Kristina Khachunts was working at a bank when she first laid eyes on Serge Karapetyan. She was standing outside and noticed Serge looking at her with a sideways glance as he parked his car. Serge proceeded to go inside the bank, complete his transaction, and promptly left.
“I remember thinking, ‘First off, who is this guy; and second, why is he so full of himself?’’ Kristina recalls. “In reality, I was drawn to that. He later found me on Instagram and reached out a few times, but I did not respond. Then, one day, I was walking to my car from my new job. I looked up and saw him again, walking right past. I thought to myself, ‘What a coincidence.’ I knew then that there would be something special with him. After months of him reaching out to me on Instagram, I decided to respond to him and give him a chance finally.”
“I felt butterflies in my stomach as my husband turned around and saw me for the first time that day”
It only took one date for Kristina to realize Serge was “the one.” A year and a half later, she found herself walking into the most beautiful proposal that Serge had planned with the help of Los Angeles-based wedding planner, Mary Michelle. The engagement took place a Rosewood Miramar Hotel. Serge walked Kristina down to the sand, where she was met with 2,000 white roses in the shape of a heart, and a violinist standing in the middle. It was such a magical scene that Kristina remembers waking up the next day and scrolling through the pictures and videos, trying to let it all sink in and wrap her mind around the fact that it wasn’t just a dream.
“Growing up, I knew there was only one style of wedding I wanted,” she shares, “which was a dreamy, all-white wedding. Something about walking into an all-white wedding made me feel like I was on a cloud. Thanks to my amazing planner, my vision was brought to life. The reception was magical, with all the draping and grand chandeliers making the space breathtaking. The mirrored tables and crystal candelabras made everything look like a fairy tale. I loved the sweetheart table with the cloud of baby’s breath above us.”
One of Kristina’s favorite décor details was enjoyed at the start of the wedding day. The backdrop at the bridal house was made of red roses, which provided a statement piece that wowed everyone as they walked in. It set the perfect tone for the rest of the day.
“My husband says his favorite detail about our wedding had to be my dress,” Kristina adds. “Even now, he constantly compliments me about how I looked that day. I never knew what I wanted in a wedding dress. I knew I didn’t want anything too puffy and wanted a detachable overskirt. After visiting multiple bridal stores in Los Angeles, I was a little disappointed. There wasn’t a single dress that I tried on that I liked. Then, one day while scrolling on Instagram, I came across this dress, saying, ‘WOW.’ I immediately showed my sister and mom, and they both loved it. I told myself this would be my dress. The only problem was it was in silver. I reached out to the designer, Leah Da Gloria, located in Australia, and we did a virtual meeting. We discussed what I was looking for in the dress, and eight months later, the dress appeared at my doorstep. I tried the dress on, and I began to cry, it was perfect!”
The entire wedding was a memorable experience, from start to finish. A standout moment for the Leah Da Gloria bride was during the first look, which also took place at the bridal house – the site of the stunning red rose backdrop.
“I felt butterflies in my stomach as my husband turned around and saw me for the first time that day,” she describes. “He had tears in his eyes. Another memorable part was how much fun my husband and I had partying with our friends and family. Our first dance together, with the fog surrounding us, added to the cloud-like feel of the night. We were both very happy to have our closest people beside us on our special day.”
Kristina and Serge’s dream wedding experience continued on their honeymoon, when they traveled to the Maldives and Dubai, staying at the Waldorf Astoria at each location. It was the most relaxing getaway, and an epic way to begin their new life together.
> Written by Lauren Malamala
WEDDING TALENT
Planner: Mary Michelle Events Los Angeles, CA; Photography: Kris Kan Photography Burbank, CA