Traditional Armenian Wedding Ceremonies Blended with High End, Luxury Design at The Majestic in DTLA
Sarin and Tavit got married on January 14, 2023, celebrating their wedding day at The Majestic Downtown, in DTLA. After their incredible beachside, Vogue inspired engagement photos in Malibu with a vintage red convertible car, I knew this was going to be a particularly special day after seeing how stylish yet classic they both are (click here to see their engagement photos). Even though it was forecasted as 100% chance of rain all day for their wedding, they luckily had all indoor celebrations and the weather did not interfere too much with the celebration!
Sarin and Tavit had a wonderful, traditional Armenian wedding celebration with a full Chka ceremony in the morning - a pre-wedding custom where the groom and his family bring baskets of gifts to the bride's family's house on the morning of the wedding day. The Chka ceremony typically involves the groom's close family members, who accompany him to the bride's house with the baskets of gifts, usually filled with items such as foods, sweets, flowers, and jewelry. The gifts are presented to the bride and her family as a symbol of respect, gratitude, and love. This ceremony also served as Sarin and Tavit’s first look! The two of them celebrated and danced with their families before heading to their wedding reception venue for their formal portraits at The Majestic downtown.
The Majestic Downtown is a historic venue located in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. It was originally built in 1924 as the Bank of America headquarters and you can still see many of the original bank vaults incorporated into the venue space today. The architecture of the building is a blend of Renaissance Revival and Beaux-Arts styles, with ornate detailing and grand staircases. The main ballroom, which is the centerpiece of the venue, features soaring ceilings, sparkling beaded chandeliers, and beautiful details such as a marble dance floor. Every corner of the space felt so elegant, upscale, luxurious, and grand.
Sarin and Tavit got to explore their wedding reception venue where they would host their reception, dinner, and dancing later that night mid-afternoon before any guests had arrived. They had the large marble staircases, larger than life arched windows, and mezzanine walkways entirely to themselves (and their bridal party) to capture their portraits together. After portraits, Sarin, Tavit, and their bridal party had to slip away from the venue briefly to drive to the church where they would host their wedding celebration!
Sarin and Tavit got married in a traditional Armenian church that was beautifully illuminated post sunset with multiple dangling chandeliers. One of the sweetest details from the wedding day that I learned was this was the exact church where Sarin’s parent’s got married, so it was a special moment for Sarin to have the chance to marry Tavit at the same place! After their ceremony had concluded, the couple and their friends dashed under umbrellas into the rain for one last ride to their reception venue, The Majestic, for their final celebrations.
Back at The Majestic, Shakeh from Laurel Events Los Angeles, a luxury wedding planning company, was busy perfecting the entire building space into a luxurious work of art. While we were away for the ceremony, tables were adorned gold rimmed glasses and flatware, banquet style place settings, guest gifts, and the most avant garde floral arrangements I have ever seen. Instead of traditional floral arrangements, these florals were bundled together into spears and bouquets of singular floral styles, perched at angles in high rising water glasses above the heads of guests, and perfectly matched with all other tables to ensure they were facing the same direction! It was like nothing I had ever seen before! I feel like it is such a unique twist on classical floral arrangements!
Guests were instantly greeted with name cards at a circular table at the bottom of the main marble staircase before being shuffled to the mezzanine for cocktail hour. There they could enjoy the view of the coming attractions below while being served small bites and drinks above by the large arched windows so commonly known by the venue. Sarin and Tavit enjoyed a private cake cutting on the dance floor of their reception space while their guests enjoyed watching on from above. Their elegant cake was created by Porto’s Bakery, with a whipped white frosting and delicate florals placed on each tier. They popped a bottle of Dom Peringnon, cut their cake, enjoyed a bit or two, had slips of champagne, then greeted their guests for their line dance to welcome everyone into the reception portion of their evening!
The Dohl players, the musicians performing as a live band, were extra special as there were family members on stage playing instruments to welcome the bride, groom, family, and bridal party members, along with the whole of the body of guests to the dance floor with a traditional line dance. Everyone enjoyed a high energy dance before dinner, celebrating the bride and groom! After dancing, dinner began with some speeches by many near and dear family members. It was so sweet to hear how much everyone absolutely believed in Sarin and Tavit’s relationship, and how confident they were in her moving across the United States to be with him full time after their wedding - everyone said that they would miss their dear Sarin but would know she was being loved so well with someone who fit so perfectly into their family. Every sentimental speech was incredibly thoughtful. There were laughs and there were tears.
After dinner, Sarin and Tavit were welcomed back to the dance floor to enjoy their first dance as newlyweds. Their first dance started with them just dancing together before breaking into the Money Dance - another special Armenian wedding tradition! The Money dance involves guests pinning money onto the bride and groom (as well as tossing it at them) as a gift to help them start their new life together. Once their dance was done, the leftover dollars were quickly swept as guests rushed to join them once again on the dance floor. As large as the dance floor was, it still wasn’t nearly large enough to hold in the excitement of celebration as everyone rushed to move along with the music! The energy was amazing and so much fun to be around!
Overall, The Majestic Downtown is a stunning venue with a rich history and elegant atmosphere, and Sarin and Tavit were able to use it as the perfect spot to marry their vision for their wedding day along with their joyful cultural celebrations! It was such a joyful day, full of hopefulness for the future and happiness for Sarin and Tavit’s marriage ahead!
Photos captured on digital and 35mm film
Vendors:Photo: Vanessa Todd PhotographerVenue: The Majestic DowntownPlanner: Shakeh from Laurel Events Los AngelesFlorist: Jasik GolnazarianRentals: MTB RentalsCake/Bakery: PortosLighting: J & M EventsBar: Crystal BartendersValet: Black Diamond ValetStationary: Creative Works Design