Matthew Wedgwood and Nicole Waldmier were both certain that Hawaii would be the place they would pledge their love to become man and wife. While the handsome couple eschewed the trappings of a formal affair, their wedding maintained a casual island elegance true to the natural surroundings of the coastal home they selected for their wedding and reception. The bride says, “We wanted a place that exuded island feeling, relaxing and beautiful.” A private estate on the North Shore of Oahu had everything they were seeking. Nicole says, “It was large enough to have almost twenty family members stay there for the week, with a huge lanai and lawn for our ceremony. And most importantly it was on Sunset Beach-a great sunset was a must!”

Guests flew in from California, Colorado, and the East Coast, with a few attendees traveling from as far away as England and Japan. The couple made sure it was a worthwhile journey for everyone, entertaining celebrants throughout the week preceding the wedding day. The father of the bride, Gordan Waldmier, hosted a Mexican fiesta with enchiladas and seemingly endless margaritas. Nicole's twin sister joined forces with their mother to honor Nicole with an unconventional bridal shower at Waikiki's famous Hula Grill just two days prior to the wedding, and they invited all the family and friends to attend. The groom's mother, Judy, reciprocated with a fun-filled rehearsal dinner at an intimate spot called Haleiwa Joe's on the North Shore. By the time the wedding day arrived, guests were well acquainted and officially on “Hawaii time”.

Matthew and Nicole were married on August 24, 2007, in an oceanfront ceremony surrounded by family and friends. Brightly colored parasols shaded guests from the vibrant sun, as the two exchanged their wedding vows. The handsome groom wore Wedgwood cufflinks with his family crest in honor of his heritage, and Nicole carried a beautiful Wedgwood-blue handkerchief as her “something blue”. In remembrance of her family, the bride wore a heart-shaped locket containing photos of her grandparents that had been passed down for generations. Both of them were touched by one special wedding gift from a family friend, who presented them with a beautiful Wedgwood Jasperware plate commemorating their Hawaii nuptials.

Taking their cue from Hawaii's pristine waters, the wedding theme followed Matt's penchant for surfing with a color scheme of aqua, teal and white. The groom's sister Sarah designed all the flower arrangements in crisp shades of white upon tables dressed in vibrant seaglass blue linens. Nicole comments, “We incorporated starfish on the invitations and menu cards, so we decided to use them on the chairs as well.” Capiz shells at each place setting and sand-filled vases continued the chic beach theme. Even the cake was a whimsical nod to Matt's love of Hawaii's waves, with vintage style boy and girl surfer toppers and coconut haupia filling, a favorite of the locals.

The couple took great pains to hire just the right music ensemble for their celebration. At the last minute they found a band called First Verse and according to Nicole they made the party come alive, “We wanted a band that could play anything…from the Eagles to Bob Marley. These guys were amazing!” Indeed, they packed the dance floor so tightly that it actually gave way. The bride laughs, “Everyone danced and had a great time. We even broke the dance floor from having too many people out there!”

Matthew and Nicole will always remember their joyous occasion in their island home away from home, where many of their closest friends still reside. “Our wedding was exactly what we wanted,” says Nicole, “Good company, good music and good food! Hawaii will always be our home.” After all, home is where the heart is.