Having spent many vacations on the island of Oahu, Anahita Mokri and Carlos Martinez longed to share the natural beauty of the idyllic locale of the Moana Surfrider on Oahu, with nearly 100 friends and family members. “Hosting a destination wedding was the easiest way to avoid feelings of stress because the islands are so calm and serene,” Ana says. During each stay in Hawaii, the couple would make a special trip to the Moana Surfrider to take in the spectacular views and gracious formal architecture. Though the couple is originally from California, they each have a penchant for all things European. The grandeur of the legendary Waikiki landmark provided the ideal setting for their nuptials.

The bride felt confident in arranging all of the details to realize her vision of vintage elegance in a tropical setting. “I used Pacific WEDDINGS™ as my planning guide and found every vendor in there!” she says. After an inspirational meeting with cake designer Carmen Emerson-Bass, the pair decided on a pineapple motif to represent the hospitality of the islands and add a tropical element to the décor. Guests received invitations with a traditional wax pineapple seal, each with an itinerary outlining a week of events surrounding the special day. On the eve before the wedding, Ana’s uncle from Kailua hosted an intimate rehearsal dinner at Roy’s oceanfront restaurant. “It is a really incredible feeling to be on vacation with every single person that is closest to your heart,” Ana says.

On a glorious summer afternoon friends and family gathered at the water’s edge. Kahu Butch Helemano presided, his heartfelt words imparting the true meaning of the aloha spirit. “We wanted a Hawaiian ceremony to pay homage to the sweet, calm nature of the islands and its people,” says the bride. The strains of a violin and harp played in the distance as Anahita appeared in a stunning Marisa New York gown paired with precious Kate Spade heels. The crowning glory was a delicate mantilla veil handcrafted by her mother to add a vintage touch to her elegant bridal trousseau. Anahita held a bouquet of tightly bunched green cymbidium orchids and pink tulips tucked alongside with baby pineapples. The adorable flower girl, Mina, dangled a pomander of dendrobium orchids from an ivory satin ribbon on her wrist.

In honor of the bride’s Persian culture, her parents gave the couple jewelry to wear on their wedding day. Carlos was gifted a Tiffany’s watch and engraved cufflinks to complement his finely tailored Hugo Boss suit. Ana wore a diamond antique necklace and diamond chandelier earrings from Iran. “Both Carlos and I can appreciate modern ideas and style, yet there is nothing as ornate as an antique object,” she says. The bride’s dear friend Mana found a beautifully embroidered antique handkerchief in San Francisco for the brides “something old” while her sister made her “something blue”, a garter sewn from imported French fabric.

The setting was so spectacular it needed little adornment. On-site coordinator, Felicidad Van Der Pyl saw to it that not a detail of the day went unnoticed. Debbie Hemingway of Designs by Hemingway embellished the outdoor ceremony with bunches of green cymbidium orchids, soft pink tulips and of course, baby pineapples. Together with Debbie, the bride decided that a rustic, yet elegant, altar made of natural materials was befitting to the setting. The couple wed beneath an arch of beached driftwood, foliage and tropical orchids.

A jazz quartet kicked off the celebration as guests mingled beneath the stars. Champagne and hors d’oeuvres were passed among tables decorated with votive candles and tall topiaries of green dendrobium orchids with bursts of pink tea roses and limes. The groom assembled a grand combination of classical musicians and entertainment for the evening. “At first, the catering manager at the resort, Toni Takata, had warned us that our wedding was turning into a concert!” the bride recalls. “But we love music, we just couldn’t say no!” At the last minute, they even had a grand piano delivered—the perfect accoutrement in the regal ballroom.

An intimate dinner of lamb chops with potato gratin and fresh opakapaka glazed with a Chardonnay mushroom sauce was served to all. A serenade of Frank Sinatra music created a magical ambience and the entire wedding party took to the dance floor. Ana and Carlos kicked off their shoes and danced their first dance, the fox trot, on their tippy toes. “We were both so nervous which is unlike us, but the dance was flawless!” she says. Anahita and Carlos gave their guests a truly memorable evening, one that bespoke an earlier age of polished grace and opulence. Perhaps the most memorable part of the night was the couple’s final dance to Hawaiian musician Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole’s sweet rendition of “Over the Rainbow”. The bride reminisces, “In that moment, we both closed our eyes and it was as if we were the only ones in the room, listening to every word of the song together.”