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This week’s topics: restaurant wedding venues, food-forward wedding planning, multicultural wedding traditions, Jewish wedding customs, Mexican wedding traditions, large guest count wedding planning, restaurant wedding buyouts, choosing a wedding photographer, timeless wedding photography, wedding music and dance floor planning, Minnesota Bride real wedding, Minnesota Wedding Show live interview, guest experience at weddings, real couple wedding advice
Recorded live at the Minnesota Wedding Show — hosted by Minnesota Bride — this episode of the Wedding Day Podcast features a candid conversation between Iron Diamond Media CEO Sonja Babich and real couple Daphne and Elijah (Eli), whose wedding was featured in Minnesota Bride's Spring/Summer 2025 issue. From choosing a restaurant wedding venue to blending multiple cultural traditions, the couple shared behind-the-scenes insight into how they planned a celebration that felt personally tailored, guest-focused and unforgettable.
For couples currently planning a wedding in Minnesota, one of the most valuable takeaways came early in the conversation: venue selection doesn't have to follow tradition to be successful. The couple hosted their ceremony at Temple Israel, followed by a full restaurant buyout reception at their family's restaurant, Fhima's Minneapolis. The Art Deco space — with soaring ceilings, chandeliers and historic character — allowed them to host a large guest list of roughly 255 people while creating an immersive, design-forward experience. As a restaurant family, the choice felt natural and meaningful, reinforcing how personal history can guide venue decisions just as much as aesthetics or logistics.
Food quickly emerged as the central planning priority for the couple, making this episode especially helpful for couples focused on guest experience. Rather than treating dinner as a formality, Daphne and Eli intentionally designed a multi-course meal that reflected their backgrounds and ensured guests — and the couple themselves — actually sat down and enjoyed it. Drawing from Middle Eastern, Jewish and Mexican influences, the food told a multicultural story. Their perspective echoed a growing trend among modern couples: prioritizing memorable meals over purely decorative elements.
Cultural integration was another cornerstone of their wedding planning journey. Both Daphne and Eli spoke about the importance of honoring their Jewish and Mexican heritage throughout the day. Jewish traditions included wearing yarmulkes, dancing the hora, lifting the couple in chairs and incorporating challah bread and arak into the meal. Mexican elements showed up through mariachi music, papel picado-style banners personalized with their names and culturally inspired dishes like Spanish rice. Rather than isolating these moments, the couple wove them together into the celebration, offering a strong example for couples navigating multicultural wedding planning.
Music and atmosphere played a major role in shaping the guest experience as well. With DJ Ray Mills leading the night, the dance floor blended Spanish music, Jewish wedding staples and songs that held special meaning to the couple — including tracks tied to the very beginning of their relationship. Their large bridal party — 16 people total — reflected their close-knit families and reinforced the communal energy of the day. For brides and grooms worried about "too many" people standing beside them, Daphne and Eli's experience highlighted that inclusivity often matters more than symmetry.
The episode also offered practical insight into choosing a wedding photographer, an area many couples struggle with. Daphne shared that they selected Sarah Heath Photography for her timeless editing style, strong communication and the personal connection they felt during the planning process. Sarah arrived during hair and makeup to capture behind-the-scenes moments before the couple's first look, a timing detail that resonated with many engaged listeners. One of the most memorable moments of the day came during that first look, when the couple's young son — originally planned as the ring bearer — joined them, shoes left behind after a last-minute growth spurt. As Daphne and Eli emphasized, flexibility and presence mattered far more than perfection.
Through honest reflection and humor, Daphne and Elijah's wedding journey offers a grounded, real-world look at wedding planning decisions — from venue buyouts and cultural traditions to food budgets and family logistics. Their advice was clear: build your wedding around what truly represents you, trust your vendor team and don't be afraid to let guest experience lead the way.
This episode is powered by Dan Riggs Films and the Minnesota Wedding Show.
Special thanks to members Linen Effects, Continental Diamond, Warpaint International.
