Every wedding has its own energy, its own unique vibe. For these two, it was all about fun.

The atmosphere on their wedding day was filled with a light-hearted joy and everyone was ready to celebrate. Amy and Riley chose to celebrate their love at the majestic Na Aina Kai Botanical gardens on the north shore of Kauai. This couple radiated joy and laughter and were celebrated by a wonderful group of family and friends. One of my favorite parts of the job is seeing family and friends coming together for a special occasion. It’s a privilege to witness.

The Ceremony was held at the Seaside Meadow just a few feet from the sand. You could feel the salt in the air and the hear the gentle roll of the waves as the guests patiently waited for the bride to arrive. The ceremony was officiated by a friend of the bride, who delivered some big laughs and even a few tears as the couple made their commitment to each other.

The party kicked off quickly with signature cocktails and an adult version of shaved ice. The wedding was catered by Destination Events and they crafted some unique appetizers to keep this fun loving crowd well fed .The dinner reception took place under a clear top tent that was beautifully designed styled Legacy Events.

Taking advantage of the expansive botanical garden, we headed out by golf cart to create some stunning portraits of the newly weds. We had some fun working around the incredible gardens and found some perfect backgrounds that highlight the more tropical landscaping around the Ka’ula lagoon. The are a number of idyllic settings for beautiful photos around the gardens. This is one of the many reasons I love working at Na Aina Kai. To learn more about the gardens check out my blog post: Kauai Wedding Venue – Na Aina Kai.

This group was not shy, and they flooded the dancefloor on the very first song of the evening. The warm glow from the clear top tent radiated through the night as everybody celebrated on their feet dancing the night away.
This was a really fun day to be a part of and looking back at these images has me smiling.
Hope you enjoy!

Creative Team:
Coordinator: Legacy Events
Venue: Na Aina Kai
HMU: Mia Moriguchi
Catering: Destination Events

Kauai is the most northwestern of the Hawaiian islands. It is small in size, but grand in beauty. It is truly a natural wonderland with pristine beaches, emerald green mountains, and cascading waterfalls. All of this stunning beauty makes it the perfect backdrop for your intimate wedding.

As an elopement photographer on Kauai, I have the unique privilege of capturing some of the most intimate and beautiful moments of couples’ lives in this special place. It fills my heart to capture these special memories and to share the beauty of Kauai with them. It is true that every island in Hawaii has its unique charms, but Kauai stands out as one of the best. There are many reasons to choose Kauai for your destination elopement, but if I had to narrow it down, these would be the top three …

The Stunning Scenery

Kauai is known as the Garden Isle for its lush, green, unique scenery. From the rugged coastline of the Na Pali, to the dramatic emerald green mountains and waterfalls, Kauai offers an abundance of breathtaking backdrops for your elopement photos. Whether you want to exchange vows on a secluded beach or atop a cliff overlooking the ocean, there are many locations for your intimate ceremony on this island paradise.

Intimate Experience

Kauai is a small remote island where the pace of life moves slow and the word “aloha” has a deep meaning. It is a place to escape the high/fast pace lifestyle of a city and to unwind and enjoy the pristine surroundings. Given its isolation and small town feel, Kauai exudes a sense of intimacy and romance that few places in the world can offer.
Eloping on Kauai allows you to escape the crowds and experience the island’s beauty in a more intimate way. Instead of focusing on all the details of a large wedding, you can focus on each other and be more present to enjoy this special time in your lives. This small little island in the middle of the pacific is the perfect place for a romantic getaway for two.

Adventure

Kauai is an island of adventure. With lots of amazing hiking trails, ocean adventures and endless exploring, Kauai offers some of the most stunning natural beauty in Hawaii. Whether you want to trek down the Na Pali to a 300′ waterfall or paddle down a peaceful river in Hanalei, Kauai is the island to get outdoors and experience nature. There are endless opportunities to create once in a life time experiences and unforgettable memories.

The experience you will have eloping on Kauai will be unlike any other. Allow the majestic beauty of this idyllic island to wash over you and find the perfect setting to make your commitment to each other. 

At least once a week, I make time in my calendar to capture photographs of Kauai’s unparalleled beauty. It is an intentional act that I believe is very important as it allows me to practice my craft freely, in a way that feeds my deep love for photography. I look for places and moments that resonate with my artistic style and find a way to capture them in my own, unique way.

One of my favorite pastimes is hiking the Kalalau Trail. This is one of the most spectacular hikes in Hawaii, and in my opinion, one of the best in the world. It truly is a sight to behold and a must if you are the adventurous type. The trail climbs up and down the lush rainforest on Kauai’s north shore and offers incredible views of Ke’e Beach, the wild open Pacific Ocean, and of course, the mighty Na Pali Coast.

An assortment of Hawaiian ferns and Hala trees line the trail. Each valley you climb in and out of offers an incredible vista of the expansive, and sometimes fierce, Hawaiian ocean. Even though I’ve walked this trail many a time, it is still so exciting to experience and gives me immense gratitude for this life and the opportunity to witness such natural beauty. The entire trail is rigorous and not for inexperienced hikers, however, you can enjoy much of the beauty within the first few miles of the walk.

If you are on island and want to experience this first hand, please find more information on the DLNR’s website for more about the park and making reservations. Non-residents need to make a reservation to access the park so be sure to book well in advance. To cut down on the number of cars traveling out to that fragile part of the island, it is highly recommend to use the North Shore Shuttle. Kauai is a very fragile and unique ecosystem and anything thing we can do to help conserve its natural beauty is much appreciated.

Mahalo,

Sebastian