The Wedding That Brought Venice to Los Angeles

Ani Ohanessian and Christ Kirikian originally envisioned an Italian escape for their wedding day, imagining a ceremony in Venice, followed by a posh hotel reception. But, as with most weddings originally slated for spring 2020, those plans became impossible. This didn’t dim the couple’s spirits. The stylish pair found Italian romance and elegance in Los Angeles at The Majestic Downtown, a 1924 property that features 30-foot Italian ceilings, marble floors and sculpted marble columns, proving to be a convincing substitute for Venice. Ani’s one-of-a-kind gown was crafted by her mother, Arminé Ohanessian, who is the talent behind the RMINÈ couture gown boutique and known for her custom creations. Arminé took inspiration from the wedding’s original Venetian setting while staying true to Ani’s artistic personality. The mother-daughter duo sourced an off-white gazar fabric with bold gold lamé flowers and lined it with off-white and pink silk taffeta for a romantically opulent look. The look was topped off with a billowing cathedral veil accented with flowers cut from the fabric used to make the gown. During the reception, glittering crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling above gold chairs and tables teeming with red roses and towering candles. As a sweet ending to the night, Ani’s friend Amirah Kassem, of the bakery Flour Shop, crafted a multitude of gold confections. When Ani and Christ cut into the cake, a deluge of gold sprinkles poured out—a signature feature of Amirah’s desserts—for an elegant yet fun touch.