Anila & Thomas were married at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, CA. on July 24, 2010. They both worked in banquets at The Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood where I met Anila who was the coordinator for a wedding I shot there in 2009. We had such a great time working together at that wedding that she and her then fiance Thomas decided to book me for their own wedding.
They decided to get married at the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel, which I was ecstatic about. If you know me, you know that I LOVE the Four Seasons Hotels. I especially love The Four Seasons Biltmore Santa Barbara, the Four Seasons Maui, the Four Seasons Scottsdale, and the Four Seasons in Punta Mita, Mexico, and of course the Four Seasons Beverly Hills. I love the Four Seasons! I have not stayed at the Regent Beverly Wilshire as a guest, but working there is a treat. Not only does it possess classic Beverly Hills charm and a plethora of unique shooting locations (from all over the hotel itself to Wilshire Blvd right out front as well as Rodeo Drive right across the street), but most important and unique to all Four Seasons properties, is that the Hotel Staff are amazing and utterly helpful, pleasant, and great to work with. Mark Anderson is the on site Catering Manager at the Regent; he orchestrated the day into a fluid, seamless, perfect progression of events.
Anila & Thomas got ready at the Regent in separate rooms, which just so happened to be more or less across the courtyard from each other, we could actually see Anila getting her makeup done in the window of her room from Thomas' room. Anila's dress was a gorgeous Ines di Santo creation that fit her perfectly. Thomas gave her a sweet note and a beautiful white gold Tiffany bracelet that she wore down the aisle... Her flowers were a mix of deep burgundy roses and tulips accented with a trim of peacock feathers all done by the creative team at Bobbe Vagell Floral Concepts who also did all of the flowers and decor for their reception.
Of course they looked amazing together, and since they saw each other before the ceremony we were able to play and take pictures around the amazing property...
Guests arrived on the hotel rooftop to cucumber water and champagne, with mellow music played by a Bob Gail string trio softening the city sounds. They had a unique duel faith ceremony. Anila is Persian and Thomas is Dutch, and the ceremony was a Jewish and Christian ceremony with two officiants! Rabbi Jerry Fisher & Reverend Al Bumham did a great job of leading the ceremony as a spiritual union with messages everyone could take to heart. It was lovely and very emotional. Thomas even broke a glass at the end, a Jewish tradition that is fast becoming a non-denomination tradition to signify that the marriage endure as long as it would take to piece the glass back together, or forever, whichever comes first...
After the ceremony and after they had some time to themselves to relax and refresh and rejuvenate, we went out to Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive to take some pictures. We got lucky and got some great stuff on Rodeo before security came over the PA and kicked us out! Fortunately we were already done!! Time to Party!!
The reception was a nice mix of traditional Persian and Dutch and American, all rolled into one great party. There was an energetic Hora, sweet First Dance, speeches and toasts and a video montage of photos, a traditional Dutch song put on my Thomas' family and friends, and a warm Father Daughter, and Mother Son dance... and lots and lots of dancing, drinking, and celebrating by all.... Edwardo over at Absolute A/V lit the room in a warm orange and red glow, Bobbie Vegal Floral Concepts transformed an already awesome banquet hall into an elegant and tasteful party environment, and DJ Tony Liebetau of RedShoeLA kept the music bumpin.
To view Anila & Thomas' Wedding in its entirety click HERE.