A Traditional Armenian American Cultural Wedding

This was my first time covering a traditional Armenian wedding. I’d say 70% of the day was dedicated to dancing, 10% dedicated to getting married and 20% dedicated to premium alcohol consumption along with their closest 300 family members, relatives and friends.

The day started at Armens’ home where 3 musicians played the clarinet, drum and accordion and welcomed his immediate family. Armen’s immediate family (parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts) then went over to Adriana’s house with beautiful floral gift baskets containing the veil, her shoes, chocolates, Hennessy, perfume and more flowers.

At Adriana’s house, the outside was welcoming with fabric decor. There were two tables inside, one with food and desserts and the other table with the gifts. As Armen’s family begin entering Adriana’s home, they were dancing and celebrating the arrival of Armen’s family. Once they entered the house, Adriana made her appearance into the living room in a silver dress. The room was now filled with immediate family members from both sides. After another dance, Adriana went to go change into her wedding dress with her bridesmaids. Her brother put money in her shoe for good luck and placed Adriana’s shoes on her feet. Before Adriana makes her debut in her gorgeous wedding dress, Armen was in the living room.

Armen was being blessed by his parents with a dance. Each parent put a ribbon on him, one was red and one was green. They placed it on him in a way where the ribbons crossed his chest. Then it was time to see his to-be wife in her dress for the first time. After seeing each other, it was time to hop into the limo and head to the ceremony location: Japanese Tea house at Brand Park in Glendale, California. However, there was one more obstacle. In Armenian weddings, it is traditional for the brother of the Bride to stop Armen from taking his sister away. Armen at this point has to offer money to him until he allows him to take his sister away.

Their ceremony was also a bit different from what I’ve seen before. The priest had them bump heads for 80% of the time, then drink 1/3 cup of wine each from a fresh bottle with the best man. Before I knew it, the ceremony was done. Following the ceremony, they went to a historical house in Pasadena called the Maxwell House for a few more vintage looking photos.

Afterward, they made their first public appearance as husband and wife at the Royal Palace in Glendale, which is right across the street from the Americana shopping mall. The banquet hall at the Royal Palace was absolutely gorgeous.

The high ceilings, pictures on the wall, huge chandeliers, detailed Victorian style molding molding, it all added to the look of the venue. Not to mention the elaborate centerpieces and the variety of appetizers on the 30 tables. They made their entrance with the same 3 musicians and went straight into a family dance again! Interesting… Afterward, they ate their dinner and performed their first dance over a cloud of smoke. But that wasn’t it, they went on to perform a grease type dance for their guests.

Armenian weddings are longgggg!!!! 15 hours went by so quickly. Oh yea, coffee is a big thing in the Armenian culture. It was served at each of their parents’ homes and at the reception. I’m not talking about just cups of coffee, but straight shots of expresso. I had a great time photographing Adriana and Armen’s big wedding day.

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Japanese Tea House @ Brand Park – 1601 West Mountain Street, Glendale, California 91201
Maxwell House (Photo Shoot Location) – 55 South Grand Avenue, Pasadena, California 91105
Royal Palace (Reception Location) – 210 South Brand Blvd, Glendale, California 91204
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