We had the pleasure of photographing Lindsay and Aaron’s wedding at this beautiful spot last weekend. They were such a sweet couple, and they had a great group of friends and family to share the moment with them. They wrote their own vows, which didn’t leave a dry eye among the guests. Afterwards, we walked down to the bay for some shots in the sand and water, and then finished up on the lava rocks, where they were treated to the most spectacular sunset of the year!

Congratulations, Lindsay & Aaron!

Wedding ceremony & reception: Merriman’s Maui
Wedding florals: Della of Dellables

On the day they met, Yung had a strong hunch that Susan would be the girl he would end up marrying. The two were having lunch with mutual church friends, and Yung jumped at the chance to sit across from the pretty new girl. They had an instant connection and the flirting began. After a few months of dating, he decided to propose.

She said yes, and they planned this all-day destination wedding in just a month, which is incredibly impressive. They said their vows on the breathtaking grounds of The Ritz Carlton Kapalua amid friends and family. Whales were breaching in the background as the two were married, and there were many tears of joy and hugs shared among the guests. They decided to incorporate elements of their Korean culture into their wedding, which I absolutely adored. They wore brightly colored hanboks for Pyebaek, which is a ceremony where the bride formally greets her new parents-in-law after the wedding ceremony. The newlyweds bow and the parents throw dates to them. The number of dates that they catch symbolizes the number of children they will have. The groom also gives a piggyback ride to his mother, mother-in-law, and his bride which symbolizes his acceptance of his obligations to both his mother and wife.

To close the perfect evening, Susan and Yung, along with their immediate family and pastor, went to Kapalua Bay to light wish lanterns under the full moon.

Congratulations Susan & Yung on an extraordinary wedding! I will see you next year for your anniversary.

Ceremony & Reception site: The Ritz Carlton Kapalua, Maui
Florals: Asa Flowers
Videography: HI Focused Videography
Pastor: Jin Han
Hair & Make-Up Artist: Mira Hong of Labella Wedding Hawaii

Thank you to Trish Barker for assisting me on this wedding!

Thank you, Jessica, for asking me to be a part of this shoot — I’m looking forward to the next one!

The love and enthusiasm that surrounded this wedding was such a pleasure to document. I knew this was going to be a fun group as soon as I walked into the room and the groomsmen were engaged in some friendly ribbing with Kyle. Kyle was glued to his phone, watching a YouTube video on how to tie a tie. Not just any knot, he wanted to tie a double knot for this special day, and look his best for Michaela.

Michaela is one of those girls whom you feel like you’ve known for years. She was dancing in the hotel room, hugging everyone in the room who was helping her get ready, and telling everyone how thankful she was for them to be with her.

With their hands held tight, these two said their vows at the Makena Vista site at Makena Beach and Golf Resort. There was a huge outpouring of love and excitement levels were super high on their picture-perfect wedding day! And honestly, one could not ask for a more breathtaking sunset, everyone should be so lucky to have a sunset like this on their wedding day!

Congratulations Michaela & Kyle!

Wedding Ceremony & Reception: Makena Beach & Golf Resort
Hair Stylist: Dan Sanchez
Make-up Artist: Jessica Waite
Wedding Florals: Della of Dellables

Thank you Jes Akin for assisting me on this wedding!

Here’s a sneak peek of Laura and Jackson’s spectacular wedding!

We met the first week of business school, at the popular MBA bar. It was a time when our class of 800 people was trying to get to know each other very quickly. We realized we had a lot in common almost instantly, and have been pretty much inseparable since. After school we both found jobs and moved to Los Angeles- we both love California. Vince proposed at the top of a beautiful hike in Joshua Tree. The proposal almost didn’t happen that weekend. He tried to surprise me with a weekend getaway, but I said I was tried and wanted to stay home that weekend. But he kept insisting, so I knew I better get with the program. We arrived at the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs (which I love) only to discover it was White Party weekend, which meant a bumping dance party at the pool all night! Not exactly the most romantic environment, so we moved to a more subdued hotel and went on the hike the next day. I remember thinking something was going on because on the way to the park he almost ran a red light- I screamed “Stop!” and he did, and had to reverse the car. The car was still in reverse when the light turned green again, oops….luckily no one was behind us. At the top of the hike he pulled the ring out of his pocket and then everything made sense. I was overcome with joy and of course the answer was yes.

Vince was the one who chose Lanai. I was working a lot and getting no where with wedding planning, so I asked him to find something in Hawaii. We’d taken several special vacations to Puerto Rico while living on the east coast, and I wanted to recreate the secluded beach feeling somewhere closer to our new home. Lanai was the ideal location- beautiful, quiet, charming, with near-empty beaches- perfection. We had the best time relaxing on the beach with our closest family and friends, and everyone at the Four Seasons made sure our day was incredibly special. I miss Lanai already, we will certainly be back!

Congratulations Jarah & Vince!

Wedding ceremony & reception site: Four Seasons Lanai ~ Manele Bay
Florals: Lois Hiranaga Floral Design

Congratulations Rorelee & Chad on a sweet wedding yesterday!

A few weeks ago, Della had an impromptu idea for a stylized shoot. Della of Dellables is one of Maui’s most popular florists and it’s easy to see why, her work is simply fantastic. There are few people I know who have the artistic vision and talent that Della possesses.

Thank you to Chrissy Swink for doing such a beautiful job on the hair & makeup! And a big thanks to Jes Akin, who helped pull this shoot together within a day’s notice. It’s wonderful to be surrounded with such talent & inspiration.

Beautiful floral arrangements by Della of Dellables
Hair & Makeup: Chrissy Swink
Models: Jamie Akin & Tony

This pup was a good sport, letting us decorate her with flowers!

Here’s a sneak peek of these two lovebirds!

Congratulations, Kelli & Daniel!

Ceremony & Reception: Makena Beach and Golf Resort
Officiant: Revernd Al Terry
Gorgeous florals: Della of Dellables
Make up artist: Cindy Walker

A big mahalo to Nirav Patel for assisting me on this wedding!

The two worked incredibly hard planning their wedding, and certainly didn’t leave out any details in the biggest celebration of their lives. They decided to have their wedding be a smaller, more intimate event, inviting only their closest friends (no parents or family, even). They basically wanted to throw the best party possible, and The White Orchid Beach House is the perfect place to do that. It’s a charming ocean-side property, where the gentle ocean breeze can be felt and the incredible sunset can be enjoyed.

Congratulations Canh & Thu on a beautiful wedding!

Ceremony & Reception site: White Orchid Wedding House Makena, Maui
Officiant: Reverend Tino Rosete
Wedding Coordinator: Patty Flax of A White Orchid Wedding
Harpist: Kristine Snyder
Rentals: PeteRock, Inc, Pacific Isle Rentals
Flowers: Teresa Sena Designs
Caterer: Cafe O’Lei
Bar Service: Bars Are Us
Entertainment: KC Sounds
Wedding Cakes: Maui Wedding Cakes

Travis has known Nicole since childhood, being good friends with her cousins. They started dating 3 years ago, after a big winter storm in Seattle that snowed in everyone for two weeks. They spent that time playing in the snow, snowboarding down the street, walking in their snowsuits to a local pub, and cuddling by the fire. A couple of years later, Travis proposed to Nicole on a snowboarding trip to Sun Valley Idaho, where he arranged a horse-drawn sleigh ride. Talk about romantic!

Hawaii holds a special place in Travis & Nicole’s hearts. Growing up, Travis vacationed with his mom and grandmother on the Hawaiian Islands. Since both of them have passed, they really wanted to say their vows in Hawaii.

Congratulations Nicole & Travis on a picture perfect wedding! You two were such a delight to photograph!

Wedding ceremony & reception: Gannon’s
Officiant: Dennis DeRego
Musician: Tarvin Makia
Flowers: Nicole’s fabulous bridesmaids made the bouquets. And the rest of the flowers were done by the wonderful Della of Dellables.

Thank you Jes for assisting me and always being so awesome to work with!

What a smokin’ hot couple!

Meet Chris. He was in France, and had just dropped off his sister at the airport, having decided to explore Europe on his own. He was waiting on the beach of Nice to catch a ferry boat to Corsica. While waiting for the ferry, he noticed Olga with her friends splashing in the ocean. He mustered up the courage to go up and speak French to her, only to find that she wasn’t French. She was visiting from Russia. They both started flirting and when it was time to board the ferry, he had convinced Olga and her friends to explore Corsica with him.

Fast forward two years. Chris is dressed in a white tuxedo, and is waiting for his Bride-to-be on a small, private beach on Maui. With the ocean at their side, a harpist strumming melodic tunes, the two said their hand-written vows and were pronounced husband and wife.

Congratulations, Olga & Chris!

P.S. Stay tuned for their hot trash-the-dress session!

Wedding Coordinator: Angela of Promise in Paradise
Officiant: Reverend Tinov
Wedding flowers: Promises Floral Design
Harpist: Tatyana
Bridal hair & Makeup: Andrea Duarte of A Pampered Bride Maui
Caterer: Chef Raja of Feast on the Beach

*doing my happy dance*

Josh and Deanna’s wedding last month at the Sheraton Maui was full of those beautiful moments. Just look at the way they look at each other! Their ceremony took place on the beach right by Black Rock, which is a rocky peninsula near the hotel. Deanna’s mom and three sisters helped her get ready, and you can immediately tell what a close knit family she has. When her dad walked in to see her all dressed up and looking stunning in her white gown, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

The two lovebirds met almost exactly five years before the wedding in a Seattle bar, through mutual friends. They decided to get married in Maui because their families live in separate states, and they wanted to make it a fun trip for everyone.

Josh and Deanna make a great match, and I wish them many congratulations on their wedding!

Ceremony & Reception: Shearton Maui Resort & Spa
Coordinator: Taryn Stark
Officiant: Reverend Kimo
DJ: Chuck Lehnard
Flowers: Asa Flowers
Hair & Makeup: The Spa at Black Rock

Thank you Ajja for assisting me with this wedding!

It was on this golf course where Paul & Nooshin were married, when the golden light lingers just a bit longer, the wind blows a bit softer, and a hundred well-dressed bodies heat up the outdoor dance floor for hours during the reception.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Paul and Nooshin had a whirlwind romance, the sort of love-at-first-sight, made-for-each-other thing that usually only happens in movies that make your eyes wet. The two have an obvious deep connection, a sparkling mix of madly in love and old married couple. The wedding itself was spectacular, chairs set on the grass with a breathtaking view of the Pacific below. The DJ, from LA, cued up different music as each member of the bridal party walked, skipped, or danced down the aisle. Finally, the flawlessly gorgeous Nooshin floated over the rose petals to the altar.

The hilarious wedding officiant was Paul’s good friend and colleague, and I’ve honestly never laughed as hard. When he finally married the couple “by the power vested in me by www.onlineweddingofficiant.com” (he had become ordained online in order to perform the ceremony) I had tears of laughter running down my face.

Minutes later, a happily married Nooshin and Paul were treating the guests to a surprise dance number in a variety of different styles as the crowd cheered enthusiastically. Shortly after, the dance floor was filled, and the night echoed with the beats of Persian dance music, and stayed filled for the rest of the night with only a short break for dinner.

What an amazing wedding…A heartfelt congratulations to Nooshin and Paul!

Wedding Ceremony & Reception: Four Seasons Lanai
Officiant: Eric Sussman
DJ and Percussion: Digital Motion Entertainment
Hair & Makeup: Andrea Duarte of A Pampered Bride Maui
Videography: Echo Productions
Stationary: Paper Crew
Dance floor & canopy: Envisions
Flowers: Cindy’s Lei Shoppe