Shahin and Joshua: White, Blue and Fuchsia Pink

Set against the sun-washed beauty of Mykonos, Greece, Shahin and Joshua’s wedding was a celebration of intentional love, personal style, and deep connection. What began as a chance meeting on a crowded dance floor in February 2020 quickly became something undeniable, a relationship strengthened by choosing each other through the uncertainty of the pandemic and beyond. Their Mykonos celebration reflected everything they are as a couple: thoughtful, design-driven, culturally rich, and grounded in meaning. A day that felt effortlessly elegant, deeply personal, and unmistakably theirs.

Photographer HannaMonika | Location Mykonos, Greece

“Marriage, to us, means choosing each other every day: as partners, lovers, and best friends…”

How and when did you meet?

Shahin and Joshua: February 15, 2020 at a party through mutual friends.

Tell us a little about that first time you met...

Joshua: We each arrived that night with our own groups of friends. As our groups crossed paths, a mutual friend made a quick introduction. It wasn’t until later, on the dance floor, that everything clicked. The music was loud, the room was packed, and yet somehow it felt like it was just the two of us. When our eyes met again, the chemistry was unmistakable. Shahin asked me to dance, and from that moment on, we didn’t leave each other’s arms for the rest of the night. Surrounded by flashing lights and a crowded dance floor, the world seemed to fade away. Before the night ended, numbers were exchanged, and what began as a chance encounter turned into the start of something unforgettable.

What was the first thing you noticed about each other?

Shahin: The first thing I noticed about Joshua was his eyes. Even in a dark, crowded room, across the dance floor, Joshua’s unwavering gaze effortlessly drew him in.

Joshua: It was how strikingly handsome Shahin was, along with his genuine, infectious laughter, that immediately caught his attention.

Tell us about the standout moments in your relationship…

Shahin and Joshua: We met just weeks before the pandemic changed the world, and almost immediately we were faced with a question most couples don’t encounter so early on: “Are we really doing this?” From the very beginning, we felt an undeniable pull toward each other, and that shared certainty led us to choose commitment during the pandemic rather than distance. We formed a small quarantine bubble and, in many ways, the intensity of that time became an accelerator for our relationship. Navigating fear, isolation, and uncertainty together didn’t strain us, it revealed how deeply compatible we were. We didn’t just survive that moment; we truly thrived, and it showed us that we could face anything as a team.

Another defining chapter came when we bought a home together two years before getting engaged. Creating a space that reflects both of us; our taste, our values, our sense of comfort, has been incredibly meaningful. Our home has become a place of gathering and joy, where we love hosting family and closest friends. It’s a reflection of the life we’ve intentionally built together, rooted in love, community, and shared purpose.

Have you ever faced any issues of non-acceptance?

Shahin and Joshua: We are fortunate to live in Los Angeles, California, where acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community is more visible, and discrimination is less common. Even so, we’ve still encountered moments of non-acceptance. One that stands out happened on an otherwise perfect day, as we were walking hand in hand to the beach. A slur was shouted at us from a passing car, an experience that was both disheartening and deeply upsetting.

In that moment, we leaned into one another for comfort and strength. While incidents like that are painful, they’ve only reinforced the importance of the love and safety we create together. We are incredibly grateful to be embraced by each other’s families, our friends, our chosen family, and our workplaces.

What does marriage mean to you?

Shahin and Joshua: Marriage, to us, means choosing each other every day: as partners, lovers, and best friends. It’s about building a life together that feels like a true home: a safe, grounding place where we can continue to support one another and grow side by side. Our marriage is a dedication to each other, and to all the years ahead that we’re so excited to experience together as a family.

Who proposed and how?

Joshua: Shahin proposed to me in May 2024, almost exactly four years to the day after he first asked me to be his boyfriend. To mark the milestone, we planned a romantic getaway to Hawaii, beginning in Kauai and ending in Maui. On their very first day in Kauai, Shahin had secretly arranged a stunning display of tropical flowers on the northern shore, overlooking Hanalei Bay.

The day itself felt suspenseful, cloudy skies and looming rain threatened the moment, but just as we arrived at the beach, the weather shifted. The clouds parted, the rain held off, and the sun began to peek through right at sunset, as if perfectly on cue. In that exact moment, Shahin got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Surprised and overjoyed, I said yes without hesitation.

While Joshua had a feeling a proposal might happen at some point during the trip, he never expected it to be on the very first day, making the surprise all the more magical. It was the most meaningful way to begin what became an unforgettable journey, and the start of their next chapter together.

When did you get married?

Shahin and Joshua: September 19, 2025.

What was the main influence behind your wedding day?

Shahin: We wanted our wedding day to reflect our personalities and our personal styles. I am drawn to crisp, clean, and minimal design, while Joshua loves the vibrancy of pink; both of us share a love of blue. Mykonos was the perfect canvas: the iconic white Cycladic architecture and our all-white attire paired effortlessly with vibrant fuchsia bougainvillea and accents of blue, creating a seamless blend of our tastes.

Ending the night with a fireworks display felt perfectly symbolic, celebrating not just our union, but the spark and joy that defines our relationship.

What was the most important thing to you surrounding your wedding?

Shahin and Joshua: The most important thing for us was for our wedding day to feel authentically us. We incorporated small, personal details throughout the celebration, some noticed only by a few, but all meaningful to us. The only flowers used were bougainvillea, which grow abundantly around our home. In the moments leading into the ceremony, orchestral and instrumental versions of songs from our favorite video games played, and our cake toppers were miniature custom sculptures of our two cats. Every choice was intentional, designed to make the day feel uniquely ours.

Equally important was keeping the wedding small and intimate, with only our closest friends and family. That allowed us to truly connect with our guests and, most importantly, with each other. From start to finish, the day perfectly reflected our personalities, our love, and the life we’re building together.

Did you incorporate any family sentiments or traditions?

Shahin: Alongside our symbolic vow exchange, we included the traditional Iranian wedding ritual, the Sofreh Aghd, marking Joshua’s official entry into, and celebration of, my cultural heritage. The Sofreh is an elaborate spread of symbolic items, each representing elements of a couple’s new life together. Our table included a mirror and candles, symbolizing clarity, light, and brightness in our future; wheat and handmade flowers crafted from Iranian bread, representing prosperity; honey and rock candy flowers, symbolizing sweetness in our marriage; and clusters of walnuts, hazelnuts, and almonds representing abundance.

During the ceremony, we sat before the Sofreh while our loved ones stood over us, gently rubbing cones of sugar above our heads—a symbolic showering of sweetness and love to bless the start of our life together. It was a beautiful way to weave culture, meaning, and celebration into our special day.

Where did you find the bulk of your inspiration?

Shahin and Joshua: Much of our inspiration for the aesthetic and décor actually came from our home. We live in a Spanish-style house with a crisp white stucco exterior, a bright blue front door, and vibrant bougainvillea framing the property, elements that naturally found their way into our wedding design. Just as we had carefully curated our home to reflect our personalities and shared tastes, we wanted our wedding to feel like an extension of us: a space that looked and felt like us.

Beyond our own home, we drew inspiration from weddings we had recently attended, taking note of small touches that resonated with us, as well as the ever-helpful Pinterest, which provided a wealth of ideas for combining elegance, color, and personality. In the end, the décor felt both deeply personal and celebratory: a true reflection of our style, our love, and the life we’re building together.

How did you choose your suppliers?

Shahin and Joshua: Having a planner familiar with Mykonos was invaluable, especially since we were planning our wedding from halfway across the world. For each vendor, she provided a curated list of options, giving us the chance to review and decide together what felt right for our vision. During the planning process, we’d display the options on our TV and talk through what we liked about each one. It became a fun, interactive way to plan the wedding together and get excited for the big day.

What was the most difficult thing about planning your wedding?

Shahin and Joshua: One of the most challenging aspects of planning our wedding was finding the balance between making the day feel authentically us and being mindful and inclusive of our families, whom we both love deeply. With both of us coming from large extended families, creating a guest list of those who were essential to the day was no easy task. While it took careful thought, the outcome left us overjoyed, and we were overwhelmed by the love and support of those in attendance.

Planning a destination wedding brought its own unique challenges, particularly because we couldn’t see the venue or other details in person. There was naturally some uncertainty, but we had complete trust in our planners, who were intimately familiar with Mykonos, our venue, and the incredible vendors who brought our vision to life. Despite the hurdles leading up to the big day, the result exceeded every expectation. We couldn’t have been happier with how it all came together.

Where did you spend your honeymoon?

Shahin and Joshua: After getting married in Mykonos, we spent several blissful days soaking in the island alongside our friends and family. From sun-drenched beaches and catamaran rides to unforgettable nights out, it was the perfect way to celebrate and ease into married life and we made memories we’ll treasure forever.

From there, we continued on to Spain, visiting Madrid, Segovia, and Barcelona with five of our best friends. It was our first time in Madrid, and we were instantly enchanted by the city’s architecture, food, and vibrant culture. Highlights included flamenco performances, catching the fall foliage in Segovia, standing in awe of Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces in Barcelona, and stumbling upon a correfoc, an electrifying celebration filled with music and dazzling pyrotechnics.

We then parted ways with our friends and traveled to France for the most intimate leg of our honeymoon. In Nice, we embraced slow, peaceful days by the beach, lingering in cafés and wandering through an antique pop-up market. We ended our journey in the ultimate city of romance, Paris. Staying in the Marais, we felt fully immersed in the magic of the city, taking in its iconic sights and sharing unforgettable evenings together. Highlights included a dinner cruise along the Seine and closing out our honeymoon with a once-in-a-lifetime dinner at the Eiffel Tower.

The entire journey was breathtaking, and the memories of our first trip together as husbands will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Any advice for other couples planning their day and finding it difficult to navigate the journey?

Shahin and Joshua: The greatest advice we can offer (though it’s often easier said than done) is not to get too caught up in the details. At the end of the day, what you and your guests will remember most is the love between the couple. Our planner, Filia, shared a piece of wisdom with us that perfectly captures this sentiment: “Sometimes, by focusing on the individual trees, it’s easy to miss the magnificent forest.” Hearing this the week before our wedding was a powerful reminder to step back, breathe, and enjoy the bigger picture of the day.

Shahin and Joshua’s Team

Photographer HannaMonika

Videographer I Do Films Global

Venue, Food and Beverage Mykonos Lolita

Planner Poema Weddings & Events

DJ, Sound & Lighting Soundmykonos

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