Hawaiian vacations have nothing on this stunning destination affair. It has the telltale beauty of a tropical getaway but with the heart-felt emotion of saying I Do in front of all your loved ones. And with Carmen Santorelli behind the lens, all of that emotion combined with elegant details and blooms by Before I Do Events + MartinRoberts Design are captured in the most gorgeous of ways.
From the Bride… It is simply impossible to convey the intense love, joy and laughter that filled our hearts on our wedding day. Not only did our wedding feel like a real life fairytale but we were able to share it with so many of our friends and family.
As an Event Planner myself, I was naturally involved with every aspect of planning our big day. I loved every minute of it and was excited that it was finally our turn!
First things first – a venue! We knew we wanted a destination wedding. We did not have to think long and hard before the notion of Hawaii really rang true, and what better island than the untouched, rare and stunning coastline of Kauai. Kauai simply is us! Every element of the island. The charming beach towns, the tropical air, the effortless style of the day to day, the feel and the energy. We vacationed here as a couple and even got engaged atop the highest mountain peak in Kauai overlooking the breathtaking Na Pali Coast. Therefore making it the perfect place for us to get married because it truly embodies everything we love. Destination check!
The wedding was not just a day, it was a series of activity after activity over the course of four days. Whether it was the beachside welcome luau, the group hike, a stunning ocean side rehearsal dinner, or our post-wedding brunch and beach day – there was always something. We definitely kept our guests busy as we were excited to share the island that we love and for them to truly experience the island. All the events leading up to the big day were some of the best moments of my life but nothing could come close to competing with the wedding.
The wedding day started out with our beautiful wedding party. While the boys surfed us girls well, we “beautied”, we laughed, we cried, and held close to each minute that was already passing by. The nervous excitement was real and we were so honored to have our core with us by our side.
And, now it was time! We drove to our wedding location, Na Aina Kai which is a stunning 250 acre botanical garden and teak plantation. The ceremony, cocktail hour and reception had 3 different locations all showing off its own beauty and charm to the guests. The vibe of Na Aina Kai is straight magical. You feel like you are floating in a lush jungle surrounded by crystal blue waters and dramatic deep green mountains. One of my favorite moments of the day was when the conch blower blew the Pū (that’s the conch shell) before I walked down the aisle to mark the official beginning – THAT moment was straight out of a story book! When the Pū is blown, depending on how many times and in which direction it all has a complex set of sacred and blessed meanings to it. The excitement of that and the walk down with my Dad to my future husband totally captured my heart.
Every detail was simply stunning. We wanted the design to be naturally beautiful and fitting with Kauai. The oversized white tent against all the green palms, to our beautiful design elements and tablescapes that were a dreamy mix of whites, creams, golds and greens to the personalized Prosecco bottles at every guest table so that our guests could be “poppin’ bottles” throughout the entire night. Oh, and lets not forget the authentic Hawaiian family-style dinner that everyone shared, and the amazing dance PARTY with all of our favorite people! The emotional toasts, those were THE best, the most heartfelt, funny and beautiful speeches we’ve truly ever heard. It was a beautiful whirlwind!
Mike and I remember looking at each other and then out into the crowd multiple times throughout the evening and seeing so much love. The most love we’ve ever felt all at once.
Photography: Carmen Santorelli Photography | Cinematography: Enjet Media | Coordination: I Do Weddings Kauai | Design + Styling: Before I Do Events | Wedding Gown: Pronovias | Cakes: Kawaii Designs Hawaii | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu | Catering : Destination Events Hawaii | Hair + Makeup: Mia Moriguchi LLC | Lighting: ET Events Kauai | DJ: Kevin Miso | Groomsmen's Attire: The Black Tux | Transportation: North Shore Transportation, Kauai | Wedding Venue: Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens | Bridal Boutique: M Bride Salon | Bridesmaid Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Champagne Bags: To Be Designed | Floral + Design: MartinRoberts Design | Linen Rentals: Hostess Haven | Personalized Decor: To Be Designed | Print Work: Worboys Design | Rentals: Kauai Tent