Inside Nicolas Bijan and Roxy Sowlaty's Elegant Backyard Wedding in Beverly Hills

Like many couples who had grand wedding festivities planned for 2020, Roxy Sowlaty and Nicolas Bijan had to make some last minute changes. They were originally supposed to have a multi-day spring affair at the iconic Villa d'Este in Lake Como, but by late winter it was quite clear Covid-19 wasn't going to let that happen. So they canceled the May event and debated what to do next. "Do we reschedule our wedding in Italy, plan something small here, do nothing at all, or wait? After many months of this ping-ponging, we just decided to do it!" says Roxy.

The best, and safest, option was to hold a wedding in the backyard of their Beverly Hills home—Roxy is an interior designer and Nicolas is the scion of Rodeo Drive's glitziest boutique, the House of Bijan. Just the closest friends and family (48 guests, in their case) were present, and drive-through Covid-19 testing was provided for everyone (including staff) the day before the event, which took place in October. And all the guests were given Bijan silk masks.

As for holding that original Italian celebration at a later date? The couple are keeping plans open-ended. "We’re now hoping to do a joint birthday party there—it’s going to be my 30th birthday in June," Nicolas says. "If the pandemic doesn’t ease by then, it will have to be our 31st birthdays. Or, maybe we’ll renew our vows. We'll see." Adds Roxy: "We’re open to anything. If we have all learned one thing, it's that no matter what we plan, the world has its own plans for us!"

See below for all the highlights from Roxy and Nicolas's elegant backyard affair.