Brax Girl Ed 34: Candice Madanipour-Willmes

Team Brax
7 days ago
3 min read

When Parallel Lives Meet

Paul asked Candice out on the very day his divorce was finalized. She had been his divorce attorney. At the time, Candice was also going through her own divorce, and dating was the last thing on her mind. “Definitely not as salacious as it sounds,” she says. Encouraged by her sister to “go have fun,” Candice said yes, never expecting that she’d be saying “I do” down the line. Their connection grew slowly and steadily. “We realized we had been living parallel lives before we met,” she shares. That synchronicity became the foundation of a well-matched partnership. “Paul is strong, yet soft spoken and gentle,” she says. “He saw me as fierce while I was his attorney, but soon saw the softer, more feminine side of me during our relationship.”

A Brax Spark Leads to Forever

It started as a joke. At a Brax show, Candice sent Paul a photo of a dramatic, oversized ring. Five months later, he bought that exact ring and proposed in front of 40 family members and friends during a 4th of July barbecue. “His proposal speech was partly in Farsi,” she remembers. “His effort was so endearing to me.”

Courtroom Precision Meets Bridal Planning

“As a mature bride, I had a vision of modern elegance and glamour,” Candice says. Her aesthetic included lush florals, gold accents, and a sleek venue. Paul’s love for golf and the ocean made the VEA Hotel in Newport Beach a perfect choice. “It had everything we both desired—sleek, modern elegance, a golf course, and beautiful ocean views.”

Balancing her role as a business owner and family law attorney with wedding planning wasn’t easy, but Candice knew how to prepare. “Perfect execution is preparation,” she says. “I prepare tirelessly for my trials. I prepared tirelessly for our wedding.” She built out detailed task lists, delegated wherever possible, and reserved weekends for planning with florists and vendors. This kept her grounded and present for both her legal work and the joy of designing a meaningful event.

The Dress That Took Her Breath Away

It took six months and nearly 50 gowns. Most dresses felt outdated or simply didn’t feel like her. Her sister kept encouraging her to keep going. Then, she found it. “I cried the moment I tried it on,” Candice says. “I knew instantly it was the one. I felt sexy, yet elegant.”

Walking Toward Love

The ceremony was the most unforgettable moment of her day. “Walking down the aisle, surrounded by family, friends, and a stunning floral backdrop in front of our Persian spread. It was pure magic,” she shares. “After everything we’d been through, I found myself giggling as I walked toward my husband.”

Rather than have others give speeches, Candice and Paul chose to turn the spotlight back on their guests. “We gave a heartfelt thank-you to our guests for being part of our lives and supporting us,” she says. They also skipped the traditional post-ceremony retreat and spent the cocktail hour mingling with friends and family.

A Family Law Lens on Love

Candice sees the full spectrum of relationships every day in her work. That perspective shaped her appreciation for the good. “Seeing the best, worst, and ugliest sides of relationships and marriage daily has made me cherish the good even more,” she says. “With the right partner, marriage becomes a conscious choice to build something beautiful.”

Candice’s advice to ambitious brides?

Start early: Secure your venue and key vendors (planner, florist, photographer, DJ/band).

Start small: Tackle one task each weekend, and adjust your schedule to meet vendors mid-week if needed.

Take time off: Block out the week before the wedding for self-care and calm.

Choosing Love Every Day

To me, marriage means knowing you’re on the same team. It's setting an intention every day to be loving and kind. Life can be challenging. Marriage doesn’t have to be—if the intention, healthy love, and commitment are there.

The Woman Behind the Vows

Beyond her bridal moment, Candice is a powerhouse in her own right. As the founder of Madanipour Law Group, she specializes in family law, high-asset cases, prenups, and executive divorces, offering strength, strategy, and compassionate advocacy for her clients. Her work empowers others to move through some of life’s most difficult transitions with clarity and confidence.

LEARN MORE AT

www.madanipourlawgroup.com

Candice’s WeddingVendor Team:

Planning & Coordination: @talaevents

Venue and Caterer: @veanewportbeach

Photography & Videography: @satginstudio

Floral Design: @floralcreationsbyenzo

Sofreh Aghd Design: @sofrehbyafsanehsargordan

Appetizers & Desserts: @111_catering

Cake: @sweettraders

Rentals: @harryspartyrental

Dress Boutique: @thewhitedresscdm