Thanks to their brothers playing basketball together for an Armenian cultural and sports league – and maybe fate – Aundrea Issakhanian, who was on a college break and visiting family in New York City, met Armi Nazarian at a youth basketball game. When Aundrea later came home for summer vacation, Armi asked her on a date, and six months later, he was engagement-ring shopping for his beloved. “We felt such an intense spark; we both knew that we were going to spend the rest of our lives together,” says Aundrea.
While on a vacation getaway with friends in the Bahamas, they went to a group dinner and took a walk to the property’s dock to wish well a couple whom just got engaged. In reality, it was all a ruse and as Aundrea strolled, she turned to see her friends had stopped, and instead were smiling and recording. “It took me a few seconds, but I soon realized what was going on,” she describes. “To be honest, it was all a blur… all I remember is screaming yes!”
Over the course of the next year and a half, Aundrea and Armi planned for their fall nuptials where 600 loved ones would witness the betrothed exchange vows. The duo set out to locate the perfect venue for their hefty guest list, plus they desired a site that also offered accommodations, and could provide Armenian fare during the dinner reception. “Luckily, we found a beautiful hotel in Los Angeles that checked all the boxes, so we signed as fast as we could,” admits the bride.
The remainder of the planning was seamless thanks to their esteemed wedding designer Edgar Hay of Edgar Hay Events. “He made it so easy!” admits Aundrea. The couple felt that the cathedral in which they were to wed was already opulent on its own and paired nicely with the upscale theme of their wedding, so they left it as is.
The morning of the big day, the couple was excited to take part in a lively Armenian tradition that precedes the ceremony. Custom calls for the groom’s family to dance their way to the bride’s home with gifts, while musicians play live music to formally “take the bride from her home.” Armi’s brother and best man opened a bottle of cognac for the families and offered a toast, per tradition, and Aundrea’s brother slipped hundred-dollar bills into her wedding heels for good luck.
Aundrea was fit for royalty, as she gracefully made her way down the aisle wearing a ball gown adorned with exquisite embroidery and embellishments, including illusion cutouts on her back, and a dramatic veil custom designed by Sahar Fotouhi of Panache Bridal. She carried a snowy bouquet of vanilla peonies. The bride’s middle school teacher, who was also a clergy member from the Armenian Apostolic Church, joyfully guided the couple through their “I dos.”
“I had absolutely no idea what I wanted at our wedding, so I put my full trust into Edgar after expressing our style and answering a few of his questions.”
Aundrea and Armi wanted an impressive reception, a space in which all their loved ones would feel comfortable, regal, and dazzled by the romantic ambience. “We incorporated real violins placed amongst cascading florals, creating the effect of a celestial orchestra,” illustrates the bride. Additionally, six unique and completely custom-made trees created a whimsical effect; a creative idea from their wedding planner that beautifully came to fruition. Beyond the wow-worthy tablescapes filled with vanilla florals and bullion details set against ebony linens, there was yet another spectacular sight: a breathtaking eight-tier wedding cake made of edible gold.
The first dance was a favorite memory for the groom – “There were 600 guests in that room, and I only saw and felt Aundrea in that moment” – as were the speeches from both his brother and his bride’s brother. “We initially didn’t want speeches, but they shared the most heartfelt words that brought tears to our eyes.” Guests’ amazement continued throughout the night with unforgettable music from many popular Armenian entertainers who sang live to the crowd.
“I had absolutely no idea what I wanted at our wedding, so I put my full trust into Edgar after expressing our style and answering a few of his questions,” confides Aundrea. “From there, I really gave no input. It still amazes me to this day how he created such a jaw-dropping wedding from only a few words and photos of inspiration from me. It takes a lot of skill and creativity to create something like that with such little direction.”
This real wedding was originally published in the Fall 2024 issue of Inside Weddings magazine.
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