The wedding day was a dream.  The mid-day sun was tempered by just the right amount of puffed-up clouds, softening its light to a golden glow.  For a Saturday, the Kualoa Beach Park was surprisingly empty and it lent itself to the intimacy of the day.  All you saw were the smiles of the couple as they mingled with their guests before the ceremony and the only sounds you heard were laughter.

But this dream didn’t come easy.  The moment they met, Michelle knew Doug was the one.  But she had just returned home to Hawaii from Europe and was leaving again for grad school in Boston.  Doug was from New England but he had just moved here to attend graduate school at UH-Manoa.  Just after kindling this new connection, they found themselves separated by 5,000 miles and a six hour time difference.  Determined, this couple kept in touch with phone calls and the times they could see each other when someone was home for a visit.  After a year and half, Michelle moved home and the two have never been apart since.  A commitment to be together that they were now celebrating just a few years later.

Michelle and Doug are living in California right now so Michelle had to plan everything from across the Pacific Ocean.  Not exactly an easy task, but one Michelle excelled in, putting her vision and attention to details to good use.  I actually didn’t get a chance to meet the beautiful couple until the morning of their wedding.  Up until then, we relied on phone calls and emails to tidy up the details and everything came together seamlessly.  They chose to wed at Kualoa Beach Park and as with any beach weddings, my suggestion was to choose an open shaded area.  Michelle called me the day before.  She found it!  A beautiful stretch of field softly shaded by a group of trees sitting on the gentle rise of a hill.  It was perfect.  Michelle’s flower girls walked down the aisle first, carrying baskets designed out of brightly colored beach pails hand-decorated by Michelle.  They wore matching floral dresses from Cinnamon Girl, dresses they had picked themselves months apart without ever seeing what the other had chosen!   Michelle followed in a strapless gown, her hair swept back with a cluster of white flowers.  Michelle’s father performed the ceremony, his eyes sparkling as he spoke with such kindness and adoration for  his daughter and new son-in-law.  As for Doug, he never took his eyes off his bride.   Well, just look at the pictures, you’ll see why.

Flowers and leis:  Cindy’s Lei Shoppe

Flower girl dresses:  Cinnamon Girl

Bridal gown: Nordstrom

Don and Vita were married along the water’s edge, the mid-day sun enveloping the small ceremony in golden light.  Now, as I’m curled up in my sweats to ward off the chill of Hawaiian winter, I’m enviously remembering the warmth of that day.  They were married by Don’s good friend, with just a few friends as their witnesses.  Don kept us all laughing as he unleashed all his moves for the camera.  Vita, tall and gorgeous, just shyly smiled at her new husband’s antics, tenderly fixing his tie when it became askewed.  Vita’s beautiful daughter was their flower girl and the entire wedding party.   During the ceremony, she found a fast friend in a kitten lounging in the grass nearby.  The formal portraits were just a dream to photograph.  The grounds at Pardise Bay Resort on the windward side provided the lush, tropical backgrounds and the camera just loved this newly married family.

The bride wore a beautiful dress from Cache at Ala Moana and did her own flawless hair and make-up.  The flower girl dress was from Sears.  And can you believe that the gorgeous rose bouquet was from Safeway?  I was floored to learn that, I didn’t even know they did bouquets!  It was rich and elegant. I will most certainly be recommending them to my future brides.

Congratulations, Don and Vita!!!

No bridesmaids. No groomsmen.  At first, Raylene didn’t even want to walk down the aisle.  She bashfully laughed and waved that thought off. Thankfully, someone managed to change her mind because she was radiant as she walked across the grass field towards her groom.  The sinking sun was just starting to fall behind Justin but he didn’t see anything but his bride.  Their three children also walked down the aisle.  Their youngest flower girl took a little break and her big brother patiently helped her back on her feet and filled her flower basket again with the soft rose petals.  The guests stayed late into the night under an open sky splattered with twinkling stars.  Live music played while everyone enjoyed amazing food under hanging lights.  Justin and Raylene went from table to table welcoming each guest while the kids were thrilled to be playing with all their friends.  We were at the beautiful Officer’s Club on Hickam Air Force Base but it somehow felt we were at an intimate backyard party and we felt right at home.

Congratulations to the newly married couple, Justin and Raylene!!!

 I stopped by the girls hotel room to get some getting ready shots.  They were staying at Ko Olina.  It was probably the most calm I’ve seen any bridal party on the morning of.  The sisters were watching Dirty Jobs while they took their turn getting their hair and make-up done.  And then it was just a quick drive up to Wahiawa Botanical Gardens.  It was cloudy and drizzling everywhere on the island EXCEPT for Wahiawa.  Nothing but beautiful weather shone over the gardens. 

 The reception was an intimate luncheon at Gyotaku Restaurant in Pearl City.  I married a Japanese man so I know Japanese food, and this was amazing Japanese food.  I couldn’t get enough of the scrumptious food, I had to go up for seconds. So yummy.  And cupcakes!!! I love cupcakes.  I had to spend so much time editing the photos of the wedding cake and red velvet cupcakes that I even had to twitter that I NOW CRAVE CUPCAKES all the time!!!  I can’t look at the photos and not want to eat at least three. 

The ring shots

Jen undergoing her transformation from beautiful to HOTTIE!!!

  

 

Beautiful Sisters: Kim, Jen, and Tracy

I told them to act like Mafia Wars...I think they did it perfectly.

  

 

 

They took communion together as their first act as a married couple. It's official now!!!

Tell me staring at this doesn't give you a sugar rush=)

For these images and more, check out Jen’s and Corey’s online wedding album at www.keasophotography.instaproofs.com.

So, just more things to throw onto my schedule but we’re still chugging along.  Here’s a sneak peek from a wedding I’m working on.  Jen is absolutely beautiful and looked gorgeous in every photo.   I’m excited to post the rest of the wedding pics next week so stay tuned.

I have been waiting forever to be able to blog about this wedding…it was that much fun. I’m so excited. I was really fortunate that the bride, Kim, found me through her mom’s friend. Her mom was helping with the wedding planning and her friend sent out a email asking for wedding vendor referrals. And who should receive it but my father-in-law who was eager to point out that not only was his son a pastor, but he had a photographer for a daughter-in-law. I was instantly impressed by Kim when I met her and her mom to book her wedding. She was a perfect balance of knowing what she wanted and being very open and relaxed. She had done her research. She liked my photography style. And she was very well-informed about the various aspects of photography. It was a cinch to go over the schedule with her.

Scot and Kim met while surfing. Kim says a mutual friend who was a regular at their favorite surf spot saw this match-up before they did and made this magical connection happen. I always like to ask why couples want to get married. Kim’s answer was genuine and heartfelt. Because She answered that Scot was everything she could ever ask for. And her answer to my follow-up question as why he decided to propose. “Because I told him to.” Hey, I found my soul sister. Same here too, Kim. I did the same thing. So I can testify that it works out great.

The wedding was in an outdoor garden terrace at Waioli Tea House, tucked away in Manoa Valley. We arrived and it was easy to find the bride and groom. They were roaming through the hustle and bustle helping their friends and family set up the reception and ceremony site. This was my first wedding at the Waiola Tea House so I scouted out the area and found the stairs of this sweet stone chapel. It was the perfect backdrop for the family pictures. And as a reminder of what a small world it is, the musicans, family members of the bride, were very familiar to me. Dorothy was my high school classmate and, being neighbor island kids, were boarders in the dormitories from 7th grade. I also recognized her younger brother, Kimo, from school. I was impressed when I heard them play. They are unbelievably talented. Wow, everyone from my high school are all so musically gifted. How come I seem to have missed that class?

Scott, my husband the pastor (not Scot the groom), was in rare form. I think he had a little too much fun during the ceremony. I had a secret smile as the crowd laughed at his jokes. People, be careful. Don’t spoil him. Really, the ceremony started us all off with a huge smile. Kim and Scot didn’t have a rehearsal. They placed much more focus on family and their loved ones and making sure everyone was comfortable and enjoying every second. So, they put their trust in Scott (the pastor) to guide them through the ceremony. Kim disappeared in the final moments before the wedding. My Scott and Kim’s Scot made their way up and waited patiently, chit chatting manly topics (I’m guessing). Kim’s dad waited patiently in the back while Kim’s cousins played beautiful background music. And then, something caught my eye. It was Kim just nonchalantly making her way up the aisle towards her groom, unbeknownst to most people who were engrossed in their conversations (including the pastor and the groom). I tried to mouth to Kim “Is this it?” and whip my camera up to take frantic shots. Scott said she walked up and said “okay, let’s do this.” I think it made his day. It may be the funniest and most endearing wedding memory ever. They did have a redo. Scott sent her back up the aisle so her father could escort her, the audience stood with camera flashes blazing, and her parents could give her away.

Scott and I lingered for a while so we could see Kim perform a hula for her new husband. It was beautiful. Beautiful choreographed by Kimo Palakiko and beautifully danced.

(Kim and Scot on the steps of a quaint stone chapel)

(sorry, this one is for me. My husband Scott’s main complaint is that I don’t take enough pictures of him. There he is. Probably mentally lining up his jokes.)

Congratulations, Scot and Kim!!! I feel so blessed that I got to be the lucky one to capture your day.

To view these images and the rest from Scot and Kim’s wedding day, please visit http://www.keaosphotography.instaproofs.com/.

June was a busy month for us but I couldn’t say no when I got an email from Moana of Sands of Time Weddings. My husband and I call them “Moana-weddings,” perfectly planned and executed to the tiny details. Stress-free weddings mean happy and relaxed brides and grooms….and that happiness will just shine through in photos.

Scott was the officiant. Awesome, that means I get to be driven to the wedding. And he’s so easy-going…despite me changing the direction the couple was facing twice. People tend to look at me when they’re setting up the ceremony and ask where I would like the couple to face. Really, it’s about where the couple want to stand. I can work with anything, I always try to put the bride and groom first. Do they want to face the sand and ocean? Are they staring right into the sun? Photographers can get that shot. So, don’t worry, think about what you want.

Nick and Lianne traveled roughly five thousand miles to start their journey on a secluded beach along the west side of Oahu. They’re both teachers at the same school. I’m sure the students are loving this. It reminded me of my years teaching high school. My students spent their class time trying to match me up with any available male teacher. I think they would have been on cloud nine if their little matchmaking dreams had worked.

Lianne was just beautiful. There’s just something about her, especially when she smiles. Which, fortunately, is often since Nich has her laughing every three seconds. Nick, a history teacher, found a immediate friend in Scott, a history buff, as they talked about places and museums to visit. We’re going to LA to watch a dodger’s game in August so Nich recommended something called a Dodger Dog (?). Their intimate wedding ceremony was attended by Lianne’s niece who lives on the island and her little boy, “J”. Moana, the ultimate wedding planner, even played babysitter during the ceremony for “J” who was clearly mesmerized by the water. I think he was looking for any opportunity to jump in.

(The setting light was just gorgeous)
(Little “J” who is about to be freed from his stroller)

(One of my favorites)

To see these images and the rest from this special day, please visit http://www.keaosphotography.instaproofs.com/ and click on “Nick and Lianne.”

I love June. I’ve been looking forward to June and I can’t believe it’s here already. I prepared myself for the craziness of May, three weddings, a big birthday luau for my twin nieces, camp, a women’s worship night, out-of-town family staying at our house…May certainly lived up to the hype.

And it all began with the wedding of Trevor and Sarah. Trevor works at the church with my husband and leads worship at our weekend services. He sang the communion song at my wedding. It was the greatest gift, and I am still thankful to this day. Sarah and her family are near and dear to our hearts. They are my husband’s tailgating warriors every fall during UH football season. We have spent some very fun Saint Patrick’s nights at their house accompanied by raucous karaoke singing. You may see Sarah’s niece often on this blog, probably my most popular model (see the header pictures above). I said a lot of prayers before and during the wedding that things, because this one would mean more than photographing any other wedding before…because it was my first wedding with friends.

When I arrived, the girls were packed in a hotel room getting ready and I’ll always remember that Sarah got ready last. She spent all her time helping her bridesmaids get ready. Her expertise is fashion, and she went over her bridesmaids attire meticulously, personally tying the sash on each bridesmaid dress. Her artistic eye showed itself in the colors she chose for the bridesmaids bouquets. They reminded me of the sunset. With ten minutes to go, her bridesmaids swarmed around her like mother bees as she stepped into her gorgeous dress. As we made our way to the ceremony site, her bridesmaids even threw themselves in front of her to shield her from the view of late-arriving wedding guests.

Every wedding is beautiful. We always say that you can never screw up a wedding. So it is the little things that linger in your memory. Like the little flower girls with their angel wings. We knew that the family was anxiously waiting to see if little Haley would be walking by wedding day. Alas, she almost made it but saved her first steps for later. She and the other cutesy flowergirl, Emma, were escorted down the aisle. Or the secret handshake that Sarah exchanged with her father after their walk down the aisle right before he gave away. Then during the ceremony, Trevor and Sarah took communion in their first act together as a married couple while Stephen Augustin ( of Our Distance) sang.

The reception was outside with dance floor set up on the lawn. And everyone teared up (even me with a camera pressed to my face) during the father-daugher dance with Sarah and her father, Rob. Against the night sky, they had a slideshow set up with pictures of their younger years and I remember listening to the words of one of the background songs “Tiny Dancer by Elton John” and thinking how perfectly it fit the couple. The joining of two lives, a fashion designer and her music man.

Blue Jean baby
L.A. lady, seamstress for the band
Pretty eyed, pirate smile
You’ll marry a music man

Congratulations, Sarah and Trevor!!! You two are just beautiful, inside and out. Sorry, there’s a lot of pics…too many faves, I love em all.

To view these images and more, you can view the online album at www.keaosphotography.instaproofs.com and also enjoy the video below.

This sweet young couple (I’m starting to feel old at thirty years of age) were so excited about their Hawaiian wedding. Joel and Rachel are fun, carefree, and wanted to make their commitment solidly planted on their shared love for God.

Rachel and Joel didn’t want a big fussy much-to-do wedding. Rachel had only three small requests.

1. To get married on Kailua Beach
2. To have an arch on the sand
3. To have a bouquet of her favorite flower, plumerias

That was it, all she asked for. Let see…

#1. To get married on Kailua Beach- Kailua beach, gorgeous. But for the past two years, Kailua beach has been suffering from drastic sand erosion, even unearthing old walls once hidden under the dunes of sand. She was a trouper and chose Lanikai beach, just a step farther down the same shore and one of the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii (some people might put it at #1 but we are a little biased).

#2. Arches are absurdly expensive to rent. Sigh…no arch.

#3. A plumeria bouqet. I admit it now. I was the fool who tried who even advised her against it. Plumerias are gorgeous but the most fragile flower ever. I’ve seen tons of weddings with plumerias as the accent flower but never as the primary bouquet, because they wilt so quickly and drastically. Rachel had an exquisite bouqet of plumerias nestled in baby’s breath. It took some extra caution in preserving it the night before but it was breath-taking. It was handmade (well, I guess all bouquets are handmade huh) by Pauline of Weddings By Pauline. If you are interested, contact us for details on how to purchase.

I think you can learn so much from a couple by watching their emotions play across their faces. They were joined only by Rachel’s parents, Richard and Ramonda, with the rest of their family and friends at home unable to make the long trip to Hawaii. And even though it was a Wednesday afternoon, the beach was shockingly busy, with tons of beachgoers planted on the sand, canoes (a fave local sport) sliding across the water in the background…yes, even a canoe with six young boys flipping in the water right behind the couple during the ceremony. Rachel and Joel were sharing their vows all while the boys could be seen in the distance bailing water out of their canoe. But Joel and Rachel only had eyes for each other and they couldn’t even wipe the smiles off their face. It was heartwarming to watch, and their love and joy was so obvious. Their unintentional wedding guests, the fellow beachgoers, all watched intently and shouted out “Congratulations” to the newly married couple.

I would also like to say CONGRATULATIONS!!! As my husband likes to say “Marriage is wonderful, I highly recommend it to anyone.” And come back to Hawaii soon!!!

The local canoe club unwittingly became wedding guests…

Not your typical church aisle…and the bride’s procession was heralded by young beach-goers

Joel had this giddy smile he couldn’t shake…even when I was trying to get him to take a serious pic. =)

Look for that smile again.

Plumeria bouquet from Weddings By Pauline.

To view these images and more from Rachel and Joel’s special day, please visit www.keaosphotography.instaproofs.com and enjoy.