Love: Arousiag “Alyce” Keshishian & Gregory Krikor Vartanian

Married

Nov. 24 at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church in Philadelphia. Father Nerses Manoogian officiated and a reception for 118 followed at the Drexelbrook in Drexel Hill.

They met

In August 2006. Alyce, 38, and Greg, 36, told everyone they met through their friend Kathy - kind of true, as it was Kathy who suggested that Alyce try an Armenian dating Web site. But the couple soon discovered they could have met in a more old-fashioned way, as their families have bumped into each other for decades: Alyce was born in Beirut, Lebanon, and a kind neighbor who was helping her young parents was the first to bathe the baby. Turns out this neighbor was Gregory's great-aunt Ankine. Alyce's cousins live next door to Greg's cousins in Toronto. And three of their grandparents were originally from the same village in Turkey.

He asked

In May 2007 - twice. Following Armenian custom, the priest came to a party at which the bride and groom become engaged before their family and friends. The priest blessed the engagement ring and wedding bands, the bride accepted, and everyone celebrated.

But a few days before the formal occasion, Greg took Alyce to dinner at the Moshulu. "We take a tour of the ship, and out on the deck, he gets on bended knee," Alyce said. "He opens up the box to give me the ring, and the ring falls out. I thought, 'Oh, God! Did it go into the ocean?' " Greg caught the ring as it was rolling down the deck.

9 to 5

Alyce is an immigration attorney in solo practice in Philadelphia. Greg is an information technology consultant in Paramus, N.J.

Making a home

Before the wedding, she lived in Northeast Philadelphia and he lived in Palisades Park, N.J. But the couple will live in Philadelphia.

First steps

To an Armenian song called "Here Comes the Bride and Groom." Guests threw money at the couple as they danced. Alyce and Greg donated it to the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief, an organization that supports 13 orphanages. Alyce is on the society's board.

Doing it their way

Alyce and Greg married in a traditional Armenian ceremony, with a few American twists.

Manoogian placed golden crowns on Greg and Alyce, symbolizing that they were the king and queen of the day and would also be king and queen of their household.

Alyce met her matron of honor, Stacey Khatchadourian, shortly after immigrating to the United States at age 7. The girls shared many long bus rides from the Northeast to the Armenian Sisters Academy in Radnor. "People always thought we were sisters. We look so much alike and we're best friends. She got married June 30, at 38."

Stacey's husband, Levon, was best man - it's an Armenian tradition that the best man and matron of honor be married to each other, as they also serve as godparents to the new couple's future children. The children of Alyce's closest friends made up the rest of the bridal party.

Not a dry eye

By the time Alyce had walked down the aisle, Greg had tears in his eyes.

Bloopers

As quickly as the four flower girls sprinkled rose petals on the aisle, Luke, the youngest ring bearer, picked them up. His mom quipped: "At least he knows how to clean up." The guests giggled.

Alyce says

The hard work of planning really pays off. "It was so worth it."

Honeymoon

A week in San Francisco and the Napa Valley.