Featured Wedding: Serj and Talar
After months of wedding planning and anticipation, Bride's Story winner, Talar and Serj, tied the knot on May 29, 2016. Talar had been sharing all the details of their wedding planning experience on the bride's story blog, leading us to their big day. From the morning until reception, here is Talar's story of their wedding day:
"Truly the best day of our lives, our wedding day, came and went in what feels like a blink of an eye. The day started, really, like any other. I wasn't nervous, and had actually gone to sleep at a decent hour the night before, I'd say about 11:30 pm (I know, quite unusual for a bride). Once we got to the hair salon, the champagne pouring started and the nerves started trickling in. I have to give a ton of credit and a huge thank you to Lucine and Nare, my make-up and hair stylists at Chateau De Luce, who kept me calm and excited the entire time and made me leave looking like a true princess!
Once I got home and saw the food display and my bridesmaids, I knew this was happening; my wedding day was finally here! Then I saw my flower girl and ring boy and almost lost it! They looked beyond adorable and now it was my turn. Based on Armenian tradition, I got ready at my parent's house and the groom's side came there to begin the celebration. I changed into my pre-wedding robe, and took a few pictures including with my dog, who unfortunately had to leave the party. Mainly in my parent's room, I took pictures with my mom, my maid of honor, my flower girl and with just my dress. Then, I got dressed and they left the room to welcome my soon-to-be husband!
It was then, when I had a split second to myself that I looked in the mirror, saw myself dressed in my beautiful gown, with my hair and makeup done, my headpiece in, and realized that Serj was about to see me, and greet his wife! I was so excited and soon enough, my maid of honor came and got me from the room and I danced out, and there he was. Girls, the first look is everything! That look in his eyes, that smile, you will never get it again. It means the world and it's only for you. Then, the partying began...
I passed out the bouquets and the boutonnieres, based on Armenian tradition my maid of honor placed my veil, had my nephew put on my shoe, we danced, and we were just about ready to leave the house when my 3 year old nephew, holding a plastic sword in his hand, blocked the door, and wouldn't let me leave. For those of you who don't know, this is an Armenian tradition where the brother (or a male figure should there not be a brother) of the bride, will guard the door and not let the bride out until he is essentially "paid off" by the best man. In our situation, my brother was the best man, and my nephew took on the job like a champ. Some money and a few toy cars later, he let me go and we were on our way.
We danced out of my parent's beautifully decorated house and into our party bus. When I say we had the best wedding party, I wasn't kidding. Truly the best group of friends anyone could ever ask for. The fun, the drinking, the dancing and the laughing never stopped. We reached Caltech University and took our wedding photos by the wonderful Christine of Lark Photography and her crew. They were so amazingly time efficient and we were never late to anything as they kept our schedule so perfectly. We first took some pictures with our wedding party, and when they went back to the party bus, it was just me and Serj, for the first time. Those are really the moments you want to take in, just you and your husband on your wedding day!
We left Caltech and went to St. Gregory Armenian Church where our ceremony would take place. We waited in the bridal room as everyone took their seats and then one by one, the wedding party walked in. Clinching onto my dad's arm, I knew that finally, our family and friends could witness us tying the knot and starting our lives as the Guedikians. Adding to the fun of the day was Father Sarkis who performed the ceremony in both Armenian and English and even made a few jokes throughout the procession. The greatest part of the church was being able to have my grandparents there who unfortunately could not make it to the reception. They had a chance to see their granddaughter get married and that meant the world to me and Serj.
After the ceremony, and taking a few more pictures at church, we went to our reception at Metropol Banquet Hall, and walked in before our guests to see the most beautiful reception I had ever been to. Martha had done an amazing job and our head table was just magical. We waited anxiously in the bridal room for all guests to enter and one by one the couples were called in. Then, it was our turn, and I remember looking at Serj and both us saying simultaneously "ready to party?" We danced in and the rest is history.
The dancefloor was full all night long and it appeared the guests were having a great time. With a blink of an eye, our wedding was over and the rest of our lives had begun. It was truly perfection and I can't thank all of my vendors, our parents, our friends and family enough for attending our wedding."
Wedding Details & Vendors:
Ceremony/ Church: St. Gregory Armenian Church in Pasadena
Reception/Venue: Metropol Banquet Hall – Millennium Ballroom
Flowers: Martha & Co.
Photography: Lark Wedding Photography/Christine Larsen
Videography: Lark Wedding Photography/Christine Larsen
Photo Booth: Lark Wedding Photography/ Christine Larsen
Rentals: ZI Events
Dj: DJ Sevag
Bands/ singers: Tigran Asatryan (a surprise by my parents)
Limousine: Abraham's Lincoln Limousine
Dress: Karoza Design
Hair piece: Karoza Design
Shoes: Nordstrom
Hair: Chateau De Luce - Nare
Make up: Chateau De Luce - Lucine
Suit: Bridal & Tux 4 U
Cake: Roobina's Cake
Favors: self-made
Invitations: Creative Works Designs
Flower girl/ boy outfits: Lil Jewels Boutique
Flower girl/boy accessories: Etsy
Catering: 17 Catering & Events
Photo Location: Caltech University
Alcohol: Mission Liquor
Bridesmaid dresses: Trendy Too
Alterations: Ankine Magarian
Save the date cards: Shutterfly
Save the date photos: RAM Productions LA
We're so excited to have been a part of Talar and Serj's wedding planning journey and to finally see their vision come to life on their wedding day. Congratulations Talar and Serj and thank you for sharing your story on the Harsanik blog!
Special thanks to Lark Wedding Photography for all the beautiful photos.
Tags: bride , bride's story , talar's story , wedding day , wedding dress , wedding planning
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