“From day one, I knew she was The One. It was like in the books – love at first sight,” Arman Ekmekchian shares of meeting his future wife Hasmik Ohanyan in high school. When the time was right, he asked her father for his blessing and sourced a stunning emerald-cut diamond engagement ring from a jeweler in the family. “He tricked me into thinking I was going to a family member’s birthday party, when I was walking into my dream proposal,” remembers Hasmik of their 2.5-million-view viral proposal and memorable engagement. “I’ll never forget the special day.” 

With 600 wedding guests in attendance, the pair not only required a spacious banquet hall for the reception, but they also relied heavily on an esteemed planner to design and execute the wedding of their dreams – delightfully choosing Edgar Hay of Edgar Hay Events. “Find the best event planner who you trust and believe in to bring your vision to life,” Arman suggests to other couples. 

As they desired a traditional Armenian ceremony, a gorgeous sanctuary was selected by the bride. “It was breathtakingly beautiful,” muses Hamik. “I wanted the ceremony to not be filled with flowers and décor, but instead focus on the presence of God and the Holy Spirit.” 

Though the décor of the ceremony was kept minimal, the bride’s exquisite Panache Atelier by Sahar Fotouhi custom wedding dress certainly commanded attention. The ball gown, which was designed for Hasmik at Panache Bridal of Beverly Hills, showcased dramatic detachable sleeves that accentuated the strapless bodice and full skirt embellished with nearly 200,000 multicolored crystals to create a beautiful effect of dancing golden hues as she moved in different lighting. 

“Find the best event planner who you trust and believe in to bring your vision to life.”

When friends and family entered the ballroom, they were awestruck. “Absolutely stunning,” says Hasmik of the space, which had been transformed into a vision of ivory, black, and gold. Sparkling chandeliers and crystals were suspended from the ceiling, and guests found their seats at either long, winding serpentine tables or round tables covered in ebony linens topped with towering vessels holding lush arrangements of white phalaenopsis orchids and bullion-dipped leaves. 

The pièce de resistance, however, was the sweetheart table showcasing a waterfall of 5,000 roses dotted with crystals. “It was out of this world! Everyone was blown away by it,” smiles the bride of the masterpiece displayed in front of the opulent seven-tiered wedding cake. 

To honor their Armenian culture, the couple incorporated an array of traditions throughout the reception. When Hasmik and Arman arrived to the ballroom as husband and wife, the mother of the groom greeted them with fresh lavash bread and honey from their homeland in Armenia to symbolize prosperity and sweetness of the new family. 

The bride also participated in the customary bridal dance, which was choreographed by her mother Lusine Gevorgyan, who owns Barekamutiun Dance Studio. “Armenian musician Karen Sevak produced a beautiful song ‘Nakhsh’ with my voice that went viral in Armenia,” shares Hasmik. “A moment I will cherish forever.” In fact, Arman made sure the entertainment was just as impressive as the décor. “I brought many talents, performers, and singers from our motherland in Armenia whose music is near to our hearts,” he confirms of the revelry that lasted until 3AM. 

Hasmik and Arman agree they wouldn’t change a single thing about their luxurious celebration surrounded by hundreds of people from all stages of their lives. “The memories that we created that day will stay with us,” the groom affirms. “We live and dream them every day and will cherish them forever.”

This real wedding was originally published in the Spring 2024 issue of Inside Weddings magazine. 

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