You'll Swoon Over This Romantic Celebration at a Stunning Historic Venue in Saratoga, New York

Surprising Taraneh is no easy feat, but in August of 2014, Chris pulled it off. “Unbeknownst to me, when I was driving to Westchester for a work trip, Chris was in the car an hour behind me. I had checked into the hotel and heard a knock on the door. When I opened it, Chris was down on one knee with a ring in his hand!” Taraneh remembers.

The New York couple kept their wedding close to home, choosing the Hall of Springs in Saratoga for its historic charm and beauty. They invited 225 guests to join them there on October 9, 2015, making the most of the gorgeous location and the stunning changing leaves. The detail-oriented bride took on the planning herself, using blush, gold, and ivory to create a romantic and elegant celebration that was personal, cozy, and a whole lot of fun! Check out the stunning details, photographed by Twah Dougherty, below!

The blush theme was carried throughout the celebration, starting with Taraneh’s pale pink Badgley Mischka pumps. She matched the crystal-capped shoes with a pair of dangling earrings and a beaded garter. Even her bouquet was in keeping with the romantic color palette, with blush and ivory Sahara roses interspersed with seeded eucalyptus and succulents.

The pair’s classic invitation suite combined gold calligraphy with sweet drawings of the Saratoga area.

Guests were welcomed to town with baskets of Saratoga Springs water, custom cookies, popcorn, and hand-written cards from the bride and groom.

Taraneh went with the classic combination of lace and tulle for her soft, romantic Tara Keely wedding dress.

Complete with a drop-waist, the elegant silhouette featured layers of tulle and horsehair trim beneath a lace corset bodice. The groom donned a classic black tux to complement his Taraneh’s ensemble.

“I’ve always known my bridesmaids would wear blush,” says the bride. The girls donned Jenny Yoo gowns, with the maid of honor in a drop-waist silhouette. Their bouquets combined Sahara roses and eucalyptus leaves to match the bride. The groomsmen’s tuxedos helped complete the formal look.

The ceremony took place beneath the venue’s brick portico, with rows of gold Chivari chairs flanking the walkway. Arrangements of hydrangeas and greenery were set behind the chairs, with the ceremony taking place right in the middle of it all.

Where the two aisles met, roses and greenery were surrounded by floating candles for the couple’s ceremony. “We were literally surrounded by our family and friends,” says the bride.

The couple wrote a set of vows to exchange with one another during the ceremony, and further personalized this portion of the day by asking the bride’s sister to read a love poem.

Beneath the venue’s chandelier and surrounded by columns, round tables were set for the reception. The towering centerpieces combined ferns, hydrangeas, and roses in blush and peach tones, surrounded by floating candles. Those bottles of wine? Wedding favors!

For dinner, guests dined on beef tenderloin, potato-crusted salmon, chicken scallopini, and grilled vegetable napoleons.

Chris and Taraneh sat at a sweetheart table draped with a garland of greenery and roses. Floating candles cast a glow over the table, arranged on the floor and nearby cocktail tables to enhance the romantic feel.

The bride and groom’s private table, bathed in candlelight, featured a lighter version of the reception’s place settings, accented in gold.

Guests sipped Wedding Cake Martinis as they chose between three flavors of real slices: almond cake with strawberry filling, chocolate cake with raspberry filling, or vanilla cake with white chocolate mousse — all decorated with soft textured buttercream and cascades of blush Sahara roses.

When they weren’t on the dance floor, the couple’s guests could be found having their portrait drawn by caricature artists or smoking cigars on the patio.

“Being married surrounded by our guests gave the ceremony a feeling of intimacy,” says Taraneh. She and Chris took an extended honeymoon, visiting San Francisco, Hawaii, and Las Vegas. “Wedding planning can be stressful at times,” says the bride, “but working out the details will bring you closer to your family and friends than you could ever imagine!”

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Hall of Springs || Bride’s Wedding Dress: Tara Keely || Shoes: Badgley Mischka || Jewelry: BHLDN || Hair: Julie Potter Master Stylist || Makeup: Kyle Anne Garcia || Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jenny Yoo || Groom & Groomsmen’s Attire: Tuxego || Engagement Ring & Wedding Bands: Tacori; Hannoush Jewelers || Florist: Felthousen’s Florist || Invitations & Paper Goods: Paper Dolls of Saratoga || Calligraphy: eDanae Studio || Music: The Accents Band || Catering: Mazzone Hospitality || Cake: Coccadotts Cake Shop || Rentals: Total Events LLC || Caricatures: Phil Singer; Rich Conley || Videographer: Clark + Walker Studio || Photographer: Twah Dougherty

Want to see more parties just like this? Then check out another stunning New York wedding in the video below.