There are very few places in the world as majestic as Kualoa Ranch on Oahu. That is likely the reason that Kualoa Ranch has been the background for many movies and tv shows including Jurassic Park, 50 First Dates, Lost and Hawaii 5-0. With the towering Koolau Mountains on one side and Molii fish pond and a open-air, covered venue, Molii Gardens offers a stunning wedding ceremony and reception site. Our bride and groom had beautiful wedding with red and gold color scheme and pineapple motifs throughout. The bride wore a lace wedding gown with long sleeves and a deep v neckline and a long train. A red rose and orchid flower crown, or haku, added a lovely pop of color that accented her red lips. The red accents also complimented the grooms military dress uniform that was green with red.
There are many good reasons to do a first look before the wedding ceremony. It can help your timeline along with seeing each other first, then doing some portraits together as opposed to doing all of your portraits along with your family and wedding party between the ceremony and reception while all of your guest wait. Another reason to have a first look is to get our some nervousness by seeing each other before walking down the aisle. I’m a big ugly crier when I’m overcome with emotion, so I knew when I walked down the aisle it was going to be bad. I should have done a first look! Along with these reasons, it’s a nice way to share some last minute thoughts and feelings together before they jump feet first into the most eventful day of their lives to that point. Wedding days go by so fast that it might be nice for couples to have a last moment of clarity together before the whirlwind. But, many couples have thought about all that and just don’t want to see each other before the walk down the aisle. For those people this new trend of the first look without looking might be the right choice for them! This bride and groom met up before the ceremony without seeing each other to just share a sweet little moment together just holding hands.
The ceremony site, down the stairs along the pond at Molii Gardens had a wood trellis draped with sheer white fabric and adorned with red flowers and lots of greenery. The wedding ceremony involved a few nice traditions including the exchange of lei and the washing of hands.
The wedding reception was set up with wood tables without table cloths, draped fabric runners, red flower centerpieces in gold vases, gold votive candle holders, and gold pineapples. Guests were treated to gold pineapple bottle openers or wine corks as wedding favors. The bride and groom’s chairs had wood signs with calligraphy that said “Better Together” and their reception table had matching signs that said “I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more, with a brown suitcase serving as a card box.
The wedding cake was a two tier, round cake in the “naked” style with minimal frosting covering the cake and a gold personalized script name cake topper. All of the deep reds, golds, and pineapples gave the whole venue a luxurious tropical ambiance. What a lovely way to start their lives as husband and wife!
Moli’i Gardens
Kualoa Ranch Wedding at Moli’i Gardens on Oahu
We have seen many beautiful wedding color schemes, but this one was something new and exciting to us. Purple, gold and black were offset delicate centerpieces and decor. This outdoor Hawaii wedding ceremony took place along the edge of the water at Kualoa Ranch’s Moli’i Gardens. The sign featured an open area reception site with a large lawn next to a long staircase that leads down to the pond.
What a beautiful and unique oval diamond engagement ring with a halo.
The groom and groomsmen wore light tan pants with white dress shirts and rolled the cuff of the sleeves. The groom wore a matching vest, a green necktie, and a purple boutonniere. Brown leather shoes and belts complete the look.
The bride’s bouquet was a mixture of white and purple flowers with lots of greenery. A purple satin ribbon was accented with a gold photo lockets. The stunning bride wore a cream colored wedding gown with cap sleeves, a sheer overlay of lace appliques and beading, and corset back closure. The fingertip length veil had beautiful beading around the edges. Checkout these delicate little vases with white roses and lilies. Sweet gold birds were placed around the glass and bronzed lantern centerpieces. Black tablecloths, purple cloth napkins and gold flatware made up each place setting with a Honolulu Cookie Company pineapple shaped wedding favor to accent. The bride wore her hair in an curled up-do with some wispy curls in the front and crystal head band. Guests spent the cocktail hour sipping on mai-tais or playing lawn games at the open air reception venue. You really can’t beat that view of the towering Ko’olau mountain range either. Check out the wedding website for Kualoa Ranch here.
Hawaii Wedding Photographer – Lamour’s Daily Shot of Love – Moli’i Gardens
This sweet couple had a beautiful Hawaii destination wedding at one of Kualoa Ranch‘s wedding venues, Moli’i Gardens. The ceremony at Secret Island and the wedding reception at Moli’i Gardens were both decorated with real Hawaiian pineapples as aisle accents and centerpieces. This was the perfect touch for the green and brown themed wedding.
View more Hawaii Wedding Photography by L’Amour‘s excellent team on their BLOG and make sure to check out other Oahu Wedding Venues here.
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Oahu Wedding Photographer – Venues – Kualoa Ranch and Moli’i Gardens
Located on the Winward side of Oahu, Kualoa Ranch has just about everything to offer that you could ever hope for. With 4000 acres of countryside to explore, you can be sure that neither you nor your wedding guests will be lacking in fun things to do.
Kualoa Ranch features Secret Island, Hakipu’u Valley, Ka’a’wa Valley, and an 800 year old Moli’i fish pond its easy to see why Kualoa Ranch has been the backdrop for many movies and TV shows including: 50 First Dates, Lost (my favorite!), and Jurassic Park.
Wedding venues at Kualoa Ranch:
Ranch House: For a more rustic feel for your wedding, the Ranch House features largest covered pavillion at Kualoa Ranch, not to mention some air conditioning!.
Paliku Gardens: At the base of Kualoa cliffs, this venue accomodates around 250 and offers breathtaking views.
Moli’i Gardens: 125 acres featuring a covered terrace overlooking an 800 year old tranquil pond You can’t get that in Honolulu!
Concert Pasture: 5 acres that can accomodate up to 20,000 guests with a beautiful view of the ocean and Chinaman’s Hat.
Ka’a’awa Valley: Exchange vows surrounded by your loved ones and awe-inspiring mountain ranges.
Secret Island: Follow a labyrinth of trails to this hidden beach for a private Hawaii beach wedding.
Please contact this vendor for more information on planning your Oahu destination wedding here:
Kualoa Ranch
Location:49-560 Kamehameha Highway. Ka’a’awa, HI 96730
Phone: (808) 237-7321
Website: http://www.kualoa.com/event_locations.htm
Please contact us at L’Amour Photography for availability to photograph your Oahu wedding.