Iranian-born Maryam Fariabi had traveled extensively -- 40countries in three years -- but it was in her hometown of San Francisco that she met her future husband, Christopher Neil.

"I was walking into a friends birthday party. Everything else was blurry, and she popped out," said Chris. Remembered Maryam: "There was a special charm about him. He was so debonair."

When Chris invited Maryam to attend a performance of the San Francisco Symphony, the couple became so enthralled with each other that they talked through intermission and skipped the second half. "It was as though the world outside the two of us had stopped," said Chris.

Thus began "a gradual, beautiful development of love" that took a major step forward in late 2004, when Maryam and Chris revisited the site of their second date, Mt. Tamalpais in Marin County.

As the couple hiked through the forest, Chris pulled out a vintage ring with cabochon-cut emeralds and sapphires surrounding a diamond, got down on one knee, and asked Maryam to become his wife.

"There had been so many perfect moments in the past when I thought he was going to propose that I was stunned when it finally happened," Maryam recalled.

Honoring Chris' Catholic upbringing, the couple's wedding day began with a traditional mass and vows at San Francisco's St. Ignatius Church; Maryam and Chris then drove their 1952 Mercedes Benz convertible to the War Memorial Veterans Building for a Persian ceremony.

A traditional sofreh greeted guests as they entered, created from materials brought back from Iran by Maryam's father and strewn with coins, eggs, and other tokens of good wishes. Musicians performed on the saz and dohol, ancient instruments historically played at Persian weddings.

Pomegranate martinis were served during the cocktail hour as revelers were serenaded by santoor music. The couples framed engagement photos, with Maryam resplendent in an orange silk dress, served as table markers for the reception, where guests dined on custom-made Persian pastries, dinner, and tea. A costumed ensemble performed Tajik, Persian, and Afghan dances throughout the night.

The next day, out-of-town guests joined the newlyweds for a private cable-car excursion and a champagne brunch.

"The thing I wasn't prepared for was how happy I would be," said Chris. "I'm standing in front of the church when they play the music and Maryam begins marching down the aisle with her father. I thought my face was going to split I was smiling smooch."

"Standing there saying my vows, I felt very blessed," added Maryam. "I felt so lucky to have found my Prince Charming."

The well-traveled couple has many future plans, but a traditional honeymoon isn't one of them. "Now that the wedding is behind us, our goal is to finish our home, take a couple of exotic trips, have babies, then travel some more, this time with them," said Maryam. "I like to think that we have many honeymoons coming up for as long as we are together."