Merrydale Manor

Iranian Wedding at Merrydale Manor, Cheshire

Oh my, one of my fave weddings I have photographed recently! Shima and Zach planned a spectacular wedding for their guests at the lovely Merrydale Manor in Cheshire, set on a beautiful landscape with a separate purpose built ceremony room and man cave!

Shima wore the most gorgeous dress, with delicate makeup and jewellery, and looked absolutely beautiful, even Zach cried through the ceremony.

A very emotional wedding, with family coming together from different cities in the UK, to table settings featuring different cities in Iran bringing all the guests together in so many ways.

I think one of my fave parts of this wedding was how elegant and timeless Shima and Zach kept their outfits and makeup.

After an emotional ceremony with Zach crying to the sound of piano keys awaiting his bride and so many guests in tears, with Shima telling him to make sure he kept his ring on always through the vows (haha!), the couple exited the Merrydale ceremony room with a sky full of confetti and sunshine.

We took some gorgeous wedding portraits around the grounds of Merrydale Manor to then join the guests for the Reception.

A common Iranian and Afghani wedding custom, is for the brides sisters and friends to dance with the wedding cake knife teasing the groom into giving them money, followed by the groom trying to snatch the knife to cut the cake.

The night finished with sparklers, a heavy dance floor filled with gorgeous outfits and dance moves, and lots of fun.

Are you looking for a wedding photographer in Cheshire or Manchester? Feel free to get in touch, I’d love to hear from you 💗

Photography: Zehra
Dress: @Heradesign_bridal
Venue: Merrydale Manor
Makeup hair: @HeatherJacksonBeauty
Video: @richpattinsonweddings

Sofreh Aghd

A super intimate Iranian Ceremony at Didsbury House, Manchester

Last summer I was chuffed when Elham asked me to photograph her Iranian Engagement Ceremony on the patio of the super cute boutique Hotel, Number Eleven Didsbury Park.

I might refer to this as an Engagement, or a ceremony, Sounds a bit confusing? is it an engagement party? Or is it a wedding? So with many Arab and Persian cultures, the Engagement ceremony actually means the religious ceremony, when they’re officially married. Most couples then plan the big wedding scheduled a few months later, with a white dress and the works.

With lockdown though I can see a lot of couples being happy with just a small intimate ceremony, even after Elham and Ehsan’s engagement, I actually said to Elham, why are you even planning a wedding, when today was just so perfect? And it really was, with Elham and Ehsan’s nearest and dearest with them to celebrate, with around twenty guests.

Elham and her mum decorated the super cute Garden Lounge with shades of peach and ivory. The whole look gave the event a very Mediterranean feel. Despite the August showers (yes, it often rains a lot in August), we managed to get some gorgeous portraits in the private garden.

Elham is super stylish, the kindest heart and a genuinely amazing person. However, she also has a super cheeky streak, and walking in with her dad in a gorgeous Needles and Thread Dress, took her seat next to Ehsan, and said ‘Baba’, look- she lifted her dress to reveal a pair of converse trainers to match Ehsan’s. Her dad just laughed and said ‘You crazy girl Elham’.

Just like with traditional Persian ceremonies, Elham had a gorgeous Sofreh Aghd laid out (to read more about Sofrehs, click here. Elham hates honey so when it came to getting Ehsan to taste the honey, she hadn’t told him she switched honey out for Golden Syrup lol!

One of the highlights from the day was Ehsan’s ring falling into the decking right at the time the couple were exchanging rings (awks!!). Luckily Ehsan’s best friend Dave came to the rescue with his wedding band and not long after, came the hotel handyman to the rescue with his tools, and actually lifted half the decking up to retrieve Ehsan’s new ring from amongst the debris lying beneath!

Although I love photographing big weddings, I equally love photographing intimate events as they have a very different vibe. I almost always need tissues in my bag because I’m crying at all the emotions flowing through.

A special mention to Elham, and brides like her, she got her white converse and her dress dirty from walking in the rain, it rained, and then some but despite elements not being ‘perfect’, everything actually was perfect, because she held her head up high and enjoyed every single moment. It’s a bride’s positive attitude that makes her wedding the perfect dream one. A girl might have the most perfect Pinterest wedding but if she’s nitpicking on stuff that really isn’t that important, that is actually what she’ll remember of her wedding.

Here are some of my faves from the day.
Elham and Ehsan
Dress Needles and Thread, London
Makeup Make up by YSR
Florals, Elham and family
Venue and food Number Eleven Didsbury Park
Violin Keyvan Moasser

Hawkstone Hall

Persian Wedding at Hawkstone Hall

Part One: Sofreh Aghd Ceremony

Hawkstone Hall in rural Shresbury has recently been renovated to accommodate weddings, with some gorgeous interior elements. With wedding planner Abigail, a styled shoot was planned to showcase goregoues florals, two stunning dresses from The White Closet, with a traditional Iranian Wedding Ceremony with the Sofreh Aghd (loosely translated as wedding table spread).

As I walked into the Winter Garden Room at Hawkstone Hall, I had to hold my breath for a moment, to take in the detailing of such a stunning summer room. High ornate ceilings with floor to ceiling windows with light softened by voile curtains floating gently with the breeze. I’d highly recommend a trip here for a night’s stay and Afternoon Tea.

Mat from Red Floral had created insanely huge and beautiful floral structures. If you’ve seen Mat’s work, you’ll know he doesn’t do things by halves, everything is big, bold, creative and fun. The injection of colour with big blooms from coral and purples to soft pinks and yellows with soft green foliage was unbelievably stunning.

The Sofreh is found across the Persian land and Arabian states with the custom dating back centuries. The table consists of items to represent different elements to a marriage, from the Ayeeneh va Shamdoon (mirror and candles) to represent light, clarity and love, Shakheh Nabat (sugar) symbolising a sweetened life for the newlyweds, to the Tokhmeh Murgh, Badom va Gerdom (Eggs, Almonds, Walnuts) to represent fertility for the couple. The Divan (Holy book), is placed on the Sofreh to symbolize a blessing for the couple.

During the ceremony, the Kalleh Ghand (sugar blocks) are rubbed over a traditional cloth canopying the bride and groom to shower the couple with sweetness, After exchanging rings, the couple dip their pinky fingers into Asal (honey) to represent sweetness in their marriage. I’ve only mentioned a few elements, but each table is personalised for the couple with some beautifully decorated items.

Our gorgeous bride wore the low backed cowl dress by Charlie Brear from the Iconic Collection, a bold draped look, with a loose low bun and barely there elegant makeup whilst the groom sported a classic black tuxedo.

It was a pleasure to shoot this set with some amazingly talented vendors, here are some of my fave images from the first set (set two features a to-die-for Jesus Peiro dress eek!!)

Photographer Zehra Jagani
Wedding Planner Abigail Lucy Events
Cinematographer Dwiko Arie
Venue Hawkstone Hall
Florals Red Floral Architecture
Dress The White Closet , Didsbury
Cake Rosalind Miller
Makeup Made up by Cathryn
Hair JustJasleen
Fabrics, ribbon Lancaster and Cornish
Accessories Botias Accessories,
Watch JaegerLecoultre
Shoes Jimmy Choo and Hugo Boss
Stationary Lily Anna Rose
Tableware White House Crockery
Sofreh accessories John Lewis