I recently had the pleasure of flying over to Kauai for the day to photograph these two- for their engagement session on the amazing Napali coast. Such a dream! The Arizona couple was on vacation with their families (who we also go to photograph). One of my favorite things about living here is getting the chance to photograph people when they are on vacation- the photos are always the best. People are relaxed, having fun- their true happiest selves. This couple was no different- kind, loving, and so much fun to shoot with. Cheers and cognate you two!

So beyond thrilled to announce we made it into Martha Stewart weddings! This wedding was a dream to work on, and I’m so thrilled its been see all over! To see the feature in Martha click HERE. To see the whole wedding as published on Style Me Pretty last year click HERE. 

Thanks to the amazing vendors: The glamorous “goldie” dress from Sarah Seven, the gorgeous bouquets, tables and floral halos by Butterfly Petals and glam details planned and hand crafted by Hello Gem.  You ladies are amazing! 

After moving to lush, green Hawaii after living in the desert I craved seeing cactus (crazy when you live in Hawaii, right?). On Oahu, at the base of an enormous volcanic crater lies a dry almost desert where cactus grows rampant. When I first saw this beautiful cactus garden, I knew I had to create a shoot here that blended my Arizona roots with Oahu’s gorgeous, natural setting. I knew that Hawaii’s very well know Passion Roots floral team would be the ones to understand this vision, and they jumped on board. The created a super unique bouquet of lush succulents, cactus, and of course some local floral from the islands. The bouquet and table centerpiece was an exact representation of the shoot, flowy, unique, green and oh so Hawaii- with a touch of cactus.

The bride wore a gorgeous flowing dress that caught the wind perfectly, from Love and Lace Hawaii, a local bridal boutique. Hair and makeup by Blush Beauty Styling, was simple, and natural. The shoot, all located on Koko Crater which has a unique rock formation of layered ash, creates amazing designs in the natural rock, which is then set agains none other- than the Pacific ocean. Our invitations, from Minted blended that gorgeous blue ocean, with the natural rock layers perfectly.

This shoot was such a blast to shoot both creatively, and aesthetically. With gorgeous backdrops at every turn, and so much cactus to draw inspiration from and talented- all female vendor crew, it was easily one of my favorites to date.

It was such a beautiful day during this engagement session. One of those amazing Hawaii days that was sunny, breezy and 78 degrees. I ended up meeting this couple by chance, when they won a donated photograph session from an auction last spring. I am so glad they were the winners- such a sweet couple, with a ton in common! This couple quickly became on of my favorites- letting me shoot candidly, and were so at ease with one another. Easy going, kind, fun and of course up for a little adventure! We first stopped at Lanai lookout (a favorite spot) and then headed up to Makapu’u lighthouse trail to catch the sunset that day. The grasses at Makapu’u were tall and green, adding an extra element to our shoot. The waves at Lanai lookout were HUGE! Some of the biggest Ive seen. We had to bail on part of the shoot almost immediately when the water came rushing up quickly and suddenly. After a little running, the rest of the shoot was so fun! Thank you Tina and Matt for allowing me to shoot your beautiful engagement photos! Enjoy. 

I can not say enough kind things about this sweet couple. Every time I think about their wedding at Poppy Kitchen (La Paloma) I get a little teary. Maybe it was because I was 5 months pregnant, or because it was my last official Arizona wedding, as a Tucson resident. Or maybe it was just because these two are some of the most amazingly kind, generous, and loving people I have ever photographed. They made my job look easy. Effortless in love, calm, relaxed and of so much fun- my last Arizona wedding before we moved last year was one I won’t forget. When it came time for the speeches, tons of guests stood up to talk about the couple- recanting stories of love, generosity and good times with these two. Their wedding was the first I have been to that literally felt like they just invited a bunch of family and friends to dinner. It was that relaxed, that fun, and OH SO DELICIOUS. When I asked them what was the part they were most excited about at our pre wedding consultation- I remember the bride just saying: “…the food and the people.” And you could tell.  I have to say, the details were just as delicious. With the most amazing bouquet I have seen from Atelier de La Fleur and a dress from Anthropology’s  BHLDN line, and the bridal portraits in the Saguaro grove- this wedding was just as fun to shoot as it is to look at. Enjoy friends!

I think this has to be my most favorite getting ready photo ever. The best part? It happened 100% naturally. Love. 

This was the most amazing bouquet I have eve seen! huge, gorgeous, full of succulents, and amazing cacti. When the bride first saw it, she immediately said OMG (with teary eyes) this was worth EVERY PENNY. Amazing job La Fluer! You ladies are incredible. 

First look, and in a Saguaro grove…YES.

Emily and Brian, thank you both for you sweet selves, for being oh so patient, and for being just so gash darn CUTE. Love you both, congrats again!

I have to say, my first official Hawaii wedding was one of my absolute favorites to date. The couple; embodying everything you possibly can about ‘Aloha’, were equal parts relaxed, fun and amazing gorgeous. Its a photographers dream.  I ‘re-met’ the bride and her now, husband, when my family and I  first moved to Oahu last summer. Scared, confused and out of place these two swept us up like Ohana and made us feel welcome, and at ease in a strange new place. They taught us everything from; how to  do a beach day right, and even how to properly eradicate centipedes. (Side note: YIKES) I can not say enough kind words about these two- which made shooting this wedding EXTRA special for me.

The bride selected a real dream team of vendors from her gorgeous Joelle Perry custom gown to excentuate her growing bump, to the amazing hair and make up by Marian Melanie to the bouquet and event planning by Alana Madrid Florals & Events. The event took place at the Hawaii Polo club- a  huge open field surrounded by beautiful trees, and butting up agains that amazing Hawaii ocean. The bride and groom, who are naturally photogenic, were so fun to take photos of. They also had the benefit of being 20 weeks pregnant, which added a whole other element of beauty and fun to their story line. It also made the ceremony, on of my favorites to date!  I hope you enjoy going over their wedding as much as I did taking the photos. Cheers friends! 

Wedding Day Details

Dress: Joelle Perry Wedding  

Hair & Makeup: Mariah Melanie

Florals & Even Planning: Alana Madrid Florals & Events

Location: Hawaii Polo Club 

Lead Photographer: Elizabeth McDonnell Photography

Second Shooter: Amber Schyne