Featured Wedding: Ando and Angie

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As you may recall, Ando and Angie got engaged on August 23, 2013, with a romantic, surprise proposal on Ando's 21st Birthday! Beginning with their proposal story, we fell in love with this sweet couple. Now, 3 years later, we are excited to share all the details of Ando and Angie's beautiful and joyful wedding at Palladio Banquet Hall.

Ando and Angie Wedding

Wedding Planning

Ando and Angie started planning their wedding in April 2015, as soon as they set their wedding date, July 22, 2016. They always wanted to get married on their anniversary, and it so happened that their date fell exactly on the 7th year!

Angie explains that when it came to planning their wedding, her main focus wasn't on the decorations or vendors, but the feeling of the entire event. She wanted to make sure their families and closest friends felt the love they shared and experienced what they had felt for each other the past seven years.

As they began wedding planning, Angie found inspirations from other weddings and by talking to brides about their experiences. To help with planning, Angie's sister gifted her a wedding planner from Erin Condren which was very helpful and included a detailed guide to planning! In addition, she was able to use the Harsanik Armenian traditions blog to learn about the various traditions. 

Angie loved the process of planning and being able to get creative. She realized how much every detail mattered and in the process she learned a bit about herself as well. She said the biggest challenge in planning was that she thought she had all the time in world and eventually ran out of time! 

When it came to choosing a theme and color scheme, they went with the gorgeous gold and ivory tones of Palladio Banquet Hall.

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Dress Shopping

Dress shopping is one of Angie's favorites stories to tell... She said "Dress hunting was a mission for me. I knew exactly what I wanted for my wedding dress, down to every detail, for as long as I can remember. It wasn't a common gown to find, but I found it in Galia Lahav's designs. Galia Lahav's Patchouli was the dress of my dreams, in every way. But I couldn't seem to get my hands on it. One night I was searching online for bridal salons that carry the gown and I found a salon in Corona Del Mar called The White Dress. They had recently posted online about a sample sale they were having. As I started browsing through their selection online, I came across the dress of my dreams. I could not sleep and I called them the very next morning, at 10 am, the moment the salon opened. They confirmed that they still had the gown, and I told them that I'd be there in 2 hours. 1 hour and 51 minutes later, my mom, aunt, niece and I were at the salon! The White Dress was such a beautiful salon and the Staff was so kind, helpful, and understanding. I tried the gown on, and to my surprise, it fit like a glove! It was so comfortable and effortless. I loved every details from the strings of pearl on my bare back and the dreamy tulle floating like a cloud. It felt unreal. When I was asked, "Are you saying yes to this dress?" My heart fell to my stomach. I said Yes! We popped champagne and everything! Thank you endlessly to the ladies at The White Dress in Corona Del Mar, you made my dreams come true!"

As with most bridal gowns, Angie needed alterations for her dress. A Galia Lahav flagship store was opening in January of 2016 in Los Angeles, where she would be able to do her alterations. From her first visit, Angie was greeted with open arms by a wonderful staff who made her entire experience absolutely amazing.

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Wedding Day

The Wedding Ando and Angie had an Armenian wedding filled with many traditions. They at Ando's parent's house where his side of the family gathered and began the celebration. Afterwards, they all joined together and arrived at Angie's parent's house, where she was impatiently waiting alone in her bedroom be greeted by her groom! Ando's family was greeted by Angie's family, symbolizing both families showing acceptance to one another, and the older tradition of formally taking the bride from her parent's home. During this ceremony, a family member from the bride's side tries to "stop" the bride from leaving her parents' home by stealing her wedding shoe. Angie's sister stole her shoe, and the best man had to bribe her back with a dance and money! A brother figure of the bride, in this case Angie's cousin, continued the tradition by assisting her with putting on her wedding shoes. The celebration continued with live music and singing until someone from the bride's side tries to stop the bride and groom from leaving again, only this time by holding a sword to the door of the house, and not allowing anyone to leave, until of course the best man pays an allowance. 

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Church Ceremony 

The couple got married at St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church with a traditional Armenian ceremony. 

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Photoshoot 

Following their ceremony, Ando and Angie, along with their wedding party, went to Caltech Pasadena for their wedding day photoshoot. Let's not leave out that on this day the Santa Clarita fires started. They were covered in the ashes from the fire but that didn't stop them. Instead, their photographer Gorfoto took advantage of the situation and captured some remarkable photos!

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Reception

Upon their arrival at the reception, Ando and Angie broke plates at the entrance of the banquet hall and were greeted by Ando's mom who offered them Lavash and honey symbolizing good luck. The couple was also showered with money as they had their first dance. The celebration continued as the bride and groom and their guests danced the night away! 

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Ando and Angie Wedding

Favorite Moments

Angie said "my two favorite moments were the following...First was seeing Andy for the first time that day, at my parents' house. The feeling of anticipation built up to that moment, when we finally saw each other, and realized it was all worth the wait and we couldn't help but smile as we noticed that both of us shared these same thoughts. My second favorite was walking down the aisle with my father. It's a nerve wrecking feeling, walking down a long aisle in a long dress, trying not to trip over it, and knowing it's moment your father gives you away. But it was my dad's third time walking one of his daughters down the aisle, so I felt at ease knowing my dad is a professional at this by now! He made certain I was smiling and I looked my best, and I had never felt more comfortable with my dad, even though he was giving me away. It's like he guided me down the aisle to my future. It was an emotional moment and one I'll never forget."

Vendors & Details

Ceremony/ Church: St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church

Reception/Venue: Palladio Banquet Hall

Flowers: Mary's Flowers

Photography: Gorfoto

Videography: StavroVideo Productions

Video Bands/ singers: Tigran Asatryan Band 

Dress: Designer Galia Lahav at The White Dress

Alterations: Galia Lahav Los Angeles Flagship store 

Headpiece: Justine M Couture

Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Hair: Suzi Couture

Make up: Makeup by Lilit

Suit: Hugo Boss

Favors: Home made

Invitations: Danieli's House of Bridal 

Catering: Angel's International Catering 

Photo location: Caltech Pasadena

Honeymoon: Playa Mujeres, Mexico 

Ando and Angie would like to extend a huge thank you to their photographers and cinematographers Gorfoto and StavroVideo Productions for not only their talent and capturing their most special day but also their work ethics and ensuring that they had a great time shooting throughout their pre-wedding, wedding, and trash the dress photoshoots.

Congratulations Ando and Angie on your wedding! Thank you for sharing you love story and every detail of your beautiful wedding.

Tags: bride , church , groom , money , tradition , wedding day , wedding photography , wedding planning

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