Persian and American Traditions Unite at the Shangri-La Paris

Shay and Bryan's multicultural wedding at the Shangri-La Paris blended Persian and American traditions, captured by Sylvain Bouzat.

By Elena Moretti | Published 21 December 2023 | Photos by Sylvain Bouzat

Persian and American Traditions Unite at the Shangri-La Paris

Sylvain Bouzat

Featured FWS Members

Hotel/Boutique Hotel

Hotel Shangri-La Paris

Île-de-France · Paris

Up to 500 guests

From €7,200 4.7 (3371)

Photographer

Sylvain Bouzat

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Hotel/Boutique Hotel

Hotel Shangri-La Paris

Île-de-France · Paris

Up to 500 guests

From €7,200 4.7 (3371)

Photographer

Sylvain Bouzat

Shay and Bryan gathered loved ones from eighteen countries for their celebration at Hotel Shangri-La Paris, a prestigious wedding venue in the heart of Ile-de-France. Coordinated by Inga Heusele of CTH Events Paris and captured by Sylvain Bouzat, the day wove American and Persian traditions into one elegant, multicultural gathering.

Photography

Sylvain Bouzat

Venue

Hotel Shangri-La Paris, Paris

Region

Île-de-France, France

Couple

Shay & Bryan

Getting Ready

A detail close-up shot of a pair of Manolo Blahnik Hangisi pumps in cobalt blue satin, featuring square crystal-embellished buckles at the toe, placed on a reflective glass surface that mirrors the shoes below. The shoes are positioned on what appears to be a hotel terrace or balcony in Paris, with the Eiffel Tower visible in the soft-focus background. This is a getting-ready or bridal detail image styled as a deliberate "something blue" accessory choice.

A getting-ready moment captured on a hotel rooftop terrace in Paris, with the Eiffel Tower prominently visible in the background. The bride stands at the center wearing a light blue wrap robe, with her hair styled in a loose updo, surrounded by four members of her bridal party. Three of the bridesmaids wear matching deep magenta/fuchsia satin short-sleeved button-up pajama sets with black piping trim, while a younger bridesmaid on the right wears a white satin pajama set with black piping and a delicate floral hair crown. All five women are laughing and interacting warmly with one another in a candid, unposed moment. The shot is a mid-range group portrait taken in soft, hazy morning or late-afternoon natural light.

A black-and-white getting-ready shot of the groom seated on a bench at the foot of a hotel bed, putting on his dress shoes. He is wearing a white pleated-front tuxedo shirt with French cuffs and dark formal trousers, and sports black-framed glasses. The room features classic hotel furnishings including an upholstered armchair, a crystal table lamp on a dark bedside cabinet, a patterned headboard, and a framed landscape artwork on the wall. The image is a medium portrait shot with soft, even tones and moderate contrast.

Photo: Sylvain Bouzat

In the polished suites of the Shangri-La, Shay prepared surrounded by family who had travelled from across eighteen countries. Her gown shimmered under chandelier light as final details were adjusted, the room buzzing with warm conversation in multiple languages. The morning carried the energy of a gathering that had been long anticipated.

Ceremony

A wedding reception setup photographed indoors in a grand French ballroom or salon with white and gold boiserie paneling, a white marble fireplace, and herringbone parquet flooring. The focal point is a large floor-level floral installation cascading from the top of the fireplace mantel down to the floor, composed of blush pink roses, coral garden roses, burgundy dahlias, soft lilac blooms, greenery, and trailing foliage in an abundant, garden-style arrangement. In the foreground, a low table draped in a white cloth holds brass candlesticks with tapered gold candles, a tiered stand of grapes, a bowl of pomegranates, and a plate of pastries, suggesting a sofreh aghd or Persian-inspired ceremony table. To the right, two female musicians — one with a cello and one with a violin — are seated and performing, both dressed in neutral-toned gowns. The wide shot captures the full room setup with gilded Louis XVI-style furniture visible on the left. Potential venue feature image.

The bride and groom walk across a cobblestone courtyard in front of a grand classical French stone building with arched windows and ornate architectural detailing, likely the Palace of Versailles or a similar historic Parisian monument. The bride wears a voluminous white ball gown with a square neckline, layered skirt, cathedral-length veil, and blue heeled shoes, while the groom wears a navy suit with a grey tie and a floral boutonnière. Behind them walk bridesmaids in deep purple floor-length wrap capes or coats, a young flower girl in a white dress with a grey shawl, and a groomsman in a dark burgundy velvet blazer with black trousers. The group appears to be in motion after a ceremony, laughing and relaxed, captured in a wide candid portrait shot with the historic facade softly out of focus in the background.

The bride and groom walk back down the aisle together following their indoor ceremony, holding hands and smiling broadly. The setting is a grand ballroom-style venue with ornate gold-and-white paneled walls, crystal chandeliers, and gilded chairs lining the aisle, suggesting a classic Parisian or chateau interior. The bride wears an ivory satin ball gown with a long veil and carries a lush, oversized bouquet featuring deep burgundy dahlias, blush chrysanthemums, green cymbidium orchids, dark purple anemones, and trailing foliage in an autumn-toned palette; the groom wears a navy suit with a sage green tie and a boutonniere echoing the bouquet's tones with blush roses and berries. Approximately 30 or more guests are visible on both sides of the aisle, several turning to watch or photograph the couple, captured in a mid-shot portrait with soft warm ambient lighting from the chandeliers.

A Jewish wedding ceremony is taking place indoors in an ornate French-style ballroom or salon with cream and gold-gilded paneling, decorative moldings, and a large gold-framed fireplace. The bride, seated in a gold carved chair, wears a white ball gown with a lace-trimmed veil, while the groom sits beside her in a dark suit with a light blue tie and a floral boutonniere; several bridesmaids in off-the-shoulder burgundy/deep wine gowns hold a white lace chuppah canopy overhead. In the foreground, the ceremony table is densely arranged with blush, coral, peach, and pink garden roses, dahlias, and amaryllis blooms with abundant greenery, gold candelabras, wine glasses, and ritual objects including what appear to be wedding rings on a decorative holder. The setting has a classic, formal aesthetic with rich floral arrangements in warm autumnal tones throughout the room. Wide-angle shot capturing both the foreground ceremony table details and the seated couple with attendants behind.

Photo: Sylvain Bouzat

The ceremony brought together American and Persian traditions in two graceful parts, beginning with a Sofreh Aghd arranged with intricate symbolism. Shay's brother-in-law officiated while a traditional sugar ceremony filled the air with quiet music and softly rustling fabric. Bright pink florals from Floraison contrasted against the blue-walled salon, illuminating the room with colour and warmth.

Couple Portraits

A couple's wedding portrait shoot at the Louvre Museum in Paris, photographed from a distance through one of the museum's ornately carved stone archways. The bride wears a full-length ivory ballgown with a trailing skirt, and the groom is dressed in a dark suit; they are holding hands and walking across the courtyard plaza in front of the iconic glass pyramid. The composition frames the couple as small figures centered within the arch, with the Louvre pyramid and the classical Haussmann-style museum facade visible in the background, along with a small group of tourists to the left. The wide shot uses the architectural framing of the arch to create strong perspective depth, with warm late-afternoon light casting a golden tone on the stone surroundings. Potential venue feature image.

A couple portrait taken outdoors on a paved terrace beside a classical building with wall-mounted lanterns visible in the background. The groom wears a navy suit with a grey-blue tie, black-framed glasses, and a small burgundy boutonniere, while the bride wears a white satin ball gown with a square neckline and a long veil with a rolled edge. The bride carries a loosely arranged bouquet in deep burgundy, mauve, rust, and blush tones with mixed foliage. The two are holding hands and looking at each other, both smiling. The composition is a full-length couple portrait with a shallow depth of field that blurs the garden setting behind them. The overall styling is clean and modern with rich jewel-toned florals as an accent.

A couple portrait taken outdoors on the Pont des Arts bridge in Paris, with the Institut de France dome visible in the soft-focus background. The bride and groom are kissing in the middle of the busy pedestrian bridge, surrounded by passersby. The groom wears a dark navy suit with a tie and black-framed glasses, while the bride wears an ivory ball gown with a square neckline, a voluminous layered organza skirt, a white wrap or cape, a long veil, sapphire drop earrings, and cobalt blue embellished heels visible beneath the dress. The shot is a medium full-length portrait taken at golden hour, with warm backlight creating a halo effect around the couple.

A couple poses for portraits along a terrace walkway beside a Haussmann-style stone building with black iron wall lanterns and a teal awning visible on the left. The bride wears an ivory off-the-shoulder ballgown with a structured bow at the back and a long cathedral-length veil with a trailing hem; the groom wears a dark navy suit with glasses. She faces the camera with her hand on his shoulder while he faces away. The bride holds a richly colored bouquet featuring deep burgundy and red blooms, dark foliage, and trailing greenery. The formal garden beside them includes neatly clipped boxwood hedges, a stone urn planter, and a decorative wire globe sculpture. This is a wide portrait shot with a classic, formal Parisian style.

Photo: Sylvain Bouzat

Sylvain Bouzat captured Shay and Bryan moving through the hotel's terraces and salons with quiet ease. Against the backdrop of Parisian rooftops and the soft grey December sky, their portraits balanced intimacy with the grandeur of the setting. Each frame focused on movement and emotion rather than formality, reflecting the couple's natural warmth.

Bridal Party

A wedding party walks across the Trocadéro esplanade in Paris with the Eiffel Tower centered in the background. The bride wears a white long-sleeve ball gown with a cathedral-length veil, and the groom is dressed in a navy suit with a light blue tie and a small floral boutonnière. A young flower girl wrapped in a light grey shawl and wearing a floral crown walks alongside them, while a woman in a deep plum gown and a man in a dark suit follow behind. A large public demonstration is taking place simultaneously in the background, with dozens of people waving Iranian imperial lion-and-sun flags across the plaza. The wide shot captures the unplanned, candid energy of the moment, with the wedding party appearing to navigate through the crowd mid-procession.

A black-and-white candid portrait of a wedding party walking across a large paved courtyard of a classical Haussmann-style building, identifiable as the Cour Carrée of the Louvre in Paris. The bride wears a full-skirted, sleeveless ball gown with a square neckline and a long veil, and the groom — in a dark suit with a light tie and boutonnière — walks beside her helping to manage the veil in the wind. To their right, a female guest in a short lace dress and white wrap shawl laughs openly, while a second man in a dark suit and tie walks behind them. Passersby and tourists are visible in the background, adding to the candid, documentary feel of the shot. The image has strong contrast with bright highlights on the bride's gown and mid-toned shadows across the courtyard paving.

A wedding portrait session taking place in the courtyard of the Louvre museum in Paris, with the classical stone facade visible in the background. The bride wears a white off-the-shoulder ball gown with a long veil and holds the groom's hand as they walk across the cobblestone plaza; the groom is dressed in a navy suit with a grey tie and a floral boutonniere. To the left, a male guest in a burgundy velvet blazer and dark trousers carries a loose, garden-style bouquet of mauve, burgundy, and dusty pink blooms with dark foliage; to the right, a young flower girl in a white tea-length dress and floral crown wears a white wrap shawl. Additional members of the wedding party are visible walking behind the group in the mid-ground. Wide candid-style shot taken at golden hour with warm directional light.

Photo: Sylvain Bouzat

The bridal party gathered in the hotel's grand corridors, their coordinated looks framed by marble columns and gilded mirrors. Laughter echoed through the salons as the group posed together, their connection evident in every candid moment. The mix of nationalities added a vibrant, international energy to each frame.

Reception

A close-up detail shot of an oversized floral installation completely engulfing a white marble and gilt fireplace inside a grand French interior, likely a historic chateau or palace-style reception venue. The arrangement features blush and antique pink garden roses, deep burgundy and mocha hydrangeas, burnt orange and rust dahlias and chrysanthemums, mauve lilac clusters, and abundant trailing greenery including eucalyptus, ivy, and magnolia leaves. The palette is rich and autumnal with warm terracotta, deep plum, blush, and green tones, styled in a lush, overflowing botanical aesthetic. The room behind features cream and gold boiserie wall paneling, a gilded candelabra, and blue-grey silk drape curtains with fairy lights visible through the window, indicating an evening reception setting.

This black-and-white image captures the bride and groom's grand entrance or first dance at an indoor reception held in a formal ballroom with ornate paneled walls, pilasters, and wall sconces providing warm ambient lighting. The bride wears a structured satin ball gown with a square neckline and a large back bow detail, while the groom is dressed in a dark suit with a light-toned tie and a small floral boutonnière. Both are laughing and walking arm in arm, clearly reacting to something in the room, with approximately 15–20 formally dressed guests visible in the background watching and some photographing on phones. The setting features round dining tables with white linens, cross-back chairs, and a patterned carpet, suggesting a classic, formal reception aesthetic. The image is a medium-wide shot with the couple centered in the foreground and guests forming a natural frame behind them.

Photo: Sylvain Bouzat

Guests moved between salons for cocktails before settling into a candlelit dinner that flowed without hurry. Speeches carried laughter and quiet reflection, perfectly matching the couple's tone of calm joy throughout the evening. The celebration unfolded with the kind of ease that comes from careful planning by Inga Heusele of CTH Events Paris.

Design and Details

This image does not depict a wedding photograph. It shows a close-up decorative vignette of a four-tiered gold metal stand styled with Christmas/winter holiday ornaments, including deep red and chocolate brown glass baubles, a large silver filigree ornament, gold pine cones, lit gold cylindrical candle holders with white tree silhouette cutouts, and small evergreen sprigs. The display is set on a marble surface alongside ceramic gold Christmas trees and a glowing orb with fairy lights. The background features a framed decorative panel and additional warm fairy lighting. The overall decor palette is gold, deep red, chocolate brown, and copper in a classic winter holiday style. No people, wedding attire, floral arrangements, or wedding-related elements are present in this image.

Interior wide shot of a high-end Paris hotel suite or penthouse living room with direct views of the Eiffel Tower through floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The space features a neutral palette of champagne, ivory, and soft grey upholstered furniture including a large sofa, armchairs with carved gilt legs, and a marble-topped coffee table with gold X-frame legs. A champagne bottle in an ice bucket and several champagne flutes are arranged on the coffee table alongside a small holiday floral arrangement with red berries and greenery. A dining area with dark wood chairs and a floral centerpiece is visible in the background. The decor style is classic Parisian with gold accents, a sculptural ceiling fixture, and ivory drape curtains. No people are present. Potential venue feature image.

A close-up detail shot of a bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne chilling in a polished silver ice bucket, accompanied by a folded white linen napkin, placed on a cream marble side table. Three tall crystal champagne flutes rest on silver circular coasters beside the bucket. The background shows a cream upholstered sofa with gold and ivory decorative cushions, suggesting an indoor lounge or bridal suite setting with a neutral, ivory-toned decor palette.

Photo: Sylvain Bouzat

Floraison's bright pink floral arrangements brought vivid contrast to the hotel's classical blue walls and gilded detailing. Envelopes explaining each element of the Sofreh Aghd sat at every place setting, a thoughtful gesture that bridged cultures for international guests. Candles grouped along marble surfaces added a warm glow to the December afternoon light.

Venue

Wide shot of an indoor grand hotel or palace lobby decorated for the winter holiday season, with no people visible. The space features a polished geometric marble floor in cream, green, and terracotta tones, arched doorways with ornate molded ceilings, and warm wall sconces mounted on black and gold figural candelabra pedestals. Two large white porcelain vases with floral and butterfly motifs flank the corridor, each filled with tall illuminated branches in yellow-green and coral tones. A large Christmas tree decorated with warm white fairy lights and gold ornaments stands centered in the background, surrounded by wrapped gifts in gold and brown. The overall decor palette is cream, gold, and warm white, with a classic French palatial interior style. Potential venue feature image.

This image contains no wedding-related content. It is an aerial/elevated wide shot of Parisian rooftops featuring classic zinc-grey mansard roofs, terracotta chimney pots, dormer windows, and Haussmann-style building facades in cream and stone. A river — likely the Seine — and a bridge are visible in the misty background. There are no people, couples, wedding attire, florals, or event decor present in the frame.

Wide exterior shot of a grand Haussmann-style Parisian building facade, photographed from street level looking upward. The cream limestone building features multiple stories with ornate carved stone detailing, sculptural figures, wrought iron balconies, and arched entryways with dark teal awnings. The French tricolor flag and European Union flag are mounted on the right side of the facade above the main arched entrance. Black wrought iron gates and fencing line the front, with palm trees visible in the courtyard to the left. No people or wedding-specific elements are visible in this image. Potential venue feature image.

Photo: Sylvain Bouzat

The Shangri-La Paris provided a succession of grand salons, each offering a distinct atmosphere for the celebration. Marble floors, tall windows, and ornate ceilings created a sense of scale that matched the international scope of the guest list. From the intimate ceremony room to the candlelit dining space, the hotel's architecture carried the day's flow with natural elegance.

More from the Day

Close-up detail shot of the back of a bride's ivory satin ball gown, featuring a structured boned corset bodice with a low open back, hook-and-eye closure, and a large oversized satin bow at the waist. The full skirt falls in voluminous pleats below the bow. The background is blurred but suggests an indoor reception setting with warm golden lighting and greenery, with guests visible out of focus.

A bridal portrait taken outdoors on a stone terrace alongside a classic Haussmann-style building facade featuring tall windows and black iron lanterns with a teal awning visible above. The bride stands in a full-length ivory ballgown with sheer long sleeves and a cathedral-length two-tier veil that trails along the pavement behind her. She holds a loose, garden-style bouquet featuring deep burgundy, purple, and blush blooms with abundant greenery. The composition is a full-length portrait shot from a slight distance, capturing the full sweep of the veil and gown train against the pale stone terrace.

Photo: Sylvain Bouzat

Aesthetic

Elegant, Cultural Fusion

Guest Count

Budget Range

Bride's Dress

Wedding Atelier gown

The Wedding Team

Venue

Hotel Shangri-la Paris

FWS

Wedding Planning

Inga Heusele de CTH Events Paris

Euterpe Paris wedding & event music

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The Venue

The couple chose Hotel Shangri-La Paris, a hotel/boutique hotel in Île-de-France.

Premium

Hotel/Boutique Hotel

Hotel Shangri-La Paris

Île-de-France · Paris

A five-star luxury hotel housed in the former private residence of Prince Roland Bonaparte, a French Historical Monument in the prestigious 16th arrondissement of Paris, combining European grandeur with Asian hospitality.

Up to 500 guests

From €7,200 4.7 (3371)

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