Aniss and Mohammed enlisted Hovik Harutyunyan of Modern LA Weddings, to create a fresh and vibrant celebration that broke the typical mold of weddings celebrated by the couple's Armenian and Bengalis families. Their romantic outdoor wedding day at Hummingbird Nest Ranch was filled with lush florals by the talented Enchanted Garden, who wove pomegranates (a culturally significant fruit in both the bride's and groom's respective cultures) throughout the arrangements and tablescapes. Thankfully Heidi Ryder Photography was on hand to capture all of the gorgeous details and beautiful moments of the couple's big day. Enjoy!

What made the wedding special and unique?

The wedding was so very special and unique because it broke with tradition, in the best of ways, for both of our families. As Armenians and Bengalis, our families & friends are used to a certain type of wedding and we were so excited to give them a different experience. From the beginning to the end of the planning process we wanted to make sure the wedding was a fun night out for our loved ones, and our coordinator Hovik helped us make that wish come to life.

Tell us about the gown and where/how you found it!

I wasn't a bride with a specific vision of what my gown would look like, but I knew I wanted something simple and stunning. That's just exactly what I got with my Liancarlo gown and veil. After seeing a similar gown on their website I found a trunk show at Mon Amie Bridal Salon in Costa Mesa, CA. I was lucky enough to have Carlos Ramirez, the brains behind Liancarlo at the trunk show. He recommended a gown that took my breath away because it was so sleek, so romantic, and so me. The veil was a perfect match to the gown, each one complimenting the other so beautifully. I am still smitten with my gown & veil and hope to one day pass it down to my daughter.

What were some touches add to make it personal?

Pomegranates are culturally significant for both of our cultures (I am Armenian and my husband is Bengali) so we wanted a hint of them in honor of our heritage. We loved the way our florist included fresh pomegranates in our arrangements. Hovik, our amazing coordinator, also suggested adding pops of fresh pomegranates and candles elsewhere in the decor which created a lush and romantic atmosphere.

What was the most memorable part of the day?

The most memorable part of our wedding day wasn't a specific moment. My husband and I both agree our favorite part of the wedding was sharing hugs, kisses, and amazing moves on the dance floor. The both of us wanted to make an effort to dance with all our guests at one point throughout the night, and part of how we accomplished that was with our wonderful DJ, percussionist, & MC (Dashing Events). We requested a mix of top 40, 90s R&B, Persian, Armenian, Arabic, Bollywood, & Bhangra. It kept the dance floor full and made us feel so much love and positive energy all around.

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

We met in the fall of 2010 through mutual friends and haven't looked back since. Before our engagement my husband had jokingly mentioned ways he might propose and I was always adamant I didn't want it to be in a public place as I get very shy. The proposal was us in our element, nothing staged or over the top. After celebrating New Year's Eve with family & friends, we went back home to indulge in french fries on the couch. In a beautiful moment, still dressed up in our fancy outfits, my husband proposed.

Photographer: Heidi Ryder Photography // Planning & Design: Hovik Harutyunyan of Modern LA Weddings // Florist: Enchanted Garden // Rentals: A Rental Connection // Videographer: White Rose Production // Wedding Dress: Lian Carlo Designer // Bridal Store: Mon Amie // Groom's Suit: Zegna // Music: Dashing Events // Wedding Cake: Dress My Cake // Mixologist: Mama's Medicine // Officiant: Officiant Eric // Photo Booth: Mad Mochi // Venue: Hummingbird Nest Ranch