Amanda and Parsa met on Hinge in the summer of 2020 while staying with their families in Orange County. Their early days were spent like teenagers—on beaches, hikes, and outdoor dinners—before both returned to New York. By July 2021, they officially began dating, realizing they were the happiest when coming home to each other. “We’re wildly compatible travel partners,” Amanda shared. “And it doesn’t hurt that our parents are now best friends.”
When it came time to plan their destination celebration, they chose San Miguel de Allende for its vibrant colors and historic charm. Their Instituto Allende wedding beautifully merged Persian traditions with Mexican flair, all brought to life by an incredible team of vendors.
What We Love About This Instituto Allende Wedding
- A welcome rooftop party overlooking the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel
- The bold and colorful design inspired by San Miguel’s streets and architecture
- A Persian Sofreh Aghd ceremony infused with Mexican music and traditions
- Amanda’s three distinct fashion looks throughout the weekend
- Personal touches like hookahs, custom tequila bottles, and a live first dance performance
A Rooftop Welcome Party
To kick off the weekend, Amanda and Parsa welcomed their guests with a lively rooftop party at Terraza Trinitate. Inspired by classic blue-and-white azulejos tiles, the celebration featured tacos, heart-shaped churros, and plenty of cocktails.
Under the skyline view of the Parroquia, guests mingled while Parsa’s nieces emceed the evening. A tequila and mezcal tasting table kept the energy high, perfectly matching the atmosphere Amanda described as “relaxed but super high energy. It was the perfect way to start the weekend.”
Adding to the vibrancy of the night, Amanda chose a bold fashion-forward look: a gold Markarian brocade mini dress with flowing ribbons, paired with Giuseppe Zanotti heels and vintage accessories.
Shop Amanda’s Welcome Party Style:
Finding the Right Planner for a Destination Wedding
The couple quickly realized that planning from afar required a trusted guide. After interviewing several planners, they knew Junebug vendor Bougainvillea Weddings was the perfect fit.
“Her background as a floral designer was important to us,” Amanda explained. “We wanted a planner with strong creative vision and impeccable style, and Estela has that.” She also brought expertise in Persian ceremonies and deep local connections, ensuring every detail was cohesive and high quality. “Estela and her team brought everything together so beautifully.”
JB Tip: Choose a planner whose strengths complement your own. If you’re organized, find someone with design expertise (or vice versa) so nothing is overlooked.
Featured Vendor:
Bougainvilla Weddings
Bringing Cultures Together Through Wedding Fashion
On the wedding day, she wore a strapless lace Dana Harel gown with intricate detailing, paired with a delicate veil and borrowed jewelry. “I knew it was the one when my mom started crying,” Amanda shared. Later, she changed into a pearl-embellished Watters mini dress for dancing.
Parsa matched the elegance with a custom Suit Supply tuxedo and cufflinks gifted by Amanda’s parents. For their rooftop portraits, they shared private vows–an intimate moment away from the crowd.
A Persian Ceremony at Instituto Allende
Their Instituto Allende wedding ceremony was filled with lush florals that looked as though they grew naturally from fountains and trees. The highlight was the Persian Sofreh Gghd table, symbolizing abundance, sweetness, and family blessings.
“Several married women took turns grinding sugar above our heads to sweeten the marriage,” Amanda shared. Poems were read in both Persian and Spanish before they exchanged vows, blending their cultures seamlessly.
As they recessed, a mariachi band played Amanda’s favorite song, “Sabor a Mí.”. Giant dancing puppets resembling the couple–known as mojigangas–joined cocktail hour, setting the tone for an unforgettable evening.
An Instituto Allende Wedding Reception Hidden Behind the Murals
Guests were surprised when the reception space revealed itself, a breathtaking courtyard with views of the Parroquia. The tented ceiling dripped with magenta florals and bronze lanterns, while candlelit tables created a romantic atmosphere.
Special touches included a live first dance song performed by a close friend, hookahs for guests, and tequila bottles entrusted to table captains to keep the party going, a beloved Mexican tradition. They also included a Persian knife dance before the cake cutting.
Shop Hanging Lanterns:
“It was very helpful for a select few close family and friends to know the run of the show,” Amanda noted. “They were able to guide others so we weren’t constantly fielding questions.”
Lessons Learned From Planning a Destination Wedding
Looking back, Amanda and Parsa say the best decision they made was leaning into who they are as a couple and letting that guide every choice. Their Instituto Allende wedding became more than just a party. It was a reflection of their love for one another, their families, and the cultures that shaped them.
Couple’s advice: “Decide early on what matters most to you and invest there,” Amanda said. “For us, it was florals, food, and fashion. Everything else can be simplified, and you’ll still end up with a day that feels completely yours.”
The Wedding Team:
Photography – Diana Nieto
Event Planning + Floral Design + Catering + Cake – Bougainvillea Weddings
Venue – Instituto Allende
DJ – DJ Jorge Mk
Videography – Daylight Studios
Invitation Design – Crane & Palette
Makeup + Hair Styling – Itza Marquez
Wedding Dress – Dana Harel via Mark Ingram Atelier in NYC
Second Dress – Watters via The White Gown
Bridal Accessories – Verstolo Fine Jewelry + Manolo Blahnik
Groom’s Apparel – Suit Supply
Groom’s Accessories – David Yurman
Rings – David S. Diamonds
Favors – For Your Party
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