Hawaii Weddings

No matter how many times I flip through these engagement images from Jessica Burke, I can’t get enough. Set on the stunning cliffs Maui, it’s what happens with A&B Creative styles an e-sesh to perfection and lucky for us, this is only the beginning. So much more waiting right here.

From Jessica Burke…Super excited to share this engagement session with you! Nicole and Bryan had me join them in Hawaii to photograph their engagement session. We battled the weather a bit (including the rain!) but the photos are beautiful. It was such a fun session, complete with our own private cliffs overlooking the Pacific. Couldn’t have asked for anything better, especially with Rebekah from a&b creative at the styling helm!

From A&b Creative…I was elated when Jessica Burke virtually introduced me to Nicole and found out I would be joining them to style her and her fiancé’s engagement session on Maui. As Nicole and I started gathering images that inspired her, I was thoroughly impressed with the classic and romantic looks she was continuously adding. Frothy gowns and vintage inspired holiday looks were our favorites. I scouted locations in Maui (which Nicole’s family had been vacationing on for years, a special place!) that matched the epically romantic look they were going for. Ho’okipa was the perfect match to the smart look of Bryan’s more formal ensemble and was completely jaw-dropping next to the crimson Sarah Seven gown that Nicole wore perfectly. I also loved N & B’s vintage inspired beach look complete with perfect oversized hat. We ended the day as the sun was setting on Maui with surfers in the background and sea turtles bobbing in the waves.

Photography: Jessica Burke | Dress: Sarah Seven | Styling + Wardrobe: A & B Creative

Every single detail of this stunning Maui wedding was curated with so much love by the Bride and her talented team of vendors it’s impossible not to fall head over heels for this pretty little fête. From the sweet SJP shoes signed by Sarah Jessica Parker herself (amazing), to the gorgeous palette and whimsical touches – this gallery from the talented Jana Morgan is overflowing with gorgeous, and you can see it all here.

From The Bride…Being from the rainy state of Washington, I had always dreamed of a destination wedding. I fell head-over-heels for Maui from the first time I visited and knew it was the perfect spot to say ‘I do.’ After getting engaged, it didn’t take much convincing at all for my then fiance to agree to a wedding that would also be a vacation with our closest family and friends.

On our venue-scouting trip, we absolutely loved Merriman’s Restaurant which is situated on the incredibly beautiful Kapalua Bay. Their food was to die for, so it was the best of both worlds- the perfect venue that also happened to be an amazing caterer (best Caesar salad, pork sliders, and filet mignon you’ll ever have!). Once the venue was booked, all the other planning seemed to just fall into place.

I spent all the months leading up to the wedding browsing on Pinterest, searching Etsy for anything wedding-related, and checking Style Me Pretty and SMP Destination daily. My favorite SMP wedding was the color inspiration for our big day. Once I found Donna Morgan’s ‘Spearmint’ colored bridesmaid dresses, that guided a lot of the other choices. I found the perfect Sarah Jessica Parker shoes to wear that matched my bridesmaids’ dresses, and I even had SJP herself sign them while she was in Seattle. I envisioned the beautiful blue-green color with different shades of pink peonies, garden roses, and cymbidium orchids. I wanted our wedding to be bright, fun, and whimsical and chose chevron details to go along with the bright color palette.

We also wanted a lot of personal touches to our wedding. We had custom welcome totes designed by an Etsy seller and filled them with Maui goodies to give our guests as they arrived on the island. I found the cutest cake toppers on Etsy and had one personalized for us- a nurse and a sheriff’s deputy. I also found a bouquet charm on Etsy, the perfect way to incorporate my grandparents who had both passed away in the last year and a half. Our guestbook, also found on Etsy (big surprise, right?), gave a nod toward our home state as well as where our nuptials took place.

The day-of really did go by just as fast as everyone says it does. I was so glad we had planned a day-after Trash-The-Dress session with our photographer. That way we were able to relax a little about getting certain shots and just enjoy more time with family and friends during cocktail hour. Overall, our wedding week was a blur of happiness and turned out everything we ever wanted and more. And now we have the perfect excuse to always go back and visit Maui!

Photography: Jana Morgan Photography | Floral Design: Dellables | Wedding Dress: Blue by Enzoani | Cake: Maui Wedding Cakes | Bride's Shoes: Nordstrom | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Donna Morgan | Hair & Makeup: Maui Makeup Artistry | Calligraphy: Miss B Calligraphy | Favors: Honolulu Cookie Company | Wedding Venue: Merriman's | Bouquet Charm: KCowie | Bride's Necklace: Mikimoto | Bride's Robe: Love Ophelia | Bridesmaid's Earrings: Kendra Scott Jewelry | Bridesmaid's Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Cake Topper: Mudcards | Garters: Kenna's Klippies & Bows | Getting Ready Location: Honua Kai Resort & Spa | Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Macy's | Groomsmen Gifts: Bottle Breacher | Guestbook: Totally Salinda | Paper Products: Little Spark Creations | Shell Ring Holder: BHLDN | Trash-The-Dress Location: 505 Front Street | Wedding Dress Hanger: Get Hung Up | Welcome Totes: Sixpence Press

My fiancé and I are planning a two part, island-hopping adventure for our honeymoon in Hawaii next summer, and Maui is on the list. Gorgeous, sunny, fabulous Maui. So it’ll make complete sense to you when I say that I cannot pull myself away from this gallery from Wendy Laurel and Opihi Love Boutique Rentals & Event Design. Beyond the stunning destination, I have no doubt in my mind it has a little something to do with how talented the vendor team is. Happy Friday, Maui lovers!

From Wendy Laurel…Lisa and Vikram chose Maui to be married. When Lisa was a very little girl, she told her parents that she was going to be married on Maui. Her family visited Maui every year. And lo and behold, she made her dreams come true. It was the sweetest moment at the reception, when Lisa’s Dad told this story in his toast.

It was a gorgeous ceremony on a bright sunshiney summer day on a beach in Makena. After the gorgeous ceremony, the couple held a lovely reception at Gannons Wailea (right up the road) for their friends and family who made the trip.

Photography: Wendy Laurel | Wedding Planner: Opihi Love Wedding Planning and Design | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Cake: Gannon's | Reception Venue: Gannon's | Officiant: Pia Aluli | Photography Assist: Jeffrey Oltman

Vacations in Maui = awesome. Wedding extravaganzas in Maui = what dreams are made of. And those dreams are a collaboration of bright, happy king protea bouquets mixed with the sweetest Hawaiian church we ever did see and loads of stunning imagery by Wendy Laurel. Click here for all the gorgeousness!

From Wendy Laurel…Christian Kainoa is a Maui boy. He grew up on Maui. Part Hawaiian, he attended Kamehameha Schools before heading off to the mainland for college at Dartmouth. At college is where he met Anna Lynn, a real Southern belle from South Carolina. The two fell in love and as they say, the rest is history. For their wedding, they chose to return to Christian’s roots and get married in the old Hawaiian church in Makena – Keawala’i. Their ceremony was gorgeous and special because at the end, the bridesmaids and groomsmen (all 20) joined in for a sweet a capella song. It was amazing to hear their voices echoing in the church. After family photographs, the group headed to Gannons in Wailea for a pretty outdoor reception before the setting sun. Anna Lynn chose a Hawaiian flower – the protea- for the centerpiece of the bouquets.

Photography: Wendy Laurel | Wedding Dress: J.Crew | Cake: Gannon's | Church: Keawala'i Church | Reception Venue: Gannon's | Photography Assist: Patrice Carlton

There’s no denying this Haiku Mill wedding is something special. And while it’s got the kind of glamorous styling to make any wedding lover’s jaw drop, it also has a story that speaks to a family’s love and strength admits loss. Read on for the bride’s beautiful words, and don’t miss the stunning film by Love & You Video, along with the complete gallery from Bryce Covey Photography.

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From The Bride… Taylor and I met when we were young kids growing up in a small town of Washington. We were high school sweethearts who separated soon after leaving home for college and remained strangers for years thereafter. It wasn’t until a chance encounter that we reentered one another’s lives and embarked on the incredible journey of becoming husband and wife thirteen years later!

A few months prior to our engagement my father tragically passed away. Our wedding was scheduled on the one year anniversary of his passing and we wanted the week to be as much a celebration, as a symbolic rising from the brokenness we experienced just one year prior. We live thousands of miles away from most of our family and friends and desired a destination wedding which afforded our guests a vacation and us an extended period of time to celebrate with the people we love most. Taylor’s grandfather lives in Hawaii and we both spent a considerable amount of time vacationing there through the years. Selecting Maui was an easy decision.

We wanted the event to embody family, friendship and connectedness, culminating in a grand celebration. The week of our wedding would be spent with guests at a beautiful resort, but we wanted our wedding day to be something truly magical. With a background in interior design and architecture, and a deep passion for historic structures, it has been my dream to be married inside a ruin. The moment we stepped onto the Haiku Mill grounds I knew our search was over. It is one of the most special places I have ever experienced. The structure is overgrown with foliage and the owner has seamlessly integrated ancient artifacts she sourced in Europe throughout the grounds. Stepping inside the ruin brought me to tears and our decision was made.We would rent large tour buses and shuttle our guests from a beachside resort into the Maui countryside for our fairytale wedding.

The theme of our wedding was Hawaiian Versailles Garden Party, which was heavily influenced by the nature of our space and the bounty of parisian artifacts sprinkled throughout. We wanted sophisticated elegance with a casual attitude. Guests were encouraged to wear neutral attire and the wedding party followed suite. The groom wore a grey suit with tie and the groomsmen, bridesmen (I had two) and ushers all wore variations of a grey suit ensemble with white collar shirts and rolled sleeves. The bridesmaids wore full length nude sequin gowns, which had an incredible vintage deco feel. I chose to wear a form fitting lace mermaid dress and a long cathedral veil.

As the owner of an interior design firm, 30 Collins, I took great pleasure in bringing our vision to life. I designed and handcrafted every detail of our day down to the website, invitation suite, maps, programs and cards to inform guests of our special day. I used a handwritten cursive script for all text on heavy white watercolor paper and drew a whimsical map to include in the package. The collateral was a wonderful window into what guests could expect for our big day.

Although our wedding was not held on the beach, the ocean has significant meaning to Taylor and myself. Just prior to the ceremony we made the short drive to a remote outcropping and spent our last few moments together alone with the ocean before becoming husband and wife. Our photographer, Bryce Covey and Videographer, Love & You Video, followed us down to capture the very intimate moment. The experience and resulting photos still take my breathe away.

Our wedding day was one of the most magical of my life and an experience I will forever cherish. Taylor and I were incredibly blessed to be surrounded by so many family and friends who traveled so far in support of our love and celebration of the next chapter in our lives together. Of the innumerable magical moments which occurred that day, one of the most memorable was in the form of a giant rainbow which greeted us upon being pronounced husband and wife. I knew it was a special gift from my father to signal his joyful blessing and it will remain one of the most treasured memories of that once in a lifetime day.

From Love & You Video…We feel so lucky to have filmed Nicole & Taylor’s wedding. They chose to have a destination wedding in Maui, at Haiku Mill, one of the most unique and sought-after wedding venues in Hawaii. Once a real Sugar mill, now breathtakingly beautiful event venue. It’s like stepping back in the time and getting surrounded by elegance and beauty.

Video was very important to the couple, specially since brides grandmother was not able to be a part of their special day, we felt a big responsibility to capture every important moment as perfectly as their wedding was so the grandmother can feel like she was a part of it too.

Everyone can see how good looking the couple are, supermodel gorgeous! Not only that, just watch the video to see how strong the love is between them and how happy they are to be marrying each other.

Photography: Bryce Covey Photography | Videography: Love & You Studios | Design: Nicole Heininger | Floral Design: Bella Bloom Floral Boutique | Wedding Dress: Enzoani | Invitations: Nicole Heininger | Reception Venue: Haiku Mill | Bride's Shoes: Armani | Bridesmaids Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Catering: Maui Executive Catering Company | Makeup: Jessica Waite Makeup Artistry | Grooms Attire: Ralph Lauren | Transportation: Poly Ad | Hotel: Grand Wailea Resort | Wedding Venue: Haiku Mill | Bar Service: Bars Are Us | Bride's Clutch: Whiting Davis | Bride's Earrings: Ben-Amun | Rentals: Island Rents | Website: Nicole Heininger

A single look at this couple and you know that they are one of the most beautiful pair we’ve ever had on SMP. But look a little closer. Could it be that they are also the most in love? The joy emanating out of these images completely defines what a wedding can and should be. With photographs from Tamiz Photography and stunning florals by Opihi Love, you have no choice but to pore over the entire wedding right here and of course in the beautiful film by Sunlit Films.

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From The Bride…When most people think of Maui, they think of beautiful beaches with white sand and sparkling blue waters of the Pacific, but what a lot of people don’t realize is that Maui has one of the most spectacular countryside’s I’ve ever seen.

We chose my husband’s rustic family farm in Kula, Maui to have our wedding ceremony. The lush rolling hills surrounded by spectacular views of Maui coastline below made for the perfect backdrop to say I do.

We had the great privilege and luck to work with Melissa Padilla of Opihi Love Boutique Rentals and Event design for our wedding. Our vision was one of rustic elegance with vintage touches. Cigar boxes, vintage teacups, dahlias, peonies, proteas, David Austin’s, runuculus, wax flowers, mason jars, candlelight and fire pits decorated the barn and cocktail area.

Our ceremony was an intimate affair with just our closest family members in attendance. Having lost both my parents (my mom very recently to cancer), I was apprehensive about having a big wedding knowing how emotional my sisters and I would be without our mom and dad there. It was Graham’s idea to have a small family only ceremony and dinner and follow it up with a big reception party at a later date and it was the best decision we ever made.

How wonderful it was to be able to get ready in the Monroe family farmhouse. Getting ready with my sisters was a bittersweet moment as my mother’s presence was everywhere, from the buttoning up of my lace Pronovias gown to the crowing of the haiku floral lei, I could hear her laughter and feel her love around all of us.

I had my three nieces as my flower girls, my two younger nephews as my ring bearers, and my two oldest nephews (both of which are named for their grandfathers whom they never got to meet) walk me down the aisle. I know my dad would have approved of having his grandsons step in to walk his last little girl down the aisle. It was magical to have all littlest family members involved and they kept us all smiling and laughing the entire day.

Graham picked our ceremony location to be in one of the upper pastures with beautiful views. Wooden benches, chaise lounges, and vintage chairs made up the seating for our small party and two garden chairs were placed in front for my parents so that Graham and I could lay flower leis over them in remembrance.

Taking photos while walking through the beautiful orchards with the talented husband and wife team that make up Tamiz photography, we were able to have a few quiet moments to ourselves while the afternoon sun kissed the coming dusk.

The Monroe’s working rustic barn was converted into a beautiful dinner theater with hanging floral arrangements on rustic wooden planks cascading down to vintage farm tables. Linen table runners decorated with flowers and candles made for the perfect table setting. Miss B Calligraphy created the rustic wooden signs, handmade seating cards and a unique picture menu to highlight the culinary delights of Maui Executive Catering. Pan Asian cuisine with fresh farm to table deliciousness was the perfect choice for our wedding dinner. Fresh ahi poke (a local favorite), sous vide wagyu beef, and homemade green tea ice green (the groom’s favorite) were just some of the dishes that were served to our guests.

A grownups only Scotch bar was found near the firepit and a s’more and hot chocolate bar was laid out for the kids to enjoy as the night wore on.

The evening ended by sending off wish lanterns to carry our beautiful memories, prayers and love to those who could not be there with us that day.

It was such a special day, filled with some of our most special people and we were so happy to share it with all of them.

Photography: Tamiz Photography | Videography: Sunlit Films | Florals: Opihi Love Wedding Planning and Design | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Catering: Maui Executive Catering Company | Hair & Makeup: Ry-n Shimabuku | Calligraphy: Miss B Calligraphy | Lighting: Event Horizon | Coordination And Design: Opihi Love Wedding Planning and Design | Rentals: Island Rents | Slow Motion Video Booth: Sunlit Films

Let me set the scene: Lush florals from Teresa Sena Designs, glam design by Belle Destination Weddings And Events and tropical paradise at the Haiku Mill. It’s the makings of this Maui destination wedding, and I for one, can’t get enough. 30 guests joined in the celebration, and Tamiz Photography captured the love to a perfect T. Click here for so much more.

From Belle Destination Weddings And Events…Oh the romance! Jenni (an Orange County native) & Evan (from Kanasas City) first met each other when they both moved into the same building in Denver, CO in the summer of 2007. Introduced by the concierge the first week they lived in the building, the two became fast friends and it was only a matter of time before these two love birds became an item. Jenni describes it perfectly, “It was meant to be!” After dating for 5 years, Evan took Jenni on holiday to their favorite place, the gorgeous island of Maui, in November of 2012. During an early morning walk on a secluded beach, Evan got down (knee in the sand) and proposed. Jenni describes the moment as “intimate and romantic,” becoming the inspiration for their actual wedding event.

The planning then began almost immediately, being inspired by different elements of the island during their stay on Maui. While walking through the lobby of their hotel, they heard 2 different musicians performing, almost setting a soundtrack for these special moments. They later requested those same two musicians, Jamie Lawrence & Clay Mortenson, who were hired on to perform for their ceremony and reception. The music re-created those amazing memories for the couple.

Haiku Mill seemed like the obvious choice for Jenni and Evan. “It was the perfect venue for our small destination wedding of 30 guests. The Mill was more representative of Evan & I than a sandy beach wedding.” Jenni proclaimed. “Walking into the Mill (on the wedding day) for the first time literally took my breath away. Seeing our vision come to life was overwhelming. It exceeded all expectations.”

The Mill complimented the formal setting that the two was seeking. They wanted the relaxing element of a destination wedding without giving up the formality of this very special event. The week was full of enjoyable events for the couple and their guests, which included an adventurous snorkel cruise charter, as well as an intimate gathering for their rehearsal dinner at Merriman’s Kapalua. This time spent with their closest friends and family prior to the wedding allowed them to catch up with their guests and truly relax and enjoy each other on the day of the wedding.

The bride stunned her groom into silence when her first laid eyes on her walking down the aisle with her father. Fitted in a lace and ruffled Vera Wang gown, Jenni’s smile was one of joy as she walked towards her groom to be. Evan stood stunned, tears falling, as his beautiful bride approached him. It was a magical moment that we wedding planners live for! It was as if it was out of a movie.

From the bride… We could not have been luckier to work with the “best,” most talented vendors throughout our wedding planning process. With very high standards for our planning team, we were not disappointed. Jane Park led the way and ensured we were surrounded by a very honest, dependable wedding team (e.g. Maui Mira, Jamie Lawrence, Clay Mortensen, Teresa Sena Designs, Maui Executive Catering, Haiku Mill, Miss B Calligraphy, Tamiz Photography, Tino Rosete, and Signature Maui). The execution was flawless.

Our vision was a mix of soft romantic shades of crème and peach combined with the glamour of crystal and sparkly metallics. Hawaiian elements were intertwined throughout the ceremony from the traditional Hawaiian blessing to the sounds of Jaime Lawrence’s unforgettable voice. Personalization down to every detail was very important to Evan & I. Our stationary designer, Rachelle Schwartz (of Wiley Valentine), played such an important role in designing our wedding “palm theme.” Additionally, she designed our coordinating menus, take-home cake boxes, signage, guest book, napkins, restroom towels, straw flags, and passed appetizer signs. Teresa Sena Designs embraced our vision and set the stage for an evening of romance and intimacy for our guests. Surrounded by flawless beauty at the Haiku Mill, our guests were in awe!

Photography: Tamiz Photography | Event Planning & Design: Moana Belle Events | Florist: Teresa Sena Designs | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Catering: Maui Executive Catering Company | Hair & Makeup: Maui Mira | Entertainment: Jamie Lawrence | Grooms Attire: Hugo Boss | Officiant: Pastor Tino Rosete | Wedding Venue: Haiku Mill | Cake & Sweets: Maui Sweet Cakes | Custom Chalkboards: Miss B Calligraphy | Lighting & Furniture: Signature Boutique Event Rentals | Linen: Winters Events | Rentals & Furniture: Pacific Isle Rentals | Stationary / Signage / Wedding Swag: Wiley Valentine

True story: about a month ago, my fiance and I ran off to get married… just the two of us and the sweetest ever justice of the peace.  It was the best day ever, and one of the many reasons I am totally on board with this adorable duo’s decision to throw caution to the wind and say “I do” with a joint wedding/honeymoon on the breathtaking cliffs of Maui.  It’s simple, sweet and captured by Wendy Laurel, which means it’s oh-so-pretty.  See it all in the full gallery.

From Wendy Laurel… Kate and John escaped their busy lives in Atlanta for a dreamy romantic elopement and honeymoon. They knew if they had a wedding at home, their guest list would be miles long and that might mean missing out on a spectacular honeymoon. So they chose to run away and get hitched and honeymoon all in one. They choose Maui and the day couldn’t have been better. Bright blue skies, tradewinds, a sprinkling of rain, and loads of sunshine set on the cliffs at Kapalua was the setting for their ceremony. They booked plenty of time for wedding day portraits both at the cliff and the beach, then ended their special day with a romantic dinner for two right next to the beach. What could be simpler or more romantic?

Photography: Wendy Laurel | Rings: Tiffany & Co. | Hair And Make Up: The Ritz-Carlton Washington DC | Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton Washington DC | Dinner: The Ritz-Carlton Washington DC | Silk Flowers: Etsy

This shoot is unexpected in all the right ways. Skipping the beach and heading for the Haiku Mill,  we get eyefuls of ocean, old-world charm, and a different perspective on Hawaiian aesthetics. I’m also kind of infatuated with the Reem Acra and Monique Lhuillier gowns Pacific Weddings Magazine chose to feature. You can see more Hawaiian eye candy from Rebecca Arthurs Photography here.

From Rebecca Arthurs Photography… The Haiku Mill is one of those places that when you leave, it feels like you woke up from a dream. We were blessed to shoot a bridal session there with styling by Pacific Weddings magazine. Tucked away in the hills of Maui, this beautiful old sugar mill is so peaceful and full of life. We wanted to capture the bride’s simple and natural beauty with nothing to distract from the setting. It was glorious to capture raw images without all the details and glitter that can sometimes overshadow the truth about beauty. The scenic images compliment our vision of raw beauty along Maui’s coast.

Photography: Rebecca Arthurs | Styling: Pacific Weddings Magazine | Venue: Haiku Mill | Hair Pieces: Untamed Petals | Ivory Gown: Monique Lhuillier | Peach Gown: Reem Acra

We’re big fans of the destination wedding here at SMP, and if you keep scrolling, you’ll see why. There’s the bluest ocean you could imagine reaching into the sunset, clean beaches with warm fair sand, surrounded by your closest family and friends. What’s not the love? And thanks to Wendy Laurel’s photographic handiwork, we get to relive the day in all its splendor.

From Wendy Laurel Photography… Nothing screams summer like a wedding in Hawaii. Somer and Ryan came from chilly Canada to celebrate their love with their best family and friends. Luckily they had a gorgeous Hawaiian day for it. Their color palette of light blues and pinks went right with the pretty natural colors of palm trees, oceans, and blue sky.

Photography: Wendy Laurel | Flowers: Dellables | Photography Assistant: Jeffrey Oltman | Restaurant: Merrimans

Just this morning I was scheming up a tropical vacation with my hubs. Somewhere sunny with ocean views and lots of downtime. Somewhere like Maui. I’m pretty sure that vacation dream spawned from this very wedding. Captured by Braun Photography and Ohana Films with details by White Orchid Weddings and the prettiest classic blooms by Teresa Sena Designs, this is the true definition of tropical romance.

 

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From Braun Photography…Kelsey + Andrew’s wedding was nothing short of a good time and the Olowalu Plantation House was the perfect location. The entire weekend was full of family + friends traveling from all over to celebrate the love of these two. It was such a pleasure join along on the fun and we are so excited to share it with you! From The Bride… “Our vision for the wedding was for it to be intimate and special for all of our family and friends. We relied on the beautiful scenery of Maui to provide bright, vibrant colors for the back drop while using custom touches to make it unique for the two of us. We definitely had a group effort for all of the details of our wedding. The majority of the work was done by my amazing mom, Kathy. To start off, Andrew and I designed our save the dates, programs, unplugged wedding handouts and name cards. We also designed and handmade all of invitations with the help of my mom. Then we custom designed and stitched each of the beautiful table numbers and quotes used throughout the wedding. My mom hand sewed my belt for my wedding dress and all of the bunting that was strung across the venue. My mom hand sewed our names and wedding date into the bottom of my dress in blue for my “Something Blue.” She also sewed my parent’s wedding rings onto my garter for my “Something Borrowed.” We wanted a little bit of home incorporated into our wedding. All of the corks used for the name cards came from wineries in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York, where Andrew is from. My aunt Jeannie and grandma collected pictures of our grandparent’s who had passed and put them in small frames that were attached to my bouquet.” What advice would you offer to someone planning their wedding now? From the Bride, “Start early, keep open communication and don’t stress the details. It will all come together eventually. Andrew and I tried to enjoy the planning process (as much as possible) and in the end we have fun memories of planning it together with our parents. Also, if you are planning a destination wedding, we would recommend getting all of your guests together at least once before the big day. We planned a snorkeling excursion which was great. We felt like it broke the ice and everyone was able to relax and enjoy the wedding ceremony and reception.”

Photography: Braun Photography | Videographer: Ohana Films | Wedding Planner: A White Orchid Wedding Inc. | Flowers: Teresa Sena Designs | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Cupcakes: A White Orchid Wedding Inc. | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Catering: Buzz's Warf | Groom's Attire: Jean Yves | Bridal Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Dress Shop: Bridal And Formal | Event Rentals: Hawaiian Style Event Rentals | Private House: Olowalu Plantation House | Quilted Table Decor: Stash | Veil: Debra Moreland

This wedding is my happy place. The sunshine, sand, surf, color and tropical loveliness all wrapped up into one pretty package from Wendy Laurel is all making me so very excited for our very own honeymoon in Hawaii. Needless to say, I’ll be spending some serious time in this radiant gallery and it’s all right here if you feel like joining me!

From Wendy Laurel Photography… Shannon and Pat had visions of a sunshiney and beachy wedding on Maui. Colors, sun, sand… that is what they wished for. And it is exactly what they got. They invited friends and family to Maui to witness their beach ceremony and then up to Gannons Wailea for a gorgeous and intimate wedding dinner.

Photography: Wendy Laurel | Wedding Planner: Maui's Angels Weddings | Florist: Sunya Flowers | Wedding Dress: Lena Medoyeff | Cake: Gannons Wailea | Hair And Make Up: Maui Beauty Solutions | Officiant: Robert Alamodin | Design And Decor: Maui's Angels Weddings | Musician: Derick Sebastian | Photography Assistance: Jeffrey Oltman | Restaurant: Gannons Wailea

When a charming, vintage wedding meets the stunning shoreline of Maui, we tend to pay attention. So when this beauty (planned to perfection by Lori Lawrence Of Tropical Maui Weddings and styled by Opihi Love) landed in our laps, we couldn’t help but put everything aside and devour all the sweet details snapped up by Kaua Wedding Photography. This gallery is pure pretty, and you can see it all here. 

From the Bride…Maui was the perfect destination for us. The island is gorgeous, the weather is fabulous, and the spirit of the island and its people are exactly what we envisioned for our big day. We decided on our venue — the Olowalu Plantation House — the second we visited it. We had read about it online but when we saw it in person, we knew it would be our spot. Because it is such a naturally beautiful venue, we knew that we wanted to keep our decorations soft, rustic, and romantic, so that everything would blend seamlessly with the ocean, the vegetation, and the gorgeous plantation house on the property. We chose neutral tones for Mike and his brother’s suits and a soft buff color for the bridesmaids (and for the handmade ties worn by all the boys), and we combined rustic elements such as burlap runners and old wooden tables, with softer, more romantic touches such as lace, old books, and vintage vases. My stepmother made linen flower girl dresses and ring bearers’ shirts, along with an adorable linen ring pillow, which was adorned with lace, a handmade wooden heart with our initials and wedding date, and a buff fabric flower to match the ones on the bridesmaid hair clips, the flower girl headbands, and the flower girl belts (all of which made by my amazingly talented cousin). The gorgeous flowers on the tables and in the bouquets tied all of the colors and themes together and were absolutely stunning.

The most important thing to us, though, was that the wedding be as personal and meaningful as possible. We wrote every word of our ceremony and our vows, and we asked one of Mike’s childhood friends to officiate for us. It was such a special way for us to share with all of our family and friends exactly how we feel about each other – and also how we feel about all of them. It was a truly magical ceremony and we will never forget a moment of it.

We also wanted to incorporate personal touches throughout the wedding décor. We have two small dogs who we absolutely adore and, although we couldn’t fly them out to Hawaii, we wanted to make sure they were there in spirit. So, we had professional photos taken of them (wearing tuxedos, of course) and displayed the photos at both the welcome dinner and wedding. We also put a picture of the four of us on the back of our programs, along with an explanation that our “kiddos” had requested that we make a donation to the ASPCA on their behalf in lieu of a wedding favor. We also incorporated our love for travel with a vintage globe and suitcase, and placed books about knowledge and exploration on each of the tables. Our brilliant stylist, Melissa Padilla, also came up with the super creative idea of cutting out pages of old books and using those to wrap each of the napkins. She also individually potted succulents for each of our guests in lieu of escort cards, which turned out exactly as we had envisioned. (At the welcome dinner the night before, we used old pictures of us with each of our guests as escort cards, and although it was insanely time consuming to find pictures of us with each of our 100+ guests, they turned out great!).

A few other small personal touches that we loved: our save the dates looked like vintage Hawaii postcards (tying together our love of travel and our vintage theme); I hand wrapped each of our invitations in lace and ribbon to make each one slightly different and personal; we made super fun welcome bags for all of our guests and stuffed them with lots of goodies and a detailed itinerary for the week; my amazing sister had an adorable sign made for my nephew to carry down the aisle letting Mike know that his bride was on her way; Mike and I wrote and exchanged private, handwritten notes just before the ceremony (and we wrote them in awesome, handmade books that we’ll use each year to write notes to each other on our anniversary); we had a rubber stamp made with our initials and wedding date that we incorporated into various decorative elements, from the invitations to the welcome bags to the fans provided to the guests at the ceremony; we made “ring security” shirts for the ring bearers (which they wore very proudly!); we had a bananas foster station that was way more fun than a cake; and we served doughnuts as late night treats since doughnuts hold a special place in each of our hearts (my dad used to leave doughnuts for me and my sisters on Saturday mornings before he would head off to work, and then later on in life, during law school finals, Mike and I would often eat doughnuts from a shop right near our law school).

Honestly, we couldn’t have envisioned a more perfect wedding and are so thankful to all of our family and friends who joined us in Maui to celebrate, and to all of our incredible vendors who made the day as beautiful and as seamless as it was. We will cherish the memories from that day for the rest of our lives.

Photography: Kaua Wedding Photography | Videography: All Time Media | Event Stylist: Opihi Love Wedding Planning and Design | Wedding Planner: Jamie Lawrence | Floral Design: Lois Hiranaga Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Allure Bridal | Bridesmaids Dresses: Wtoo | Catering: Cafe O'Lei | DJ: DJ Del Sol | Groom's Attire: Tommy Hilfiger | Venue: Olowalu Plantation House | Bar Service: Bars Are Us | Musician: Jamie Lawrence

You know what really gets my heart a’beating? A simple, fuss-free yet wildly romantic elopement made for two. Just sand between your toes, ocean air in your lungs and the amazing Wendy Laurel by your side. It’s exactly what these two Maui sweeties opted for, and if you ask me, it couldn’t have turned out ANY better.

From the Bride… Jason and I have been together for five years when I accepted a job in Santa Monica and he had one more semester to go in San Jose. We were in a long distance relationship from LA to SF and it was not easy! We visited each other almost every month and in February of this year, he proposed to me in Napa the day before my birthday. We were planning on a vacation to Maui this summer and jokingly talked about getting married there until we realized it was a perfect idea! We decided because it was six months away we were going to keep it an intimate and simple wedding, between just the two of us.

A few things were necessary, a ceremony on the beach and an amazing photographer. After some time researching online, it was decided Makena Cove was just the place we envisioned and Wendy Laurel was the photographer we were looking for. Wedding planning was relatively easy from there, I found my dress the first day I started looking from BCBGMaxazaria and put together Jason’s attire from Bloomingdale’s. My sandals were by DolceVita.

I’m a DIY kind-of-person and decided I would make my own bouquet, using proteas, a common flower in Hawaii. I ordered flowers from Maui Floral and chose the other types of flowers when we arrived. The night before the wedding, Jason and I made the arrangement together. I did my own hair and makeup with a mimosa in hand that morning, while Facetiming with my mom. She bought me the beautiful necklace designed by Anna Beck. The entire experience felt like a dream, from our Hawaiian minister, Laki, singing to us while playing his ukulele to the gorgeous morning waves crashing into the cove, the ceremony could not have been anymore perfect!

Photography: Wendy Laurel | Flowers: Maui Floral | Wedding Gown: BCBGMAXAZRIA | Officiant: Laki Kaahumanu

If there’s one thing we love, it’s a bridal session from the lens of Wendy Laurel. She knows precisely how to get our heart a’beating and this Maui sesh is certainly no different. Complete with stationery pretties by Wedding Paper Divas and floral perfection from Simply by Jes, the pink-on-pink gallery is one you simply can’t miss.

From Wendy Laurel… This wedding inspiration was inspired by the overgrown pineapple fields on the West Side of Maui. The fields haven’t been farmed in over 5 years now and they are overgrown and wild and beautiful. We wanted to incorporate that wildness into Simply by Jes’s floral bouquet and the feel of the shoot. The sun coming up over the West Maui Mountains is gorgeous in the morning. We wanted a feel of spring time renewal, fresh sunshine, wild fields and the joy that comes from that setting.

Photography: Wendy Laurel | Floral Design: Simply By Jes | Wedding Dress: LeRu Boutique | Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas

Dripping in chandeliers and sprinkled with rose petals, this Haiku Mill wedding is just beyond. Beyond beyond, actually. It’s elegant yet approachable, dreamy yet doable – it’s destination wedding perfection. Captured beautifully by You Look Nice Today Photography, every image sitting in this gallery is like a virtual vacation, and you can see them all right here.

From the Bride…As avid travelers, Peter and I thought that a destination wedding with our closest friends and family would be the perfect way to get married. We chose Maui for its natural beauty, laid back vibe and ease of travel for our family. From the moment we stepped into Haiku Mill, we knew it was the perfect place to start the first day of our lives together. There was something so effortlessly romantic and beautiful about its ivy covered walls and twinkling chandeliers. Even without any flowers or decoration, the place was magical.

On the morning of the wedding, although we received a short blessing of rain, the sun soon started to shine, and the Mill looked absolutely stunning. From the garden roses and orchids arranged by Teresa Sena to the striking rustic chandeliers – the day promised to be more than we could have ever expected. Getting ready in the bridal suite with Jessica and my mom was a wonderful treat on the morning of the wedding. Ryan and Ryan, our stylish photographers, were just as excited to be at the Mill with us and captured our special moments throughout the day. Stephanie from Garnish, welcomed us with our delicious signature drink, the Braveheart; and our favorite music serenaded us throughout the night. Being foodies, we were also impressed by Maui Executive Catering and their impeccable service. Peter and I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day and we reveled in every moment. It was all this bride could have ever asked for – marrying my one true love surrounded by everyone who loved and cared about us.

Photography: You Look Nice Today Photography | Floral Design: Teresa Sena Designs | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Invitations: Angela Stewart Of Ladybug Press | Catering: Maui Executive Catering Company | Calligraphy: Angelique Ink | DJ: Ace Beats | Officiant: Rev Keli’i Brown | Venue: Haiku Mill | Bar: Garnish Craft Cocktail Catering

As far as I’m concerned, any wedding at the Haiku Mill is going to hit the very top of the romance scale, but when you toss in blooms from Mandy Grace and send Anna Kim Photography in to capture it all? It’s not even fair how beautiful it is.

From the photographer… These two lovebirds decided to have a small, intimate wedding in the lush grounds of the Haiku Mill. They invited their closest friends and family to celebrate their wedding. Even their minister traveled from Minnesota to marry the two of them.

The florals were designed by Mandy Grace Designs to give the wedding setting a dreamy, garden look and feel.

Photography: Anna Kim Photography | Wedding Coordinator: Haiku Mill | Florals: Mandy Grace Floral & Event Design | Wedding Cake: Designer Cakes | Ceremony Venue: Haiku Mill | Catering: Cafe O'Lei | Rentals: Island Rents

This Vow Renewal really needs no introduction. Because it belongs to Kiss’s Gene Simmons and his stunning wife Shannon! And aside from the mad, crazy love that we all know they share, this duo also knows how to host one impressively beautiful celebration – with rows of pretty in pink, pops of fabulous and a devotion to all things dance worthy. Designed by Lady Liberty Events + One Heart Weddings with photographs by Trish Barker, there is SO much more in the gallery.

From Liberty Woodman of Lady Liberty Events…I have known Gene and Shannon for years and was so excited when they decided to renew their vows in Hawaii! We teamed up with the talented One Heart Weddings who graciously helped bring all of the glamour to life!

Gene and Shannon wanted a very intimate gathering of their closest friends and family to be a part of their renewal of love. We decided on a black, blush and gold palate to bring together the glamorous and modern vibe with the perfect hint of edginess. The design for this occasion was simply stunning and was the ideal representation of their softer romantic side mixed with their rock & roll personalities!

Upon arrival guests made their way through a 25ft white hanging flower wall entrance, where they were seated at stunning styled vignettes. A combination of vintage settees, ottomans, and armchairs accented with modern black and blush throw pillows, creating an opulent setting for the ceremony seating. Billows of flowing linen covered the walls and ceilings while blush and ivory ribbons posed as the perfect backdrop for the bride and groom to say I do… again. Flanked with lush hydrangea centerpieces and a custom aisle showcasing their monogram, the walk down the aisle was nothing shy of stunning. Gene & Shannon’s daughter, Sophie, put together a warm and heartfelt ceremony and with the addition of their personal vows, there was not a dry eye in the house. Little did the guests know that there would be a surprise ceremony to follow! Shannon introduced her sister Sara, and her groom Greg, happy to be able to share this special day with them. Sara & Greg proceeded with more of a traditional Hawaiian style ceremony which added a unique and lovely addition to the festivities. Love was certainly in the air! As the re-married couple, and newly married couple made their way back down the aisle, guests tossed rose petals that were elegantly presented in mesh bags at each seat.

Guests headed out to the cocktail area, which was held underneath an magnificently bloomed tree that was strung with hundreds of hanging candles. A wish tree displaying the guests’ escort cards perfectly swayed in the nice Hawaiian breeze. The contemporary tunes played by the string duo provided the perfect sound as guests sipped on specialty cocktails and nibbled on tasty bites.

Guests were then invited to make their way into the reception and dinner area, lead by the sound of cool jazz played by the live 9 piece band. The table was set with sparkling blush linens, gold chargers & flatware, and black modern glassware. Each setting was accented with black laser cut plexi glass place cards, which looked amazing against the blush and gold tones. Overhead, swags of blush drapery and gorgeous chandeliers with black accents provided a stunning atmosphere. Gold candelabras & gold mercury votives were mixed in with the lush arrangements which consisted of fragrant garden roses and hydrangeas set in striking black vessels. The chairs were dressed with flirty blush skirting which effortlessly complimented the table scape. The vibrant living greenery surrounding the area and the light sound of waterfalls perfected the look of the dining area.

The huge white dance floor glowing with Gene & Shannon’s monogram was surrounded by 4, 100lb floral chandeliers that were simply mouth dropping. Petite vignettes surrounded the floor and were accented with custom monogramed dupioni silk pillows with gold embroidery. Once everyone made their way to the dance floor, the evening’s festivities had just begun! Shannon had requested Karaoke for the reception, so we figured what better way than to have a live band play as their background music! Sophie (Gene & Shannon’s daughter) started the dancing off with her rendition of “Beautiful” and “At Last”, while her parents lovingly danced with each other and welcomed their friends and family to join them on the floor. Gene hopped on the bass while, Sophie & Nick (their kids) sang the night away. They definitely all rocked the house, and had a blast the entire evening!

As the evening came to a close, Gene and Shannon were presented with a stunning 3-tier cake, which consisted of two gold tiers with black trim, and a bottom tier of flawlessly piped ivory roses. While the guests were gathered around, One Heart Weddings had surprised the guests with a same day edit video of the entire evenings activities, every guess was in awe. It was the perfect way to end this lovely gathering… you could absolutely feel the love in the air.

Photography: Trish Barker Photography | Flowers: One Heart Weddings | Cake: Designer Cakes | Caterer: Sugar Beach Events | Band: Jimmy Mac & The Kool Kats | Venue: Haiku Mill | Brides Dress 1: Jenny Packham | Brides Dress 2: Badgley Mischka | Chair Covers: Wildflower Linen | Coordinator/Designer: Lady Liberty Events | Design Assistance: A White Orchid Wedding Inc. | Designer: One Heart Weddings | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Place Cards: Amber Moon | String Duo: Don Lax | chargers: BBJ La Tavola

Now this is how you return from Christmas vacation: with a jaw-droppingly gorgeous Maui affair overflowing with pretty, from the modern meets al fresco reception to the seaside ceremony.  It’s a day that was planned to absolute perfection by Opihi Love and captured in amazing images by Mirelle Carmichael.  In short, it’s destination perfection and you can see the entire affair right here in the full gallery. Happy Thursday, lovelies.

From the Bride… Paul and I chose to get married in Maui for a few different reasons. We went there to do a scouting trip, and everything just felt right and comfortable. It felt like we were at home, and we knew that Hawaii was something special for us. Also, a small, intimate wedding was at the top of our priority list. We knew that we wanted to be able to give each one of our guests individual time with us, and that would not have been possible with a larger wedding. Lastly, we also knew we wanted to be outside and near the beach. Hawaii immediately came to mind and Maui was the absolute perfect choice for us!

When we started planning our wedding and looking at colors, Paul and I knew we wanted something fun and happy. These were absolutely important to us. As a couple, having fun is a priority in our relationship and we wanted our wedding to reflect that. We wanted our guests to feel happy when they arrived at our wedding. I mean, isnt that what a wedding is about?! So that is how our yellow and gray theme came to be.

We looked at so many vendors for everything! Clicking, feeling comfortable with our vendors, and making sure that vendors would work well with another was a must for us. We met with quite a few vendors on our scouting trip, and were lucky to hit it off with quite a few! Paul and I really wanted vendors that offered something extra for our guests since they made such an effort to attend our wedding. For instance, we invested in Garnish Events, who offers specialized and unique bar services.

Paul and I were so fortunate to run across Melissa Padilla, owner of Opihi Love. I contacted her about styling and day of coordination, but she ended up being so much more to us. She was also our florist, responsible for some rentals, and a friend. Melissa and I spent hours chatting on the phone, mostly talking like old friends! We both shared a similar vision of fun, modern trends such as chevron print (all runners were sewn by my mom), billy balls, and ombre (the napkins were also made by my mother and hand dyed by my sister and I). But were also inspired by some rustic trends including wildflowers, galvanized tins, and large gorgeous wooden tables with low centerpieces. We knew these were popular trends, but tried to incorporate them in a new and fresh way. For instance, Melissa was able to turn our guestbook quilt table into the most spectacular vignette. We also wanted to incorporate some of the island culture into our wedding. Barefoot Minded, the ceremony musicians, are a local favorite of Maui. Our favor bags were full of macadamia nut Hershey Kisses, one of our signature cocktails was a Mai Tai, and we made sure to serve sodas from Waialua Soda Works as well.

Our favorite part of the day was being able to finally call each other husband and wife! Paul says one of his favorite parts was our first look, and it was one of mine as well! It was such an intimate special momentsomething we will never forget. Our ceremony will top our favorites, too. Our oldest and dearest friend was our officiant, and it was so meaningful to have him marry us. Another favorite part was when our DJ and friend (who we flew in from LA to DJ our wedding) played “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey. It got everyone to the dance floor, moving, and singing all together! It was one of our favorite memories of the reception. Personally, a favorite part of the day for me was being able to get ready at the venue, and just being able to watch all our hard work come together so beautifullyit made the excitement palpable!

Photographer: Mirelle Carmichael | Wedding Coordination: Opihi Love Wedding Planning and Design | Florist: Opihi Love Wedding Planning and Design | Wedding Gown: Amy Kuschel | Wedding Cake: Maui Sweet Cakes | Rings: Eternity By Yoni, NYC | Caterer: Aloha Events Catering | Hair & Makeup: Ry-n Shimabuku | DJ: Ryan McKenzie, Music Makes You Move | Groom's Suit: Donald Trump | Ceremony Music: Barefoot Minded | Venue: Olowalu Plantation House | Bar: Garnish Craft Cocktail Catering | Bridal Sash: Amalee Bridal | Burlap Banners: N.Hayes Designs | Cake Topper & Cupcake Flags: Ready Go | Head Table Accessories: Anthropologie | Head Table Accessories: Bay Area Vintage Fair | Mr. & Mrs. Signs: Liddabits | Program And Invitation Digital Files: SthBlue Studios | Robes: Singing Slowly | Thank You Bag Tags: Chic Weddings By Jamie Irene | Veil: Brenda's Bridal Veils | Vintage Rentals: Opihi Love Wedding Planning and Design

You really can’t go wrong with a Hawaiian beach wedding. I’ve been to one and the magic is just there… I think it’s all in the sunsets. White Orchid’s Plantation House is now officially (you hear that? Officially.) my favorite Hawaiian locale ever, thanks to this stunner from Wendy Laurel. It’s so gorgeous I’ve been rendered speechless.

From the photographer… John and Sue live in Hong Kong with friends and family all over the globe. Where better to get married than in Maui… gorgeous and a central location to everyone. They chose an elegant wedding set at a beautiful plantation house on the south shores of Maui.

Photography: Wendy Laurel | Floral Design: Maui Floral Elegance | Cake: Maui Sweet Cakes | Catering: Soup To Nuts | DJ: Ace Beats | Harpist: Kristine Snyder | Venue: A White Orchid Wedding Inc. | Music: Hawaiian Guitarist | Rentals: Pacific Isle Rentals | Wedding: A White Orchid Wedding Inc. | Wedding: A White Orchid Wedding Inc.