Oahu will always have my heart, so getting to share it with couples who choose to get married here is the sweetest full-circle moment. Kenzie and Joshua flew to the island for the first time to say “I do,” and trusted me not only to document it but to help guide them through the whole experience. Oahu holds a special place in my heart—I once called it home and completely fell in love with island life and the Hawaiian culture. Coming back to document love stories here always feels like returning to somewhere familiar.

From the start, I guided Kenzie and Joshua through what it means to get married in Hawaii: navigating the marriage license process, connecting them with @hokupacificofficiants for their ceremony, and sharing my favorite recommendations for where to stay, eat, and explore. It’s one of the things I love most about destination weddings; helping my couples move from planning to presence, fully wrapped up in the joy of the day.

On their wedding day, we started at their hotel in Waikiki, documenting the excitement and details before heading out to the beach. With the waves rolling in, Kenzie and Joshua exchanged vows in the sweetest, most intimate ceremony. The evening ended with sunset portraits along the Hawaiian coastline, just the two of them wrapped up in the moment while the sky put on its show.

The following day, we met up again on another side of the island to capture more portraits. Without the timeline of a wedding day, it was slower, more playful, and gave us the chance to explore a little deeper into Oahu. For Kenzie and Joshua, it was the perfect way to soak in more of the island and continue celebrating their love story.

Every time I photograph a wedding in Hawaii, I’m reminded why it’s such a special place to begin a marriage. The island has a way of slowing everything down, grounding you in the present moment, and making each memory feel timeless.

Photographer: @marissa_kaitlyn_

Officiant: @hokupacificofficiants