St. Regis Wedding - Helia and Keyian - Barnet Photography

We recently photographed a beautiful, Persian wedding at the St. Regis Monarch Beach, a perfect location for Helia and Keyian’s unforgettable day. We enjoyed working with wedding planner Maria Lindsay, the floral team of Square Root Designs, and the music and lighting team of Excellent Entertainment International. It was a fantastic day and a great time was had by all. We always like to find out a little about our brides and grooms since each of our couples have such a unique story. We love the details! We asked Helia and Keyian a few questions and, with their permission, we share their story with you. How they met was complete destiny!

How did you two meet?

Helia: The way we met was actually very random. Every year for Christmas many Persians go to Las Vegas for Perisan concerts and just a big gathering. I had been going every year and I actually didn’t want to go that year. I was exhausted from my residency and wasn’t in the mood to go. Also, I never had good luck with Persian guys in the past and had decided Never to marrying one. I told my twin sister that I didn’t want to go, however she convinced me. She said it would be good for me to hang out with family, go to dinner, do some shopping and get away from the hospital. At the same time, Keyian wasn’t planning on going either, but his cousin convinced him to go. After dinner with my family, some of us went to the club “Haze” in the Aria hotel, When Keyian walked into the club, I didn’t think he was Persian, he doesn’t look like a typical Persian guy. I told him I was so happy he wasn’t Persian because I didn’t date Persian guys. He went along and told me his name was Jonathan Kelly and that he was Irish. As we continued talking, I found out he was full Persian but by that time I already liked him. Our first date was January 1st and the rest was history.

When did you kno he/she was the one?

Helia: For me, from the first time I met him at the club he sounded like a great guy but again, who can trust a guy and what he says at a club? So, it was really on our second date when he came to pick me up from my apartment ( I was living close to the hospital at the time) that I knew he was the one. Keyian says he knew I was the one from the first moment he met me.

Tell us about the proposal:

I was very surprised…didn’t see it coming at all. He proposed to me on our trip to Italy. I knew he was ring shopping but I didn’t think the ring would be ready anytime soon. Also, he had told me that he was probably going to propose to me in a very casual way. I definitely didn’t expect a proposal. He was nervous right before he proposed. This is what Keyian wrote on our wedding website about his proposal: After dating for 1.5 years, we decided to take a trip to Italy. The appropriate time didn’t present itself until we drove down to Positano along the gorgeous Amalfi Coast. That meant the ring stayed in my jeans pocket the whole time. During sunset on the terrace overlooking the town, I pretended to set my camera on a timer for a photo, but started videoing my proposal instead. The highlights of the next few minutes caught on video demonstrated her inability to answer as she had tears in her eyes, forcing me to ask her again. After, she said she couldn’t see the ring! (because of the tears in her eyes, not the size of the ring).

What is the one thing that you love most about each other?

What I love most about him is his honesty, sincerity, his big heart and his love for family. What he loves most aobut me is my sincerity.

What inspired the decor or theme of your wedding?

Our theme was simple, yet elegant. That’s just how I would describe our relationship. We like quality. It doesn’t necessarily have to be flashy, but we like things elegant and like everything of great quality: food, wine, our photographers:)))

What a wonderful story! Here are a few favorites from the day…

A very emotional First Look.

An incredible Sofreh by Afsaneh Sargordan.

Helia and Keyian blended some Western customs into their Persian ceremony, like reading each other their vows in English.