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.

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.