SOPHIA & EHSAN || PALACE WEDDING IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA

It's not every day one gets to document a wedding fit for royalty in Vienna, let alone a wedding set in two of the most exquisite palaces of the Austrian capital alongside Elisabeth Cardich of "creme-de-la-creme" A Very Beloved Wedding. I've always had a soft spot for the Baroque streetscapes and imperial palaces of this grand city that echoes as soul-stirringly as the works of Strauss and Mozart to my ears. Sophia and Ehsan's June wedding was an ornate sight to behold and their two-day celebrations will be forever etched in my memory. Our day one began at the Neoclassical Palais Coburg built by Prince Ferdinand, the very place where Johann Strauss dedicated to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert premiered. As each room (literally steeped in history and artworks) opened after the other for the welcome party and the couple's wedding ceremony, the story of the families unfolded in all its tradition-adhering glory. Soon there were endless terrace walks, garden cocktails and a winery cellar bash that lasted till midnight, only to give its place to a magical second-day celebration at Palais Liechtenstein. Once the architectural muse of Italian landscape painter Canaletto this sublime palace opened its beautifully landscaped, sculpture-dotted grounds to a wedding reception that took my breath away. Once more, Eli waived her magic wand to present the couple and their beloved ones with a scene as seamless as my bride's Ramial Ali gown. Following the Persian drummer ritual, Sophia and Ehsan entered the majestic Hercules Room to receive the blessings of their families and friends, while a sublime al-fresco dinner reception was getting prepared. After the cutting of the wedding cake we danced the night away, and if you're wondering how this fairytale wedding looked, let me give you a "fashion week styling" hint and present you with a selection of my favorite images below.