There are some weddings where the energy just bursts from the photos, and that’s what we found in Beeta Ansari and Ali Geramian’s gorgeous Persian wedding at the Fairmont Hotel. Pair that with their incredibly sweet story—who doesn’t love an amazing and creative proposal?—and we knew we had to share these shots by Lisa Boggs Photography!
Beeta was at a birthday party for one of her life-long friends when she spotted an unfamiliar face in the crowd. Ali was living in New York City at the time, but he happened to be in DC for work that night. As soon as Ali noticed Beeta across the room, he knew he needed to meet her. “I felt like I saw my future as soon as I saw her,” says Ali. “I kept waiting for our mutual friends to make the introduction, but everyone was busy with their own conversations.” Finally, towards the end of the night, Ali mustered up the courage and walked over to introduce himself.
Though Ali had to return to New York the next day, he made a point of staying in touch with Beeta until six weeks later when he finally made it back to Washington. He took Ali to dinner on a Saturday night, and following a meal, after-dinner drinks, and dessert and coffee and three different eateries, they finally parted ways, with a promise to meet for brunch the next day.
They had dated almost three years when Ali took Beeta to Decanter at the St. Regis. When the check arrived, it came with a message from the concierge of the hotel, letting them know they were the 100th guests to dine that night and had won a free night’s stay at the hotel. Shocked but unsuspicious, Beeta followed Ali upstairs, where they were escorted to a room covered in rose petals. Ali pretended to be just as pleasantly surprised as Beeta, until he invited her out onto the balcony of their hotel room, got down on one knee, and asked her to marry him.
Beeta and Ali planned a traditional Persian ceremony with a stunning sofreh aghd decorated by the bride’s mother. The room was decked out with flower petals and white roses, completely transforming the Fairmont Hotel ballroom.
After a night of celebrating on their completely-packed dance floor, the couple took off into the night for their honeymoon in the Dominican Republic.
VENDORS
Venue: Fairmont Hotel | Photographer: Lisa Boggs Photography | Bride’s Gown: Monique Lhuillier, Carine’s Bridal Atelier | Groom’s Attire: Hugo Red Label by Hugo Boss | Hair and Makeup Artist: Victoria Stiles | Event Coordinator: Poopak Golesorkhi, Exclusively Events | Cake: Fairmont Hotel | Florist: Petal’s Edge Floral Design | Caterers: Fairmont Hotel | Music/Entertainment: Babak Hafezi | Invitations: Paper Source | Officiant: Nilou Nouri
Looking for a fabulous hotel to host your fete? Check out our awesome vendor listing of the area’s best hotels to find your venue.
Caroline Cunningham joined Washingtonian in 2014 after moving to the DC area from Cincinnati, where she interned and freelanced for Cincinnati Magazine and worked in content marketing. She currently resides in College Park.
