Shawna & Cody
July 30, 2011
Bride’s name: Shawna Marie Linehan
Groom’s name: Cody Nicholas Hinchman
Occupations: Both Shawna and Cody are drilling engineers.
How they met: Cody and Shawna met at the Birchwood Shooting Range through a mutual friend, Joe. Joe had been trying to get Cody to shoot on his team regularly, but Cody was busy that evening and told Joe that he couldn’t make it. Joe told him that he had to come because he wanted to introduce him to a girl. Shawna showed up to shoot not knowing that she was being used as bait to get Cody to come out to shoot that night. The group ate spaghetti at the range that evening, and called it a night. Cody asked Joe for Shawna’s number and he called her up later in the week to ask her out on a date. The two drove down to Girdwood for some skiing and the rest is history. A few movies, dinners and dates (and one delicious batch of no-bake cookies) sealed the deal.
The proposal: Cody arranged for the two of them to take a horseback ride just outside of Cooper Landing on the Kenai River. The guide and other riders knew that Cody was planning on proposing, but Shawna had no idea (well, maybe just a little). The guide took the group up to the top of the mountain and had everyone dismount. Shawna thought it was strange that everyone suddenly disappeared, and then Cody suggested they go and take in the beautiful view close to the edge of the cliff. As the couple gazed at the vibrantly blue Kenai River winding through the surrounding mountains, Cody realized he had forgotten the ring in his saddlebag, so they both headed back to the horses. Then Cody discretely reached into his saddlebag and pulled out a small box. He suggested they “go have one more look” and he followed Shawna out to the edge of the mountain. When she turned around, he got down on one knee and asked her to be his wife. It was a perfect ending to a perfect day.
Wedding colors: Royal blue
Number of guests: 75
Most memorable moment…
For her: “I will never forget the moment when I walked into Raven Glacier Lodge on Cody’s arm as his wife. Our guests were cheering for us as we had our first dance together as man and wife. Everything was so beautiful and it looked even better than I had imagined. It wouldn’t have been possible without the help of my wonderfully supportive family. It meant so much to me that they were able to travel all the way to Alaska to be with me on one of the happiest days of my life.”
For him: “I remember not sleeping much the night before the wedding. I was so nervous that I didn’t eat anything all day. I remember standing at the altar and looking out over the chapel at all of our guests for what seemed to be an eternity waiting for Shawna to walk down the aisle. I will never forget how I felt when I saw her for the first time on our wedding day. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever laid eyes on.”
Funniest moments: “When we were standing at the altar saying our vows, Cody was so nervous that when he lifted his hand for me to put the ring on, it started shaking so badly that he had to steady it with his other hand. Everyone laughed as I slid the ring on his finger. But I must have been pretty nervous myself because I didn’t even realize he had to steady his hand, and I had no idea why everyone was laughing until later!”
Unique aspects of the day: “We wanted to treat our families to a real Alaskan wedding since all of them are from the lower 48. We used a rustic fishing theme in many of the details of our wedding, specifically the phrase ‘Catch of A Lifetime’ which we used in our invitations as well as on a large, hand-painted barn plank at the reception. Instead of a guest book, we bought Alaska-themed post cards so our guests could write us with marriage advice, words of wisdom or good wishes. We placed the post cards next to a mailbox and asked guests to ‘Mail the Newlyweds a Postcard!’ We put the postcards in the mail in Anchorage after the wedding. It was really fun getting them in the mail at our new home in Texas after our honeymoon.”
Three words that best describe their day: “Rustic, charming and intimate.”
If they had the chance to do it again, what they would do differently: “I would have scheduled more time in the day for photographs before the ceremony. Everyone told me that the big day flies by, but I thought I had scheduled enough time. We were only a little rushed, but our photographer Heather Dunn with Ambience Photography was such an amazing help! She was able to get us back on time and use what time we did have to get some absolutely gorgeous photos for us. In fact, now the hardest part is choosing which photos I want to have framed for our house!”
What Cody loves most about his wife: “Shawna is a beautiful person inside and out. She keeps me honest and loves me unconditionally. And she doesn’t mind going fishing now and then! She was the last thing I was looking for, but the best thing I ever found.”
What Shawna loves most about her husband: “Cody is simply an amazing man. He has a heart of gold, and I couldn’t ask for anything more in a life partner. He is always so patient with me, and he surprises me every day with how generously he shows his love for me. He is thoughtful, caring, strong and honest. I can’t wait to make a lifetime of memories with him.”
Best advice for a couple planning a wedding: “Brides, start planning early! You can never start too early! Give yourself plenty of time to look through magazines, browse online and get ideas. You will probably change your mind about everything… at least three times! And that is ok, because it will all work out in the end. Just stay true to your vision and how you want to feel on your special day. Make sure to keep your fiancé involved. Find things that you think he will enjoy doing and let him take the reins. Trust that he will get it done! Get a good videographer: it is totally worth it and you will be glad you did! Always stay true to each other, and remember what’s important is that you are marrying your best friend. You are making a commitment to always be there for one another. I remember asking Cody what kind of wedding he wanted, and he told me, ‘One where I get to marry you.’ That still makes me smile.”