A Fairy Tale Wedding for Daddy’s Princess

BY JEFF GUEST / PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF JASMINE JOHN PHOTOGRAPHY AND SUSIE MAGIT

Every father dreams of his daughter someday meeting her Prince Charming and giving her a magical wedding fit for a fairy tale. Shaina Guest met Brandon Shamieh during their first year at the University of Nevada, Reno. They dated throughout college but took a few years apart when she relocated to Virginia for a job.

But fairy-tale love is strong, and she soon found herself back in Nevada, then near his home in Northern California, rekindling love’s flame. Eventually, he proposed, and Daddy’s dream became a reality.

They were married on a gorgeous fall afternoon on the grounds of the beautiful Everline Resort & Spa in Lake Tahoe, California. The impending sunset, “God rays” lighting, and mountain backdrop combined to create a magical motif worthy of such a joyous occasion.

She wore a wedding gown specially created according to her wishes by renowned fashion designer David Tupaz. The dress, made from Italian Peau de Soie satin, was intentionally simple yet elegant to accentuate the bride’s beauty. The cape and hood, made from Venetian lace with glittered glass beading, added an element of whimsical fantasy, which, combined with the dress, evoked the imagery of a princess in an enchanted forest.

A dinner reception followed in the Everline ballroom, kicked off by traditional Arabic drummers and punctuated by a song sung by the bride and her parents. A not-so-traditional breakout portion of the father-daughter dance followed. All in all, it was a day and night to remember.

But isn’t that the point? Weddings are much more than just an excuse for a party. They’re a moment frozen indelibly in the memory of everyone who participated in or witnessed the blessed event.

Even though she’s married and living “happily ever after,” she will always be her Gram’s special granddaughter and her mother’s darling daughter. But to me, she will always be Daddy’s princess.

Glam: Vanessa Saldana
Hair: Lillian Glover
Florist: Candlelight and Roses