Rich and Katie’s Maui Wedding
While I normally shoot in the Austin area, I recently had the pleasure of traveling to Maui to photograph the wedding of my friends, Katie and Rich. What I loved most about their wedding is that it was truly their style. Rich wanted something simple and private, and Katie is in love with the beautiful island of Maui, so they combined their tastes to create one of the most romantic big days I’ve ever been a part of.
The wedding day started with a light breakfast on the balcony, overlooking the crystal blue waves at their lovely condo rental in Kihei. Then we took a trip to 808 Hair Salon, where Katie and I had our hair pulled into beach-friendly styles by the talented Veronika.
After hair and makeup, we returned to the beachfront condo for first look photos, where Rich saw her intricate lace Watters dress—in the softest shade of blush—for the first time.
My husband and I were fortunate to be a part of Rich and Katie’s intimate Hawaiian ceremony, held at White Rock Beach by the gregarious officiant Kuya. Kuya began by blowing on a Pu, or conch shell, to announce the arrival of the bride. East, North, West, and South—each direction he blew in has a different significance in ancient Hawaiian tradition. Then the four of us were given leis made of nut shells from Hawaii’s state tree, the kukui.
During the ceremony, the bride and groom drank guava nectar from a coconut cup. Kuya dipped a Ti leaf in water gathered from different parts of the Pacific ocean and blessed the rings and the earth around them.
When it was official, Rich and Katie made an offering to commemorate and strengthen their union by tossing a Ti leaf into the ocean. The waves soaked Katie’s train with sand and water, but her lighthearted laughter reminded us this was to be expected from a laid-back Maui beach wedding. And, a newly married bride, she looked more glowingly beautiful than ever before.
There’s no shortage of stunning beaches in Maui, so we stopped to snap some photos on the black rocks at Makena Cove before heading back to the condo for celebratory champagne and delicious organic, gluten-free cupcakes from Maui Sugar Shop.
Dinner reservations were strategically scheduled at the scenic Nick’s Fishmarket, just in time for the sun to set. After placing our order, we snuck down the path to the beach and took some shots of them against the sunset. To achieve this look, I exposed for the sky behind them, which optimized the colors above the horizon and left Katie’s figure a near-black silhouette.
After dinner, all eyes were on us as the waitstaff surprised us with flambéed strawberries panzini, prepared in the most dazzling way.
From dusk till dawn, it was a day full of beauty and romance, and as Katie and Rich celebrated their love, I fell in love with the paradise that is Maui.