Bryan & Marlee’s Maui Elopement: Back to Where It All Started
Bryan and Marlee's love story began right here in the Hawaiian islands, and it was only fitting that they would return to exchange their vows in this breathtaking setting.
Bryan had contacted our team a few months in advance, expressing his desire to elope in Hawaii, the same place where he had proposed to Marlee in 2022.
Our Maui elopement planning team took care of every detail, from coordinating with local vendors to crafting an itinerary that would bring their vision to life.
This exciting day started with creative couple portraits, utilizing the dramatic black lava rocks as a stunning backdrop that would perfectly contrast with her white dress.
Something really special about elopements is that couples get to prioritize what means the most for them; You can wear shoes or can be barefoot with your feet in the sand; you can plan to write your vows in advance or improvise a heartfelt speech for your partner; you can have guests (or not); you can have a cake (or not); you can get married in a garden, or a beach, or even a helicopter!. It’s a free style drawing that you get to paint yourself. And we just love being part of that process of creativity and intentionality.
Bryan had a special surprise for her wife to be. Carefully crafted by our talented local florist, Andrea, this white flower bouquet held a special meaning – a place to clip the medal bearing the photo of Marlee's beloved grandfather, who is no longer on this earthly plane. Similarly, Bryan had carried a medal with a photo of his own cherished family member, a touching tribute to those who had paved the way for their union.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, we headed to Po’olenalena Beach for an intimate sunset ceremony.
Bryan and Marlee had described their ideal ceremony as "simple, sweet, and filled with love," and their officiant Wai's approach perfectly captured that sentiment. Wai’s unique style blends a meditative, grounding presence with a focus on centering the couple and their love.
With just the two of them and our team, the intimate setting allowed the couple to be fully present in the moment, exchanging vows and sealing their commitment to one another.
Marlee shared how she would love to someday come back to Maui with their children and show them where their family first started. These sneak peek images taken by our Maui photographers reflect the special memories that Bryan and Marlee created and we hope they serve as a reminder of their beautiful journey.
"Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever... It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything." - Aaron Siskind
For couples seeking an untraditional, intentional Hawaii wedding, our team at Vanessa Arias Photography is here to help. We'll work with you to craft your dream day, whether it's an intimate elopement or a larger celebration, and capture the magic in stunning, emotive photographs that will transport you back to that moment of pure connection and love.
Contact us today to start planning your Hawaiian destination wedding.
