Peaches and Karim - A Tropical San Diego Wedding Weekend

I consider myself SO lucky to have been able to experience engaged life with Mahwesh and Sameer. What an adventure, and now we’re lifelong friends with some pretty incredible San Diego memories. The couple chose super talented SoCal photographer Anza Foto + Film to capture their two-day wedding at the Hilton San Diego Resort and Spa (now Mission Bay Resort) and we love all of the laughter, energy and color in these pictures.

The weather could not have been more perfect, blue skies with the ocean breeze swaying the city’s iconic palm trees. Mahwesh chose bright colors and jewel tones for Friday’s dinner. Her lehenga was pink and gold, with the prettiest floral accents. She and Sameer walked the hotel’s grounds before joining their guests at the bayside terrance for dinner, speeches and dancing. I worked with Magnolia and Lace and Adore Folklore to create a lounge area and photo wall that had family and friends lined up to snap pictures. Happily Ever Etched designed a custom sign with Mahwesh and Sameer’s wedding hashtag, #peachesandkarim. This song was a bit of a theme for the weekend, Mahwesh is from Georgia and Sameer’s last name is Karim. On top of that, the couple has the most fantastic taste in music and 2000’s hip hop is one of their favorite genres.

Our favorite Friday moments? The first was Mahwesh’s father’s speech. He decided to sing I Loved Her First by Heartland and there was not a dry eye in the house. He was so nervous for this performance and we had multiple conversations about his moment in the spotlight in the days leading up to the weekend. He nailed it and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house! The second was the surprise dance that Mahwesh planned for her groom. For those of you that haven’t heard Nimbooda Nimbooda, it’s an incredibly catchy jam from the 1999 Hindi film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam about a lemon. Mahwesh and her friends had Sameer smiling from ear to ear as they serenaded him, tossing a lemon for him to catch as the performance’s grand finale. I’d be lying if I said that both Peaches and Cream and the lemon song weren’t stuck in my head for at least a few days after this wedding weekend.

The sunset was breathtaking, and munching on delicious bite sized snacks from the dessert bar under twinkle lights was the perfect way to end the first evening of celebrations.

Saturday was even more magical. Mahwesh showed off her sparkling engagement ring and henna by Henna San Diego while getting pampered by Elwynn and Cass. No San Diego bridal suite would be complete without a bride tribe in matching tropical robes and bubbles! Sameer and his groomsmen played Pop-A-Shot before suiting up and sending the groom off for an intimate first look. We love that the couple chose to share their vows in private, just after seeing each other for the first time on their wedding day.

The ceremony space was framed by palm trees and a waterfront view. Guests had custom shades waiting for them at their seats to help with that San Diego sunshine. Mahwesh wore a sparkling sari with a high neckline and intricate beading. Her bridal bouquet of white florals and greenery, with just a hint of dusty rose, was a masterpiece.

After a beachside cocktail hour, everyone headed into the reception. The elegant space was decorated with tropical greenery, gold lanterns and more of those dreamy white and rose florals. This group loved to dance and the couple’s reception playlist was the best I’ve ever heard. Who wouldn’t want to get down to a combination of Bollywood and hip hop?!?! Shout out to GE Productions for mixing all of Mahwesh and Sameer’s favorite jams together!

Celebrating these two amazing people and their new chapter as husband and wife was unbelievably fun, but meeting their family members and friends along the way was perhaps my favorite part of this wedding weekend. Welcome to Married Life Mahwesh and Sameer!! Your sense of humor, focus on loved ones ,and love for one another inspires me. I wish you guys a lifetime of delicious food, late night dance parties, and San Diego sunsets. XOXO