Brittany and Matthew’s Thoughtful Wedding at Lanikuhonua

Brittany and Matthew’s wedding felt intentional from the very beginning. Not in a way that felt overworked or overly styled, but in that grounded, thoughtful way where you can tell every decision actually meant something to them.

Their design leaned into a tropical color palette, but with a little more depth than you might expect. There were vibrant, playful tones layered with richer, moodier colors that kept everything feeling balanced and elevated. It felt cohesive, but still full of personality, which is honestly one of our favorite combinations.

Some of the most meaningful moments came from the personal details woven throughout the day. They incorporated sentimental heirlooms in a way that felt natural and deeply personal, including rosary beads, a statuette of Mary, and champagne flutes gifted by family members. They also honored the groom’s Jewish heritage with the breaking of the glass at the end of the ceremony, which was such a powerful moment. Even their cake included a small figurine of their dog, a sweet nod to their everyday life together.

These are the kinds of details that do more than just look beautiful. They carry history, memory, and meaning. And when you bring those elements into a destination wedding, it creates this sense of familiarity and connection that guests can really feel.

It was also really important to them to acknowledge Hawaii in a way that felt respectful and genuine. One of the ways they did that was through a custom pamphlet that shared Hawaiian words and their meanings with their guests. It created a deeper connection to the place they had chosen and helped guests feel more grounded in the experience, not just present for it.

As the evening unfolded, the sunset completely showed off. It stretched across the horizon and cast this warm, golden light over the entire space. Everything slowed down a bit. People lingered longer, conversations felt softer, and there was this quiet sense that everyone knew they were part of something special.

At its core, their wedding felt like them. Thoughtful, personal, and full of heart. Nothing felt forced or like it was trying too hard. It just felt real, and those are always the celebrations that stay with you.

Photography by Emily Turner

If you’d like a closer look at this venue, you can read our blog post featuring Lanikuhonua.

If you’re planning a destination wedding in Hawaii and want it to feel just as thoughtful and personal, we’d love to help guide you through the process. Tell us your love story.