This blog is super exciting to write because this is about my wedding! Planning my wedding to Clay has been an absolute dream come true, and I’m thrilled to share our journey of love, resilience, and celebration. From Clay’s Christmas proposal to the enchanting wedding day on Kauai, captured beautifully by Bradyhouse Studios, every moment was a testament to the unique bond we share. Read on to learn more about our wedding, the planning behind it and some wedding inspo.

xo,
Jena
Assistant to Bradyhouse Studios

Photo + Video | Meg, Peter, Micah + Dayna, Bradyhouse Studios
Day of Coordinator | Lotus Events & Weddings
Ceremony Venue | NTBG
Reception Venue | Koloa Landing Resort
Florals | Blooms by Kim
HMUA | Stephanie, Misti + Cheyenne, The Artists Co.
Love Seat, Ceremony Chairs, Lounge Set | Transcend Events
Transportation | Kauai Luxury Transportation
DJ, Emcee, Uplighting + Cold Sparks | DJ Mike, Kustom Sounds Kauai
Cake | Cravings of Kauai
Dress + Wings | Bijou Bridal Honolulu
Suit | Indochino
Vow + Officiant Script Help | Provenance

Clay’s Christmas proposal marked the beginning of our incredible journey. Originally, we dreamed of a destination wedding in Greece or Mexico, but we realized the importance of having our parents with us on this special day. Living on the stunning island of Kauai, we decided to make the most of our surroundings and create a wedding that reflected our love story – a Covid and Bumble connection that led us to this beautiful moment.

As a self-proclaimed maximalist, I envisioned a wedding with a retro, 70s-inspired theme bursting with color. My bridal attire, a clean white gown from Bijou Bridal on Oahu, featured chiffon wings instead of a traditional veil, green velvet heels, gold jewelry, and a triple-strand crown flower lei. Clay looked dashing in a sage green custom-fitted suit by Indochinno, perfectly complementing our vibrant vision.

Saying “I Do” at a Private Waterfall: Our Intimate Ceremony

Choosing to say “I do” at a private waterfall in the National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kauai’s south shore made our ceremony intimate and magical. Surrounded by our closest family and friends, our dear friend Megan, ordained for the occasion, officiated the ceremony, and Clay and I exchanged handwritten vows against the backdrop of Kauai’s lush beauty.

Sunset Photos and Magic with Bradyhouse Studios

Post-ceremony, Clay and I had a magical sunset photoshoot on a nearby beach with Bradyhouse Studios. To see the same talented team that captured countless beautiful weddings now capturing our special day was surreal. The beach setting, combined with the photographers’ magic, resulted in images that left us and everyone who saw them speechless.

A Maximalist’s Vision: Retro-Inspired with a Dash of Unconventionality

My wedding planning journey led me down many Pinterest rabbit holes, and the result was a visually stunning decor. Heart-shaped sunglasses replaced traditional escort cards, and fairy lights adorned our sweetheart table backdrop. Blooms by Kim embraced my colorful vision, delivering exquisite floral arrangements that adorned everything from my bouquet to the bar floral piece.

In place of a traditional guest book, we opted for a record player with a vinyl for our guests to sign, intending to frame it as a piece of wall art. Originally, I had ordered a custom-designed vinyl on Etsy, but shipping to Hawaii has its flaws. To overcome the delay, I got creative and spray-coated a vinyl from my dad’s collection, turning it into a unique and sentimental piece for our home. Sometimes things don’t go as plan and you have to be ready to roll with the punches!

Incorporating our kids and dogs into our wedding was paramount. Our daughter and son joined our bridal party, adding an extra layer of love and family to our celebration. To honor our furry friends, we named our signature drinks after them – the DJ (signature mai tai) and the Enzo (butterfly pea flower lemonade mocktail with edible glitter). Wooden bar sticks, etched with their adorable faces, completed this personalized touch.

Returning to Koloa Landing Resort for our reception under twinkle lights and stars felt like a fairy tale. The lawn outside the ballroom became the perfect canvas for an enchanting evening. The decor, inspired by months of planning and Pinterest inspiration, exceeded all my expectations, creating a magical atmosphere for our celebration.

We decided to keep the evening informal, prioritizing mingling and dancing. DJ Mike, owner and experienced DJ of Kustom Sounds Kauai, utilized our custom playlist that turned the dance floor into a lively celebration. An unannounced cake cutting ceremony, featuring my heart shaped, vintage style cake, added a delightful touch to the night.

A Piece of Advice for Future Brides and Grooms

Reflecting on our best day ever (now I understand when people say this bold testament!), my advice to future brides and grooms is simple: stay true to yourselves during the planning process and, most importantly, have fun with it. Our vibrant celebration of love on Kauai stands as a testament to the power of authenticity, resilience, and the joy that comes when two souls unite in a beautiful destination wedding.

As a future bride, groom or friend of such, I know wedding inspo is always sought out after. To provide you with some bonus inspo for your wedding or elopement, I’ve provided a link below to my custom curated playlists from my wedding evening, plus other important songs from our day. The playlists are a bit off the normal beaten path of wedding music, so if that resonates with you, it might be worth checking out. Enjoy!

Jena’s Custom Curated Wedding Playlists on Spotify:
Cocktail Hour | Dinner | Dancing | First Dance Song | Ceremony Processional Song 1 | Ceremony Processional Song 2

**If you enjoyed these photographs or if you know Jena & Clay, be sure to click the “like” button below and feel free to leave them some love in the comments section! Thank you so much for being here and I hope you have a beautiful day! xo, Meg