A New Season Begins

Gina and Soorena
March 12, 2011
Le Méridien
Philadelphia, PA
Web Site

In the heart of Center City Philadelphia, Le Meridien lies at our city's epicenter of art, culture, and entertainment. Just steps away is the Love Sculpture, a symbol of peace and love that complemented what was a remarkably tranquil and romantic wedding reception.

As Gina and Soorena's friends and family waited for the wedding ceremony to begin, the sound of a Persian guitar echoed through the room.

Celebrated in true Persian tradition, Soorena asked Gina for her hand in marriage three times throughout the ceremony before she accepted. It was a very moving experience.

After being pronounced husband and wife, their friends and family made their way into the cocktail area, celebrated in the Abele Library. Looking out the windows, you could easily see City Hall and William Penn towering above.

After cocktails, everyone was seated in the Trumbauer Ballroom and waited for the arrival of Gina and Soorena. What the guests witnesed next was totally unexpected by everyone except for Gina, Soorena and me.

Weeks prior to the wedding day, Gina and Soorena decided to take ballroom dance lessons for their first dance, but wanted to do something fun to liven up the moment. About halfway into the song, their ballad switched from "Forever and For Always" by Shania Twain to "Just The Way You Are" by Bruno Mars. For just one moment, the crowd gasped thinking the song had failed. The smiles and laughs that followed were priceless.

From that moment on, the tone was set. We danced to Top 40, Persian songs, Oldies... Everything. It was a GREAT wedding!

Congratulations, Gina and Soorena!



Click here to see some photos from their reception!

Videography: CinemaCake
Agenda

6:00-6:30 PM Ceremony
Processional: "Kissing" by Bliss
Recessional: "Beautiful Day" by U2

6:30-7:30 PM Cocktail hour (Library)

7:30 PM Ballroom doors open

7:45 PM Grand entrance
"Battle Without Honor Or Humanity" by Tomoyasu Hotei

7:50 PM Gina and Soorenas first dance
"Forever & For Always/Just The Way You Are" by Shania Twain and Bruno Mars

7:55 PM Welcome and blessing

8:00 PM First course (salad)

8:15 PM Intermezzo and toasts

8:20 PM Open dancing set

8:40 PM Entree

9:30 PM Cake cutting
"Sweetest Thing" by U2

9:40 PM Bouquet and garter tradtions
Bouquet: "You Sexy Thing" by Hot Chocolate
Garter Removal: "Legs" by ZZ Top
Garter Toss: "Sharp Dressed Man" by ZZ Top
Garter Replacement: "Don't Cha (Ralphi's Hot Freak Remix)" by Pussycat Dolls

9:50 PM Longevity Dance
"Someone Like You" by Van Morrison

9:55 PM-12:55 AM Open dancing

12:55 AM Final song of the night
"Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey

Philadelphia DJs - CinemaCake - Steve Croce