Jill and David flew to the island of Oahu to preview wedding sites, and as soon as they walked into the Kahala Resort lobby they knew it was right. The elegant resort struck the perfect balance of refined sophistication and gracious hospitality they were seeking. They met with Charles Keegan from the resort and Susan O’Donnell from Aloha Wedding Planners to convey their vision of the event, and no detail was left to chance. In considering their options for a wedding site, Hawaii easily fit the criteria of a warm, sunny retreat with awe-inspiring views, and the location midway between the United States and Australia made it the ideal meeting point for both families. (For more photos visit Hawaii wedding photographer, Chrissy Lambert's, blog.

Jill Westfall could never have imagined she would meet her one true love oceans away in the exotic Middle Eastern city of Dubai. After leaving her career in the automotive industry—she earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in mechanical engineering—she moved overseas and opted to work in “fields that are more friendly to women”. She met her Australian husband, David Desmarchelier, the CEO of an international consulting firm, while working as operations manager for Maui Jim Sunglasses in Dubai. David recalls, “Jill’s best friend is my work colleague—and evidently a part time matchmaker—who insisted that we would be perfect together.” Her captivating description of Jill as kind and gentle “…like a delicate butterfly” piqued David’s interest. When he finally met Jill he agreed, “I realized her friend was completely correct, but totally understated her stunning beauty!”

Jill says it only took three dates (the first two were chaperoned by her friend) to know David was the one. “We talked for eight hours straight, sharing our life experiences and everything that’s important to us.” They both felt an immediate peacefulness and compatibility, and the timing seemed like pure destiny. Each of them had recently turned forty, they both have eleven-year-old daughters whom they adore, and David’s consulting firm already had a regional office in Dubai. In the midst of this fast-paced, cosmopolitan city, the two expatriates agree they had each found “the one and only love of my life.”

David officially proposed five months after they met, and Jill was ecstatic to bring him back to the U.S. to meet her family. He had commissioned De Beers to create a one-of-a-kind ring to symbolize their unique union. She explains, “The 2.15 carat flawless diamond solitaire represents the purity of our love; the four prongs that support the diamond represent the two of us and our daughters, Sophia and Aya; and the small diamonds on the band represent all of the steps in our lives that led up to our life together.” During their trip to Michigan, the senior gemologist at De Beers in New York decided to fly to Detroit to hand deliver the special ring. This auspicious beginning would be just one of the delightful surprises they would encounter as they embarked on planning their remarkable nuptials.

In considering their options for a wedding site, Hawaii easily fit the criteria of a warm, sunny retreat with awe-inspiring views, and the location midway between the United States and Australia made it the ideal meeting point for both families. Jill and David flew to the island of Oahu to preview sites, and as soon as they walked into the Kahala Resort lobby they knew it was right. The elegant resort struck the perfect balance of refined sophistication and gracious hospitality they were seeking. They met with Charles Keegan from the resort and Susan O’Donnell from Aloha Wedding Planners to convey their vision of the event, and no detail was left to chance.

On July 15, 2009, an intimate group of 35 friends and family members converged at the Kahala Resort to celebrate the union of Jill and David. In the weeks preceding the event, the friendly staff at the resort introduced them to the slower pace of island life, sunning on the white sand beach and swimming with the playful dolphins that reside on property. The couple hosted a luau at the Kahala's Beach Side Grill, so all of their guests could get to know one another. When the wedding day arrived, the two families were relaxed and at ease.

Jill selected vibrant flowers in shades of salmon, pink, apricot and orange to reflect the exuberant feeling of the affair. Florist Grand's designer, Evan Morita, created an abundant arch of roses, orchids, and lilies in the colors of an exotic sunset to decorate the small gazebo. The bride's bouquet was a blend of similar flowers, "to match my coral lipstick!" says Jill.

Just before she walked down the aisle, Jill turned to her 79-year-old father and he said, “I’ve been waiting all my life for this.” His simple, profound declaration of love touched her heart, as she recalls, “It meant so much to me that he had the opportunity to walk me down the aisle.” Dressed in a champagne satin gown, Jill took David’s breath away as she walked toward him on her father’s arm. Standing at the edge of the Pacific under the simple white gazebo, the two pledged their eternal devotion in the presence of their daughters and everyone they hold dear.

The evening commenced with a reception dinner, after which guests were escorted outside to a waterfall to watch a Hawaiian fire dancer. They had no idea that Jill and David had yet another surprise planned. For the grand finalé, they had asked the event coordinator to weave a touch of the Dubai night life into the celebration. She transformed the Waialae Ballroom into a “Buddha Bar” lounge for a fabulous after party. Special lighting and music from local DJ, Troy Michael, kept the dancing and revelry going late into the night.

The next morning at a newlywed brunch, family and friends got together one last time to share stories of the wedding, present gifts to the happy couple and finish off the wedding cake. Much like their extraordinary relationship, the wedding surpassed both Jill and David’s expectations in many ways, and left them sharing a genuine sense of gratitude. David says thoughtfully, “Jill is an angel from heaven, and I am totally blessed.” The inscription that is engraved on their wedding bands, “One and only love of my life”, is also imprinted on their hearts.