Jenni and Dane's relationship first began in Maui, Hawaii, so there was never any doubt that the longtime sweethearts would host a hometown celebration in the great outdoors.
The Love Story
My older sister introduced me to Dane when I was 14-years-old and we instantly fell in love. He was charming, confident and intelligent. Though we were very young there was never a doubt that we wouldn't end up married one day. Dane became a part of our family right away. As far back as anyone can remember it's always been Jenni and Dane. He made me wait ten long years before he proposed to me! We had just had a rough year, with me losing my father and Dane undergoing open heart surgery. Dane felt that it was time we all had something to be happy about. He proposed at Honomanu Bay on our way to Keanae for a weekend getaway. We were the only people there that day and he pulled his truck up to the river that empties into the ocean and asked me to come sit with him on the rocks. With our feet in the water and looking up at the mountains he told me he loved me and wanted to marry me. He had a bottle of champagne waiting in the cooler and we spent the morning playing in the river and feeling like we were the only people in the world.
The Dress
I traveled to Honolulu to look for my dress with my sister and best friend. After three days I hadn't found the one yet. The styles I thought I wanted didn't end up feeling right. I was trying on everything and anything, and after my 5th princess gown I was feeling lost. I wanted to stay true to my simple and classic style but still stand-out. After missing our flight home on the third day I found the dress. It was a strapless ivory chiffon gown by Vera Wang, part of her White collection. It was the perfect combination of sexy and elegant. I paired it with aquamarine jewelry that Dane gifted me for my 16th birthday and a simple green head piece.
The Locale
Since we both grew up in Maui and it is the place we fell in love, we knew there would be no better place to host our wedding. From very early in our relationship I had dreamed that we would be married at our dear friends plantation home in Makawao. When it came time to plan our big day I knew exactly what I wanted, right down to the tree we would say "I do" beneath. I enlisted my sister to help with my vision. A creative being at heart (and control freak) it came very natural to her and it was a process we both enjoyed sharing with one another throughout my two year engagement. Since the property is so green and beautiful, it needed little adornment. We wanted a rustic vibe that celebrated nature. I grew up in the upcountry area of Maui and wanted to incorporate florals and greenery that reminded me of my childhood. Our dear friends Shannon and Annie Heid of Annie Heid Flowers helped put together our bouquets and simple centerpieces. We used king proteas, succulents, hydrangeas, and for that amazing smell that always takes me back to my childhood, eucalyptus. We incorporated antique bottles that my father had collected throughout his life and driftwood my sister found on the beach and hand painted.
The Scene
We were married with cascading white dendro orchids and lilikoi vines hanging from driftwood behind us. We had a lounge area in the yard for guest to relax on and enjoy. We used the koa wood furniture of Danes child hood and the pine wood chest of my great grandfathers. We wanted a very casual and relaxed feeling that would make our guest feel comfortable and at home. A sit where you want, eat when you want, drink as much as you want sort of vibe. We had some amazing help from family and friends to make our dream a reality and we are still so grateful for the parts each person played. My uncle, the younger brother of my father was the officiant of our wedding. It seemed more personal to have someone that knew us and our love from the beginning. My best friends daughter was our flower girl and wore a hand made dress crocheted by her grandmother. My sister Krista and Danes brother Louis walked arm and arm with bare feet down the aisle and stood by our sides during the ceremony. My brother held my hand as he led me through the grass towards Dane. Our ceremony was short and simple, my uncle recited a native american poem and spoke about celebrating the love and family that Dane and I had already formed over so many years together.
The Party
Then it was off to the tent for a night of local food prepared by The Daily Grindz and Mama's Fish House, way too many tequila shots, and an epic dance party to country music. My aunt made an amazing naked cake from scratch garnished with rosemary, lavender, and succulents from Annie Heid's garden. It was a perfect day.
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