Gearing up for my good friend Sheena and Philip’s Hilton Hawaiian Village wedding I already knew it was going to be a memoriable one. A 20-person bridal party (by far my biggest!) was definitely the scariest task at hand but the day went by unusually problem-free for the most part.

The best things about weddings is you never know whats going to happen but you have to be ready for when they do. During the reception I glanced over and see one the groomsmen slipping on the bottom half of what looks to be a wedding dress I’m thinking to myself WTF is going on?!?! I see the groom blind folded and realize this guy is about to get the prank of all wedding pranks…and the groom ended up taking off the garter from his groomsmen leg. I can’t imagine how much of those iphone photos got facebook’d and instagram’d at that very momemt. Definitely one of the most funniest things I’ve seen on the job!

In all it was just another amazing day with big laughs, lots of love, and great company!

Its been a busy summer so far with lots of weddings on the books but a certain aspect of Adriane and Clyde’s wedding was something I was looking forward to. The alarm on my iPhone went off in my bedroom, it was 3:00am. With my gear already packed in the truck the night before it took me a few minutes to get ready and out the door I went. Makakilo was the destination I was heading to where Adriane and her bridesmaids were getting ready.

It was my first time photographing morning prep before the sun had even come up and I’d have to say I actually enjoyed it. Not because I had the gear for low light situations but because controlling light without the sun lighting the whole room making everything flat was just great all around. Nevertheless, I was there to capture moments first and foremost.

Hanging out with the ladies and videographer Philip Lemoine from SVP Studios made it a fun and memorable morning. Heading out a few hours later we made our way over to the old Ewa Railroad Station and Museum for Adriane and Clyde’s first look and then explored some surrounding spots for their couple photos. We’d eventually make our way over to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovahs Witnesses where Adriane and Clyde would tie the Knot.

We ended the day off with a bang at Hawaii Prince Golf Course…literally! Clyde decided he wanted to crash the reception by accidentally knocking over a tall glass vase which shattered all over the dance floor…he received cheers and huge applause for that. In all it was another great experience sharing this day with an amazing couple.

Heather, Sam and their family all flew in from Seattle to celebrate such an amazing occasion. I guess its a dream come true to many mainland-folks to hold their wedding in Hawaii because every email I received from Heather had a count-down timer at the end. She was thrilled and I was thrilled to be their wedding photographer.

It seems I may have jinxed myself a few weddings ago when I said I’ve been lucky enough for the weather to be so nice on days that I photograph weddings. One would think the weather is beautiful 365 days of the year here in Hawaii but when it comes to holding weddings outdoors (especially on the beach) you’ve really got a 50/50 chance that the weather will hold up.

Lanikai is one of those amazing beaches on the island known for its turquoise color ocean water, white sand beaches, and limited crowds. Weddings here are a must if you want the secluded feel to it. On this day was just that plus very strong on-shore winds! So strong at times sand and mist where getting in my eyes and breaking some of the guests’ umbrellas. Never the less, we got some great images from the entire day.

Congrats Heather & Sam! It was an honor being your photographer…wish you two the very best.

Its always a blessing when a good friend asks you to be their wedding photographer on his or her most important day. I’ve known Kaua and his brother since somewhere around grade school where we all grew up playing basketball for most of the same teams all the way throughout our high school years. Kaua and his beautiful fiance Marisa decide to throw their fun-filled wedding at the Loulu Palms Estate on the North Shore of Oahu.  A trend has emerged lately as the last 3-4 weddings I’ve done have all involved a little bit of rain only to clear up right before the ceremony. Whats always fun about photographing weddings where you know the bride and groom is you usually know some of their family and friends as well. I ran into a bunch of my old coaches, friends, and co-workers and just had a great time with great company throughout the day.  Enjoy the images….

Congrats again Marisa and Kaua, it was honor being your wedding photographer!

Documenting weddings as a photographer has been such a blessing lately. The day started off at Turtle bay Resort on the amazing North Shore of Oahu where the bride and her ladies got pampered up for the big day and later capped it off with a small intimate wedding ceremony at Kualoa Ranch. Along the way I got to meet Tanya’s beautiful two nieces whom were not camera shy at all. They both made me so excited for my baby girl soon to be here in January. Overall it was just another amazing wedding day, with two families separate by land and sea (Tanya’s family from Australia and Rob’s from Flordia) here to celebrate these two tying the knot…it just so happened they ended where what most couples could only dream of….the wedding of a lifetime in Hawaii.

Congrats Tanya & Rob! I’m so blessed to have been your Hawaii destination wedding photographer…

Starting the morning as Tanya’s Hawaii wedding photographer was one for the memory book. Up until now I have yet to have a bridezilla on my hands (and I’d like to keep it that way!) and after spending a few hours with Tanya and her fiance Rob during their engagement shoot I couldn’t have pictured her turning into one anyways. Luckly I was absolutely correct. The day started off as another beautiful day full of sunshine as I arrived at the Turtle Bay Resort to photograph the bride during her morning preparation. As I began photographing the weather did a complete 180 and down came the pouring rain. Tanya’s reaction “Well, its suppose to be good luck if it rains on your wedding right?” Sure enough the rain passed and the day was beautiful again. All was good until an hour later when the air conditioner in the room goes out. The room got so hot with a bride, 2 bridesmaids, the brides mum, 2 hair/makeup artists and myself in it that I had to change into a cotton t-shirt since the one I was wearing was getting soaked in sweat. Opening the window did absolutely nothing since it had just rained and the humidity had increased outside. Tanya stayed calm sipping on her glass of wine while the repair guys fixed the AC and got it up and running again. Finally the time approached to put on her amazing dress where the realization came that the wedding she had been dreaming of was only moments away.

Lately, I’ve been getting quite a bit of enquiries from out-of-state couples searching for a destination wedding photographer in Hawaii. When I first spoke with Christine and Juan over email they had a very unique request for their Central Union Church in the Atherton Memorial Chapel wedding. They had currently been working with a destination wedding planning company to take care of the events for the wedding day, which already came with a ceremony-only photographer and videographer, but for Christine she had no clue who these people were or what quality of photos this crew published so they hired me as their full day wedding photographer to make sure their day was photographed to the fullest extent. The kicker was I had to played second-fiddle during the 30 minute ceremony to allow the company’s photographer and videographer to get their coverage of the wedding. For me it wasn’t an issue because their team covered all the formal family photos (not saying that I don’t enjoy do family formals!) but I’m going to admit they did hog the couple a bit during bride and groom formals after the ceremony. Unfortunately, I couldn’t really do anything about it because it was the companies deal with Christine and Juan so I made up for it a little later that afternoon. The rest of day was wonderful, a little on hot side, but still a great day for a small wedding in the islands. The couple reserved a spot at the Azure Restaurant located in the Royal Hawaiian Hotel for a reception dinner. Their friends and family from California and Hong Kong all participated in the restaurants tasting menu (which was ridiculously GOOD by the way I highly recommend it!) and just shared some great times throughout the night. Overall it was a great day with great company…

Congrats Christine & Juan! Being your destination wedding photographer was such a treat!

It was a great Labor day weekend being Christine and Juan’s Destination wedding photographer. I’m not going to lie but it was dreadfully hot the whole day but as the ceremony completed and things slowly settled down I manage to get this photo of Juan and his mother during dinner. As I snapped it she tells her son “your officially free to leave the nest!” Even though the wedding is 99% the brides day, I love seeing the simple connection a mother has with her son…even when he left the nest along time ago.