O'ahu Elopement adventure

Some days just feel like magic from the start. This sweet couple kicked off their elopement day tucked away in a lush, jungle-y hotel on the east side of O'ahu—quiet, green, and full of tropical charm. After getting ready, they shared a quiet first look on a dock over calm waters—just the two of them, surrounded by nature. Palm trees, birdsong, and soft morning light setting the tone. It was quiet and calm, the kind of peaceful that invites you to just breathe it all in.

From the moment the day started, this elopement felt like something truly special. Their first look happened on a little dock over the water, a sweet, quiet moment between just the two of them, surrounded by nature and stillness. From there, the bride and groom, their two best friends, the videographer and I headed to lunch to fuel up for the adventure ahead.

Lunch was at a newly re-opened restaurant, full of bright flavors and good vibes. The group shared plates of tacos, kimchi fried rice, kimbap rolls, and wagyu sliders—laughing, relaxing, soaking in the excitement of the day. After eating, the couple did a quick change into their hiking clothes right in the restaurant bathroom—because when you're eloping in Hawai'i, flexibility is part of the fun.

Backpacks were packed with everything we’d need: The wedding dress and suit, bouquet, a changing tent, camera gear, and more—literally all of it hiked up the mountain with us.

I absolutely adore adventures like this. There is something so gratifying about laughing and sweating your way through an adventure, to be rewarded by a ceremony with the most incredible views in the world. If you are considering doing anything adventurous during your elopement day -- a hike, a boat ride, swimming, a helicopter tour -- anything -- I am so down to capture every nerve, smile, and drop of excitement!

The ceremony spot? Absolutely breathtaking. Perched high above the coastline, it was wrapped in greenery and mountains, with sweeping views of the ocean below. Their best friends preformed the ceremony, they exchanged vows and rings, and it was both picture perfect and incredibly memorable.

The couple might have set the record for highest number of times changing outfits on a wedding day. After getting dressed at their hotel in the morning, they changed out of their wedding attire to wear hiking clothes, then at the top of the hike they changed back into their wedding attire, only to change OUT of it again after the ceremony for the hike back down! If you thought they were done there-- nope-- they had one more outfit change on the agenda for their time at the beach. Absolute troopers.

After some golden-hour portraits at the top, we made our way back down the trail, chatting and laughing the whole way. Miraculously, it only rained on us during the last few minutes of the hike, after being certain we'd get rained out earlier. We ended the day at the beach with a laid-back picnic, cake cutting, and a bottle of champagne It was the perfect ending to an elopement day.