Silveen moved to the city four years ago and is still very much in the honeymoon phase, falling in love with the energy, the creativity, and the feeling that every weekend brings something new to discover. She works in PR and has a strong passion for fashion, always inspired by the mix of cultures and styles that make London so unique. Dara, on the other hand, was born and raised in the city. He runs his family’s wood flooring company and has a lifelong love of football, but he’s equally passionate about the simple joys of London life.

As a couple, we’re quite calm, and we both love the same things. We’re a little obsessed with London, but just as much with travel, food, and family. We live in Chelsea and spend our free time walking through different neighbourhoods, eating our way across the city, and catching films together. When we travel, we love to really immerse ourselves, whether through food, culture, or simply connecting with experiences. For us, life is all about making the most and best of it.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

Our story began on Bumble, though neither of us expected much from what was meant to be just another date at a local pub. In fact, Silveen almost cancelled, but with a fresh blowout that day, she decided to go out. It turned out to be one of the best decisions she ever made.

The moment they saw each other, something clicked. Perhaps it was love at first sight, but it was most certainly a feeling of peace and instant connection. Conversation flowed so naturally that time seemed to disappear. We talked for hours until the pub finally closed its doors. Neither of us wanted the night to end, so we carried on walking through the city for another few hours.

It was so simple, but the most magical first date imaginable. From that night on, there was no looking back.

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).

Our vision and mood were deeply personal, shaped by the many layers of who we are as individuals and as a couple. From the very beginning, we knew that if we were going to host a celebration, it had to be authentic, something that reflected how we truly enjoy spending our time and what inspires us creatively.

With Pakistani and Iranian backgrounds, and a shared love for Spain—where Dara once lived—Granada quickly emerged as the most fitting destination. The city’s Islamic heritage, combined with its romantic yet slightly moody character, offered the perfect backdrop. It felt both meaningful and atmospheric, a place that allowed us to blend cultural resonance with a sense of timeless romance.

We also wanted the experience to be more than just beautiful—we envisioned it as something artistic, immersive, and full of allure. Surrealism became our anchor, inspired by the dreamlike worlds of Dalí and by immersive productions we’ve experienced together. That concept gave us a central thread to build upon, allowing the event design to feel cohesive yet imaginative. The result was a mood that was layered, sensual, and transportive—an editorial-style celebration that felt uniquely and unmistakably us.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

Our venues truly worked wonders for us, each steeped in history and full of character. For the welcome party, we chose Santa Paula, a former convent dating back to the 16th century. Hosting the celebration in its old chapel felt both dramatic and fitting — the heritage of the space made it the perfect setting for a welcome party themed “Spanish Nights”. By candlelight, we welcomed our guests with a tango entrance, followed by flamenco singers and dancers who paid homage to Granada’s cultural soul. It was the ideal way to begin our wedding weekend.

Our wedding venue, Carmen de los Mártires, dating back to the 19th century, was a pure fairytale. Perched on a hill overlooking the city of Granada, it felt like a world within a world. What we loved most was offering our guests a journey through its different spaces: a calm, romantic ceremony in the French gardens, a transportive cocktail hour in the lush, almost jungle-like English gardens, a grand dinner on the esplanade that overlooked the city, followed by a party that went till 5 AM inside the palace, was nothing short of epic. Both venues were historic yet luxurious, and together they gave our wedding an atmosphere that was timeless and pretty magical.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

What we loved most was leaning into our creativity. From brainstorming ideas to learning a tango for our welcome party entrance, the process deepened our connection and made the celebration uniquely ours. A big part of the journey was reconnecting with our artistic side — immersing ourselves in the world of Salvador Dalí. We watched the Hitchcock films he collaborated on, his surreal Disney short Destino, visited galleries, and studied his paintings. That exploration really influenced how we brought our own world together, adding layers of imagination and artistry that made the wedding even more personal and interesting. For couples starting their planning, we’d recommend first nailing down your artistic concept or vision — the theme that ties everything together. It makes planning easier and gives you a central point to return to when making decisions

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

We feel so lucky to have built such meaningful bonds with our vendors — we could go on and on about their contributions. Angeles from Alhambra Weddings, our planner, was truly our saving grace. It’s so important to feel that your planner is on your side and really understands you, and Angeles took the time to do just that. Through every curveball and challenge, she was our rock, keeping us calm and helping us navigate it all.

And then there was Indigo. Their performance was absolutely captivating — all of our dinner guests were enamoured and said it felt like something out of Eyes Wide Shut. At that moment, we knew we had nailed our own brief. Both Indigo and Brooklyn, our fabulous DJ from Monaco, were incredible collaborators; together we concepted every single song and how the music would build across the dinner. It was such a fun process, and the result was unforgettable. Their artistry and sophistication elevated the evening to another level entirely, and we can’t stop rewatching the videos — so chic!

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

For Silveen, a true fashion devotee, curating wedding looks was a dream. My standout piece was the welcome party outfit — a custom Annie’s Ibiza creation. The corset, cut from delicate Chantilly French lace once gifted by her grandfather to her grandmother, carried layers of heritage and style. First worn as a headscarf at her Muslim wedding last October, the lace was reimagined into a striking, modern corset by Annie — a piece that fused legacy with edge.

For my wedding, I wore a Monique Lhuillier gown that was everything I had envisioned — fitted and timeless, with just the right touch of edge. The moment I slipped it on, I felt like a glamorous actress from a classic film. The dress struck the perfect balance of elegance and boldness, and I knew instantly it was the one.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

Our wedding and engagement rings were custom made from Silveen’s jeweler, Kamran Jewels in Los Angeles. He’s a family jeweller and we’ve always trusted him with all of our jewellery! Every single fine jewellery piece I own is from him. He’s the best!

Welcome Party

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

The photography and décor were everything. When I first met Anni, she asked us what we wanted most from photography, and our answer was simple: artwork. She delivered beyond measure — her images are so striking that it feels like we could start our own gallery, a living tribute to the wedding. And beyond her talent, she was such a joy to have around.

As for the décor, Carolina Bouquet is a true visionary. She blew our minds. The ceremony décor was nothing short of regal — it preserved the natural beauty of the gardens while accentuating it in all the right ways, weaving around statues and fountains so it felt organic yet undeniably grand. For the reception, our vision hinged on sultry details: satin drapery, candlelight, glass chandeliers, fruits and an explosion of deep reds and pinks. The result was elegant, romantic, and transformed the space beyond imagination.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

Our favourite moments were anchored around the people we love. Our friends and family truly showed up for us — the chemistry in the room was palpable, full of the best energy, and everyone enjoyed one another as much as they were celebrating us. That spirit came through most vividly in the speeches: both of our siblings and best friends spoke, and their words were clever, genuine, and far beyond what we imagined. It was humbling and beautiful to hear their reflections on us. Adding to the magic, our wedding day also marked my grandmother’s 95th birthday. Instead of a traditional cake cutting, we surprised her with a birthday cake. She’s a true legend and an endlessly elegant woman, so celebrating her milestone in Granada, one of her favourite cities, was an unforgettable highlight for all of us.