Willard InterContinental DC Wedding

Maryam & Reed

PHOTOGRAPHY & FLATLAY DESIGN — Anna Schmidt Photography
FLORALS — Ultimate Floral Designs
GOWN — Reem Acra (Flock of Angels, Prophet Collection)
GOWN STORE — Carine's Bridal
BRIDAL SHOES — Acquazurra Love Me Pumps
PRE-WEDDING PORTRAIT SHOES — Christian Louboutin So Kate
CUSTOM TUXEDO & SUIT— Tom James Clothing

PLANNING, SOFREH, & EVENT DESIGN — Poopak Golesorkhi (Exclusively Events by PG)
VENUE & CATERING — Willard InterContinental DC (Michael Deltette and team)
CINEMATOGRAPHY — Paperboys
MAKEUP & BROW — Azin Farshadfar (Muse Studios)
HAIR — Devon Baltimore (Up Do Specialist)
ENTERTAINMENT — DJTaba and Violinist Celeste Vee
PHOTO TEAM — Oscar Navarre, Danielle Lawrance, Gerar Santos

A Persian Fusion Wedding in Washington, DC

A classic gold-and-white Persian fusion wedding at the Willard InterContinental DC — designed with intention, cultural reverence, and timeless elegance.

Maryam and Reed envisioned a wedding that honored heritage while feeling modern, elevated, and deeply personal. Set at one of Washington, DC’s most iconic wedding venues, the Willard InterContinental provides a timeless backdrop for refined, culturally rich celebrations. Within its storied interiors, their black-tie celebration unfolded with natural ease — from an intimate first look on the grand staircase to an evening reception alive with movement, ritual, and joy.

Designed and orchestrated by Poopak Patrice Golesorkhi of Exclusively Events, the day was layered with meaning and precision. Each moment — from the Sofreh Aghd ceremony to the Jashn-e Aroosi reception — was thoughtfully paced, emotionally grounded, and beautifully integrated into the flow of the day.

Our role was to photograph the wedding with both editorial intention and emotional awareness — shaping portraits with a refined, fashion-forward eye while allowing moments to unfold without interruption. Maryam’s Reem Acra gown and crystal details were documented with care, while quieter images preserved the tenderness of family, ritual, and remembrance — including a deeply personal tribute woven into the Sofreh honoring Maryam’s late father.

As the celebration continued into the evening, the energy shifted into something spirited and joyful — from the Persian knife dance to a packed dance floor — captured with the same attentiveness as the still, meaningful moments that came before.

Selected by couples and planners for weddings requiring cultural fluency, editorial polish, and emotional intelligence.

This is photography rooted in connection, trust, and legacy — crafted for couples who value depth and guided by an intuitive understanding of how meaningful celebrations unfold.

CREATIVE TEAM: 

PHOTOGRAPHY & FLATLAY DESIGN — Anna Schmidt Photography
FLORALS — Ultimate Floral Designs
GOWN — Reem Acra (Flock of Angels, Prophet Collection)
GOWN STORE — Carine's Bridal
BRIDAL SHOES — Acquazurra Love Me Pumps
PRE-WEDDING PORTRAIT SHOES — Christian Louboutin So Kate
CUSTOM TUXEDO & SUIT— Tom James Clothing

PLANNING, SOFREH, & EVENT DESIGN — Poopak Golesorkhi (Exclusively Events by PG)
VENUE & CATERING — Willard InterContinental DC (Michael Deltette and team)
CINEMATOGRAPHY — Paperboys
MAKEUP & BROW — Azin Farshadfar (Muse Studios)
HAIR — Devon Baltimore (Up Do Specialist)
ENTERTAINMENT — DJTaba and Violinist Celeste Vee
PHOTO TEAM — Oscar Navarre, Danielle Lawrance, Gerar Santos