Wedding | Andrea & Shima

Tell us a little about yourselves!

Andrea grew up in Los Angeles County and works as a project manager, bringing her steady, organized energy into everything she does. Shima grew up in Orange County and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, passionate about creating meaningful connections and supporting others in their healing.

We met four years ago on Hinge and instantly bonded over our shared love of Interpol. What started as a conversation about our favorite band quickly turned into hours of talking about life, values, and the kind of future we both hoped to build.

At our core, we’re both intentional, family-oriented, and deeply value authenticity. We balance each other well with Andrea’s practicality and calm presence and Shima’s warmth and emotional insight. Shima is a Libra and Andrea is a Virgo, which basically means one of us is curating the vibe while the other is making a perfectly organized spreadsheet for it.

Together, we love exploring Los Angeles, trying new restaurants, going to concerts, and spending quality time with the people we love most.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

Shima and Andrea’s love story blossomed in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. During their dating years, Andrea lived in DTLA while Shima was in Orange County, making their relationship a meaningful “medium distance” one. Shima would often make the drive to the city to spend time together.

When they came across Redbird, they instantly knew they had found the perfect venue. Nestled in the historic Vibiana building — a restored 19th-century cathedral originally built in 1876 as the first cathedral of Los Angeles — Redbird carries a timeless elegance that felt deeply aligned with their story. The space is one of the few remaining nineteenth-century landmarks in Los Angeles, blending old-world architecture with modern design in a way that feels both grand and intimate.

For Shima and Andrea, choosing Redbird wasn’t just about the beauty of the space, it was about honoring the city where their love grew and celebrating in a place rich with history, character, and meaning.

How many guests did you have?

We celebrated with 32 of our closest family and friends. Keeping it intimate allowed us to slow down, soak it all in, and genuinely share the day with each guest.

What was your budget?

Under $30,000.

Tell us about your outfits.

Shima has always been the type to pick her shoes first and build the entire outfit around them and her wedding look was no different. The moment she knew she was getting married, she immediately envisioned the white-and-black cap-toe slingback from Chanel. From there, the search began for the perfect dress to complement the shoes. She found it on The RealReal, a stunning piece by Majorelle that felt effortlessly romantic and aligned perfectly with her vision. It was classic with a little edge, just like the shoes that inspired it.

Andrea has always had a strong eye for fashion, though she’s typically more moderate when it comes to spending. For her wedding, she knew she wanted to invest in something truly special. She was drawn to the suits from Bode, not only for their unique yet timeless designs, but for the craftsmanship and storytelling behind the brand. It became her first major designer purchase for herself, which made the look feel even more meaningful.

Together, their outfits felt like an authentic reflection of who they are individually — intentional, expressive, and rooted in personal style rather than tradition.

What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?

The most important aspect of planning our wedding was staying authentic to who we are both individually and culturally. We wanted every detail to reflect not only our personalities, but also the traditions, values, and histories that shaped us.

Equally important was creating a warm, welcoming space that felt like home. In both of our cultures, gathering with loved ones is sacred. It’s how we celebrate, how we show love, and how we build community. We wanted our closest friends and family to feel honored, included, and truly part of the experience, not just witnesses to it.

More than anything, our focus was on bringing our worlds together in a way that felt genuine and intentional — a celebration rooted in culture, connection, and the people who mean the most to us.

Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?

We were intentional about honoring both of our cultures in ways that felt joyful and immersive with live music and meaningful cultural touches that celebrated the blending of our Latina and Persian backgrounds. It was important that the celebration felt like a true fusion of both of us.

Music, especially, held a special place. It’s what initially brought us together when we first met, so curating the playlist for the night felt incredibly personal. We were thoughtful about every song and made sure it reflected our story, our cultures, and the energy we wanted to create.

Lastly, food was another key element. In our families, food is love and it’s how we gather, celebrate, and care for one another. We wanted the meal to feel abundant, warm, and communal.

Any tips for couples getting married?

Stay authentic. It’s easy to get caught up in trends or expectations but the day should feel like you. Make decisions based on what feels aligned with your values and your relationship.

Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?

We truly cannot say enough about our vendors and we were absolutely blown away by the flow, professionalism, and teamwork each of them brought to the day.

Bloom and Grow Event Co., led by Renee, completely took everything off our hands the night of the wedding. She ensured the timeline ran smoothly, handled every transition effortlessly, and allowed us to be fully present. That peace of mind was priceless.

Our photographer, Simone Arasimowicz, captured our day so beautifully. She made us feel comfortable, grounded, and completely ourselves in front of the camera, which truly shows in the photos.

The staff at Redbird were incredible, they were attentive, warm, and so accommodating to our guests. They helped create an environment that felt elevated yet welcoming.

Tierra Mia Mariachi created some of the most unforgettable moments of the night. The energy, emotion, and cultural pride they brought to the celebration made it incredibly meaningful and had everyone fully immersed.

Nisabee Bouquets perfectly captured the moody, romantic tone we envisioned with her florals.

We also cannot recommend having a content creator enough. After going through the planning process, adding one to your vendor list is something we wholeheartedly suggest. Stacey from Off The Market Media was so dedicated to capturing everything. You are able to truly relive the day with those memories documented in real time.

Lastly, a special shoutout to Rae (She’s Decadent), who created the sweetest Peanuts-inspired caricature of us that we featured on our welcome sign and menu headers. It was such a personal, playful touch that tied everything together and made the details feel even more “us.”

Photographer: Simone Arasimowicz @simonearasimowicz | Planning: Bloom and Grow Event Co. @bloomandgroweventco | Flora: Nisabee Bouquets @nisabeesbouquets | Content Creator: Off the Market Media @offthemarketmedia | Reception Location: Redbird @redbirdla | Cake: Flouring

@flouringla | Stationery: She’s Decadent @shes.decadent | Entertainment: Mariachi Tierra Mia @mariachitierramia | Dress: Majorelle @majorelle_collection | Suit: Bode @bode | Engagement Ring: 

Capri Jewelry @caprijewelryinc | Wedding Rings: Bridal Rings Company @bridalringscompany | Shoes: Chanel @chaneloffical | Hair Bow: Gemini Fusion @gemini.fusion