We often get to feature international couples on the blog, but today's gorgeous bride and groom take that to a whole other level.
Sepideh & Mirza both grew up in Denmark, but are Persian and Bosnian respectively. The couple love to travel, and have spent their relationship exploring places as diverse as Mongolia and Antartica, so it was a no-brainer that their wedding would be an ode to their wanderlust.
And where better to celebrate their love, than the iconic, historic, and insanely romantic city of Dubrovnik in Croatia, with Sepideh's simple wishlist of crystal waters and palm trees as their backdrop.
The talented Ambre Peyrotty of Zéphyr & Luna was the perfect choice to capture such an intimate and emotional wedding, with her signature candid, yet atmospheric style.
With a teary and unrehearsed ceremony, Sepideh looked stunning, in a textured strapless gown by Danish designer, Karim Design. After a beautiful portrait session with dapper new husband Mirza, among the narrow lanes of Dubrovnik's old town, the couple got their travel-themed party underway, with lots of DIY decor and fun touches.
Scroll down to swoon over the stunning images from Sepideh & Mirza's big day, but be sure to read their story too. Mirza's proposal was pretty freaking epic, and Sepideh's advice for other couples is a must-read.
Wedding Day Snapshot
Our Love Story
We met at our workplace. I was a new employee and he had been working in the company for almost five years. The first time we saw each other was for a company party where we talked and danced.
Mirza proposed on his own 30 year birthday! It was a surprise and only his best friends knew – not mine, and not our families.
But he had a party, invited everybody and proposed after I witnessed a whole choir sing ‘Halo' by Beyonce. I had NOT seen it coming! We got engaged in May 2013 and married in August 2015, so we had a two year engagement.
Our Wedding Inspiration
We travel as much as we can, whenever we can. That’s actually what we do best. While experiencing other cultures, lives, climate and food we enjoy each others company like there is no tomorrow.
Since we met we have managed to travel to at least 24 countries together, some of the most extreme being Mongolia and Antarctica.
When we look for adventure, there is no limit. Maybe that’s why those are the moments when our love is greatest – because it sees no borders. I still look forward to all the travels that await and for that reason and many others, we would like to be married in another country.
Croatia to us also holds a special meaning as it was the immediate destination we went to after getting engaged and visiting his family in Bosnia.
We were newly engaged in Croatia and just being surrounded by the surreal turquoise water and sharing that experience – the decision wasn’t difficult.
For the wedding we wanted to somehow incorporate the travel element, make it a whole theme, but in a very tasty, romantic and rustic kind of way. From tables being called different country or city names, to having the world map as a cake – the ideas were endless!
We wanted to have sea view one way or the other. I really wanted to have images taken with the turquoise water in sight…
The Rings
On my engagement ring is the map of Denmark, Bosnia, Iran, Mongolia and Antarctica.
He had it custom made, in gold. Inside it is engraved in Persian: You are the Best Journey of my Life!
The Ceremony
We both more or less improvised on the spot. We hadn't timed it or discussed what we wanted to say to each other, before the moment.
Advice for Other Couples
My best advice for the bride and groom to be is to simply enjoy the planning process as much as the actual day itself.
You get to spend a lot of hours together, sharing ideas, likes and dislikes, and it brings you closer in many ways. I miss those days now…even if it meant disagreeing at times as well!
Getting to the result is just an inexplicable feeling!
Also, take a moment and look at each other on the day, during dinner, and just be grateful for what you have accomplished. Time goes by faster than one can imagine… your wedding day is truly magical.
There is really not much I can think of that I would change or do differently. One thing is though, to present a plan of the day to your guests.
Since we had a destination wedding, that itself was difficult for the guests, to have to come all the way by plane, get accustomed to a new country and find the actual location.
From the ceremony we still had to change locations two times and although they were walking distance and very close I wish I had made a time schedule of what happens when and where – so everyone knew and weren't getting confused for no reason.
Our toastmaster and wedding planner showed the way to our guests but it had helped a lot with a few signs or plans printed and placed on each seat at the ceremony.
In general, do not underestimate the need for information (especially for destination weddings!). Better have a lot of /too much information than missing something.
Also, if you can, be prepared to order thank-you cards (if you wish to) RIGHT after the honeymoon. Time flies and suddenly if you get caught up in your life as newlyweds, the guests might think you have forgotten them.
The Dress
I fell in love with my dress immediately although my mother, to begin with, was hesitant.
The color was not bright white but a subtle ivory and I still think the fabric and cut matched the location and destination so well!
The Photography
Zéphyr & Luna (Ambre) was lovely to have around, pleasant, kind and good at capturing the memorable moments that we hoped to keep forever.
Her work with beautiful scenery and given situation is something we really appreciated while we are not the people that like to pose too much (or at all).
Our joy and natural way of being shines through the photos ad we are very happy!
The First Dance
Our official first dance song was Ed Sheeran, ‘Thinking Out Loud'.
I heard the song a few months prior to the wedding and just knew I wanted it to be our first dance song. I was happy to find out that Mirza agreed.
We just love the lyrics, music video and since it was always going through our heads we thought there was no better choice.
The Cocktail Hour
We didn't organize any games ourselves, but our friends performed a surprise song for us that really had the guests warmed up!
The Venue
I loved our venue mostly because of the sea view but also because of the beautiful and big terrace with palm trees.
So romantic, isn't it? Dubrovnik is such a special place. I'm pretty obsessed with the texture in Sepideh's gown, it's the kind of wedding dress you just want to reach into the pictures and touch.
Thanks so much to Ambre Peyrotty of Zéphyr & Luna, and of course Sepideh & Mirza for sharing their amazing destination wedding with us.
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