Bri + Shel’s Williamsburg Wedding
Photos by Khaki Bedford Photography • Featured on the New York Times
New York City models, Bri and Shel, got married on June 2nd, 2023 at Rule of Thirds, a well known Japanese restaurant with the most delicious fluffy pancakes. While NYC may seem like an accessible city, many venues are inaccessible AF so it was a priority for Bri and Shel to choose a venue with intentional accessibility for wheelchair users.
As a proud disabled woman and disability activist, Bri shines a light on the power of her disabled community while navigating the realities of this ableist world. She has created a path forward in her modeling career and Sheldon supported her from the start. Thanks to her, he became a model himself and together, they’ve been a part of several fun, creative campaigns that have taken them on incredible adventures, near and far. Their wedding was even featured in the New York Times.
Bri and Shel wanted their Brooklyn wedding ceremony to be focused on them, their story, and their love for their community. One of the most powerful ways they chose to be inclusive of their loved ones was to do away with all guests rising for Bri’s grand entrance during the processional. With much experience as a wedding guest who was often unable to see the entrance when everyone stood, they chose to ensure that ALL their guests could witness this emotional moment before the ceremony. With this in mind, I made a few short announcements.
Among them, was to remind everyone to be as present as possible without their phones throughout the ceremony yet with a promise that I’d remind them to take photos of their first kiss, and to remain seated during the entirety of the processional, including Bri’s entrance. Everyone had a view of the emotional moment when Bri and Sheldon locked eyes as Bri came down the aisle!
It was also important for them to have a moment of remembrance for Bri’s late mother, Sandra, and a moment of appreciation for all their loved ones. Most especially to Bri’s disabled community and Sheldon’s Vietnamese family, including a special shout-out to his parents and the loving example of their 35-year marriage.
Above all, they wanted to hold sacred space for their personal vows, each written in these beautiful notebooks with their astrological signs prominently designed in the very front. There was not one dry eye in the house, especially once Sheldon finished sharing his vows to Past, Present, and Future Bri!
To get an idea of how they met and fell in love, here’s an excerpt of their love story shared during their wedding ceremony:
“Today, we have the opportunity to pause, reflect, and deeply appreciate the winding path that led Sheldon and Bri here. Theirs is a tale of two underdogs who overcame all odds and are on a mission to shatter stereotypes while changing the world!
It all started with a simple like on Hinge that led to that chilly winter ramen date at Totto on February 17th, 2019, which went so well that they decided to keep their date going. So they strolled west through midtown in 20 degree weather in search of a coffee shop they never found, which we all know means they were really vibing from the start.
As we all know, the winter chill is often used as an excuse to cancel plans, but they continued their date and eventually warmed up in what would serendipitously become their present-day neighborhood grocery store, Shunac. The rest, as they say, is history.
They spoke every day, visited each other a few times a week, met each other’s families, traveled together, until one day (4 months later) Bri coaxed Sheldon to move to the greatest city in the world. Together, they created a cozy home for Shrimp and an exciting life full of stylish fashion, photo shoots and runway shows.
Sheldon supported Bri behind-the-scenes since the early days of her modeling career, encouraging her at every turn. Soon enough, he got signed to Bri’s modeling agency and together, they shine bright - embracing cool, new experiences that are the cherry on top of their already electric relationship.
From the start, they appreciated the beauty and complementary nature of their differences. Sheldon is practical, grounded, punctual, and meticulously detail-oriented. Bri’s more of a spiritual daydreamer with sights on the big picture and usually runs on her own time.
They are kindred spirits yet they epitomize the phrase “opposites attract” and often laugh about how they very much fit the mold of their respective earthy and airy zodiac signs.
Sheldon put it this way (and brother-in-law, Brian, brilliantly made it into home decor). He said, “You’re a Libra and I’m a Virgo. On paper, we’re not meant to be. We are literally rewriting the stars.”
Anyone who knows and loves Bri and Sheldon bask in the light of their love, knowing without a doubt that THEY ARE THE STARS! They’re the kind of couple who inspire others to care for one another more intentionally, the kind of couple who make everyone around them feel important and cared for. They bring the fun, know the lyrics to basically every song, bring the house down with their dance moves, and are known to hype up every party they attend. All that said, their reception AKA love party was AN ABSOLUTE BLAST!
So much love and congratulations to Bri and Sheldon!!! As I put it on their wedding day, here’s an excerpt of their ceremony right before they were pronounced married:
“We’d like to wish you a lifetime of manifesting larger-than-life dreams! May your marriage be an EPIC dance where you stay in tune to each other, complement one another, move to the rhythm of your beating hearts, and have fun!
May you continue to tap into your creativity and paint the world in your shade of bold, beautiful, and cool! May you embrace the unknown with a mix of pragmatism and optimism, may you seek adventures near and far, appreciate quality time with your incredible crew, laugh ‘til your cheeks hurt, and stand united no matter what.”
Venue: Rule of Thirds • Planner: Poppy + Lynn • Photographer + Videographer: Khaki Bedford Photography • Florist: A Lily Among Thorns • DJ: Allison Kinney • Makeup Artists: Liz Schroeder + MUA Jeanice • Hair Stylist: Kat Koncept • Photo Booth: Boothy • Bakery: D’Avant Bakery • Lighting: Universal Light and Sound • Officiant: Once Upon A Vow