I happened to grow up next door to a couple that took a week-long vacation to Maui every year.  A week-long vacation that included everything from sunning on the pristine beaches to snorkeling in the crystal blue waters.  They loved it… and still do.  So, to say I’ve had Maui on my mind since I was a young pre-teen would NOT be an exaggeration.  In fact, since my days here at SMP, my love of this enchanted wonderland has only gotten stronger.  I mean, take a look at this gorgeous affair captured beautifully by Anna Kim Photography.  Planned to perfection by White Orchid Wedding, it’s a laid back elegance meets sweet sophistication meets an all-out dance party.  See it all in the full gallery.

 

From the Bride… We met at school in 2010 and were engaged a year later. Brian surprised me by flying me to New York City and proposing at the John Lennon Memorial in Central Park. It was perfect.

We wanted a very small wedding with our best friends and family. Food, drinks and music were a priority and we wanted to ensure we had our say every step of the way. We rented an amazing house up in the hills in Lahaina with an incredible view of the ocean. We chose our menu based on our favorite foods. Appetizers featuring tuna tartare, sliders, tomato & bocconcini skewers, crab cakes and satay. For dinner there were many stations set up throughout the back yard with sushi, a raw bar, taco bar, salad bar and sauteed shrimp and roast beef. Drinks included our favorite Hawaiian beers (from Kona Brewery Co.), wines and champagnes selected by my father and a selection of island-inspired cocktails.

We picked all of our favorites songs and organized them into playlists for our iPod. Our ceremony music included The Beatles, Rolling Stones, U2 and Mumford & Sons. We walked up to Pearl Jam’s “Just Breathe” and exited to Arcade Fire’s “Sprawl II.” We had one of our best friends marry us and we wrote our own vows. It was such a laid-back, fun wedding with the dancing starting immediately, a photo-booth, a fire pit and most guests ending up in the pool at the end of the night.

I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect evening.

Wedding Photography: Anna Kim Photography | Wedding Venue: Private Estate, Maui | Event Planning: White Orchid Wedding | Cinematography: All Time Media | Caterer: Bev Gannon’s Celebrations Catering | Wedding Desserts: Maui Sweet Cakes | Bar: Maui Bars Are Us | Hair + Makeup: Maui MiRa | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Shoes: Ralph Lauren + Chanel | Headpiece: BHLDN | Bride’s Necklace + Bridesmaid’s Gifts: Kate Spade | Groom’s Suit: Theory | Tie: Hugo Boss | Floral Design: Della from Dellables Event and Floral Design

Anna Kim Photography and A WHITE ORCHID WEDDING, INC. are members of our Little Black Book, Love what you see? Take a look at their portfolios.

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Hoo Films, I love you.  I love you more than I could ever put into words.  Because this stunning Honolulu film?  It has seriously made my week… and many more to come.  But that’s what tends to happen when I meet two of the sweetest cuties ever and get to spend my day wrapped up in their gorgeous seaside affair.  It’s a mesmerizing look into a wedding that is all about the pretty and all about the LOVE… and those vows (“You have the power to make people love you”)?  Taking my breath away.  Click play and prepare to be amazed.

From Hoo Films… Between the United States and Japan lies the Hawaiian islands, so that is where Shigeko and Josiah landed for their destination wedding.  Shige moved to the United States after high school.  Josiah is a good old fashioned southern boy from Texas who moved to California to find better work in the animation field.  The two of them met at a sushi party with friends in LA.  I loved hearing the story of Josiah asking Shige’s dad for her hand in marriage.  

He skyped her parents and had a translator with him to ask her dad in Japanese for Shige’s hand in marriage.  Shige’s parents mentioned this moment in their speech and went on to say that know Josiah is perfect for their daughter.  Although I listened to this in Japanese, it was such a sweet and meaningful speech! Tears everywhere!

Friends and family flew in from both countries to Oahu to bask in this beautiful week in paradise. So first on the list was swimming with sharks in the North Shore and it was awesome!!  We were dropped down in a cage with just bars standing between us and the sharks.  On the day of the wedding, we headed over to kathy Ireland Weddings Beachfront Oasis for the wedding.  Kimo Taylor, the officiant did some in English and some in Japanese.  Josiah and Shige wrote their own vows, which were adorable.  Then Shige said her traditional vows in Japanese.  Next on the agenda was to take Shige and Josiah to the beach for a trash the dress shoot.  This might be my favorite so far. Shige surfing in her wedding dress!  Having surfed myself, this was beyond fun to film with them.  The dress was SO heavy once it was wet.  I picked up the train only and it was quite heavy.  The two of them just couldn’t stop giggling and are so care free with each other.  Josiah is consistently loving with Shige.  It is obvious she is the light of his life.  And then Shige’s laugh and smile is one that will stay with you. 

Wedding Cinematography: Hoo Films | Wedding Venue: Kathy Ireland Weddings, Beachfront Oasis in Honolulu, Hawaii | Wedding Photography: Adam A. Palmer | Officiant: Kimo Taylor | Wedding Coordination + Floral Design: Melissa Laudise from Lets Do This Weddings | Catering: Keneke’s Catering | Wedding Cake: Paradise Pastries | Music + Entertainment: Art Kalahiki | Rentals: Pacific Party Rentals

Hoo Films is a member of our Little Black Book, Love what you see? Take a look at their portfolios.

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Let’s face it – we’ve all dreamt of running off to Maui to say “I do” to the one we love with the beautiful ocean waves dancing in the background.  I mean, if you love weddings (and I know you do), the thought has crossed your mind a time or two.  And since Maui is kind of made for marrying, this stunning affair captured by Joanna Tano is (obviously) a serious bundle of perfection.  It’s breathtaking scenery meets beautiful blooms from Country Bouquets meets a bride and groom who are the epitome of stunning.  See it all in the full gallery.

 

From Joanna Tano… Kim was the most stunning bride! This adorable couple was so sweet and so in love. It was an honor to capture their beautiful day at the Four Seasons Maui. They exchanged vows at the Plumeria Lawn and enjoyed cocktails and dinner on the Ocean Front Lawn with friends and family. Congratulations to the lovely couple!

From the Bride… Farzin and I met through a couple that we are both friends with. We saw each other and met maybe twice before we started dating. He proposed to me at the pier in Santa Monica. We went on the ferris wheel overlooking the ocean and he proposed to me on the ferris wheel.

Our wedding was small and  intimate with close friends and family. We choose Maui for our wedding because we have traveled here together before and we both really love it, so we decided to get married here and have our friends and family share in the occasion.

Wedding Photography: Joanna Tano | Wedding Venue + Catering: Four Seasons Maui in Wailea, Maui, Hawaii | Officiant: Pastor Roland | Wedding Coordinator: Diane Okubo from Four Seasons Maui | Floral Design: Country Bouquets | Hair + Makeup: Four Seasons Maui Salon