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 for the entire wedding party to settle into island lifestyle, with its unique sense of hospitality and ease of enjoyment. “Because so many of our guests were staying in Oahu for the week, we decided to hold multiple events,” Alexandra explains. “We knew our wedding would be the ‘grand finalé’, but we really put our hearts into everything we planned.” Having lived on Oahu for a brief time after college graduation, the handsome couple was well acquainted with the area, and they used this knowledge to map out a once-in-a-lifetime experience for their guests.

First on the agenda was what Alexandra calls “a bachelor/bachelorette pub crawl through Waikiki”. The bride and groom introduced everyone to their favorite night spot, Cabana’s Pool Bar, where appetizers and cocktails jump-started the party. Both guys and girls agreed to part ways at that point, taking in the urban scene separately, then rejoined one another at the end of the evening. “It was a great way to kick off the week!” exudes Alexandra.

Eschewing tradition, Alexandra and Corey decided to host their rehearsal dinner two nights in advance of the wedding day to ensure that their celebrants would enjoy each evening to the fullest. Needless to say, no one was eager to say good night after dinner at Michel’s in Waikiki. The evening began with sunset cocktails in a private open-air dining room just off the beach, where a poignant slideshow of the couple with family and friends took everyone back in time. Alexandra recalls fondly, “Many of our guests have been in our lives since childhood, and it was so fun to reminisce and share memories.” The evening was full of good cheer, fabulous food and emotional exchanges, a quieter prelude to the wedding celebration to come.

On the afternoon before the wedding, Alexandra and her mother invited the ladies to high tea on the Banyan Veranda at the resplendent Moana Surfrider, a classic hotel historically known as “The First Lady of Waikiki.” A gorgeous, balmy day and endless ocean views provided a picturesque setting for the bride to convey her heartfelt gratitude to all of her attendants. She says, “Being able to spend time with my girls before the wedding was a wonderful way to bond. We had the best time drinking tea, eating pastries and anticipating the wedding.” It also provided an opportune moment to present the ladies with pearl necklaces as a token of her appreciation. Meanwhile, Corey spent the afternoon surfing with his groomsmen in Waikiki. Alexandra laughs, “I think they enjoyed time away from all the wedding talk!”

The private beachfront location of Lanikuhonua encompasses a breathtaking view of the Pacific with a backdrop of rugged mountains in all their splendor. “Lanikuhonua is essentially a blank slate, so we were able to design our event layout from scratch and make it our own. We knew from the beginning that we wanted private dining canopies instead of a tent, and the layout was perfect for this,” extols Alexandra. Apprehensive about planning this important occasion all the way from the east coast, she employed the talents and experience of wedding consultant, Laura Lewis of Parasol Events, to create a reception imbued with “breezy elegance”. 

In lieu of a limousine, the bridal party arrived in a vintage Volkswagon bus with surf boards in tow—the epitome of island lifestyle. This casual panache prevailed throughout the day, with floral design impresario, Yvonne Chapman, taking the lead on the reception décor. Vibrant flowers paired with modern table silhouettes have become Chapman’s trademark over the past few years, and her aesthetic was evident in the understated beauty of the setting. Low arrangements of chartreuse cymbidium orchids and white hydrangea sat atop tables ensconced in vibrant green linens, with intimate lounge seating and a canopy of white drapes.

Every aspect of the day made Corey and Alexandra feel welcome in their home-awayfrom-home. Reflecting back, she says, "The beauty and grandeur of Hawaii is humbling, and has a way of making you reevaluate life’s priorities. Island life taught us to appreciate the simple things: the smell of plumerias, the refreshing trade winds, a stunning sunset. This appreciation became so much a part of us, that we couldn’t imagine being married anywhere else on earth.”