Martha Stewart Weddings

This California Wedding Was Inspired By the Beyoncé Lyrics "I Love You Like XO"

By Sarah Horne Grose
November 21, 2016
Credit: Michael Radford

We love it like XO.

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Shima and Ryan

Credit: Michael Radford
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In her vows, Shima Baradaran admitted that her romance with Ryan Baughman had been a whirlwind: "If someone had told me I'd start dating and marry anyone within four months, I would have laughed," she said. "But I can honestly say that I loved you immediately." It was a sentiment shared by Ryan, who at 38 was teased by buddies about being a perennial bachelor. It turns out he just hadn't met the right girl yet.

After chatting with Shima, a law professor, at a mutual friend's party in April 2015, "I was smitten," says Ryan, a real estate investor. He asked Shima and her two young sons to a movie the very next day and, just seven weeks later, proposed while the couple were in Paris for a friend's wedding.

The Salt Lake City-based couple decided to throw an August wedding at Montage Laguna Beach, near Shima's parents' home—which gave them just six weeks to plan. They quickly settled on a cheerful pink-and-red palette and, inspired by the Beyoncé lyrics "I love you like XO" and their affectionate personalities, a graphic motif of the letters symbolizing hugs and kisses.

On Friday evening on August 7, 2015, at six o'clock, Shima walked down the aisle with her sons, Kian and Darian, as ring bearers. Ryan's friend and business partner conducted the civil ceremony (the pair, who are Mormon, will mark their first anniversary with a sealing ceremony at the Salt Lake Temple). For both, exchanging their self-written vows was a highlight. Because their relationship had progressed so quickly, "we used the vows to inform everyone of our love story," says Shima.

The bride, who is Persian, incorporated Middle Eastern music into the reception entertainment, including a traditional dance during which the couple were lifted into the air on chairs by family and friends. Ryan recalls that, as he looked out at his loved ones and at the woman who had finally won his heart, "I felt like a conquering hero."

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The Bridal Bouquet

Credit: Michael Radford
Summer Wedding Bouquets We Love

Shima carried a bouquet created by Tinge Floral from romantic antik, caramel antik, distant drum roses, Eden romantica spray roses, gomphrena, raspberry scabiosa, astilbe, jasmine vine, and green privet berry.

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Awesome Accessories

Credit: Michael Radford

Shima and Ryan selected her engagement ring together. For the wedding day, Shima borrowed jewelry from Montage Laguna Beach's jewelry shop Lugano Diamonds.

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Flower Power

Credit: Michael Radford
Wedding Arches That Will Instantly Upgrade Your Ceremony

The couple married beneath an arch of flowers that included distant drum roses, Eden romantica spray roses, gomphrena, raspberry scabiosa, astilbe, jasmine vine, and green privet berry.

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The Ceremony

Credit: Michael Radford
Unique Wedding Vows for the Modern Couple

Married by Ryan's friend and business partner Craig Romney, the son of former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, the sweet, self-written vows were a highlight for the couple. Shima promised to "eat dessert with you every day for the rest of our lives," while Ryan vowed to "kiss you often, to hug you more, and to always make you feel like you're my girlfriend."

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Small Bites

Credit: Michael Radford

The couple served passed canapés catered by Montage Laguna Beach before sitting down to a dinner of roasted beets and goat cheese salad, braised beef short rib, and grilled local sea bass.

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Blushing Bridesmaids

Credit: Michael Radford

Shima's bridesmaids, who included two friends and her sisters (far left and second from right), wore dresses from J.Crew.

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Escort Xs and Os

Credit: Michael Radford
Insanely Creative Seating Cards and Displays

Calligraphed wooden escort cards in the day's signature shapes led guests to tables.

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A Thematic Floor Plan

Credit: Michael Radford
Floor Plan Secrets to an Awesome Wedding Reception

Guests dined at tables arranged in X and O patterns, perched on a bluff above the Pacific Ocean.

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Kisses Instead of Numbers

Credit: Michael Radford

Each of the "X-" or "O"-shaped tables at the reception was named for the word "kiss" in different languages.

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Pretty Centerpieces

Credit: Michael Radford
Pink Wedding Centerpieces

Centerpieces in terra-cotta pots included 'Antike' garden roses, raspberry scabiosa, and dahlias, while place settings featured wooden Xs and Os.

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Cake Time

Credit: Michael Radford
Colorful Wedding Cakes We Love

The cake's raspberry-lemonade flavor was created by pairing tart lemon cake with layers of fresh red raspberries, lemon curd, and raspberry Swiss-meringue buttercream; it was made by Hey There, Cupcake!.

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Favors for the Girls

Credit: Michael Radford
Our Best Wedding Favor Ideas

A favors table offered lipsticks in crimson and berry hues.

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Favors for the Guys

Credit: Michael Radford
Fun Wedding Games to Keep Guests Laughing

Wooden tic-tac-toe games were given as favors to the men.

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Sources

Credit: Michael Radford

Photography, Michael Radford 

Location, catering, and lighting, Montage Laguna Beach 

Event planning and design, Amorology 

Flowers, Tinge 

Cinematography, Kavin Lindgren Films 

Stationery, Peanut Press Creative 

Calligraphy, The Pointed Nib 

Cake, Hey There, Cupcake! 

Music, 11H Entertainment 

Rentals, The Hostess Haven; La Tavola Fine Linen; Signature Party Rentals 

Bride's gown, YolanCris 

Bride's accessories, Kate Spade shoes; Lugano Diamonds jewelry 

Hair and makeup, Melina Ruiz 

Bridesmaids' dresses, J.Crew 

Groom's suit, shirt, tie, and pocket square, Urbana Custom Clothier 

Groom's shoes, Allen Edmonds 

Custom backdrop, Back Up Photo Backdrops & Installations

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