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Lele Sadoughi—The Designer Behind That Headband You’ve Seen Everyone Wearing—Looks Back at Her Wedding

By Shayna Seid | Photography by 

Zasil Studio

Lele Sadoughi, the founder of her namesake accessories label—you know the one, they make the best-selling headbands that Blair Waldorf would no doubt be sporting if she were still scheming and gallivanting around town—briefly left her friends to order a drink at the bar when Armand Sadoughi introduced himself. However, it wasn’t until months later, when a chance encounter at a friend’s birthday party put a first date on the calendar. After seeing each other for some time, he proposed in their first apartment with candles and flowers, and then they jumped headfirst into planning their 2011 wedding.

But first, a little bit of a backstory on her brand: After five years designing all the jewelry at J. Crew, Lele started her own collection. During the first year of her business, she also held the position of jewelry design director at Tory Burch. “In the first two years of Lele Sadoughi, I had two children and often did not find enough time to look polished for meetings, so I ended up wearing my daughter’s headbands. I could not find a headband in the market that was of a quality I wanted, so I made my own,” she explains of how her sought-after product came about. Today, everyone wants to get their hands on one, and most recently, model Devon Windsor wore a pearl knotted headband to stylishly get her marriage license.

Now, back to her wedding! Lele and her husband wanted a destination wedding where their family and friends from Texas and New York could travel. They landed on the Rosewood Mayakoba in Mexico’s Riviera Maya and set the date for December 18th, 2011, after a hurricane caused them to reschedule their original October weekend. “We almost left for the airport but had to cancel the trip and unpack our bags. We were fortunate that all our vendors were available for the second date. Most friends and family rescheduled, but my younger sister was too pregnant to attend. She FaceTimed the entire evening from London,” Lele says.

Below the bride walks us through what trend she wishes was in style when she got married (hint, hint, it shouldn’t come as a surprise), what made all the doctors in the house run up to the altar, and what she’d do differently.

How did you choose what you wore?

“I wanted a silk bias cut bridal gown and found the perfect dress at The Plaza in NYC at Douglas Hannant. The back of the dress had hand-sewn pearls encrusted on the entire straps. I loves the simplicity of the front with the embellished back. I wore my mother’s pearl drop earrings. I am waiting for an opportunity to wear this dress again. I think it’s timeless.”

What’s one recent trend that you wish had been around when you got married?

“Headbands. I got married before I stared my own line, so I wish I was able to design my own jewelry and a bridal headband and veil. We are actually making a veil headband now!”

Any style or dress tips you’d give a bride-to-be?

“Rest, eat, and do not stress. A smile and glowing skin are the best accessories.”

What was your favorite part of the ceremony and reception?

“I loved being with all my friends and family. I wanted a night ceremony with candles in a hotel, where guests could walk to their room at the end of the evening.”

Did anything unexpected happen?

“My mother-in-law fainted from standing too long during the ceremony. All the doctor guests ran up, and we were able to continue shortly thereafter.”

What is one thing you would do differently if you could get married again?

“Plan a wedding nowhere near hurricane season.”

What’s one piece of marriage advice you like to give out?

“Make time for your husband, even after you have your kids. Keep a date night.”