A Glamorous Assyrian Wedding in Modesto, California
When Megan Kiryakous walked into her childhood home on a crisp November day, the last thing she expected was to be greeted with hundreds of rose petals, flickering candlelight, balloons, and a piano player. Inside, Sadim Khalaf was waiting for her arrival. He got down on one knee and asked Megan to be his wife. “Very romantic, and a huge surprise!” she recalls fondly.
Of course, she said yes.
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-09.jpg)
The couple share a love for traveling and exploring new places around the world, but for their big day, they opted for a venue that was close to home so family and friends could easily attend. They found a spacious venue that offered a blank slate where their dream wedding could take place: A glamorous, elegant affair, surrounded by all of their nearest and dearest.
INSPIRED BY THEIR LOVE OF NATURE, THE COUPLE WAS DRAWN TO A FLORAL THEME.
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-13.jpg)
To help bring their vision to life, Sadim and Megan worked closely with the amazing team behind White Lilac. It started with a crisp, all-white palette, studded with pops of gold and deep emerald green to symbolize luck, freshness, and renewal. Inspired by their love of nature, the couple was drawn to a floral theme.
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-21.jpg)
Every flower was carefully considered and chosen to spark the senses.
Megan carried a bouquet of gardenias, selected for their sweet, beautiful fragrance. The hall was transformed into a magical setting filled with striking, oversized arrangements of fresh orchids, roses, and hydrangeas, as well as floral chandeliers hanging overhead. Even the cake – a soaring, multi-tiered design –matched the lush abundance of the celebration.
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-14.jpg)
But when it came to show-stoppers, nothing could match the bride. Megan was resplendent in a stunning Pnina Tornai ball gown with a delicate floral applique, paired with glittering heels by Jimmy Choo and a sparkling floral headpiece as a finishing touch. Her bridesmaids wore emerald green gowns paired with Swarovski earrings, gifted to them by Megan. Sadim and his groomsmen looked sharp in tuxedos by Giorgio Armani.
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-18.jpg)
It was important to Sadim and Megan to honor their Assyrian heritage in their celebration. Guests and groomsmen were gifted beaded scarves and decorated canes – traditional dancing props in Assyrian culture – to take part in the custom of greeting the bride and groom with music and dancing. For entertainment, the couple also invited two Assyrian singers to perform traditional music.
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-26-2.jpg)
“There was such a positive high frequency throughout the day that really just brought us so much love and happiness,” Megan says.
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-20.jpg)
She also shared a piece of sage advice to other brides-to-be: “In the middle of all the fun and planning, take a moment – or even a weekend away – for yourselves and just enjoy one another. It’s a very special time, and we are so grateful we got to experience the wedding of our dreams.”
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/go_signature-1.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-01.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-02.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-03.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-04.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-05.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-06.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-07.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-08.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-09.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-10.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-11.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-12.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-13.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-14.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-15.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-16.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-17.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-18.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-19.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-20.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-21.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-22.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-23.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-24.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-25.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-26.jpg)
![](https://blog.weddingstylemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/catherine-hall-studios-modesto-centre-plaza-modesto-ca-wedding-2020-27.jpg)
WEDDING TALENT
Ceremony Location: St. Zaia Modesto, CA; Reception Location: Modesto Centre Plaza Modesto, CA;
Planner: Golden Coast Planning Hollister, CA; Floral & Event Design, Linens: White Lilac, Inc., Costa Mesa, CA; Dress: Pnina Tornai; Bridal Salon: Kleinfeld Bridal New York, NY; Groom’s Attire: Giorgio Armani; Engagement Ring: Cartier; Rentals: Casa De Perrin Los Angeles, CA; Cake: Frost Bakery & Fine Foods Modesto, CA; Lighting: Fontes Pro Sound & Light Ceres, CA; Cinematography: Joseph Hakobi San Jose, CA; Photography: Catherine Hall Studios Lafayette, CA