Alright Maui, you did it with this one. I am in love with your little (or not so little) island thanks to this elopement by Forever Photography Studio. Sun, sand, bright colors, gorgeous couple and a low key vibe – it’s destination sophistication at its finest. So join me in the full gallery of images to soak it all in, no sunscreen required.
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From the Bride… I met Skyler my freshman year of college while visiting my best friend in Austin. It wasnt love at first sight (and I actually had a boyfriend at the time), but my friend ended up being Skyler’s roommate for the next 4 years so I would see him occasionally when I went to Austin. It wasn’t until Skyler graduated from the University of Texas in December of 06 that something seemed to click between us. We ended up talking over the phone all Christmas break and had our first date on New Year’s Eve. A week or so later he decided to come visit me at school for the weekend. Unfortunately I wound up catching a cold but he drove the 3 hours to come see me anyway. I knew he was a keeper when I opened my door and he had a bouquet of sunflowers with Emergen-C tucked in them!
After starting to plan a traditional wedding, we decided it wasn’t for us and chose to elope in Maui. It was less stressful and felt more intimate to focus on just the two of us. Just because we were eloping, I had no intentions of looking like a shabby bride and groom. I invested in a beautiful Enzoani gown and had Skyler buy a nice tan suit jacket with dark contrasting pants…flip flops were a must though! I searched all over the internet trying to find the right hair piece, visited multiple boutiques and then randomly came across my bejeweled fabric headband at Nordstrom. I also bought some hair flowers on Etsy for the day after shoot when my hair was down.
I decided to use a wedding planner to book vendors so I could truly relax on the big day. My planner recommended Lois Hiranaga Floral Design for my bouquet and leis. I have no words for how beautiful my flowers were! She created something so exquisite from a single email of me telling her what colors I wanted and a few flowers that I liked. The best surprise was that she somehow found peonies which were out of season!
We were married at sunset on a secluded beach. Instead of having 100 eyes on me as I came down the aisle, Skyler held my hand as we walked together down the beach. We wrote our own vows, exchanged rings and leis and had the blowing of the conch shell by a Hawaiian pastor. It was the romantic, low key wedding that I had always wanted! Or as Skyler says… Best. Day. Ever!
Wedding Photography: Forever Photography Studio / Flowers: Lois Hiranaga Floral Design / Wedding Dress: Enzoani / Bride’s Headband: Nordstrom / Bride’s Hair Flowers: Etsy / Groom’s Attire: Banana Republic / Wedding Planner: Jackie Tanaka of Tropical Maui Weddings / Officiant: Rev Laki Pomaikai Ka’ahumanu