This wedding is featured in the spring 2028 issue of Virginia Weddings Magazine.
Bride
Ellie Balakhanlou, 36
Physician
Groom
Kevan Moniri, 41
Executive
Date
October 26, 2024
LOCATION
Outlook at Saddle Ridge
Chesterfield, Virginia
Number of Guests
215
“Aspen Skiing Proposal”
Kevan and Ellie met on a dating app. They soon made plans to meet at a local restaurant for drinks and ended up staying for tapas. The rest is history!
PROPOSAL
In the spring of 2024, Kevan popped the question to Ellie at Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort in Colorado while they were skiing. They paused to take some photos, and he surprised Ellie with a ring. She immediately said, “Yes.”
As a token of his affection, Kevan gave Eillie a vintage-inspired engagement ring, featuring a prong-set, old European-cut center diamond. Flanking the center stone were three bead-set, old European-cut diamonds.
VENUE/THEME
Kevan and Ellie got married at The Outlook at Saddle Ridge in Chesterfield, Virginia. This venue combines rustic charm with modern elegance. They appreciated the indoor and outdoor options and used the horse pasture for their ceremony and wedding photos, while holding the reception in a ballroom with a spacious dance floor. Their color scheme included ivory, dusty rose, mauve and gold accents.
ATTIRE
Ellie got ready in the venue’s spacious bridal suite, which was equipped with several mirrors for hair and makeup. She purchased her wedding gown at The Bridal Room in McLean, Virginia. The gown, designed by Essence of Australia, was a strapless fit-and-flare style featuring a sweetheart neckline and a corset back. It featured vintage-style lace patterns with beaded details that added a touch of shimmer. One of Ellie’s favorite elements of the dress was the train, adorned with beautiful lace details and fabric-covered buttons that extended to its end.
Ellie’s necklace, a gift from her grandmother, featured a vintage Middle Eastern design with flowing leaf and ribbon-like motifs on both sides.
For her fragrance, the bride chose Daisy by Marc Jacobs.
On her feet, she wore open-toe shoes with a buckled ankle strap, ruched, crinkled detailing, a bow at the toe and a block heel. The upper and lining were made of fabric while the sole was leather.
The bridesmaids wore long dresses in mauve and dusty rose colors. They had the option to choose their preferred style.
The groom wore a Calvin Klein suit. It featured a tailored navy-blue three-piece suit, complete with a matching jacket and pants and a coordinating blue vest or waistcoat. A light pink tie provided a soft contrast to the blue suit.
The groomsmen also wore navy suits. The groom and the groomsmen got dressed at home.
BOUQUETS
The bridal bouquet featured a soft, romantic arrangement of flowers in a muted white and rose color palette. The bridesmaid bouquets were like the bridal bouquet but more compact.
Kevan’s boutonniere featured a small pink flower with greenery pinned to his jacket lapel. The groomsmen’s boutonnieres matched the colors of the bridal bouquet.
CEREMONY
The couple was married in the backyard, which faced the woods and horse pasture. The bride’s father walked her down the aisle to “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley. The processional music was Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” and the recessional music was a Persian song titled “Aroosi.”
During the ceremony, the officiant read an Iranian poem, and the maid of honor described the tradition of the Sofreh Aghd. The couple then lit a unity candle that symbolized the joining of their two lives and families as one.
FLOWERS
The ceremony altar featured themed arrangements that highlighted a culturally centered tablescape. It included a large white stage riser, measuring 12 feet by 8 feet, with tall floral arrangements as the backdrop. Along the ceremony aisle entrance, tall flower arrangements stood on gold pedestals that featured white hydrangeas and roses, pink and fuchsia roses and green foliage and eucalyptus.
At the base of these pedestals, smaller rounded floral arrangements used similar colors and greenery. The aisle was lined with white petals scattered along its edges.
CULURATION TRADITIONS
Kevan and Ellie took part in a ceremony that is an important aspect of her cultural tradition. They sat at a special table adorned with various symbolic items. The bridesmaids held a cloth over the heads of the bride and groom. Female family members with happy marriages then sprinkled sugar on the fabric, wishing the couple sweetness and happiness.
PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEOGRAPHY
The couple hired Marshall Arts Photography and videographer Silver Streak Media to capture their wedding day.
Kevan and Ellie decided to take wedding party photos before their guests arrived for the ceremony. Afterward, they had portraits taken in a horse pasture, which made the perfect backdrop as the sun set. The videographer worked alongside the photographer to ensure the couple’s wedding was well documented.
COCKTAIL HOUR
The couple’s cocktail hour took place outdoors. Guests enjoyed cold drinks from a beer truck and played cornhole. For appetizers, they were offered mini crab cakes, mini quesadillas and sirloin bites. The couple’s signature drinks were a “Moniri Mezcalita” and Belle Isle Honey Habanero Moonshine.
RECEPTION
The reception took place in the venue’s ballroom, which combined a modern aesthetic with timeless elegance. A stunning crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, creating a cascading effect of light strands. The color scheme featured all-white decor that was accented with soft touches of gold and blush pink.
The dance floor was adorned with a white design featuring a gold monogram with the initials E and K. The wedding coordinator ensured each table was elegantly set with white linens and a mix of white and gold chairs. Floral arrangements adorned the tables, showcasing white and light pink flowers.
White drapery lined the walls, and large windows let natural light fill the space. Soft lighting, accompanied by candles on the tables, created a warm ambiance. On either side of the dance floor, white lounge furniture was available for guests to relax.
In the background, the staff decorated the sweetheart table with candles. Immediate family members sat at an estate table located near the sweetheart table.
The newlyweds captivated their guests as they entered the reception to the song “I’m a Believer” by Smash Mouth. The wedding party entered the reception to “The Way I Are” by Timbaland. For their first dance, the couple chose the song “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” by Bryan Adams. The father-daughter dance featured the Persian song “Ye Dokhtar Daram Shah Nadare” by Hassan Shamaizadeh, which tells the story of a father giving his daughter away to a prince. The groom and his mother swayed to “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. The couple ended the night with a last dance to “Forever After All” by Luke Combs.
MENU
Guests were served dinner from various stations, including tacos, pasta and carving.
CAKE
The wedding cake was a three-tier cake. The dessert bar included Persian sweets.
EXIT/AFTER PARTY
The newlyweds exited the reception through a sparkler send-off. They headed to an after-party at Siné Irish Pub & Restaurant.
HONEYMOON
The couple spent their honeymoon in St. Lucia.
WISE WORDS
Kevan and Ellie offer this advice to engaged couples: “Get a wedding planner! You might not need one from the beginning, but they will be helpful to keep you organized and communicate with vendors. They will also be present on the day of the wedding.”
WEDDING DISASTERS
The couple was lucky to experience only minor inconveniences. They left a few items at their home in Maryland. They had family members and friends pick them up and bring them to the venue in Chesterfield, Virginia.
BEST GIFT
The newlyweds said, “The best gift overall was having family and friends travel to celebrate the big day with us.”
Their favorite registered items were a Dyson vacuum and a molcajete bowl for making guacamole.
VENDORS
VENUE
Outlook at Saddle Ridge
Chesterfield, VA
804.789.2665
PHOTOGRAPHY
Marshall Arts Photography
Richmond, VA
804.339.3256
VIDEOGRAPHY
Silver Streak Media
Charlottesville, VA
434.996.0215
CONSULTANT
Water & Wine
Emily Burke
Virginia
OFFICIANT
Babak Balakhanlou
GOWN/VIEL
Essence of Australia
The Bridal Room
Mclean, VA
SHOES
Loeffler Randall
HAIR & MAKEUP
Radiant Reflection
INVITATIONS
The Knot
FLOWERS
The Flower Guy Bron
Richmond, VA
RENTAL EQUIPMENT
Party Perfect
Richmond, VA
CATERING
Mosaic Catering
Richmond, VA
MUSIC
The Jamestown String Quartet
ENTERTAINMENT
Shamoudi Entertainment
CAKE
Sweet Fix
Richmond, VA
ACCOMMODATIONS
Hilton Downtown
Richmond, VA
Courtyard Marriott
Richmond, VA
HONEYMOON
Sandals
St. Lucia
