When photographer Blenda Montoro shared Nikki and Kalawai'a touching love story with us, we just had to pass along the images from their stunning wedding on Kauai. You may recall their dreamy engagement session we featured last year. The intimate ceremony was held at the couple's favorite beach in Poipu. "We wanted to keep it simple and let the beauty of our island's beach and the serene ocean to speak for itself," says the bride.
The bride tells us, "June 15 was the day I married the man of my dreams. That morning, I opened my eyes to the most beautiful Kaua'i day...blue skies and trees swaying in the cool breeze." They chose to have the wedding party get ready at the Grand Hyatt Resort in Poipu, Kauai. "With spacious rooms and excellent service, we weren't disappointed," Nikki says. With the help of wedding coordinator, Alana Agustin, the bride organized the natural details of the day. "Alana tied together all the loose ends, coordinated all of our vendors, and made sure all my wishes were granted!" the bride says.
Photography by Blenda Montoro | Wedding Coordination by Alana Agustin | Hair + Makeup by Kristi Love, L.A.B. Salon | Wedding Dress by Pronovias via Casa Blanca Bridal | Videography by Maka Productions
"Kristi Love perfectly executed my request for natural yet glowing makeup and simple, wavy hair. I fashioned pikake, the traditional wedding flower into a haku lei. I also borrowed lei pupu (shell leis) from Ni'ihau. These lei were worn by my hanai tutu (adopted grandma) 60 years ago at her own Hawaiian wedding."
Nikki wore a Pronovias wedding gown made of Spanish Lace. She spotted it at Casa Blanca Bridal on O'ahu and just knew it was the one.
"We said our vows in a short ceremony, witnessed by about 150 family members and close friends. After our ceremony, we got to have an amazing love session done by our photographer, Blenda. We chose to take some pictures right there with the wedding party and family at Baby Beach, and then had a more intimate session with Blenda down the road at a spot called Spouting Horn, followed by more photos at our reception venue, the National Tropical Botanical Gardens."
The ceremony was held at a little beach my husband and I hold dear to our hearts, Baby Beach in Poipu. All the flowers and decorations were done by my kumu hula (hula teacher and also more like my second mom). I wanted to keep the look simple, as I wanted the beauty of the beach and the serene ocean to speak for itself. I carried a bouquet of my favorite flowers, Calla Lillies, which we collected up in the mountains of Koke'e. The breathtaking bouquet was crafted by the Kaua'i Lei Lady (Aunty Missy Foley). A close family friend who knew both my husband and I since we were young (Nalani Taylor) was our officiant. It was a true blessing to have someone so special to us to be able to marry me and Kalawai'a."
The groomsmen dressed island casual in khaki's and linen shirts with maile lei and lei pupu around their necks. "My handsome groom stood out because he wore the tradional and memorably fragrant and double-thick maile and mokihana entwined lei."
"And in true Hawaiian style, I went with nothing on my feet for the ceremony, just the sand between my toes. However, after the ceremony, I did put on an amazing pair of unique, hand-painted vegan leather heels that one of my sisters surprised me with from France!"
"Because we did our engagement photos with Blenda, she really got to know the way my husband and I photograph together so when it came time for the wedding pictures, we were all ready to go! Our session with her was just simply fun, light-hearted, and smooth! She had fantastic ideas for poses and backdrops. She guided us so well and made us both feel so comfortable. She was quick and efficient, and she had us back at our reception in no time, ready to dance the night away, under the stars on the beautiful south side of Kaua'i.
When I look back at the photos Blenda took, I can see the story of our love, the story she tells through the pictures. In her film, I can see the struggles of our past that we overcame. I can see the strength of our union, and I can see happiness together, for eternity."
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