Taymoor Atighetchi, the founder of Papier, knows the power of a hand-written note. Though he met his now-bride Sophie Agar as a student in 2007 while they were both studying History of Art at the University of Cambridge, it wasn’t until Taymoor sent Sophie a charming letter that things really blossomed. “It was an unexpected first move, but it all makes sense now, knowing his love for stationery,” says Sophie. This summer, the couple celebrated their love in grand fashion with a two-part wedding that began in London and culminated with a weekend in Venice.
In the summer of 2022, the couple found themselves in Florence, a city that holds deep meaning for them. “As is common for many art historians, we’ve spent a lot of time in Florence, both separately and together over the years, so it’s a very special place for us,” says Sophie. On that trip in 2022, Taymoor arranged for a stay at a hotel with a balcony overlooking the Ponte Vecchio, where he proposed during a sunset aperitivo. “It was relaxed, unexpected, and just perfect,” Sophie recalls.
The couple’s journey to “I do” included a small civil ceremony at Chelsea Old Town Hall in early 2023, followed by an intimate dinner at Skye Gyngell’s restaurant Spring at Somerset House. The timing coincided with Nowruz, the Persian New Year, serving as a meaningful nod to Taymoor’s Iranian heritage. Table arrangements by florist Milli Proust drew inspiration from the Persian haft-sin, incorporating elements like hyacinths, wheatgrass, and candles. “It wasn’t the original plan, but we ended up having two weddings,” says Sophie, “because our son’s due date was our original wedding date!”
Nine months after the arrival of baby Cyrus, a larger celebration took place in Venice in June 2024. “We’ve always loved the city’s unique charm and timeless beauty,” Sophie shares. Plus, their wedding happened to coincide with the Venice Art Biennale—a fact the art-loving couple couldn’t resist. More than 100 friends and family gathered for a weekend of festivities, beginning with a cocktail party at the Venice Venice Hotel overlooking the Rialto Bridge.
The main event was hosted at Palazzo Zeno, where guests were treated to a late afternoon ceremony followed by dinner and dancing. Blending Persian traditions with personal touches, Sophie and Taymoor crafted a heartfelt ceremony that celebrated their love and heritage. “I walked down the aisle with our nine-month-old son,” Sophie says. “It was a special, if slightly overwhelming, moment.” A close friend officiated, while others held the tooreh ghand, a traditional Iranian sugar cloth, over their heads. Readings of texts by Nora Ephron and Peggy Guggenheim (“the grande dame of Venice,” per Sophie) brought a literary touch to the proceedings, which concluded with an exchange of honey, symbolizing sweetness in marriage. Taymoor reflected on the cultural significance: “Having an Iranian ceremony in Venice, a city that historically bridges East and West, felt incredibly fitting.”
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