Elmira & Kevin

Elmira and Kevin’s December wedding at McHugh’s of Cheltenham was a joyful blend of Persian and Filipino traditions. From a group selfie at the altar to a knife dance before cutting the cake, their day was full of fun, culture, and personal touches. With great food, music, and energy, the celebration was all about love and good vibes from beginning to end.

Tell us a bit about your love story

“We met through friends about seven years ago, and officially started dating about six years ago. At first, we were a little hesitant to start anything, but we quickly realised that we shared the same values—family, ambition, kindness, and a strong sense of culture were all really important to both of us."

"Even though we come from different backgrounds—Kevin is Filipino and I’m Persian—we’ve always respected each other’s cultures and traditions, and that’s been such a beautiful part of our relationship."

"Kevin proposed in Tauranga, just the two of us, at the beach. But before that, he met with my whole family—including aunties, uncles, and grandparents—to ask for their blessing. It meant a lot.”

What was one non-negotiable for your wedding?

“Good food, good music, and good vibes. That was our absolute priority.”

What do you consider the best investment you made, and why?

“The photographer and videographer, and the venue. Having our memories captured so beautifully was priceless—and the venue just brought everything to life.”

Did you include anything non-traditional in your wedding?

“Yes! We wanted to do things our way and honour both our cultures.

At the ceremony, we had a fun twist—Kevin and I invited everyone to jump in for a group selfie with us!

Later, during the reception, we incorporated a Persian ceremony, and also did the traditional Persian knife dance before cutting the cake. It’s a tradition that symbolises blessings and joy, and it brought such great energy to the night.

We also kept speeches to a minimum so there was more time to dance and enjoy.”

What advice would you share with other couples just starting their wedding planning journey?

“Planning can be really stressful—the input from family and friends, the budget, the logistics—it all adds up. But on the day, try to be fully present and enjoy every second. If you’re having fun, your guests will feel that and they’ll have an amazing time too. Let your hair down and make the most of it.”