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!
Red
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hawaii Wedding Photographer – JW Marriot Ihilani – Bouquet toss
Check out this bouquet toss at a recent destination wedding on Oahu. This striking wedding reception was held at the JW Marriot Ihilani in Ko’olina on Oahu.
Wedding bouquet tosses can be one of the most exciting parts of the wedding reception. You know how competitive girls can be! At my own wedding there was a tiny bit of blood shed between two friends trying to snatch the bouquet out of the air. One could definitely describe some bouquet tosses as a full contact sport! This one, however, was impressive because of the height this Hawaii wedding guest gained in her successful attempt to catch the bouquet. This girl has skills!
Oahu Military Wedding Photographer – Lanikai Beach – Alicia and Lee
What better way to start the new year than to get married! Alicia and Lee were married at world renowned Lanikai Beach on December 31, 2008. Ranked amongst the best beaches in the world, Lanikai Beach was the perfect backdrop for Alicia and Lee’s wedding ceremony. Alicia and Lee were surrounded by their closest friends and family as they exchanged vows and rings.
I loved all of the sentimental details of this wedding! Alicia looked beautiful in her mother’s wedding dress and incorporated her support for the US Marines into the ceremony and reception. Her garter belt was in camouflage print with the Marine Corps symbol on a charm in the center. The favors were accented by photos of Alicia with Lee in uniform.
The beautiful, two tier, round fondant cake was made by Vikki at Sunshine’s Cake Creations. Eric and I never turn down cake at a wedding and are becoming some-what of wedding cake connoisseurs. This cake stands out in our minds as one of the best we have had so far. Perfectly decorated, sweet, creamy, and strawberries in the filling! Love it!
Congratulations to Alicia and Lee on their beautiful wedding and marriage! We wish them the very best!