Today on the blog we’re introducing our 6th gorgeous bride from our crop of 2019 Real Jewish Brides! Please give a warm welcome to Nargiz, who will be marrying Ryan on 9th November 2019 at Farmington Hills Manor, in Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA.
THREE FACTS: (1) Nargiz and Ryan were introduced by mutual friends – and their first date was at a Hookah lounge! (2) Nargiz’s mother tragically passed away last summer, so she has been facing wedding planning without her mom by her side. (3) Nargiz was born in Baku, Azerbaijan, and the wedding will combine her family’s traditions – they are Mountain Jews, or Gorski, and their culture is a mix of Persian and Middle Eastern influences – and Ryan’s American Ashkenazi background.
Our love story
Ryan and I met over 5 years ago at a hookah lounge. We were introduced by our mutual friends, who sort of set up our meeting. He was Jewish, I was Jewish, he was single, I was single, etc. I wish I could say “and the rest was history” but it was not.
We started seeing each other but we didn’t fully commit to our relationship until a few months later. Then, the rest was history. We have been officially together for almost 5 years. By “officially,” I mean I made him ask me to be his girlfriend or I told him I will tell people I am still single. So, he asked. We have been together ever since.
Last year, I lost my mother to cancer and it has been tough, to say the least. It has not been easy dealing with grief and going through the emotions. I am lucky to have Ryan by my side. We have been through more than an average couple our age but it has only made us stronger.
I am more outspoken, assertive, and type A personality, while Ryan is more laid back, calm, and most of the time reserved. We love to cook together or for each other, travel, eat delicious different types of food, binge watch shows and movies, and enjoy a good bottle of wine (or two).
The proposal
On my birthday this past March, Ryan surprised me with a trip to Europe (something I may have been hinting at by sending him flight details and things to do)!! It was the best birthday gift I have ever received.
So in July we landed in London and then went to the French Riviera and our last stop was Paris, France. By the time we were in Paris, we were kind of tired of going out to eat and I suggested a laid back meal option. So on our second to last night, we had a picnic at the park in front of the Eiffel Tower. It was casual, romantic, and very Parisian.
The park was full of people sitting on the grass, drinking and eating. While we were indulging in some French baguettes, wine, delicious cheese, and macarons, Ryan said, “I can’t decide which castle I like the most, Windsor Castle in London or Versailles.” Then we both said, “Versailles!” That place is magnificent.
He proceeded by stating, “Remember when you were looking through the gardens for crown jewels?” We both laughed because it was true. When we were in the Gardens of Versailles, I jokingly said how cool it would be to find jewels that Louis the 14th or 15th may have dropped and left behind.
Then he said, “Well, I found one.” He took out a giant jewelry box and opened it, and there it was! I couldn’t believe what was happening. I mean, I had a feeling he would propose on the trip but I didn’t expect that night or in that moment and in front of the Eiffel Tower. It was very romantic and everything I ever dreamed of. Of course I said YES but only after I asked him if he was going to get on one knee (we were sitting down on the grass), which he did.
The Wedding
Ryan and I are planning a Jewish wedding. I was born in Baku, Azerbaijan, and moved to the US with my family when I was 9 years old. My culture is a mix of Persian/Middle Eastern; we are called the Mountain Jews, “Gorski.” My family attends a Sephardic synagogue and we are more observant that Ryan’s family.
Ryan’s family from his dad’s side has been in the US for over a century and he is more reformed and of Ashkenazi descent. Ryan’s mom is not Jewish but she raised Ryan and his brothers Jewish.
Our wedding will incorporate a lot of the Jewish wedding traditions but I think my culture will take over in terms of music and food.
We knew we wanted our wedding to be at least a year away. When we came back home from Europe, our first task was to pick a month and then a venue, and then the date.
We wanted a Saturday wedding for sure but there was an issue with Shabbat ending early enough to hold a ceremony on a Saturday. Our solution was to wait until the daylight savings time ends in November. This way, Shabbat ends early and we’re not too far into the (Michigan) winter.
It was hard to find a venue because of our requests, requirements, etc. I wanted a venue that would allow me to bring in an outside caterer that would serve the traditional foods from my culture.
Most venues want to use their own chefs, so it was tricky to find a place that was accommodating. We also wanted a venue that was big enough to hold a ceremony and a reception, two rooms big enough for 250-300 people. After weeks and weeks of searching, we finally found a venue that we agreed on. Our wedding will take place on November 9, 2019, in a banquet hall not too far from our homes.
Vendors Booked So Far
After I booked the venue and chose the date, I knew I had to pick the best wedding planner for the day of! A June Event will be my right hand on the day of my wedding. They have incredible reviews and are known to be detail-oriented and on top of things.
As for the food, we will have two caterers, a non-kosher caterer who will serve some of our Azerbaijani traditional foods and a kosher caterer to accommodate some of my family members and friends. Allegro Restaurant in West Bloomfield will be catering for majority of our wedding. They are known for their delicious Azerbaijani/Armenian/Russian-style cuisine.
I am envisioning a white, soft, and romantic wedding with lots of food, alcohol, and dancing! We are going to have Russian-speaking singers, and a DJ to include and incorporate American songs. It took a long time for me to find my vendors because I am thorough; I take my time to look at everyone’s work, their packages, and their reviews.
We booked Blue Racer Productions to be our videographers. They were my top choice and I am so glad they were available on our date. I booked Visi Productions as our photographers. Their work is creative and beautiful. I can’t wait for them to take our pictures.
Another vendor I had to book right away because it is a Saturday wedding was a florist. I picked Designs by Guzzardo and I am so excited to see what she will do. When I met with her, I noticed how professional she and her staff were, and they were extremely creative working within our budget. Since I booked the major vendors for the wedding, now I can sit back and kind of relax until a couple of months before the big day.
What Marriage Means To Me
Marriage means two people deciding to spend the rest of their lives together no matter what comes along in life, and putting it in writing. It is one of the oldest and most sacred contracts in the history of mankind. It is two people committing to each other forever, going through life side by side, committed to one another. It means supporting each other, being there for one another, and creating a life together and experiencing it with each other.
Click here to read all Nargiz’s planning posts to date.
Nargiz & Ryan’s Wedding Vendors booked so far:
Venue – Farmington Hills Manor
Photography – Visi Productions
Videography – Blue Racer Productions
Wedding planner – A June Event
Flowers – Designs by Guzzardo
Catering – Allegro Restaurant
