Hawaii Weddings

I literally had to walk away from the computer to stop staring at this Maui stunner by Tamiz Photography and to say I am having a serious case of wedding envy does not begin to cover my obsession with this amazing celebration! Belle Desination Weddings and Events pulled out all the stops: from centerpieces dripping with crystals to creative skeleton key place cards. I simply cannot forget to mention the breathtaking bride-OH.MY.GOODNESS! This one is too good to miss-check out the rest of the images and the sweet film by 10th Letter Media!

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From Lena of Belle Destination Weddings and Events… Tabitha wore a beautiful Rivini bridal necklace by Rita Vineris on her wedding day. This statement jewelry piece, adorned with crystals, pearls, silver and gold metals, set the tone for all of the wedding details. Gold and silver manzanita branches were embellished with orchid blooms and hanging crystal strands, both on the dinning tables and framing the entrance to the ceremony. Tabitha and Darren exchanged vows under a custom-made brass archway featuring sheer fabric and clear crystal strands swaying to the light Maui breeze on Kapalua Bay. It was a perfect back drop to a destination wedding. There was definitely a side of playfulness to the elegance of the wedding, with the save-the-dates and invitations showcasing bright pops of color. Guests sipped on colorful tropical cocktails following the ceremony and watched an incredible sunset. As they moved into the dining room for the dinner reception, gold and silver skeleton keys served as escort cards for each guest to find their seats. Each table was elegantly decorated with gold beaded chargers, chrome table numbers, gold votives, and silver and mercury glass pieces filled with ivory flowers. Everyone danced the night away and celebrated the newlyweds. A special treat sent guests off for the night with a beautiful display of fresh-baked cookies in little to-go-bags to help themselves to enjoy. 

Wedding Photography: Tamiz Photography / Wedding Venue: Merriman’s Kapalua in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii / Event Coordination + Design: Belle Destination Weddings and Events / Floral Design: Bella Bloom Floral Boutique / Officiant: Rev. Ron Winkler / Wedding Cinematography: 10th Letter Media / Wedding Cake: Maui Wedding Cakes / Cookie Bar: Maui Sweet Cakes / Linens + Lounge Furniture: Pacific Event Group / Rentals + Lighting: Pacific Isle Rentals / Musicians: Vance Koenig + Don V. Lax / DJ: DJ Del Sol / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Bride’s Necklace: Rivini / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Hair + Makeup: Maui MiRa

Any excuse to put on the dress and twirl around in fields while someone like Lehua Noëlle snaps away is a good excuse to me. Day after sessions are just genius. You’re married, you have zero stress and you have a gown that just needs to be worn at least one.more.time. So why not get some gorgeous pictures out of the deal? That’s just what this adorable duo did, and the result is one pretty as can be full gallery!

From Lehua Noëlle… Chris and Mel were married in Hawaii, but this is actually a “day after session” a few months after their wedding ceremony. We went to the North Shore of Oahu to a few places that held special meaning for them. It was a very casual session, which was really great because there wasn’t any pressure — this was all post-wedding. They were definitely really relaxed, and we just enjoyed the beautiful surroundings and celebrating their love. I know that had fun getting into their wedding attire once again — I could tell there was quiet excitement in the air.

Photography: Lehua Noëlle (Based in Los Angeles but Available for Travel) / Location: North Shore on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii

It’s always a welcome day trip when we have a fabulous Hawaiian wedding on the blog, and let me just say, Hawaii brides and grooms are REALLY upping the style ante. Like this Honolulu soiree, weddings from the Islands are coming our way filled with beautiful flowers, blushing brides, and the most amazing beach scenes only Hawaii could bring. Seasons of Life really created something spectacular for What a Day! Photography to capture – a GORGEOUS wedding, perfectly complimenting the sweet couple. Click here for more!

Click here to see the whole soiree in the gallery!

From Seasons of Life … Stephanie and Darren’s journey to the alter started with a fairytale beginning. On a trip from New York to Korea to visit her family, Stephanie and her mother visited a historical palace. What she didn’t know was that Darren secretly flew to Korea and was waiting at the palace to surprise Stephanie with an engagement ring. As if Darren didn’t already earn a zillion romantic bonus points for his trans-continental trek, he also arranged for a photographer to capture the surprise proposal.

Darren grew up in Hawaii but he and Stephanie currently live in New York. They decided an island location would be perfect for their vintage-meets-tropical destination wedding. After choosing a beautiful oceanfront estate for their venue we began working on ways to incorporate vintage and romantic decor along with cultural touches. Their ceremony arbor was decorated with white flowers with strands of crystals and pearls. Guest tables had clusters of mason jar centerpieces, and pictures of the couple at different stages of life added a personal touch to each table. Honoring Stephanie’s Korean culture, a traditional tea ceremony was held during their cocktail hour. To pay respect to Darren’s Japanese heritage, 1001 cranes were hung for good luck. Favors consisted of a Japanese and Korean manju, a sweet bean filled cake.

Their catered dinner featured food stations including local island favorites and a special treat at the end of the night of fresh Portuguese fried doughnuts covered in sugar.

Photographer: What a Day! Photography / Design and Coordination: Seasons of Life Events / Venue: Oceanfront Oasis / Flowers: Easley Designs / Catering: Catering Connection / Linens: Les Saison / Hair and Makeup: Leslie Fair

To call this photo shoot by Malia Cano Photography “beautiful” is a severe understatement. Nothing gets my heart racing quite like a tablescape that embodies a variety of vessels along with beautiful blooms by Green. This is one of those shoots that sparks the imagination with endless possibilities for not only weddings, but any event you’re planning. Be sure to check out the drool worthy full gallery here.

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From Green… When dreaming up this styled shoot, we were after a lovely couple to be a part of it — and a lovely couple we found. Marina and Drew will be getting married in the near future, and to them, it’s truly about the marriage and their relationship, not all the extras. They were both very excited to be a part of such a beautifully styled event, as these images will serve as their wedding photos. Marina and Drew were perfect … you could see and feel their love as they giggled and stared into each other’s eyes. We couldn’t have found a better couple!

Wedding Photography: Malia Cano of Malia Cano Photography / Wedding Venue: Waimanalo Flower Farm in Waimanalo, Oahu, Hawaii / Floral + Event Design: Avery Solmssen of Green / Menu Cards: Stacy Nomura of Bradley & Lily Fine Stationery / Wedding Dress: Creations by Toy / Hair + Makeup: Vicky Nguyen of Vstyle Makeup & Hairstyling

This Olowalu Plantation plantation is all kinds of personal prettiness, complete with Polaroid place cards. A big pop of bright royal blue lends a new fresh modern beach feel to the grey and yellow Bella Bloom florals and it is so so spot on. What you are about to see is equal parts beautiful and thoughtful, like the table names: a nod to the groom’s beloved late grandma, a Scrabble savant. See it in all its Maui glory captured by Tamiz Photography in the full gallery!

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From the Bride… JJ and I wanted our destination wedding to be a small, intimate, laid-back affair. We took months to choose our venue, but once we did everything else seemed to almost fall into place. Olowalu Plantation House is so incredibly beautiful that it really didn’t need a lot of decor to make it amazing. We rented some really beautiful rustic wood tables and a few strands of filament-style globe lights and let the natural beauty of the venue stand out. On our tables, we had beautiful floral arrangements mixed in with pictures of us growing up. Our table names were all things that we got to know each other over, that eventually led to us dating. The table names were displayed with Scrabble tiles as a tribute to JJ’s late grandma, who was an avid player of the game. In lieu of a guest book, we had guests take a Polaroid of themselves and exchange it for their escort card before they found their place at the dinner table. We got an idea from some close friends who had been to Thailand to release lit lanterns into the night sky as they do in some Asian cultures. We invited our guests to decorate the lanterns with their hopes, wishes, dreams or just simply with art, and then when the sun went down, the plan was to light and release them together. It turns out that they were really hard to light and some never made it off the ground, but it was fun all the same, and when a few did actually make it up into the night sky, it was quite beautiful. The whole evening was enjoyed by all with wonderful food, great music and even better company.

Because we had so many friends and family who weren’t able to make it to Maui, it was really important to us that our photographer capture how our wedding felt — we are so lucky to have found Rebecca and Jonathan of Tamiz Photography because they truly did exactly that. Each and every one of our vendors were so amazing. They were all wonderful to work with and helped make our day as amazing as it was. Our wedding day was truly perfect — the weather was amazing, everything about it was beautiful, and we were surrounded by all of our favorite people that we love the most.

Wedding Photography: Rebecca + Jonathan of Tamiz Photography / Wedding Venue: Olowalu Plantation House in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii / Floral Design: Bella Bloom / Officiant: Eve Hogan / Catering: Aloha Events Catering / DJ: Liam Grist / Wedding Dress: BHLDN / Hair: Dan Sanchez / Makeup: Cherie of Bridal Hair on Maui

It’s no secret that I have a weakness for a man in uniform. Military weddings make my heart pitter with the best of the patters every time. And when said military wedding takes place at the most amazing Hawaiian venue, Haiku Mill, and is filled with a floral design to make Flora herself green with envy, thanks to Bella Grace Flowers Wedding & Event Design, well let’s just say it’s over on this side of the computer screen. Tamiz Photography captured the beauty of the day in such a way that I will be here, admiring away all day in the gallery.

Click here to see the rest of this gorgeous soiree in the full image gallery!

From Stephanie at Haiku Mill … Denise and I designed their wedding over the phone and approximately 4000 miles since she and Stuart were living in Japan throughout the entire planning process. We often spoke on two different days due to our locations on the globe. What could have turned out to be an obstacle was anything but- it was a joy to work with such a calm and collected bride. Denise had some basic ideas about the overall look she wanted, and with a little professional guidance from me, we pulled together a beautiful and ever-so-romantic event.

Photography: Tamiz Photography / Venue: Haiku Mill / Coordinator: Stephanie Shepherd of Haiku Mill / Catering: Maui Executive Catering / Bar Service: Garnish Events / Hair: Adiel Sneary / Makeup: Maui Makeup Artistry / Flowers: Bella Grace Flowers Wedding & Event Design / Cake: Cravings Bakery / Linens + Rentals: Maui Rents & Island Rents / Music: Trio d’Amore / Officiant: Joris Watland

Oh be still my island loving heart! This wedding is drop dead beautiful in its simplicity. I’m dying over the gorgeous color combo of corals and greens that was whipped up by the creative geniuses at Green. My heart is all sorts of fluttering over this one and I could literally stare at the pretty, pretty images by Radiant Photography by the Chansons all day long. Join me in the gallery for a good old fashioned swoon fest, won’t you?

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From Green… Physical therapy wasn’t exactly Shaun’s idea of a fun way to spend his afternoons, and when it landed him in a spinning class, his distress grew. Until, that is, he went into the class and spotted a gorgeous (albeit sweaty) girl across the way. Katy noticed him too, and after a few post-workout conversations, they were hooked and their story began. This unexpected encounter in the spinning class turned out to be the meeting of their dreams, as Katy and Shaun both soon discovered that this was “it.” The wedding planning began. Without a doubt, Katy and Shaun knew the perfect location: the Hawaiian island of Oahu, where Shaun lived while his father was stationed in the Navy there.

They kicked off their wedding week with a potluck on the beach where all their friends and family were able to meet and greet one another. The following morning began with a beautiful sunrise hike that led straight into a day full to the brim with every enjoyable activity under the sun (i.e. volleyball tournaments, paddle boarding, laying out in the sun, sipping traditional Hawaiian drinks, etc.). The next day started out with a golf tournament on an absolutely beautiful course, followed by a “beach crawl” where each group along the beach house stops represented Katy and Shaun and their story together through different themes related to the drinks, appetizers, and décor. For example, one house was Hawaiian (with obvious connotations), one house represented Catalina Island where Katy and Shaun got engaged, and so on.  That night ended with a trip to a local bar where Shaun had arranged ahead of time for his band to play. It was an epic ending to the day. Eventually, the biggest pre-wedding event of all finally arrived… the Groom’s Dinner, which was held on the deck of the U.S.S. Missouri. This ship is not only a significant piece of American history, but also a significant piece of family history for Shaun, who has himself followed along on the path of strong military tradition the men in his family have established before him. Each and every day during this week of celebration were absolutely perfect and unforgettable. And all of them were just the precursors to the event to end all events: Katy and Shaun’s Hawaiian wedding.

When the time came for the ceremony, Katy surprised all the guests by riding over from the house across the pond, to ceremony site — in a canoe! Two of the groomsmen (who were very nervous about having the bride in their care over water) paddled while Katy just sat there beaming. Their ceremony was held under a gigantic tree that had flowers flowing from the bottom of the trunk to the ground, leading into the aisle of flowers for them to walk down. Their cocktail hour consisted of traditional Hawaiian hors d’oeuvres and a sushi bar. One of the great features of the night was when Shaun surprised Katy by replacing the reception band with his own band and performed a special song for her, “Just The Two of Us.” The crowd went wild during this jazzy little number that ended with Katy and Shaun cuddling, kissing, and cheering on stage. There are not enough words in the world to describe the amount of love that was shown and felt through everyone present at this spectacular event. Katy and Shaun are an incredibly warm and gracious couple and that theme played out through every single aspect of their wedding from their traditional Hawaiian/Christian ceremony, to their elegant cocktail hour and joyful reception.  All of it radiated feelings of family, tradition, relationships, and a genuine love for life that could only be created by this vibrant couple and the talented vendors they worked with to make it all happen.

Wedding Photography: Scott + Breanna Chanson of Radiant Photography by the Chansons / Wedding Venue: Kahaluu Fishpond in Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii / Floral + Event Design: Avery Solmssen of Green / Event Planning: Melissa Laudise of Let’s Do This! / Catering: Ginniberries / Wedding Cake: Agnes’ Portuguese Bake Shop / Musicians: Nueva Vida + Jeff Peterson via Orange Apple Entertainment / Rentals: Accel Party Rentals / Tent Rentals: Pacific Event Group, Inc. + Current Affairs / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Rachel Pally / Hair + Makeup: Dorys Fotlin + Maleana Cosmetics

I absolutely adore this chic, fresh approach to the bridal session by Wendy Laurel!  It’s just perfect for a sunshiny Maui wedding and a unique bride with loads of style.  Who wouldn’t want to whisk off around the island in a fringy and flirty J.Crew wedding dress and an adorable, little yellow VW bug?!  Get your cheer on in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL photo shoot!

From Wendy Laurel… This shoot was inspired by the yellow VW that I kept seeing driving around town. It just looked so fresh and beachy in yellow. The car’s owner turned out to be a very nice guy who had bought the car as a young man brand new and kept it up ever since. I also fell in love with the J.Crew wedding dress and thought they would look good together. A young, fresh look for a Maui wedding.

Photography: Wendy Laurel / Location: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii / Floral Design: Sunya Flowers (808-669-8570) / Car: Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Convertible / Wedding Dress: J.Crew / Bracelet: Tiffany & Co. / Shoes: Converse + Nina / Sunglasses: Ray-Ban / Lipstick: MAC / Model: Anna Julie Breedlove

Hawaii is definitely on my bucket list of destinations to visit and every time we feature a gorgeous wedding from one of these majestic islands my wanderlust just becomes more and more severe.  There is an intimacy and serenity to every ceremony that is  surrounded by the lush landscapes, white sandy beaches and crystal clear water.   This Kauai wedding by Joanna Tano Photography perfectly captures the simple elegance of Hawaii’s oldest island.  See it all in the full gallery!

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Make sure you watch the entire day beautifully captured by Fisheye Studio!

From Joanna of Joanna Tano Photography… The picturesque North Shore of Kauai has become one of my favorite places on Earth! Joy and Tom traveled from Southern California for their wedding celebration. It was intimate and lovely — they were surrounded by their close friends and family. Joy and Tom thought it was very special how it rained briefly after the ceremony, kind of like a blessing over the marriage. They thought the whole experience was amazing and could not have asked for a more gorgeous location and friendly vendors.

Wedding Photography: Joanna Tano Photography / Wedding Reception: Na ‘Aina Kai Botanical Gardens in Kilauea, Hawaii on the Island of Kauai / Wedding Coordination: I Do Weddings / Floral Design + Decor: Mr. Flowers / Officiant: Kelvin Ho / Wedding Cinematography: Fisheye Studio / Catering: Contemporary Flavors Catering / Table + Chair Rentals: Kauai Tent & Party Rentals / Linens: BBJ Linen / Ceremony + Cocktail Hour Music: Pancho Graham / DJ: Kustom Sounds Kauai / Wedding Dress: Melissa Sweet (Style: Mila) for Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Liz Fields (Style: 362)

Each and every inch of this Maui wedding is absolutely stunning. Stunning in that understated, natural, totally gorgeous type of way that seriously takes your breath away. This is the type of wedding that makes you feel fancy and fun all at once, just for being on the guest list. The lush flowers, the cozy firepits, the incredible view all add up to one spectacular day. Christie Pham Photography was on hand to capture all the pretty details like the beyond amazing invites by Bradley & Lily Fine Stationery. Click here for even more!

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And a breathtaking film from 10th Letter Media to sweeten your day…

From Bradley & Lily Fine Stationery… While Jamie and Guy are residents of Oahu, it’s upcountry Maui that holds very special place in their hearts. When it came to finding a location for the wedding, they knew that Guy’s parent’s home in Kula would be the perfect spot. With views of the Maui countryside and pristine Pacific Ocean, it was an idyllic setting for their vows and also happened to be where they were engaged. Taking inspiration from the location, Jamie defined her wedding style as upcountry elegance. To set the stage, she commissioned an illustration of the vine-covered arch that would welcome the guests to the ceremony and would also serve as a symbol of their new life together. The illustration was letterpressed onto a wood veneer band and being wrapped around their crisp, navy and cream suite of letterpress wedding stationery. At the wedding, the mix of exposed rustic wood tables, lace runners and burlap combined with elegant and lush florals to create a graceful and welcoming balance. Guests were guided into the reception along a log path which revealed the setting and a spectacular view overlooking the Maui countryside and ocean beyond.

A few highlights:

• Photos of the couple throughout their courtship were displayed at the entrance.
• The gorgeous bride danced hula for her new husband.
• A malasada station (a Portuguese doughnut coated in sugar) was a hit with the guests.
  
• Coffee was served in to-go cups with personalized coffee stirrers and sleeves bearing the arch motif.
• The couple presented leis to their parents during the ceremony honoring their significance in their lives.
• Fire pits kept guests warm in the chilly Kula night.
• Because it was on a neighbor island, their wedding was a destination of sorts. Their save-the-date was a custom cut suitcase, complete with miniature luggage tag and fold-out map of Maui.

Wedding Photography: Christie Pham Photography / Wedding Coordination: Nichole Weddings and Events / Floral Design: Dellables / Wedding Cinematography: 10th Letter Media / Wedding Stationery + Illustration: Bradley & Lily Fine Stationery / Officiant: David Turner / Catering: Maui Executive Catering / Wedding Cake: Cakes by JoAnn / Bar: Garnish Craft Cocktail Catering / Events / Wood Table + Bench Rentals: Pacific Event Group, Inc. / Rentals: Island Rents / Ceremony Entertainment: Heavenly Harps of Hawaii / Cocktail Entertainment: Kahulu Productions / DJ: Keith Medina / Sound: Maui Tunes Entertainment & Productions / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Shoes: Valentino / Hair: Dan Sanchez / Makeup: Jessica Waite / Venue: Private Residence

Maui seems like the most magical place to say I do. The light, the gorgeous backdrops, the island feeling – it’s no wonder we crush hard over soirees from the pretty island. Today we have Erin Wallis Photography to thank for our dose of Maui goodness. With all the lovely you expect from a destination beauty topped off with the love of this gorgeous family, it is the perfect recipe for a gallery full of gorgeous!

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From the Bride… It had always been our dream to get married in Maui. Having both visited the island when we were younger, it was a special place to both of us. We knew we wanted a small, intimate, laid-back, “island style” wedding. By researching the internet and communicating with past Maui brides I was able to find great vendors that I was very excited to work with. We decided on coral and orange for our wedding colours — bright and fun and perfect with our beautiful Maui backdrop. I used the colours as a guide, which helped make decisions easier (I am not a good decision maker!). I was able to find a great coral-coloured dress for my sister, who was my maid of honour, and I found ties in a matching colour for my husband and my son. Can I just say that I loved that my 10-month-old son had a tie and suit to match his dad’s — that was one of my favourite parts of the whole wedding. I thought I was the luckiest girl alive to be spending the rest of my life with those two handsome guys! I gave my florist free rein and just said I wanted something with a bit of coral and orange and a “natural rustic” feel to it. What she came up with was so perfect, I loved the bouquets and the centrepieces. Instead of going overboard on the decor, I really just left it simple. When you have such a stunning location like Maui, you don’t need much more. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our special day — our son and our cute flower girl riding down the aisle in a wagon covered with a re-purposed hula skirt and tropical flowers, the beautiful live music during our cocktail hour, watching the amazing sunset while enjoying delicious food and drinks, and later dancing under the stars with our closest family and friends. It really was the best day ever, and I am so grateful to my brilliant photographer Erin Wallis for capturing all the love, joy and beauty of that day — our photos are perfection.

Wedding Photography: Erin Wallis Photography / Wedding Venue: Luana Kai Resort in Kihei, Maui / Wedding Planning: Lori Lawrence of Tropical Maui Weddings / Floral Design: Bella Grace Flowers /Catering + Event Rentals: Food for the Soul / Wedding Cake: Cakes by JoAnn / Bartending: Maui Bars Are Us / Wedding Favors: Honolulu Cookie Company / Music: Jamie Lawrence of Tropical Maui Weddings / Wedding Dress: Ella Bridals via Blush Bridal Boutique / Hair: Dan Sanchez / Makeup: Jessica Waite / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: David’s Bridal / Bridal Party Shoes: Aldo / Groom’s Suit: Calvin Klein / Groomsmen’s Attire: Banana Republic / Ring Bearer’s (Son’s) Suit: Baby Gap / Flower Girl Dress: Squirrelly Bird Baby Co.

Jana Morgan Photography sure knows how to brighten a Friday morning.  Yep, she sent along this fabulous Maui affair and, my oh my, is it STUNNING.  An oceanside ceremony, a gorgeous sunny day and a bundles upon bundles of orchid-filled florals by Dellables… it’s a Hawaiian dream come true, I tell you.  All set against a breathtaking Olowalu Plantation House and boasting a cute as can be bride and groom, the weekend is looking better by the minute.  See it all here.

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From Jana of Jana Morgan Photography… Sylvia and Justin came to Maui from Canada to get married at the Olowalu Plantation House to celebrate their marriage with their closest friends and family members. To carry on their family traditions, Sylvia and Justin had a Chinese tea ceremony to honor their family and dearest friends. Instead of using hot tea during this warm day in Hawaii, they used Hawaii iced tea. The two knelt in front of the families, presenting them with a cup of tea and a red envelope, while the families gave their words of blessing with a gift. The wedding ceremony was by the ocean among family and friends who traveled long distances to witness Justin and Sylvia tie the knot. The wedding was photographed with both film and digital photography.

Wedding Photography: Jana Morgan Photography / Wedding Venue: Olowalu Plantation House in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii / Floral Design: Dellables / Day-Of Coordination: Cheryl Liem Shoemaker of Orchid Isle Weddings & Events / Wedding Cinematography: Love Story Media / Catering: Aloha Events Catering / Officiants: Albert Wu + Allen Ye / MC: Michael Yue / DJ: Jay Langworthy of Boomshot International Sound / Rentals: Island Rents / Tent: Maui Rents / Favors: Honolulu Cookie Company / Wedding Dress: Eunice Yoo via Vogue Sposa / Hair: Dan Sanchez Salon (808-891-6600) / Makeup: Jessica Waite

We usually showcase the work of Laura Hooper Calligraphy infused throughout many a gorgeous wedding but this time we’re flipping that camera around and catching a glimpse of her and her Mr. pre-wedding. It’s a dreamy sunset cruise in Hawaii with her wedding warriors Beth Helmstetter Events on the design helm and Steve Steinhardt Photography there to capture all the festivities. See it all right here.

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From Laura of Laura Hooper Calligraphy… This sunset cruise took place the Thursday before my wedding to my now-husband, Jeremy. We really felt it was important to give our guests a few nights of fun and entertainment since they all had to travel so far to get to Hawaii for our wedding. We rented the Body Glove boat for a private cruise down the coast of Hawaii, past Kailua-Kona. We were pleased that a pod of spinner dolphins came out to play as we floated down the coast and took in the sunset. Though it was quite choppy, we enjoyed a pleasant dinner provided by Body Glove along with cocktails and dancing.

Photography: Steve Steinhardt Photography / Location: Off the Coast of Hawaii / Event Design + Planning: Beth Helmstetter Events / Paper Goods: Laura Hooper Calligraphy / Boat Rental: Body Glove Hawaii

I want to marry this wedding. Like jump on a plane tomorrow and marry this wedding. Set amidst the backdrop of Maui’s gooooorgeous beaches, this couple simply wanted to capture the laid back but elegant spirit of the island and allow the natural beauty of the day to take center stage. And with Gina Meola on hand to capture every last postcard worthy moment and Belle Destination behind the design wheel, they did just that….and so much more. Click here to see the whole book of lovely.

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From Gina of Gina Meola Photography… Maui was the ideal halfway point for guests coming in from all parts of the world. Kristine, originally from New York, had moved to Tokyo, where she met and fell in love with precious Hisashi. The two still live in Japan and wanted their day to reflect the relaxed, beautiful love they share. Lena and Jane of Belle Destination Events did a phenomenal job making Kristine’s dreams come true! Anyone with a history planning a destination wedding knows the level of uncertainty you can run into, but these ladies created an exceptional experience for this destination couple.

Kristine incorporated ribbons, fabrics, silks and decor from artists across the globe. The warm, delicate color scheme fit perfectly with the feel of their day. The gentle fabrics flowed easily with the ocean breeze, and the choice of food was superb. Her creativity worked itself into the ribbon table runner that Belle Destination put together piece by piece. This was truly a wedding of bliss and beauty, with the most loving, genuine group of people.

Wedding Photography: Gina Meola Photography / Wedding Venue: Olowalu Plantation House in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii / Wedding Coordination: Belle Destination Weddings & Events, Inc. / Floral Design: Bella Bloom / Wedding Invitations: Bella Figura / Calligraphy: Kelle of designsgirl / Catering: Aloha Events Catering / Bar Service: Garnish Events / Wedding Dress + Shoes: J.Crew

Paradise is frolicking on the beaches of Hawaii with the love of your life and a wildly talented photographer in tow. That wildly talented photographer is Alea Lovely and the images she captured of this couple are unreal. The kind of unreal that we want to print out and slap on our walls as art. Weird? Maybe a little but we’re wedding bloggers; it totally comes with the territory. And once you see all the gorgeous images of the day, you just might want to frame them too. See it all right here.

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From Alea of Alea Lovely… Adam and Ally got married a year ago, moved to Hawaii, and after living there for some time, these surfers wanted to do a bridal session before they moved back to the mainland. Surfing is a huge part of their routine almost every day, so being by the water for this shoot was a very important tribute to the ocean they were going to miss so much once they moved back. The necklace Ally is wearing is the necklace that Adam gave her on their wedding day — she never takes it off. We also shot in Waimea Valley, which had some of the amazing banyan trees that grow all over Hawaii.

Photography: Alea Lovely / Location: Oahu, Hawaii

Have you ever wondered what happens when it’s time for one of the world’s most gracious, lovely and crazy-talented wedding vendors to host a wedding of her very own? Well apparently, she packs it up, heads to one of the most beautiful places on earth and throws a celebration with her nearest and dearest that even the most skilled wedding connoisseurs would love. When that crazy-talented wedding vendor turned Bride-to-be just happens to be the queen of calligraphy, Laura Hooper, you know you are about to have a front row seat to some serious wedding weekend magic. Top it all off with the design genius of Beth Helmstetter and the breathtaking photos of Steve Steinhardt Photography, and you have a rehearsal dinner that has officially left us speechless. See it all here!

Click here for the FULL rehearsal dinner!

From the Bride… Our rehearsal dinner took place at our wedding venue the Friday before the wedding. Our family and friends had flown in over the past week, and we had celebrated with a sunset sail the night before. Our colors were pink, aqua and gold, and Beth and I had put together an array of turquoise and white polished shells as centerpieces. The weather was not looking good, and we were all hoping it would not rain, as the luau and meal were both taking place outdoors. Jeremy and I had just barely finished our sunset photos on the beach when the drizzle began. Our guests, who had been dining on our traditional island luau cuisine, all made a mad dash for the house. Beth, her staff and Alyssa all ran around gathering up the food and brought it indoors. The hula dancers and island duo kept the music going on the lanai of the private estate we had rented for the week.  Although the rain was literally POURING down from the roof, all our guests had a fantastic time. We were so thankful we had the house to continue the festivities out of the rain. Desserts were passed around on wooden trays, and as the evening progressed, the rain stopped, and the fire dancer was able to go out on the grass and do his fire hurling routine. Although the thought of rain was very upsetting at first, in the end it turned into a magical night.

Photography: Steve Steinhardt Photography / Venue: A Private Beach House in Kona, Hawaii / Event Design, Planning + Coordination: Beth Helmstetter Events / Floral Design: Beth Helmstetter Events with Flowers from Bliss In Bloom / Calligraphy, Signs + Printed Materials: Laura Hooper Calligraphy / Catering: Paradise Gourmet Catering / Linens: La Tavola / Hula Dancers, Ukelele Players + Fire Dancer: Hawaii Sound & Vision

They say all good things must come to an end, and if we have to end Maui Week on SMP Destination – we might as well end it on the prettiest of notes. Well, this gorgeous wedding by Joanna Tano Photography will certainly send this festive week off in serious style! With a swoon-worthy color palette, a chic ceremony setting complete with chandelier and that fabulous Maui charm – it’s the fabulous way to send you off into the weekend. Don’t forget, you can keep the pretty party going in the full gallery of images!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Joanna of Joanna Tano Photography… McCall and Dylan were married at the historic Haiku Mill on Maui. McCall was such a stunning bride! I loved the natural look of her hair and makeup. A beautiful couple and such a serene location make for a photographer’s dream. Congratulations to the newlyweds! They traveled from Seattle, Washington, with family and friends to celebrate their wedding here on Maui.  Belle Destination Weddings & Events did a phenomenal job on coordinating this beautiful wedding!

Wedding Photography: Joanna Tano Photography / Wedding Venue: Haiku Mill in Haiku, Maui, Hawaii / Wedding Coordination: Belle Destination Weddings & Events, Inc. / Floral Design: Bella Bloom / Catering: Aloha Events Catering / Officiant: Vance Rosete / Calligraphy: Barbara Vanderpool of Miss B Calligraphy / Linens, Chargers + Vintage Plates: Pacific Event Group / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier “Gabrielle” / Makeup: Maui MiRa

 

There is no denying that Maui Week on SMP Destination has been pretty spectacular, but this shoot is near and dear to my heart. One because the images you are about to devour below by Erich McVey Photography are just be-yond. Works of art that capture the souls of two gorgeous people. And that brings me to my second reason I am head over heels for these images – these gorgeous people just happen to be the talents behind Branco Prata, the wedding power team of Portugal, and the proof is in the pictures that they are just as gorgeous on the outside as they are on the inside. See it all here!

Click here for the FULL photo session!

From Erich of Erich McVey Photography… I had the privilege of meeting and spending time with Andre and Sophia of the very successful Portuguese wedding photography and design studio Branco Prata, when we all attended Jose Villa’s workshop in Mexico last November. Andre is a wedding photographer, and Sophia is a wedding stylist, floral designer, wedding planner, blogger and all-around amazing talent. They are a fantastic team. While spending time with Andre and Sophia in Mexico, their love for each other was overwhelmingly apparent, and their uniqueness and beauty as a couple shined through. I knew I wanted to capture their love in a shoot. Thankfully, I had that chance in January when we all reunited at Jill LaFleur’s workshop in Maui. When I found out Andre and Sophia were going to be at Jill’s workshop, I immediately got in touch with them and was so excited to find out that they were as thrilled to line up a shoot as I was. We shot at sunset on the beach, using the beautiful rock, sand, and sky as our backdrop. I shot the session on film and love the look and feel of the images.

From Sofia & Andre… I remember that André and I were so excited the first time we talked with Erich about our impromptu shoot. We were all attending Jill La Fleur workshop in Hawaii — at first we laughed when Erich asked if we’d like to do a portrait session with him, but soon we realized Erich was serious about his idea! Being together for almost 2.5 years now and working in the wedding business for so long, it was the first time a photographer did a session with us as a couple! It’s so funny being on the other side of the camera, and it’s an experience we will treasure for life! It helped us realize how our couples feel when we “shoot” them, but more importantly, we had an incredible time for ourselves as a couple to cuddle, to take a walk down the beach, to watch sunset together… The best part is that now we have beautiful images of our unforgettable time in Hawaii that we will cherish forever! Thank you Erich, for making us feel so special!

Photography: Erich McVey Photography / Location: Maui, Hawaii

It’s official. Maui Week is my new favorite week on SMP. Spending day after day drooling over destination perfection in Hawaii – does it get any better? The last few days I’ve spent more than a few hours days dreaming of al fresco dinners wrapped up in the warm ocean breeze, and this chandelier-laden soiree, and its gorgeous full gallery by Joanna Tano Photography, is keeping my dreams alive today! Best of all, you can come back tomorrow for even more Maui!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

And now for the gorgeous film by Hawaii Video Memories…

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/39308599 601 338]

From Joanna of Joanna Tano Photography… The rustic charm of Haiku Mill provided the perfect setting for Mandy and Pete’s wedding. The groom, Peter Moylan, is a relief pitcher for the Atlanta Braves and is originally from Australia, so he had family members who flew in from “down under” to attend the wedding party. Mandy’s family and friends flew in from the mainland. Though Pete and Mandy reside in Georgia, they frequently travel back and forth to Australia.

Every detail of the ceremony and reception was thoughtfully put together, creating an elegant wedding — beautiful beyond belief. Pete’s two young daughters were adorable flower girls. Mandy was an especially stunning and radiant bride. A historic Hawaiian landmark, Haiku Mill is unique and lovely. As a photographer, it is a treat to document weddings at the Haiku Mill, due to the varied and beautiful visual elements available there!

Wedding Photography: Joanna Tano Photography / Wedding Venue: Haiku Mill in Haiku, Maui, Hawaii / Wedding Coordination: Belle Destination Weddings & Events, Inc. / Floral Design: Bella Bloom / Cinematography: Hawaii Video Memories / Catering: Aloha Events Catering / Tables, Runners, Napkins + Pergola: Pacific Event Group / Officiant: Reverend Pia Aluli / Calligraphy: Barbara Vanderpool of Miss B Calligraphy / Lighting + Rentals: Pacific Isle Rentals / DJ: Del Sol / Musicians: Vance Koenig + Don Lax / Wedding Dress: Liancarlo / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Hair + Makeup: Maui MiRa

We’re continuing our week of Maui goodness here on SMP Destination with one VERY stunning Olowalu Plantation House affair.  Set against an awe-inspiring Pacific Ocean backdrop and featuring one of the most adorable couples you will ever virtually meet, this was a day that was all about friends, family and sweet L.O.V.E.  Thankfully, Joanna Tano Photography was on hand to capture every last ounce of magic, including those cute as can be place cards and vibrant orange hues.  Click here for more.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Joanna Tano Photography… Olowalu Plantation House was the perfect venue for Marissa and Lachlan’s wedding. Marissa used her great sense of style to create a wedding that was rustic, stylish and beautiful! The couple met in New York City, where they currently live. Her family traveled from the mainland, and his came from Australia. Both families were lovely and gracious. The couple was madly in love, and it showed throughout the day! I am so happy for the two of them, and I feel lucky to have documented their beautiful wedding.

Wedding Photography: Joanna Tano Photography / Wedding Venue: Olowalu Plantation House in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii / Floral Design: Lois Hiranaga Floral Design / Event Planning: Lori Lawrence of Tropical Maui Weddings / Catering: Cafe Ole (808-891-1368) / Musician: Jamie Lawrence of Tropical Maui Weddings / DJ: DJ Skinny Guy / Wedding Dress: Marisa / Hair: Dan Sanchez / Makeup: Jessica Waite