Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Subscribe
Save Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 35 One-Pan Meals Just Right for Dinner Tonight

      One pan, pot, skillet, or Instant Pot is all you need to for these no-fuss family dinners, including salmon, pasta, pot roast, chili, and so much more. Read More Next
    • The Best 2021 Bedroom Paint Colors

      Explore the best 2021 bedroom paint colors, according to paint experts. Read More Next
    • The Ultimate Guide to Household Cleaning: What You Should Be Cleaning When

      Our printable checklists will tell you what you should be doing every day, week, month, season—or every once in a while—to keep your home in ship-shape year round. Read More Next
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD

    Quick, Easy, and Delicious Pasta Recipes Ideal for Weeknight Dinners

    When you need a comforting meal but don't have a lot of time, whip up one of these fast pasta recipes. All can be made in 45 minutes or less.
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS

    25 Heart-Shaped Treats to Send to Your Valentine

    Sure, flowers are nice, but homemade food gifts are the sweetest tokens of affection—especially when they're heart-shaped.
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING

    The Best Front Porch Decorating Ideas for Every Month of the Year

    Get inspired to make your porch your new favorite living space with these ideas designed to add a refined look to any outdoor space.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME

    How to Disinfect Your Kitchen and Your Food During the Coronavirus Outbreak, According to Experts

    Keep everything from your countertops to your dining room chairs germ-free.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING

    How to Keep Your Houseplants Happy in the Winter

    Help them thrive even when the temperature drops.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Wash Your Hands Properly, According to a Doctor

    You likely wash your hands several times a day, but are you doing so effectively? Learn how to minimize the spread of germs with an extra few seconds of scrubbing.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS

    How to Plan a Beautiful, Meaningful Micro Wedding So That You Can Celebrate Your Postponed Nuptials Right Now

    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY

    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    Learn how to knit your own mittens, hats, scarves, and more. We'll take you through the step-by-step instructions and teach you how to cast on, knit, purl, and cast off.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Six Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health While You Work from Home

    Start by carving out a designated work area in your space.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE

    How to Start a Virtual Book Club

    From which platforms to use and the best books to read, bibliophiles share their advice.
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Weddings
  3. Real Weddings
  4. Wedding Styles
  5. Love Is Love
  6. Summer Weddings
  7. This California Wedding Was Inspired By the Beyoncé Lyrics "I Love You Like XO"
Martha Stewart Weddings

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

By Sarah Horne Grose
November 21, 2016
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Michael Radford

We love it like XO.

Start Slideshow

1 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Shima and Ryan

Credit: Michael Radford
See All Our Best Real Weddings

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."

1 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

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.

2 of 15

3 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

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.

3 of 15

Advertisement

4 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

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.

4 of 15

5 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

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."

5 of 15

6 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

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.

6 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

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.

7 of 15

8 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

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.

8 of 15

9 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

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.

9 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

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.

10 of 15

11 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

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.

11 of 15

12 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

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!.

12 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Favors for the Girls

Credit: Michael Radford
Our Best Wedding Favor Ideas

A favors table offered lipsticks in crimson and berry hues.

13 of 15

14 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

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.

14 of 15

15 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

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

15 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Sarah Horne Grose

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Martha Stewart Weddings
View All
  • Amal Clooney Just Revealed Her Favorite George Clooney Rom-Com—and It's Not What You Would Expect
  • Queen Elizabeth Is Planning a Surprise for Kate Middleton Ahead of Her and Prince William's 10th Anniversary
  • Just Wait Until You See the Loaded Pie Table at This Modern, Cultural Wedding in Brooklyn
  • The Kids Stole the Show at This Formal Micro Wedding in St. Louis
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 15 Shima and Ryan
2 of 15 The Bridal Bouquet
3 of 15 Awesome Accessories
4 of 15 Flower Power
5 of 15 The Ceremony
6 of 15 Small Bites
7 of 15 Blushing Bridesmaids
8 of 15 Escort Xs and Os
9 of 15 A Thematic Floor Plan
10 of 15 Kisses Instead of Numbers
11 of 15 Pretty Centerpieces
12 of 15 Cake Time
13 of 15 Favors for the Girls
14 of 15 Favors for the Guys
15 of 15 Sources

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Login

Martha Stewart

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Customer Service
  • Media Kit
  • Sitemap
  • Martha's Blog
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing
  • FAQ
  • Corporate
  • International

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Martha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

View image

This California Wedding Was Inspired By the Beyoncé Lyrics "I Love You Like XO"
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.