Actor Paul Karmiryan married Stella Mayilyan in Cancun, Mexico, on Nov. 19.Photo:Eduardo Mejia/Adventure Photos
Eduardo Mejia/Adventure Photos
Paul Karmiryan is married!
“Sometimes the wedding and celebration can be over in a blink of an eye. The thing we love about destination weddings is you get the whole weekend celebrating with family and friends and get to actually spend time with them and create more memories in the process. It is a more intimate experience,” he explains.
Joy Tours and Travel handled all of the travel arrangements for the couple and their guests.
The festivities kicked off with a welcome gathering at one of the resort’s popular bars overlooking the ocean. On the eve of the wedding, Karmiryan and Mayilyan hosted a rehearsal dinner on the beach with close family as the sun began to set.
Paul Karmiryan and Stella Mayilyan kiss after saying “I do.".Eduardo Mejia/Adventure Photos
The actor says that special moment between him and his bride was a highlight of the wedding. “It felt like time stopped and the emotions ran wild,” he recalls of exchanging vows.
Karmiryan’s brother, David, officiated the ceremony, which theIn the Vaultstar says was a “no-brainer” as his sibling has been a “pillar” and role model for him and Mayilyan. “We look up to and respect him so much,” he explains. “He made the moment so special, funny and heartfelt.”
Paul Karmiryan and Stella Mayilyan pose for a photo during their “first touch.".Eduardo Mejia/Adventure Photos
Instead of a first look, the pair had opted for a “first touch” before their ceremony. “Stella didn’t want to reveal her dress so we met before the ceremony and got some footage of ourselves on separate sides of a wall reaching out and holding hands — eyes closed,” Karmiryan tells PEOPLE.
When it was time to celebrate at the reception, Mayilyan swapped her formal gown for a more casual, flowy dress.
“It fit the classic Cancun beach theme, and was perfect for dancing the night away!” Karmiryan says.
“At first we wanted to do a choreographed dance, but then we decided to not be performative about it and instead strip it down and keep it a raw and intimate moment,” he tells PEOPLE. “It was magical — we absorbed every second of it.”
To make their wedding as personal as possible, Karmiryan and Mayilyn incorporated several special details including displaying a large canvas to which guests added brushstrokes and artistic touches, resulting in a wedding day art piece that the couple plans to frame and hang in their home.
They also set up an audio guestbook telephone where their loved ones could leave blessings, words of advice or funny anecdotes for the newlyweds. In addition to a photo booth, the pair placed disposable cameras on all of the tables for people to capture memories in the moment.
Paul Karmiryan and Stella Mayilyan dance at their wedding reception.Eduardo Mejia/Adventure Photos
The day after the wedding, guests gathered at the pool bar for a “hang(over),” featuring live music, drinks, dancing and swimming. “We got to enjoy our guests for the last time before they returned home,” Karmiryan notes.
Afterwards, the newlyweds enjoyed a honeymoon — filled with tropical drinks and sunsets on the beach — in Tulum. “It had been on our list of places to go for so long and it is right next to where we got married,” Karmiryan says. “Phones off and quality time!”
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As he looks back on the wedding, Karmiryan describes it as the happiest day of his life so far. “It truly was unreal and a dream come true,” he raves. “We are so fortunate and couldn’t have pictured a more beautiful celebration of our union.”
The couple first met in an art class 16 years ago and struck up a long friendship that would later turn romantic. They began dating in 2018 after connecting at their mutual friends' wedding.
“Timing is truly everything,” Karmiryan reflects. “It has been a serendipitous full circle journey, and we are so lucky for the individual growth that led us to be ready for our two puzzle pieces to fit perfectly.”
Paul Karmiryan and Stella Mayilyan pose at their wedding.Eduardo Mejia/Adventure Photos
Karmiryan popped the question during a vacation in Dubrovnik, Croatia. “It was a surprise trip for her, and she had no idea. I told her to dress up because we were going to go out for dinner and I found a beautiful ocean view of Old Town,” he says.
“We have a tradition where when the time hits 1:11 we always say something we are grateful for, so as we were expressing our gratitude I popped the question, and spoiler alert… she said yes!”
Now that they are officially husband and wife, the pair is planning to do a lot more traveling and hopes to start a family soon.
“[For me, being married means] having a partner in life who supports and pushes each other to grow and be the best versions of ourselves as we navigate through this journey of life,” Karmiryan says.
source: people.com
