These Foodies Threw a Celebration at the Crane Estate Inspired by the Bride’s Syrian Roots
The wedding, planned by Whim Events, featured floral arrangements with figs, dates, and fresh herbs.
Photo by White Loft Studio
THE STORY
It’s been said that food brings people together, but for Eva Badra and Kris Catterall, that’s an understatement. After meeting on a dating app, Kris challenged Eva (a personal chef) to a cook-off. Though he says the contest “didn’t go so well” for him, the odds were in his favor while planning their first date night. “I had always wanted to go to Highland Kitchen,” Eva says. “Lo and behold, Kris says, ‘We’ll go to this place called Highland Kitchen.’ He won me over.”
Five years later, the couple celebrated their love at the Crane Estate, where the night centered around family traditions and (of course) food. Eva and Kris treated their guests to welcome boxes filled with homemade goodies including cereal treats, chocolate-chip cookies, and party mix. “I always say, ‘I wish I was a guest at my own wedding,’” Eva says with a laugh.
Photo by White Loft Studio
DÉCOR
“We brought a lot of family elements into the wedding, and got married on a Persian rug that has been in my family for over 100 years,” Eva says.
Photo by White Loft Studio
STATIONERY
Inspired by the scenery, the couple chose a neutral color palette with shades of green for their wedding. Fête Collection carried these hues into the stationery and embellished the escort cards and table signage with the couple’s custom-designed crest, dreamed up by illustrator Virginia Lucas Hart.
Photo by White Loft Studio
DRESS
Eva wore a V-back Monique Lhuillier ball gown adorned with roses—a perfect match for her floral-appliquéd veil, which her mother wore at her own wedding 35 years earlier. “It was love at first sight,” she says.
Photo by White Loft Studio
FAVORS
As a nod to Eva’s Syrian roots, the couple bottled olive oil for each of their 200-plus guests to take home.
Photo by White Loft Studio
MUSIC
Opting for a modern take on the traditional Arabic Zaffa, or wedding march, the couple hired Palestinian drummers to welcome them as husband and wife. “Only half of my family knows that [tradition],” Eva says, “so it was really fun to have Kris’s family and [our] friends involved.”
Photo by White Loft Studio
Photo by White Loft Studio
FLOWERS
Playing off Eva’s love for cooking, the floral arrangements included figs, dates, and fresh herbs such as bay leaves.
Photo by White Loft Studio
THE FILE
Band Groove Alliance
Bridal Stylist Beth Chapman
Bride’s Gown Monique Lhuillier
Cake Mayflour Confections
Catering Fireside Catering
Ceremony Strings Fantasia Strings
Drummers Freedom Dabka Group
Flowers/Planner Whim Events
Guestbook Mulberry & Elm
Hair Zac Isaac Hair; Melinda Brandt Hair
Makeup Blush
Menswear 9Tailors
Rentals Kadeema; Peak Event Services
Stationery Fête Collection
Transportation Rockstar Limo
Videographer LMV Productions
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