A breezy, beachy celebration and golden-hour photographs over the fields of lava at sunset? Sign us up! This Maui wedding is a perfect example of what we love about destination weddings because of a jet-set couple who is willing to embrace the local Hawaiian tradition.
Hailey and Michael picked White Orchard Beach House, most likely due to its stunning beauty. Massive palms hang over waves, crashing violently over the lava fields. Anyone can be impressed by the breathtaking beauty of Maui; Haley and Michael took their Maui wedding to a whole new level by incorporating Hawaiian customs into their ceremony (blowing of conch shells along with a lei exchange and Hawaiian prayer) with the help of local officiant Rev. Kimo Kirkman.
The couple also added a new tradition, which could become a “best of both the worlds” wedding-day style. The couple wanted to save their first appearance for the moment Hailey was walking down the aisle; however, still looking for an opportunity to get together earlier, they did the “first handhold.” Through a doorway, they could hold hands and write sweet messages to one another while putting off the main event to be revealed at their wedding. This was such a touching and unique way to celebrate!
The entire day, filled with happy smiles, was captured by a friend of the couple, photographer Marlayna Photography.
Our Love Story
We first met in high school for an evening out on a blind date at the movie theater. We were 15 and 16 years old when we met. Our friends set us up, and we’ve been together for years! Our journey together is remarkable – we feel grateful to have been married to the love of our lives from high school.
Mike proposed to me on an extended weekend vacation in Charleston, South Carolina. It was the perfect weekend for just us two. He offered to us at The Battery. This is a moment we’ll cherish forever! From the moment we first got engaged, we were sure that we wanted to plan an event that was a destination wedding in Hawaii. Mike requested that I not begin wedding planning immediately and instead to relax and relax and enjoy our wedding for a few weeks before getting serious about wedding planning. Well…I could not resist and began wedding planning during the weekend drive home from South Carolina to Maryland! Oops!
The Venue & Wedding Style
The day of our wedding was everything we imagined and more! Most importantly, we wanted our wedding to celebrate our love, reflect our love for each other, and inspire our guests and family members to embark on a journey they will never forget. We were thrilled to have a tiny guest list of our closest friends and family – it was a perfect way to make our wedding easy.
We opted for White Orchid Wedding since the first time I spoke with our coordinator, Nalani, over the telephone, I could tell we were the perfect match. Nalani is so warm and organized. She made me feel comfortable with our choices regarding vendors and the planning process even when we were planning a wedding from 4800 miles away!
We chose the color scheme to create a tropical look without being extravagant. We went with soft pinks, champagnes, and a few pops of coral. Dark wooden tables complemented the palette. Gold accents were seen throughout our décor and table setting. The decor of our wedding was basic, yet essential for us as a couple.
Favorite Moments
It was essential for us that our wedding reflected our relationship as an individual couple. Mike wanted to ensure that we kept it traditional and didn’t meet one another before the ceremony. We decided to perform an initial handshake around the door instead. We approached the door’s frame as we held hands and read the notes we made for one another on the morning. Handholding him before it was relaxing (and exhilarating!), and I wouldn’t trade that moment for anything. It indeed was an incredibly memorable memory of my life. I’d go back to it over and over many times if I could!
Unique? Our grandmothers were flower girls! The grandmother of Mike’s, Nancy, and my grandmother, Helen, proudly tossed flowers as they walked down the aisle. It was adorable! We’re both very close to our grandmothers, and incorporating them in our wedding was truly memorable.
One of our other most memorable aspects of the wedding was the minister, Rev. Kimo Kirkman. He performed the Hawaiian ritual for us. It included a Hawaiian prayer, a lei exchange, and an oblation of pu (conch shell), a symbol deeply grounded in Hawaiian culture. We loved the opportunity to integrate Hawaiian customs into our wedding ceremony and also write our vows to one another.
