When it came to planning their wedding, Nalani McLaughlin and Christopher Holliday decided to emphasize the bride's traditional Hawaiian heritage and modern sensibilities to create a spectacular gala. Kawaiahao Church embodied everything the couple was seeking for their venue—Nalani’s wish for a peaceful, romantic setting, and Christopher’s desire for a more extravagant, regal place to reflect his New York City style. “The moment my dad stepped into the church during our location visit, he began to cry. It really hit him that his only daughter would soon be married, and I knew this was the place for us,” she says.

Colorful Hawaiian flags lined the church walls and white ribbon hung delicately on the dark oak pews at the afternoon ceremony. Nalani Olds, the bride’s namesake aunt, sang beautifully as her niece walked down the red-carpeted aisle with her father. Nalani carried a bouquet of exquisite ruby-red Ecuadorian roses arranged by Bella Flora. “My auntie’s soft, angelic voice sounded so powerful in such a large space. We all felt something special at that moment,” she recalls. By the time she reached the altar, tears were streaming down Christopher’s face. “He was so overcome with emotion, it made him even more of a man to me in every sense of the word,” she says.

Nalani wore a shimmering Reem Acra gown with a Swarovski crystal-beaded bodice, and dreamy Manolo Blahnik shoes. The shoes were a gift from Christopher that he had her family members sign so they could “be with her every step of the way.” Nalani remembers, “I felt extraordinary in my gown, just like a princess.” The dramatic dress and long trailing veil were perfectly suited to the ornate ballroom of the historic Moana Surfrider Hotel. The groom was just as dashing in a suit custom made overseas by the father-of-the-bride’s personal tailor.

A theatrical Chinese lion dance greeted guests upon arrival at the Moana Surfrider and the reception commenced. “This was Christopher’s surprise gift for my mother because she had always wanted a traditional lion dance for her own wedding,” Nalani says. Guests indulged in tropical cocktails and a fabulous cheese selection on the balcony while taking in the spectacular view of Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach at sunset.

“The beauty of the Moana is unmatched and the Grand Salon is truly the most magnificent ballroom on the island,” says Nalani. The day before the wedding, the ladies gathered to arrange the rose centerpieces. “It was a great stress reliever and it gave my bridal party a chance to get to know one another,” she says. The bride presented wedding favors from her own company, Auntie Nalani’s Cookies; chocolate chip and macadamia nut cookies in lauhala baskets tied with red silk ribbon and a personalized note. Guests dined on the bride’s favorite dishes: scrumptious turkey, stuffing and gravy, along with fresh opakapaka, a fish native to Hawaii. During dinner Nalani’s closest girlfriends gave heartfelt wishes to the couple. Tiers of Joy cake designer, Leigh Heggie, created a delicious chocolate wedding cake topped with luscious butter cream frosting and embellished with Nalani’s signature red roses. The men gathered with the groom to enjoy imported cigars while Sinatra and the Rat Pack played in the background, creating a scene reminiscent of New York’s stylish big band era. The celebration was the culmination of Nalani and Christopher’s romantic and playful courtship, with an exotic honeymoon to Tahiti the perfect fairy tale ending.

Photos by Visionari