Photos: Wedding celebrated amid Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh: Rocket and artillery barrage hit residential areas in Nagorno-Karabakh on Saturday hours after the United States hosted top diplomats from Armenia and Azerbaijan for talks on settling their decades-long conflict over the region.

Despite the fighting, residents of the town of Shushi in Nagorno-Karabakh celebrated a wedding at the Holy Savior Cathedral, also known as the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral and which was badly damaged during earlier Azerbaijani shelling.

Hovhannes Hovsepyan, who serves in the region's military, took a two-day leave from the frontline to marry Mariam Sargsyan. The couple planned their wedding before the latest outburst of fighting began.

"I wish the war ends and everyone comes back and joins ceremonies like this one," Hovsepyan said. "Glory to heroes that are alive, and I wish new heroes are born and they don't see wars."

Soldier Hovhannes Hovsepyan, left, and Mariam Sargsyan walk after their wedding ceremony.

Newlyweds release pigeons after wedding ceremony.