1. Real Weddings

A Glam Hotel Wedding at Langham Huntington in Pasadena, California

Planning the perfect proposal is stressful enough, but popping the question to the daughter of fine jewelry designer Kirk Kara is a feat of its own. T

Planning the perfect proposal is stressful enough, but popping the question to the daughter of fine jewelry designer Kirk Kara is a feat of its own. That’s why Raffi Kassabian (a lawyer) enlisted the help of Angela Karaguezian’s (a VP at Kirk Kara) sister to design the perfect engagement ring from Kirk Kara’s Pirouetta collection. “My ring encompasses everything for me—my heritage, my commitment to my family’s company and a shared future with my new husband,” Angela says. Inspired by their Armenian heritage, Angela and Raffi planned an elegant affair at Langham Huntington in Pasadena, California, using gilded details and lush arrangements of orchids, peonies and hydrangeas. In keeping with Armenian tradition, Angela surrounded herself with flower girls instead of bridesmaids, each attendant decked out in white lace and festive floral crowns. “They were on cloud nine,” Angela says. “All the flower girls were so busy waving at the audience, they forgot to decorate the aisle with flowers!” Free-form floral displays and crystal-accented centerpieces added a touch of glitz to the couple’s hotel reception, where they celebrated in the opulent Viennese Ballroom alongside nearly 300 guests. Traditional Armenian dancers ushered the newlyweds into their reception, where guests danced and dined on mini sliders, a hazelnut and red velvet cake and late-night treats like grilled cheese and tomato soup. “We wanted to celebrate in a way that captured the essence of my family legacy and our Armenian culture,” Angela says. “Every detail reflected our love of family and passion for our heritage." —Jen Leahy

Since Angela is a fourth-generation jeweler at her family's company, it made sense for her to send partygoers home with gold jewelry boxes filled with sweet almond dragees.
For her walk down the aisle, Angela donned a white silk and blush lace Monique Lhuillier gown accented with a tulle and horsehair skirt.
In keeping with the wedding's timeless aesthetic, Raffi wore a navy Armani tuxedo paired with a satin bow tie. To finish the look, he donned a pair of rose and white-gold Kirk Kara cuff links custom designed by Angela.
In keeping with the wedding's timeless aesthetic, Raffi wore a navy Armani tuxedo paired with a satin bow tie.
Angela toted an elegant, hand-tied arrangement of classic white orchids paired with fluffy pink peonies. Bridesmaids carried similar blush-hued bouquets of peonies and roses.
Angela toted an elegant, hand-tied arrangement of classic white orchids paired with fluffy pink peonies. Bridesmaids carried similar, blush-hued bouquets of peonies and roses.
As a jewelry designer at her family's company, Angela's sister Grace designed a custom ring for the bride that features a diamond halo and signature filigree design. "It's a one-of-a-kind ring that took over 25 hours to sketch to perfection," Angela says.
Per Armenian tradition, Angela surrounded herself with flower girls rather than bridesmaids. "All six girls wore breathtaking white lace dresses and festive floral crowns," Angela says. "They all looked so charming!"
As a nod to the couple's Armenian culture, Angela and Raffi wed in a traditional Armenian ceremony at St. Peter's Armenian Apostolic Church. "It's the church that I grew up in," Angela says of the space, which was adorned with blush and white arrangements of roses, hydrangeas, peonies and orchids.
For her walk down the aisle, Angela donned a white silk and blush lace Monique Lhuillier gown accented with a tulle and horsehair skirt.
Gold chiavari chairs and blush linens topped round dinner tables, but the focal point of each tablescape came in the form of towering centerpieces made of phalaenopsis orchids, hydrangeas and peonies.
Indulgent treats included mini sliders, grilled cheese and a pink and gold hazelnut and red velvet cake topped with handmade sugar flower appliques.
"The Armenian heritage embraces the art of dance, so we were led into our reception by lively, traditional Armenian dancers," Angela explains of the performers, who were clad in red and black garb.
As a jewelry designer at her family's company, Angela's sister Grace designed a custom ring for the bride that features a diamond halo and signature filigree design. "It's a one-of-a-kind ring that took over 25 hours to sketch to perfection," Angela says.