“The most memorable thing about our first meeting was his confident and respectful approach and how he made me feel at ease,” describes Oksanna Bakunts of her beloved Sevak Torosyan, who had traveled to Moscow, where she was living at the time, to go on their first date. 

As their romance unfolded, Sevak realized Oksanna was The One, so he swiftly jumped into action, asking for her father’s blessing, purchasing a custom diamond ring, and arranging for a traditional engagement ceremony while they visited their native Armenia. “It was a beautiful and emotional moment for both of us,” illustrates the bride, who relished the cultural ritual that involved family and friends. 

For the next 10 months, the betrothed planned for an elegant celebration with the help of their esteemed wedding planner, Edgar Hay of Edgar Hay Events. The couple sought out a unique venue with a picturesque location and beautiful ocean views, landing upon a luxurious hotel in Orange County that was perfect for the occasion. They began to work on their one-of-a-kind invitation suite with a stationer in France and settled on a chic color scheme of black and white with glistening elements. 

“We were fortunate to have a smooth planning process with no significant hurdles, thanks to our experienced wedding planner,” expresses Oksanna. As attendees arrived to the alfresco ceremony and took their seats in cushioned cream chairs with garden-inspired backs, they were in awe of the impressive all-white raised structure that faced the sea. The aisle was lined with lush, oversized garlands of vanilla-hued florals and verdure, whilst the arrangements affixed to the backdrop mimicked the dreamy style. 

Oksanna made her grand entrance wearing a Jimmy Choo couture princess ball gown – purchased from Panache Bridals of Beverly Hills – embellished with lace, beading, and a romantic off-the-shoulder design with long sleeves that doubled as dainty fingerless gloves. To complement her long flowing locks, she wore a matching veil and a regal crown. Her groom wore a classic black tuxedo with a hand-tied bow tie and completed the look with a modern, white rose boutonniere. 

It was important to the couple to incorporate traditional Armenian wedding customs into the service, including the exchanging of rings and the blessing of the couple by the priest. “We also had some personalized components, such as writing our own vows and reciting readings from our favorite books,” adds Oksanna. 

“We decided to incorporate a lot of crystals and lighting-design elements into the décor.”

As family and friends shifted from the outdoor ceremony to the ballroom reception, they were met with jaw-dropping, glamorous details. “We decided to incorporate a lot of crystals and lighting-design elements into the décor,” illustrates the bride. Tablescapes were adorned with stunning crystal candelabras and lavish centerpieces comprised of white roses, peonies, hydrangeas, and orchids. “The flower arrangements were elegant, sophisticated, and complemented the artfully draped crystal strands perfectly,” says Oksanna. 

After a delicious meal, guests were offered slices of cake from the beautifully decorated multi-tiered confection boasting precise frosting, sugar details, and even more dazzling crystals before hitting the dance floor for the remainder of the evening. “The music and entertainment at our wedding were top-notch. We had a great DJ who kept the dance floor packed all night long and some talented musicians who performed throughout the celebration, including three famous Armenian singers who were a surprise gift from family,” shares Sevak. 

Oksanna’s advice to other brides planning their nuptials is to hire an experienced, professional wedding planner. “I knew for sure that the wedding of my dreams had to be very well organized, but I also knew that I wouldn’t be able to plan and execute it myself,” she expresses. Luckily, the newlyweds were thrilled with the amazing design their wedding planner crafted. “Edgar created a stunning, cohesive aesthetic for our wedding,” asserts Sevak. “We were surprised when we got a first reveal of the reception space and saw how beautiful everything looked! We were lucky to have such a seamless experience, and we cherish every memory.”

This real wedding was originally published in the Fall 2023 issue of Inside Weddings magazine. 

To order a copy of the Fall 2023 issue, visit our library of Inside Weddings back issues available for purchase.