When Margaret Gradé and her partner purchased the enchanting Manka’s Lodge 20 years ago, they appreciated its natural beauty but had no idea it would become so deeply rooted in their hearts. Comprised of four small properties, each possessing its own unique qualities, the site itself is an... Read more »
Romantic gowns and fanciful details evoke the poetry of Lord Byron in the bridal fashion shoot styled by Karine France Matsumoto of Seasons of Life Events in Honolulu. Hand quilled wedding stationery, antique filigree... Read more »
Brides have unique perspectives on what constitutes a perfect wedding, and for those who prefer the romance and chic comfort of an outdoor wedding, Upcountry Maui is an idyllic locale. Estate owner and local artist, Sharon Shigekawa, graciously agreed to host a photo shoot at her home on the... Read more »
Photographer Corbin Gurkin travels to Paris to photograph Delphine Manivet's bridal dresses in a Monet-inspired setting bound to leave a lasting impression. What could possibly be more romantic than a wedding in The City of Lights.
gowns by delphine manivet | stationery by ceci new... Read more »
When Fred Patacchia, Jr., a professional surfer from Oahu, asked island beauty, Melissa Gomez, to spend the rest of her life with him, there was no place more idyllic than the middle of the Pacific Ocean. For some, the idea of getting down on one knee atop a jet ski might be considered a high-... Read more »
The detailed beading and embroidery of Reem Acra's 2012 wedding gowns give this collection a classic feel. The famous Lebanese designer launched her bridal line in New York in 1997 and since then, she has become a celebrity... Read more »
Angel Sanchez's early career as an architect is conveyed in his colorful eveningwear and contemporary bridal collections. The eponymous label was established in Caracas, Venezuela in... Read more »
Left to right: Monique Lhuillier, Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, Reem Acra, Monique Lhuillier, Amsale, Monique Lhuillier, Vera Wang (cover gown)
Photographed in the studios of Visionari Read more »
Like many artists, Maggie LaBaugh finds inspiration in nature, art and fashion. These wedding cakes show the influence of the fashion world with their simple ruffles, cream lace-overlays and delicate frills. The first two cakes create a sophisticated "less is more" statement with little... Read more »
Heather Jung and Daniel Lim chose the illustrious grounds of the Kahala Hotel & Resort to celebrate their elegant Honolulu, Hawaii wedding. The two first met at the local gym... Read more »
Having spent countless hours surfing and talking about future plans together, Joelle and Andrew assumed they would be married barefoot in the sand. Then a friend suggested a wedding at the old Haiku Mill in Maui, and Joelle recalls, “As soon as we saw this beautiful hideaway, I knew... Read more »
These scenes at the Hawaii Polo Club on Oahu's North Shore capture the adventure and romance intrinsic to America’s most beloved designer. In a photo collection of the season’s most beautiful wedding gowns, this is a tribute to the classic and gracious style of Ralph Lauren. Read more »
There was never any doubt that Hawaii residents, Jody Hanako Kono and Maui Kjeldsen, would be married barefoot on the beach, and Jody selected a place where their romance had blossomed over a two year courtship. “Waikoko, Kauai is magical. It’s a bit secluded, breathtakingly beautiful, and... Read more »
Hawaii wedding details often take their cue from the intoxicating natural beauty of the islands, and a palm tree motif can be beautiful in this tropical context. This article, which first appeared in Pacific Weddings® in July, 2002, was inspired by European botanical prints from the 18th century... Read more »
Wedding dessert tables are wildly popular of late, so when I was introduced to the work of Amy Atlas, I admit my heart skipped a beat with excitement. The fabulously talented event planner who is based in New York is creating quite a buzz with the wedding media—and with good reason!... Read more »
The vintage-chic bride adores fanciful old objects with a modern twist, and for those with an affinity for books, the charisma of an antique typewriter is positively alluring. An imaginative display of miniature cupcakes perfectly mimics vintage typewriter keys right down to the fine silver... Read more »
April and Reid chose to host their destination wedding in Manzanillo, Mexico at the Grand Bay Isla Navidad Resort. “Of all the weddings that I’ve attended, the destination weddings are always the most fun!” April says. The isolation of the Spanish-style resort situated on a 1200-acre peninsula... Read more »
Three years after Taylor Cohen met Clayton Jerome, the couple became engaged by summer 2008 and began to plan their wedding at the Seawatch Restaurant in Wailea, on the island... Read more »
The July 3, 2008 wedding of Alexandra Baker to Corey Mottesheard was the culmination of a week-long family reunion, where loved ones spent time together discovering the laidback luxuries of Hawaii, and witnessing the couples exchanging of vows at Lanikuhonua Beach on Oahu. It didn’t take long... Read more »
At a secluded port in Bellagio, Italy, David Humber proposed to his sweetheart Emily Shoda with a stunning diamond ring. The Oahu couple returned home to share their exciting engagement news with their families. Plans were soon underway for an intimate church ceremony at St. Johns Episcopal... Read more »
Few modern brides can evoke a sense of grace and polished elegance that hints at a past era. For Dani Wassel, she was destined to go classically retro on her wedding day at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. "My personal aesthetic has always had a vintage feel to it, in terms of my... Read more »
Transforming a space, whether a grand ballroom at an ultraluxe resort or a rustic barn in Wine Country, is one of the more exciting challenges of a wedding. Since the butterfly is the very symbol of transformation, we felt it befitting to conceive a magical setting centered on this wondrous... Read more »
Maui is a romantic island known for its diverse landscapes and hidden treasures. Tucked away in the lush green hills of Haiku, Pua Le‘a Estate is one of those rare findings. Once Maui's first sugar mill, Pua Le‘a is a historical landmark dating back to 1853. Now the spirit of this special place... Read more »
Lillian Masamitsu and Jay Kam decided to get married on Kauai at The Princeville Kauai resort on Hanalei Bay, instead of their home in Honolulu. The twenty minute flight to the island known as the "Garden Isle" allowed their guests the luxury of a brief getaway. "We wanted this to be a relaxing... Read more »
Lavender butterflies light gracefully on a pristine white fondant cake designed by Carmen Emerson-Bass of Cake Couture. Carmen artfully sculpted each butterfly by hand, then brought them to life by painting each one in pale hues from periwinkle to purple. Read more »
Just before sundown on July 21, 2007, friends and family gathered on the cliffside overlooking Kalihiwai Bay on Kauai’s North Shore. The bevy of celebrants travelled from as far away as Sweden, Jordan, Taiwan and Japan to attend the wedding of Miki and Noah. The summer celebration at the bride’... Read more »
At first glance the clean lines of this “beach chic” table, designed by Pacific Aisles, belie its extraordinary details. Fine white ceramic sea urchin vases, delicately adorned with elegant phalaenopsis orchids sit atop a seafoam canvas... Read more »
The sparkling white sand of Hapuna Beach on the Big Island of Hawaii set the stage for our winter gown shoot featuring Claire Pettibone. While the islands have many beautiful beaches, Hapuna is a remarkable stretch of fine white sand that seems to stretch endlessly into the horizon. The ocean... Read more »
Christina Hassing of Pacific Aisles says, “I designed this wedding reception setting with the idea of a quiet sunrise union on a winter Hawaiian morning. Who says an intimate destination wedding can’t be as amazing as a large, traditional wedding?!” Standing gracefully at the end of an Oahu pier... Read more »
Surrounded by lush rolling hills and groves of eucalyptus and cypress trees, Tiffany Woodard and Brady Bergin were married in a traditional Hawaiian ceremony at the Waiki‘i Ranch. The island couple was drawn to the incredible scenery and sentimental value attached to the pristine Big Island... Read more »
“It was the best moment of my life!” Azizah Hodges says of the grand entrance she shared with Craig Rowen when they arrived at their wedding reception at the Mauna Lani Resort on Hawaii's Big Island. The resonating sounds of a taiko drummer... Read more »
Our photo shoot took place in the lush surroundings of Nu’uanu Valley at the historic Queen Emma Summer Palace on O’ahu. Once the mountain home of Hawaii's Queen Emma, wife of King Kamehameha IV, the Victorian estate is a charming setting. Born in 1836, Queen Emma was one of the earliest symbols... Read more »
When a wedding designer plans her own nuptials it would seem difficult to find fresh inspiration. Having grown up on the island of Oahu, Christina Lei Hassing knew instinctively where to begin when she and Rob Farrow considered their own wedding. “Everything from our theme, colors, design, and... Read more »

































