It doesn’t get much prettier than the majestic backdrop of the Hawaiian Islands; and Anna Ranch is right in keeping with all that tropical beauty. Inspired by this gorgeous locale, Moana Events, Modern Elopement and Grace Flowers Hawaii crafted the most elegant elopement inspiration draped in a sea of white. This destination wedding is taken to a whole new level of stunning. See even more of Aria Studio’s beautiful captures right here.
Inspired from the history and beauty of Anna Ranch tucked in the uplands of Hawaii Island, we designed a sophisticated and elegant all-white elopement against one of Hawaii’s majestic backdrops that tourists rarely have the opportunity to experience.
The rolling and impossibly green hills of Waimea serve as the backdrop for the quaint and historic Anna Ranch.
Anna who the ranch is named after was a real woman and inherited the ranch in 1939 after it being in her family for a century and earned her title as “The First Lady of Ranching.” Not only was Anna a skilled rancher and sportswoman, she also loved to throw amazing social events at the ranch to raise funds for the surrounding community. Anna always dreamt of developing a heritage center on her ranch and toward the end of her life she donated her land and ranch house to the community and it has since been listed on the National Historic Register.
In the same vain as our unexpected heroine and romantic hills we wanted to design a sweetheart tablescape perfect for a luxurious elopement that represented Hawaii’s natural foliage without the usual brightly colored flowers. Instead, we wanted tropical Hawaiian flowers in elegant whites and greens paired with romantic lace linens and vintage inspired dinnerware. The cascading white orchids and crown flowers were inspired by the Hawaiian lei and subtly represents the bride and groom as royalty on their special day.
The elegant simplicity of the Sarah Janks wedding gown was perfect for our modern interpretation on the traditional Hawaiian wedding lei. The lei has been used for hundreds of years to signify the wearers status, enhance beauty, and show love and respect from the lei giver to the receiver. The crown flowers that made up the backward lariat style lei that dramatically draped down our bride’s back were chosen because they were Queen Liliuokalani’s favorite and most prized flower.
The bride’s exquisite bouquet matched our non-traditional Hawaiian theme with white bougainvillea, orchids, and tropical white antheriums mixed with white garden flowers and tied with a cascade of crown flower strands.
Photography: Aria Studios | Event Design: Moana Belle Events | Event Planning: Modern Elopement | Floral Design: Grace Flowers Hawaii | Hair and Makeup : Mara McMichael | Calligraphy: Hawaii Calligraphy | Venue: Anna Heritage Ranch Center | Dress & Veil: Love And Lace- A Bridal Boutique | Linens : Les Saisons | Photo Processing: Indie Film Lab | Rentals: Maison De Ware | Rentals: Big Island Tents | Wedding Ring: Heidi Gibson