Rebecca & Kevin's Ass-Kicking, Photo-Owning, Tradition-Bucking Beach Wedding

Here's a couple after my own heart with their ditching of traditions and "just show up" philosophy. It reminded me of my own wedding goals. Plus Rebecca, the bride, has a ton of good advice. So listen up!!!

The Bride: Rebecca, Art Teacher

Her Partner: Kevin, Engineer

Location & date of wedding: Makena Cove "Secret Beach" Maui Hawaii -- July 02, 2007

Why Maui?: My husband and I dated for 6 years before becoming engaged. During those years we attended 12 weddings. Each wedding was traditionally lovely. After experiencing those weddings we had scene it all. There were ice sculptures; horse and carriages, bouquet tossing, chicken dances, long best man speeches, stone churches, and adorable ring bearers. We had taken a personal tour of all our local choices of wedding and reception venues. I remember we were sitting alone at the head table of a Greek Wedding when we looked at each other and said, “Can you see us doing this?” he responded “No way.” Not that there was anything wrong with tradition. It just didn’t feel right for us.

When it was OUR time to start planning we knew immediately that we were looking for something different. I searched Flickr for photos tagged “Maui Wedding” and came across some photos that I really responded to. This is where I starting emailing JPHardee –- a contact that recently was wed on a private beach in Maui. It was perfect. We booked the date and started our planning that was all virtually online.

Ideally every bride wants good weather, and in our case we wanted to do something we haven’t experienced before

Tell us your favorite or unique details about your wedding: Our photographer Gordon Nash allows us to walk away owning our photos outright. This is one of the most amazing privileges for a bride to have. Being an Artist, I was able to Photoshop or color correct some images as soon as we got home from the trip.

The trip was super cost effective. My dress was only $200.00 –- we shipped our wedding attire in a week before our arrival to a local shop that was able to press/steam them for the big day. My husband wore a suit from Banana Republic. When you’re getting married on a beach anything goes. All of my guests were asked to wear vibrant, warm colors to contrast from the location. Our reception dinner was quiet and private at a country club just up the road from the beach.

When we returned to New York, we had a large wedding reception party to celebrate with the rest of the family. The party was a “down-home pavilion, horseshoe, bouncy house, clam-steam kegger” style event. 

Unfortunately while we were in Hawaii there had been a death in the family. My brother-in-law had lost his battle with Pancreatic Cancer at the young age of 37. When we returned home to host the reception we decided to give pine saplings as wedding favors and asked that our guests plant them in memory of our loss. Each sapling was decorated with purple Pancreatic Cancer ribbons and cards showing that we had given the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network a donation in honor of each guest.

My advice to other brides planning their Maui wedding: No fuss -- No muss. This is a great way to leave all the details of a "traditional wedding" home. Just show up! That is what we kept saying to our guests. We were so laid back we even went to Denny's in the morning to enjoy or last moments of being engaged. ahhhhh...

We used Gordon Nash's (photographer) company A Paradise Dream Wedding and I asked my best friend/hair stylist to come as my guest -- she did my hair, nails and makeup. Ship your wedding attire in advance so they can be pressed and ready for pick up the morning of the wedding. And if your wedding planner company offers to video tape your ceremony go for it!!!! You will enjoy looking back at that moment.

We stayed in Kihei Akahi - PLEASE REQUEST UNIT C507 - This was a great room, great view (every other room we saw was a disaster/ghetto.

And we had a lovely wedding dinner at the Sea Watch Restarant at Wailea.

Would you care to share links to some of your local vendors?: 

Wedding Planner -A Paradise Dream Wedding

Wedding Photographer - Gordon Nash 

Wedding Dinner - Sea Watch Restaurant

Wedding Stay - Maui Owner Condos -- Kihei Akahi

Road To Hana Tour - Valley Isle Excursions 

Guided Bicycle Tour - Maui Downhill

Click on the photo below to view more incredible photos from this wedding!: