Weddings have, for a long time, been subject to locked-in traditions that can be costly and time-consuming and could even take away some of the personality of a couple. However, more and more couples are starting to look at things differently. They’re starting to move away from typical wedding traditions and instead are looking to define their own big day and do things how they want to. And it’s ... Read more
Our Second Anniversary
Jana Dillon Photography, Hawaii Two years ago today, the Rev. Kahu Kamuela blew a conch shell to let me know it was time to walk down the grassy knoll to my soon-to-be husband. I won't recap the whole wedding, because I already did that on this blog. Today, on our second anniversary, I just want to share my thoughts on our two years of marriage so far. When this post goes live, Graham ... Read more
6 Etsy Purchases I Loved for Wedding Planning
Etsy vendors helped me immensely as I planned our Maui wedding. I gravitated toward romantic, floral designs in everything I ordered — to match my new last name. In the age of Pinterest, it's easy to get carried away with DIY, but chances are there's an item on Etsy that is both beautiful and reasonably priced. And vendors will often customize your item if you request it. My favorite ... Read more
Maui Wedding Tips
Getting married in Maui was a dream come true. It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be though. Graham and I didn't just show up one day and have everything ready to go. You CAN do that, if you don't mind having someone else make decisions for you. But I wanted a say in most things. ... I was recently asked on Instagram for advice on Maui wedding planning. I've come up with some tips based on ... Read more
Our Maui Wedding Ceremony and Reception at Gannon’s
In what seemed like a blur, I made my way to Gannon's for our wedding ceremony after a day of snorkeling and getting ready. Gannon's is a restaurant at a golf club in Wailea, and it was recently featured on "Top Chef." It's a beautiful and relatively affordable venue for a wedding on Maui. My coordinator, our guests, the groomsmen and Graham were there waiting. Graham had decided to make the ... Read more
Maui Wedding: Getting Ready for the Big Day
I've been reliving our wedding day by looking through our photos. People are right when they say it all happens so fast. I'm glad I let myself feel all the emotions that came with the big day: stress, excitement, happiness, love, gratitude — all of it. I loved our wedding. After snorkeling, we went back to the hotel to get ready. Graham worked tirelessly to take care of everything that came up so ... Read more
Wedding Day Snorkeling in Maui
Our wedding day came and went much too quickly. I woke up after finally getting enough rest to find Graham was gone. He had woken up early to purchase pineapples for our wedding table and get me an iced Granita from Lava Java in Kihei. There was a beautifully written letter waiting for me on the bathroom counter. I couldn't believe the day had arrived! This was actually the first time in a ... Read more
Foodie Friday: Hawaii Vacation Eats
One of my favorite things to do on vacation? Pig out. Our wedding and honeymoon trips were no exception. Top left: Non-GMO veggie taco from a farmers market (Wednesday nights) in Kalapana, Hawaii. Top center: One of many juices. Top right: Sushi Shiono in Kailua-Kona. Left: Waialua soda in Lilikoi flavor and iced white mocha coffee at Rainbow Falls Cafe, Hilo, ... Read more
I miss those Maui sunsets
Arizona sunsets are epic, but Hawaii gives my home state some stiff competition for loveliest skies.Exhibit A:Exhibit B:And one more sunset:The sunset on our wedding day was amazing as well. I can't wait to get the photos back from our photographer! ... Read more
My Bridal Shower at True Food Kitchen in Phoenix
The wedding festivities began the week before our trip with my bachelorette and bridal shower. The day of my bachelorette was spent battling the first symptoms of a cold and stressing out about what to wear. I didn't quite feel good in anything. I found a dress I thought I'd like, but then when I got home I felt not so pretty. Graham was incredibly patient with me. He took me back to the store to ... Read more