We shot the viral photo of Jason Momoa photobombing a wedding!

As we head into the end of 2019, we look back on our most viewed, most “liked,” viral photo of Aquaman Jason Momoa photobombing our bride and groom. While most of you might have seen this photo in your local news or on social media, we thought we’d give you the “behind the scenes” story of how this all came to be.

Viral photo of Hawaii wedding couple being photo bombed by Jason Momoa taken by L'amour Photography

L’amour Photography and Video’s owner and lead photographer, Eric Mansperger, was photographing an intimate wedding followed by a sunset portrait session near Ko’olina on Oahu. He had heard vague whispers that Jason Momoa was said to be in the area doing promotion for his upcoming premiere of the much anticipated Aquaman movie. As Eric was finishing up the portraits of the bride and groom, he glanced backwards and saw that Jason Momoa was standing on the sand with two local media producers. They were seemingly waiting for the photo session to wrap up so that they could use the gorgeous location for their shoot.

Viral photo of Aquaman Jason Momoa photo bombing Hawaii wedding bride and groom by Lamour wedding photography

Eric, having had many years of directing photo and video shoots, instantaneously thought up the idea of Jason Momoa acting like Sasquatch strolling by behind the bride and groom. Eric politely explained his idea to Jason Momoa who at first was focused on his own job at hand but then quickly decided that it would make for a hilarious photo and joined in. Jason Momoa borrowed the trident from a young boy who just happened to be strolling on the beach in our area. It really does seem like all the lucky stars in the sky aligned at that moment and these photos are the result.

Jason Momoa was such a great sport and really made this couple’s wedding day even more memorable than it already was. Eric and the bride and groom were endlessly thankful for this photo-op and were even more excited when the photo went viral! News and social media sites spread this image, as well as some candid photos taken by bystanders on the beach, all over the world including India, the UK, and all around Asia just to name a few! There was particular interest here in Hawaii because Jason Momoa is a local boy who is part Hawaiian. We are incredibly thankful to not only meet wonderful people at each wedding, but also have these once in a lifetime moments as well.

Take a look at this news coverage of our viral photo!

Aquaman's Jason Momoa surprised a Hawaii couple on their wedding day by photobombing them! #Aquaman

Posted by KITV on Friday, December 21, 2018

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Stylish & Sweet Haiku Gardens Wedding

This wedding had so many smiles and laughs, we thought we should share. Our beautiful bride wore a lovely white floral robe while getting ready with her bridesmaids who wore matching blue floral robes. The groom dressed in a slim fit dark blue suit with a black bow tie.

Bride and bridesmaids in coordinating floral robes get ready in hair and makeup on oahu
Groomsman helps groom get dressed in his navy blue suit for wedding ceremony on Oahu
Haiku Gardens weddings in Kaneohe is a stunning Oahu wedding venue
Groom in fitted navy blue suit and black velvet bowtie gets ready for wedding in Hawaii

I really love the father-of-the-bride’s reaction to seeing her for the first time. Isn’t that the look that all brides wish for? That stunned, “wow you look amazing” type of reaction. The groom was also ecstatic to see his beautiful bride walking down the aisle and flashed a huge smile.

Father of the bride is stunned at the first look of his gorgeous daughter in her wedding dress
Bride walks down the aisle from the gazebo at Haiku Gardens in Kaneohe Hawaii
Groom sees bride walking down the aisle at Haiku Gardens wedding on the Hawaii island of Oahu

This wedding dress and veil were just stunning. The bride wore a strapless lace dress with a corset back and beautiful sheer and lace overlay with scalloped edges. The bouquets, boutonnieres and floral accents had white and light pink roses creating a soft romantic feel to the wedding.

Hawaii destination wedding bride wears lovely lace wedding dress with corset back for wedding on Oahu
Oahu wedding venue Haiku Gardens at Haleiwa Joe's in Kaneohe
Hawaii wedding ceremony at Haiku Gardens in Kaneohe on Oahu
Hawaii wedding groom sweetly kisses bride on forehead
hawaii garden wedding venue Haiku
Oahu wedding with good looking couple

This bride and groom looked so excited to walk down the aisle together for the first time as husband and wife at the end of their ceremony. How cute is this couple? Sharing quiet moments together in the gazebo over the pond, looking at their hands now wearing the wedding bands that symbolize their commitment and vows. The little looks between them show so much love.

Happy Bride and Groom enjoying their wedding photography session in Hawaii
Bride and groom smile and laugh during wedding photo session
Groom carries int dress train of his new bride in Hawaii
Hawaii wedding photos under a huge banyan tree on Oahu
lush green jungle wedding photos in Hawaii

The wedding reception was held above Haiku Gardens at Haleiwa Joe’s where they enjoyed their first dance, Father of the Bride dance and Mother of the groom dance. I love how much emotion comes through in these photos. You get the sense of the importance of the day and the celebration of this new step in life. And of course there are yummy cupcakes to enjoy too. What is not to love about weddings in Hawaii?

Romantic Red and Gold Wedding with Pineapple Motifs at Kualoa Ranch on Oahu

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.  Lace long sleeve wedding dress hang in a tree Bride in long lace wedding dress with long sleeves and deep cut poses for wedding photography Hawaii bride gets ready in her lace wedding dress with long sleeves Military wedding in Hawaii at Kualoa Ranch with Army soldier Kualoa Ranch bride wears a red flower crown or haku for her wedding on oahu 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.  bride and groom keep from looking at each other but hold hands before wedding ceremony in Hawaii First look on Oahu for wedding at Kualoa Ranch lovely lace wedding dress with long sleeves for wedding in Hawaii on Oahu Molii Gardens wedding ceremony where a bride walks down the long staircase to her ceremony Hawaii wedding ceremony with flower lei and coconuts for Kualoa Ranch wedding on Oahu 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.  
Bride and groom during Hawaii wedding ceremony at Kualoa Ranch
Groom puts ring on brides finger at wedding in Hawaii on Oahu Hawaii wedding ceremony on Oahu at Kualoa Ranch Molii Gardens Hawaii Bride wears gorgeous long sleeve lace wedding dress with white flower lei and red flower crown haku 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.   wedding signs that says Better Together in calligraphy for Hawaii wedding reception Gold Pineapples were centerpieces for Hawaii wedding reception at Kualoa Ranch dark brown suitcase serves as cardbox for Kualoa Ranch Wedding reception on Oahu Cute personalized wood signs with calligraphy Oahu wedding reception at Kualoa Ranch with red and gold color scheme Hawaii wedding reception favors with gold pineapple wine corks Hawaii wedding photos of Kualoa Ranch Wedding at Molii Gardens on Oahu Hawaii wedding photography and video by L'amour at Kualoa Ranch Molii Gardens Naked wedding cake for Hawaii wedding reception at Kualoa Ranch Hawaii wedding reception cake cutting at Kualoa Ranch Molii Gardens 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!

Honolulu Wedding by Waikiki Beach with Pink and Blush tones

If you are thinking of getting married in Waikiki, then you have to take a look at this gorgeous wedding! Our lovely bride got ready with her bridesmaids in their suite at Hilton Hawaiian Village and the end of Waikiki Beach.  Our photography team captured all of her outfit details while she finished up having her hair and makeup done.  The bride got dressed in her stunning strapless lace wedding gown featuring a sweetheart neckline, embellished satin sash and a flowing, voluminous tulle train.  Our bride accessorized her look with drop earrings, a sparkling bracelet, and a rhinestone embellished hair comb that held back one side of her side parted wavy hair do and completed her glamorous look with a cathedral length, lace edged veil.  Long flowing, lace trim veil on bride for her destination wedding in hawaii on the island of oahu photographed by the team at L'amour Bride in silk robe puts on earrings before putting on her dress for her Honolulu Wedding Hawaii wedding photography and video by Lamour on the island of Oahu for Honolulu wedding in Waikiki Beautiful destination wedding bride gets ready in her hotel on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu Destination wedding bride takes photos with L'amour photography in Waikiki beach Honolulu on the island of Oahu The bridesmaids wore complementing tones of blush, pink and gold knee length dresses with sparkling details in beading or sequins.
Bride in strapless lace wedding dress puts on her veil for her wedding in Hawaii on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu Bridesmaids in blush and pink color dresses help the destination wedding bride get dressed before the wedding ceremony  The wedding ceremony was held at the glass chapel on the grounds of Hilton Hawaiian Village. It was formerly known as the Ocean Crystal Chapel but is now known as the Akala Chapel and Gazebo. This beautiful chapel has a plethora of windows which let the bright Pacific sun fill the white walled chapel with lots of light.  The wedding guests sat on the white pews while the bride and groom exchanged vows, signed the marriage certificate and ended the ceremony with a kiss.  Hawaii wedding ceremony in waikiki at Hilton Hawaiian Village Ocean Crystla chapel also known as the Akala glass chapel and gazebo Directly outside of the glass chapel are cascading steps that lead down to a white gazebo.  Hilton Hawaiian Village Akala or Ocean Crystal chapel and gazebo in Honolulu located on Waikiki beach Hawaii wedding photographers and videographers from the team at L'amour Photography and video for ceremony and reception Wedding bouquet for oahu with wedding ceremony in Hawaii with roses, peonies and black center anemones Hawaii wedding photography and video by the award winning team from L'amour based on Oahu How stunning is our bride in this lovely dress. Not to mention this beautiful flower bouquet with white, blush and pink flowers and lots of organically flowing greenery. The handsome groom wore a classic tuxedo and black bow tie.  Our team captured their portraits on Waikiki Beach directly outside of the Hilton Hawaiian Village.  You can’t beat that view of Diamond Head!
Hawaii wedding photographers from the L'amour Photography and Video team on Oahu for this Hilton Hawaiian Village ceremony and reception Bride in Hawaii wears strapless lace dress with sweetheart neckline and mermaid train along with a a long lace trim veil for her Wedding in Hawaii Hilton Hawaiian Village wedding photos with Diamond Head in the backgroun Oahu wedding reception at a hotel in Honolulu with clean white table cloth and clear oval back chairs with large floral centerpiece and gold decor accents Blush and Pink wedding centerpiece for Hawaii wedding on Oahu The newly married bride and groom partied the night away at their wedding reception.  Fitted with crisp classic white table cloths, the tables were adorned with lush floral centerpieces in gold vases, gold and blush glass votive candle holders while place settings were set with gold rimmed crystal glasses and gold flatware. The oval backed clear chairs added a modern twist to the glamorous reception set up. Orchids and roses lent a bright pop of color to the candles in tall clear vases.  Hawaii wedding reception flowers in Oahu with candles, orchids and roses in glass vases Hawaii wedding photographers from the team at L'amour photograph this gorgeous bride in her flowing destination wedding dress Hawaii wedding photographer and videographer byt he team at L'amour based on Oahu and available on other islands Oahu wedding sunset photo takn at wedding reception near Waikiki beach in Honolulu Hawaii wedding cake with two gold painted tiers and a white base with hand painted flower designs Destination wedding in Hawaii photos by Lamour No wedding reception would be complete without the wedding cake. The stylish bride and groom chose a 3 tiered round cake with gold top tiers accented by a large fresh flower and a bottom tier in white fondant with hand painted flower motifs. The guests were also treated with cake pops, cupcakes and macarons! The cake table beautifully displayed all of the sweets on glass platforms among a lush flower arrangement. The sweet display was topped off with a set of large frosted cookies in the shape of the word “LOVE.”  The bride changed into a sleek second white dress to dance the night away.
Hawaii wedding reception at a hotel near Waikiki Beach in Honolulu

Navy blue and red color scheme ocean view wedding

Now this is a wedding theme we haven’t seen yet and we are loving it! Navy blue, red and gold make a gorgeous color scheme for this Hawaii destination wedding in Maui and the traditional tea ceremony. Check out these sparkling Jimmy Choo wedding high heals placed along an amazing piece of 3D artwork of the Hawaiian Islands. 
Bride wore silver sparkle Jimmy Choo shoes for destination wedidng in Maui

Cushion cut halo engagement ring for Hawaii Wedding

A fun part of some weddings can be “Door Games,” which have become popular in Asian countries as well as in America.  The bridesmaids start off by hiding the bride as the groom and groomsmen are tasked with accomplishing cute little challenges like dressing up, performing and song or dance, or in this case, making a little romantic statement out of bread slices.  These door games are a fun way to lead up to a first look and are sure to lighten the mood and shake off some of those nerves before the wedding ceremony.

red themed wedding tea ceremony performed by bridesmaid in navy blue strapless dress groom of hawaii destination wedding gave silver pocket watched to groomsmen with their initials engraved on the them Hawaii wedding by the beach with groom wearing navy blue suit and striped tie Destination wedding in Hawaii bride lifts her veil as she gets ready for tea ceremony Hawaii wedding photography for Chinese Tea Ceremony

How stunning is this red traditional wedding dress with green details and flower embroidery.  The tea pot and tea cups were also a vibrant shade of red. The groom wore a navy blue suit with a blue and grey striped necktie. The bridesmaids wore strapless navy blue dresses while the groomsmen wore grey suits.

Hawaii beach wedding groomsmen in grey or navy suits and striped ties

At the hill top wedding ceremony over looking the ocean, guest we treated to these sparkly gold and navy blue personalized fans with the couple’s name and wedding date. The navy blue background was accented with the stars and constellation motif creating an “Under the Stars” theme.  The aisle seats were adorned with small bouquets of white flowers.  The ring bearer held a raw cut wood piece that was personalized. The ceremony venue greeted guests with a wood framed chalk sandwich board.

Destination wedding in hawaii had fans for guests during outdoor wedding ceremony with glitter gold outline, navy blue with stars and constellations. Destination wedding ring box made of piece of wood left raw and engraved with names and date chalkboard wedding ceremony sign for maui wedding Destination wedding couple shares a kiss after saying I do in Maui Hawaii Navy blue, gold and white color scheme with paper lanterns, stars and constellations decor for Hawaii wedding reception Hawaii wedding portraits with bride in classic wedding dress with high neckline, mermaid train and all white flower bouquet with navy satin ribbon. Hawaii wedding reception with navy blue and gold color scheme. Gold stars and constellations adorn the dinner menu, place card, and wedding favor box Hawaii beach wedding photos by L'Amour Photography and Video Hawaii wedding bride and groom kiss on the beach in Maui during their portrait session Maui wedding reception for destination bride and groom with color scheme of navy blue, white and gold. Bride and groom walk along the beach in Maui after their wedding ceremony while taking photos with the photo and video team from L'Amour hawaii wedding cake with cupcakes and pendant sign on top

This picture perfect Hawaii destination wedding was expertly planned and coordinated by Cherise at The Perfect Wedding Maui. The wedding reception under the stars was capped off with  dancing and a multi-tiered wedding cake featuring lots of yummy buttercream frosted cupcakes and a round top tier cake. The cake topper was a pennant flag with the wedding date and hearts. The cupcakes we accented with flags of China and the USA to celebrate the combining of two cultures and families.

Saying Aloha and Mahalo to a wonderful year of 2015 Weddings!

We want to say a big mahalo, or “Thank You,” to all of our amazing couples from 2015.  As you can probably see, we have had a very busy ear and wanted to end it with a bang.  Here are some highlights from some of our weddings of the year. There are just too many too share in one blog, so we will be posting a few blogs as well as posting to our Facebook  and Instagram!

 

These lovely wedding took place at some of our favorite wedding venues on Oahu including Turtle Bay Resort, Haiku Gardens, Kualoa Ranch, Moana Surfrider, Lanikuhonua and Hilton Hawaiian Village chapel!  We also had a chance to travel to the other Hawaiian islands for gorgeous weddings at the St Regis in Kauai and Olowalu Plantation on Maui.

This year has been jam packed with sweet couples, giddy engagement sessions, blue skies and warm breezes. We could no have asked for a better set of couples to spend it with. We are officially heading into our eighth year as Hawaii wedding photographers and can’t wait to see what the next year brings and meet our new bride and grooms! Stay tuned for many more highlights to come and follow us on Facebook  and Instagram!