In a place where time seems to slow and the beauty of dreams smudges the edges of reality, Kauai, Hawaii interweaves the sweet scent of hibiscus with the blossoming of a new life. Entranced by the deep blue depths of the Pacific Ocean and the awe-striking formations of the Napali Coast, Morgan and Dawson chose to privately proclaim on the Garden Island.
Kauai is an island steeped in Hawaiian culture and known for its pristine beaches and landscapes unlike any other in the world. The simplicity of an island lifestyle mingles delightfully with the rich flavors and colors of the natural foliage. Chickens, one of the top predators on the island, run free and wild adding to the unique and uninhibited feel of the Hawaii island. Every piece of the land beckons you to slow down and remove yourself from the hurried pace of “mainland” living. Morgan and Dawson did just that.
The day started easily, with mimosas and fresh pineapple bought the previous afternoon at the local farmers market and oranges picked from the blooming tree in the backyard of the Air B&B. Breakfast was eaten in blissful quiet, with the exception of pecking roosters and Bob Marley’s voice singing through the speakers. They wanted their elopement to be a “simple and easy” expression of the love they felt for each other. A day unhindered by the expectations or hopes of others. A private opportunity to exchange vows in an astounding location. Morgan did her own makeup, opting for sunscreen over foundation and the untamed natural waves of her salt-soaked hair. While Dawson readied himself by going for a quick stroll to the private beach near the Air B&B. The authentic simplicity of the day welcomed the opportunity for the bride and groom to be completely present in the memory they were creating. It was just the two of them, happy in love, happy in Hawaii, and happy with the choice to elope.
In the mid-afternoon, we climbed into the vehicle we had rented (necessary for travel around the island as it does not have many options for public transportation) and began to meander to our selected location. On the way, we encountered the one thing we had been hoping for, a local farmers market overflowing with natural foliage bouquets. Morgan squealed in delight as we peered into the stalls in search of the perfect flowers for her wedding day. The woman we bought them from was a Hawaiian native who grew the flowers in her own garden. In her small booth the flowers sat in five-gallon buckets, already prepared as bouquets and the exact addition to Morgan’s bridal attire we had been hoping for. The next stop on our journey was to our favorite Asai food truck for a lunch of brightly flavored Asai topped with flavor-filled local fruit and nuts. Each rich bite coated our tongues in flavors originating on the island we stood on. Content and happy we decided it was time to take the twenty-minute drive to the secluded and stunning beach Morgan & Dawson had selected after scouting many of the beaches across the small island.
They selected the beach for the combination of drama and solitude it provided. The elopement ceremony was to be held on a sheer rock face that quickly plunged into the rolling Pacific below. Having changed into the comfortable linen wedding attire the two had bought for the occasion at a bathroom on the way, they quickly descended the thin trail that led down to the rock outcropping. As they desired a moment of privacy to exchange their vows to only one another, I held back and captured the moment from afar. The rain afternoon had broken into a golden evening. The sky was rich with plump clouds and the tide had begun its ascent inwards. It crashed against the rocks as the bride and groom read their expressions of love to one another. After their private moment, they called me and the officiant down from where we perched high above to legally bind their marriage. The ceremony was swift and the sun broke through the clouds as they kissed for the first time as husband and wife. Yet, even the Hawaiian sun was not as bright as the joy on their faces.
From the ceremony rocks, we walked through the rich foliage down to the mostly empty beach. Dressed in their wedding attire we took a few more photos, freezing time and capturing the joy of the day before Morgan changed into her second dress. We shot late into blue hour, their happiness infectious.
Then as the sun surrendered to the horizon and the first few stars began to dot the sky, the bride and groom exchanged their wedding attire for swimsuits and took their first ocean plunge as man and wife. The day personified in love, bare feet, and the joy of becoming one in a place unlike any other. A wedding day that mirrored the simple and blissful love their souls share.
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