A Luxurious Outdoor Wedding At The Hummingbird Nest Ranch in Santa Susana, California

Leo Tolstoy proclaimed, “All the variety, all the charm, all the beauty of life is made up of life and shadow.” On April 28, crepuscular rays streamed through the crevices of Nare Petoyan’s bedroom blinds, with dust motes dancing in the slants of sunlight. Moments later, she would awaken, surrounded by hundreds of vibrant roses and Armen Karibyan kneeling down on one knee with a small red box in his hands. Such is what dreams are made of. 

Nare, brought up in a traditional Armenian household, was well on her way to becoming a Doctor of Pharmacy when she met Armen–a successful entrepreneur, through the friendship between their two families. They shared a sense of humor, taste, core values and outlook on life.

The saying goes, “When you know, you know,” and the couple knew right away. Plans for an extravagant engagement were quickly scrapped for wedding plans. In the words of Nora Ephron, “When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”

The bride had her heart set on an outdoor, summer wedding–a huge obstacle, as this was not the norm for a traditional wedding in the Armenian community. After months of meticulously planning every detail of the wedding to make a harmonious union between a customary Armenian wedding and the bride’s own vision, the big day arrived.

 The bride wore a custom-made gown by internationally renowned designer J’Aton Couture, featuring fully hand-sculpted silver thread lace and layers of white and silver pleated French silk tulle. The cathedral veil was hand embroidered with French lace and crystals. The groom wore a tailored custom-made bow tie tuxedo by Ermenegildo Zegna.

The wedding ceremony was held in St. Leon Armenian Cathedral, followed by a reception at the gorgeous estate of Hummingbird Nest Ranch. Armen and Nare wanted to create a truly unique and unforgettable experience for their guests, and cocktails were served on the veranda of the estate by the lake while a baby grand piano and violin provided classical entertainment.

The reception was held inside an 8,000 square foot tent–an embodiment of extravagance, from the 20 glistening crystal chandeliers, to the all-white florals. The floral designs included hanging pieces, six-foot tabletop centerpieces, and a floral arch framing the newlyweds. The glow of the tent reflected in the lake, creating the perfect background for the glamourous outdoor affair.

Nare and Armen couldn’t take their eyes off each other as they shared their first dance to Etta James’ “At Last,” and the song perfectly summed up their love for one another. Friends and family celebrated their unforgettable night under the starts with dinner and dancing into the wee hours of the morning. One of the most important memories the newlyweds take with them is that all the people they love and care for were in the same place together, celebrating their love and union. It was the memory of a lifetime that will be engraved in their hearts forever.