New Year's Eve Nuptials

At 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2010, The Jefferson Hotel was all set for New Year’s Eve just as Sara Heyl and Ram Jamshidian were saying their wedding vows at nearby St. John’s United Church of Christ.

“Christmas is always a special time,” remarked Sara, the daughter of Cindy and Jack Heyl of Richmond.

The Clover Hill High School graduate, who went on to play volleyball at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, had just moved to New York City in March of 2006, when she was asked to participate in a men’s/women’s volleyball tournament.

Who should be there but Ram Jamshidian, who grew up on Long Island with aunt and uncle Farang and Richard Wos. The Queens College graduate, who works for Allied Barton Securities, and the stylish lady from Richmond, started dating.

Christmas 2009 rolled around, finding Sara celebrating with her family in Richmond and Ram driving down from New York with a car full of friends and family — including brother Ramin from Iran, whom he hadn’t seen for 25 years.

“Ram got me out to Short Pump, then everyone sneaked down into the basement,” laughed Sara. “When we returned and I saw them, I started crying.”

Ram knelt on one knee with a special ring in his hand. Ramin had brought jewelry from their mother in Iran for Sara.

“We tossed around wedding ideas,” said Sara of the planning process. “Ram and I love to party and dance. And our family is always so close at Christmas. Ram had it hard moving here from Iran without his family — he came here to study at a young age. Ramin lived in Zurich and couldn’t make the wedding. At the last minute his girlfriend, Eti, persuaded him that he must fly over. It was a long, complicated trip, but at 9:30 p.m., just as dinner had been served in the Empire Room, Ramin and I walked in arm-in-arm with my mom and their aunt. Everyone cheered and cried!”

Around 11 p.m., DJ Travis Bacile started spinning New Year’s Eve party music. “Everything was amazing,” laughed Sara.

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Top left to right:

BUBBLY WEDDING FAVOR Splits of Champagne delighted guests.

WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY St. John’s United Church of Christ provided a joyful setting for the New Year’s Eve nuptials.

TWO BROTHERS The place went wild when the groom’s brother, Ramin, walked in. The groom, in white, clasped Ramin in an emotional embrace.

CREAMY WHITE FLOWERS Dressed with winter greens, the flowers were set off by the glow of flickering votives. Flowers by Flora Culture. (floracultureonline.com)

SAVE-THE-DATE MAGNETS Sara, a graphic designer with Mirror NYC, brought her stamp to everything, including the personalized magnets and her invitations. (magnetqueen.com)

FLOWER GIRL Looking gorgeous in her gown, Krystal Vernon rests on The Jefferson’s holiday bedecked Grand Staircase. (flowergirldress-Shop.com)

BLACK FASCINATOR Sara picked it up from a street vendor in New York. “It had a birdcage feel,” said Sara. Hairstyle by Molly Bush for A Head of Hair.

GOWN: “AWESOME!” The bride loved her strapless gown from NYC’s East Village boutique, Selia Yang. “My aunt suggested we put a sash on it and the designer said ‘Perfect!’” said Sara.

MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE Ram and his groomsmen sported glittering gloves as a tribute to the departed giant.

MIDNIGHT IN RICHMOND All was ready for the countdown. “Ram is detail-oriented and thought of everything,” raved Sara. “And catering manager Ashton Toler Hassan of The Jefferson was great to work with.” Ashton returned the compliment, ”Sara and Ram had a vision from the beginning.” (Ashton.hassan@JeffersonHotel.com)

PURE JOY It’s Sara’s turn to embrace Ramin. “My husband lost it! Everybody was crying!” she recalled.

BACK-UP PUMPS From White House/Black Market.

SUPERHERO THEME Ram loves Superman so Sara found creative ways of weaving that into the wedding — even the cake topper. “I design for a lot of friends’ weddings and wanted to brand our own wedding,” she explained. (Ebay.com)

KEEPING UP WITH THE JAMSHIDIANS The whole wedding party shows off the black, white and red color theme.

KEEPSAKE PHOTOGRAPY Talented photographer Amanda Anthony beautifully captured their night. (amandaanthonyphoto.com)