Shyla + Shawn
An intimate wedding in Vancouver, WA
When I think back on the magical evening that was Shyla and Shawn’s wedding, the most prominent memory was of a surprise Shyla planned for her groom just following their exit from their ceremony.
Turning back toward the chapel just after they sprinted down the aisle hand in hand celebrating their union, the officiant announced that there would be a short video presentation. Shyla led her groom to the back of the chapel where he would have the perfect vantage point of the large projector screens sitting high above the altar.
As the video cued up Shawn’s jaw dropped and within two minutes he was covering his eyes as emotion overwhelmed him and tears spilled out.
The thing to know about Shyla and Shawn is that they are truly an international couple. Meeting while studying abroad in Australia, Shawn’s heritage is Indian, but he grew up in Dubai. Throughout their young life, Shyla and Shawn have already traveled the world over, making the most amazing friendships wherever they go.
This beautiful couple certainly stole my heart and upon their wedding day I found myself so excited that I showed up over an hour early just to be able to spend a little extra time with them.
The morning of their wedding, Shyla and a few family members were hanging out in a suite at the Double Tree Hilton Hotel in Vancouver, WA getting their hair and makeup done by the talented Phoebe from Style Me PDX and Rene from Lash and Lox. These two amazing artists not only created beautiful looks for Shyla and her family, but also finished ahead of schedule, making Shyla’s morning that much more relaxed and comfortable. As a photographer who constantly has her eye on her watch during the morning of a wedding, I can tell you this is NOT usually the case with many hair and makeup artists, so if you are looking for some incredible women to help you with your wedding-day look, definitely reach out to Phoebe and Rene!
Shyla’s mom Tara helped Shyla on with her gorgeous lacy wedding gown while Shyla and Sawn’s adorable pup Chase offered moral support, looking extra dapper with his custom leather bowtie.
Packing up, we left the hotel for Shyla’s childhood church where she attended kindergarten. Shyla mentioned to me how full-circle it was to be married in this church and as she walked around checking on the various decorations that were in place I could see her trailing a nostalgic hand over familiar elements of this special place.
Shyla’s sisters donned their bridesmaids outfits, beautiful floor-length chiffon dresses in a light sage green which perfectly complimented the trails of eucalyptus lining the aisle-way in the sanctuary.
We enjoyed snapping photos of Shyla and her sisters, mom, flower girls and Shawn’s mom, Mini. Mini, her husband Soy and Shawn’s brother Sherwan had flown in from overseas to be here on this special day and the pride and excitement of Mini was palpable as she eagerly held onto Shyla’s hand upon seeing her in her wedding gown for the first time.
Shyla’s Dad, Ken also popped in during portraits to toss some good-natured jokes Shyla’s way while at the same time beaming at her with pride.
I took Shyla over to the side of the church for a few bridal portraits in an unlikely spot I’d picked out. It’s kind of one of my favorite things to do as a photographer: find a portrait location which most people would pass up simply due to the nature the environment, but which looks incredible once you add in the photo magic of the right lens and the right framing.
Shyla was tucked away as Shawn and his crew arrived and they quickly found the church gym and chose this to don their wedding outfits. Sherwan was especially proud of his beautiful watch and the custom engraved suspenders Shawn had gifted him. Shawn was looking stunning in his suit, and had also added a little fun by donning socks with icons of various gaming consoles on them, a throw back to how much time he and his brother spent bonding over late-night gaming.
Shawn and his mom shared a sweet First Look before he helped Sherwan cue up the zoom call with his other brother, Sheldon who was still back in India due to travel restrictions.
Sheldon even made a couple of the family portraits as he posed with his wedding outfit on thousands of miles away and in a completely separate time zone.
As guests started filtering into the sanctuary, the officiant pastor Steve took his place at the front, signaling Shawn and his parents to make their way down the aisle. Family and bridal party followed, the flower girls doing an excellent job of sprinkling petals preparing for Shyla’s entrance.
As Shyla and Ken entered the ceremony, you could hear an audible gasp from the crowd, and Shawn’s ever-present smile spread so wide it lit up the whole sanctuary.
Their ceremony was beautiful and included a unity candle lighting and their gorgeous dog Chase bearing the rings to Shawn off-leash.
As Shyla and Shawn said their vows and sealed their union with a kiss, the guests cheered and Shyla and Shawn literally sprinted down the aisle and toward their beautiful life together.
And this is where I left you initially, in anticipation of what exactly was on the video Shyla surprised Shawn with. Shyla had written family and friends the world over, and had them send video messages of congratulations and love and compiled them all together for Shawn and the guests of the wedding to view. It was absolutely incredible to see video after video of people from India, the Middle East, Australia, the UK and all over wish these two a lifetime of happiness. It reminded me that with a life lived in love and happiness there’s just no end to the wonderful effects you can create the world-over.
After this emotional moment we took some time to capture family portraits in the chapel before heading over to Shyla and Shaw’s reception out in Battleground.
When I first arrived to their gorgeous reception location my breath was taken away as all the gorgeous elements of Shyla and Shawn’s reception flowed beautifully. From the white lanterns, to the stunning florals, to the dance floor framed by ancient oaks and lit by glowing sting lights, I couldn’t have planned a more perfect and elegant garden party.
I spent a bit of time walking around taking bridal portraits with Shawn and Shyla (and Chase!) before they made their grand entrance and toasts were shared. The speeches were both touching and hilarious and produced both tears and laughter, the perfect mix to kick off this intimate reception.
Following dinner, Shyla and Shawn made their way to the dance floor, and as their guests lit up sparklers, the two of them swayed, twirled and even dipped as their incredible guitarist played the sweetest acoustic rendition of “A Whole New World.
I would be remiss if I didn’t take just a minute to acknowledge Shyla and Shaw’s musical entertainment. They hired the incredible musical talents of Jonathan Sherrill and let me tell you, this guys can ROCK a reception. I’ve never seen more incredible live music at a wedding reception, and he’s just one person! So, if you’ve every toyed with the idea of live music for your reception, absolutely check with him before going anywhere else!
After their first dance, Shyla enjoyed a song with her dad and the dance floor opened up. Shyla and Shawn can DANCE man! And their guests were equally as enthusiastic and before long the dance floor was shaking with all the feet stomping to Jonathan’s guitar.
Taking a break from the dancing to cut the cake and toss the bouquet, Shyla and Shawn continued to dance the night away until the last light of the late summer evening came to a close and it was my time to say goodbye. Shyla’s mom Tara gave me the most beautiful compliment as I hugged her good-bye saying that having me a part of the wedding was like being with family and I can’t think of a higher goal to reach as a wedding photographer than that.
I’m looking forward to a lifetime of friendship with Shyla, Shawn and their beautiful family and I can’t wish them enough blessings on their future road together.
Check out this small selection of images from their wedding day and be sure to leave some love and congrats in the comments below for Shyla and Shawn!
