“Corine.. I truly don’t know how I can ever thank you enough! You are so amazing!! I was so impressed by how you came into all the chaos and made everything happen when it needed to, like the pro you are. And, you stepped in anytime anything needed to be done but made the experience so fun for us. I truly felt like I was with a lifelong friend all night. Thank you for making Parker and I’s day spectacular! You were easily our favorite vendor. We are beyond grateful that you and your team were documenting our wedding day!! 🤍🤍🤍”
Nioz and Parker had their wedding at the InterContinental Hotel in New Orleans. 444 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130
Portraits: Longue Vue House & Gardens
Video: KayMotion
DJ: DJ Sultan
Coordinator: Tana Velen
Florals: Flowers by John Kent
Hair & Makeup: Kristen Kiefer
Bridal Boutique: Bustle Bridal Baton Rouge
Tuxedo: Luca Falcone
Second Line Band: Tidal Wave Brass Band
How did you meet?
Parker and I met through the Flores MBA Program at LSU. We were both going through the Professional (nighttime) format, where we worked full time and were getting the MBA part time. We started the program in 2018 and graduated in May 2020, right at the beginning of Covid. We shifted to online learning due to lockdown and our entire class went separate ways. A year and a half later, the MBA program (where Nioz worked during the program and after graduation) hosted an alumni happy hour, which was where we reconnected after Covid. We had both been in other relationships during the program and learned of our recent breakups at the happy hour. Sparks flew (we always had a great connection) and people were asking us who the other was, because we obviously seemed into each other. Parker walked me to my car like the gentleman that he is and asked if we could get together again soon. We went on a date about a month later and the rest is history!
We love to dance together, cook together, spend time with family, and play games. Parker is the Sustainability & Verbund Leader at BASF in Geismar. Nioz is the Assistanf Director of Student Engagement & Experiential Learning at the Flores MBA program at LSU.
What is your favorite thing about each other?
Parker’s favorite part about Nioz: the deep personal connections that she forms with people to make them feel special. There was a moment on vacation when a dollop of ricotta cheese caused Nioz to burst into tears because it reminded her of her grandmother. She is so deeply connected to the people and world around her that even cheese can make her cry!
Nioz’s favorite part about Parker: How loving, caring and dedicated he is. Seeing Parker interact with my niece is one of the best things I’ve seen. The pure love, admiration, and joy my niece Ava has around him is so touching! We both cried the day after our wedding in Jersey Mikes on the way back to Baton Rouge from New Orleans because it was so amazing seeing her have so much fun on the dance floor with us. Having a partner that loves your loved ones as much as you do it truly a special gift!
How did the proposal go? Who proposed to who, were you surprised?
Parker proposed to Nioz in NYC at the Vessel structure in Hudson Yards. His initial grand plan was to propose at the Edge observation deck on the 100th floor, but there ended up being too many people. I had a hunch there was something up, because he was being more lovey dovey than usual the whole day when we explored NYC. We had crazy delays and ended up getting to NYC that morning at 5am. I spearheaded planning most of the trip, but Parker really insisted that he wanted to plan this one dinner as an “early birthday celebration dinner” for me. I put on my good foundation and we headed to the observation deck, which ended up being way too crowded and windy, so he decided to forgo his original plan. We had reservations at the Peak restaurant a floor above the observation deck and two guys sat right at the table next to us with a massive camera. I really thought it was happening at the restaurant! But alas, he kept prolonging it for a more intimate proposal (which I’m thankful for). We finished dinner and walked back down to the Vessel and he proposed! Then we got some random strangers walking by to take our picture to document the moment (I LOVE pictures and documenting every moment I can). It was perfect.
Where was your ceremony held and why did you pick this site?
We picked the Intercontinental Hotel for our ceremony because we love a hotel wedding ourselves. We love being able to go up/down to our room right after the wedding is over. Nioz has always envisioned a big ballroom wedding and we had a lot of out-of-town guests so it made sense for us. We looked at many hotels (with our moms) but then I stumbled across the newly renovated intercontinental ballroom and scheduled a tour when we were in town for another wedding. Parker was in the wedding so his stepmom and I went to tour it and fell in love it with. We all love a classy, simple, and elegant vibe so it was perfect. Parker completely trusted our taste and was on board as soon as we said we found the one!
What unique or special things did you do at the reception?
We did a nice fusion of Persian traditions and ceremony, along with New Orleans/Louisiana flair with a 2nd line. The ceremony was such a nice blend of Persian and American traditions and customs. Our ceremony was entirely secular and done by my great uncle. My goal with the ceremony was always to make it fun, engaging and funny for everyone to enjoy it. I think we nailed it! We also did a traditional Persian knife dance, where the groom (Parker) has to try to get the knife from 4 designated female family members to be able to cut the cake. He has to entice them with some cash as is tradition. We also had a sugar ceremony where 4 ladies whose marriages we look up to grind sugar loaves above our heads to bless our marriage with the same sweetness as theirs. It was beautiful!
Pick one moment in the day that was your favorite thing?
Omg it’s so hard to pick!!! I loved it all!
ONE of our top favorite moments: when we second lined down the stairs of the hotel and everyone was standing there singing and dancing. It was so surreal seeing all those people look at us with such joy and happiness..it really hit us here!
Did it really go by as quickly as everyone says?
YES!!!! It’s not fair.. we want to redo it over and over again!!
What was the inspiration behind picking the color palette and decor that you picked?
Nioz’s two theme words: simple & elegant… which Parker claims is just “elegant” (not simple LOL).
Nioz, how did you feel seeing Parker?
Wow!!! He looks so handsome! I can’t believe this is happening (none of it felt real… still doesn’t!!!!)
Parker, what was going on in your mind?
I was just mainly thinking of how proud I was of her for getting us to this moment. Just seeing her in the dress made it feel real in that moment.
Who was your baker, what was the flavor of your cake? Was it delicious?!
Whole Foods! Haaaa! It was delicious. We love the Berry Chantilly cake so that’s what we went with. Our actual “cake” on display was a fake styrofoam cake LOL! My cousin and sister decorated so nicely!
Did you do a first look? If so how did you feel about it? If not, do you wish you had?
We did a first look! I wanted to see Parker before (he was hesitant and somewhat against it at first) but we’re both so thankful we did. It made Parker feel more together and connected and less anxious/anticipation. One of my (Nioz’s) favorite parts was leaving with y’all to go to Longue Vue to take portraits. The car ride over was so fun and relaxing, especially after the pure chaos there was getting ready. It helped me calm my nerves and have fun. It was perfect!
Did you have a coordinator or did you plan everything yourself? If you didn’t have a coordinator any advice for brides planning their own wedding?
Yes, elope. LOL JK! But truly, wedding planning is a beast. I learned that it is definitely not for me… hahah.
Parker and I did 90% of everything ourselves. It was definitely a LOT! We had a day-of coordinator (Tana Velen) who came in at 2 weeks out and was truly a life saver. We still had so much to do but having her on board to handle both small and big things and coordinate/communicate with all the vendors was truly invaluable.
What was your first dance song? Why this song?
This will always be a funny memory to us. We literally decided the first dance song on the phone with our DJ the night before the wedding. Zero planning or preparation for the dance. We did it later in the night (after cake cutting) because we really wanted to focus on getting people to the dance floor and having a good time. We just winged it and had fun with it! Not everything has to be perfect @Nioz ?
Band or DJ? Did they rock it?
DJ! DJ Sultan specifically. He KILLED IT! He made our party so fun and we had so many people tell us that it was truly the best or top wedding they had ever been to. We owe a lot of it to him. He’s SO FUN!
We want to hear YOUR advice for future brides or grooms?
Do it your way. There are a lot of opinions, lots of of traditions… just make sure you do it your way and make it fun for YOU. It’s easy to get caught up in what everyone else wants (especially if you’re a people pleasing bride like me), but you have to remember at the end of the day it’s about what the two of you want. Do what makes you happy and don’t forget what the root of it all.. to celebrate the two of you and your love!
We work really hard to help come up with a timeline and plan for the portrait list to make sure you are getting the most out of your day. How useful was this for you?
Incredibly useful! We both have huge families and we needed to maximize all of our time. Every single timeline we had was based off the timeline Corine made.
Anything else you want to say?
I truly cannot thank Corine (and the video team… shoutout brother in law Patrick) enough for everything she did for us on our wedding day. I received so many compliments on how great our photo/video team was and how they gracefully captured everything without being in the way of anyone. That’s sheer talent! I felt like I was with one of my lifelong friends the entire night with Corine… even helping me change into my reception dress. Thank you for everything!! I will always cherish that day with you all ?
