Leora Kashani and Ben Parnassi first saw each other and briefly spoke at a few parties and charity events. “Ben would always grab by attention and he instantly became a familiar face to me,” Leora describes. “After a few months of meeting each other, Ben reached out me to wish me happy birthday, and asked to take me out to celebrate. I only agreed to a coffee date, as I wanted to keep the situation as casual as possible until I knew whether or not I liked him. Although Ben agreed at the time, he ended up planning a beautiful lunch at the Bel-Air Hotel which turned into the start of an amazing journey. We instantly felt a connection with one another, as if we have known each other from a past life. I immediately learned that Ben was a pure, kind, and energetic soul with so much love and excitement for the world.”
Fast forward into their relationship, and the couple was at the Bel-Air Hotel once more, revisiting the site of their first date. “Ben never knew that I would daydream about him proposing there all the time,” Leora shares. “It was a place that had so much meaning and the beginning of the most beautiful love I’ve ever felt. Ben told me we were meeting his family for lunch to celebrate his sister and mom’s birthday, as well as parents’ anniversary. Little did I know that both of our families were hiding there, ready for Ben to bring me to propose. It really was the most perfect day – a daydream that turned into everything I ever wanted and more.”
With Ben working in the event industry, the wedding planning process couldn’t have been easier. The wedding day began with the bride and groom getting ready in separate rooms, surrounded by their closest friends and family members. For the bride, she couldn’t wait to experience their first look – a moment she had been looking forward to ever since she started planning the wedding.
“The moment we looked at each other for the first time was magical,” she says. “Both of us with tears in our eyes and our smiles so big. It was a moment of true happiness and appreciation for one another. The magic continued on under the Chuppah with our families. Walking down the aisle is definitely the most amazing and incredible feeling I have ever experienced. I hope for every bride to get to feel the way I did at their wedding.”
An elegant white and gold wedding reception followed, featuring arrangements of white florals and white orchids hanging from architectural gold centerpiece structures. The dancefloor was lit with varying shades of purple and blue, and custom videos played onstage while the DJ kept everyone partying throughout the night.
The newlyweds honeymooned in Italy, Israel, and Greece. After fully experiencing the wedding whirlwind, they were excited to take some time to themselves, traveling and simply enjoying being with one another.
>Written by: Lauren Malamala
Ben & Leora || Venue: @bevhillshotel | Planning: @detailsmichelle | Photography: @jessicaclaire | Floral/Design: @shawnayamamoto | Rentals: @palacepartyrental | Lighting: @thelightersidela | AV: @wovaevents | Sparklers: @thelightersidela | Video: @davidmedillproductions | Cake: @graceandhoneycakes | Music: @Liventgroup | Dress: @verawanggang | Bride Shoes: @badgleymischka | Groom Attire: @tomford | Groom Shoes: @louboutinworld | Media Placement: @raycepr ||
