Amy + Joel | Kukahiko Estate Wedding | Destination Wedding in Maui, Hawaii

I’m 100% aware that I am the luckiest person in the world to have the job as a destination wedding photographer, but this week in Maui didn’t once feel like work. It took me over a month to feel like I’d properly processed this entire wedding week. Why? Because Amy + Joel planned their Maui wedding with the purest intentions and priorities. With only 20 wedding guests joining them on the gorgeous Hawaiian island of Maui, it was clear that family is the most important thing in the world to them.

After stepping off the plane, the 30 degree heat hit me right in the face. I could pretty much hear the waves from the airport + I was so stoked to be in Hawaii for the first time! I met up with Amy + Joel right away and we hung out at their hotel catching up + taking some pre-wedding photos! The next day I spent scouting + getting my bearings before their rehearsal + dinner at the Maui Brewing Company. It was so much fun to get to know all their guests before the wedding day!

On the morning of January 2nd, I headed over to the Grand Wailea to hang out with the girls as they got ready for the day! The girls from Kipona Aloha Beauty killed hair + makeup, the bouquets from Dellables Floral were STUNNING, and Kara from Your Aloha Wedding kept us all on track AND is just the sweetest human you’ll ever meet.

Their ceremony at Kukahiko Estates overlooked the ocean + sprawling lava rock. Tino made their ceremony personal + emotional, including Hawaiian traditions such as the exchanging of Lei. One of my favorite moments was just after the ceremony when their musician, Micah, started playing Amy’s parent’s song and without skipping a beat they started dancing like they were in their own world. We purposely saved most of the portraits for a day-after session so Amy + Joel could maximize the time spent with their guests after the ceremony! They made things official + signed all the documents, were smothered in hugs from everyone, popped not 1, but 7 bottles of bubbly, and took lots of fun photos with their wedding party!

When the last ray of sun fell below the horizon, we headed to Gannon’s Restaurant for their intimate reception on the lower lawn. As I turned the corner and their family-style wooden table came into view, my jaw hit the floor. Set under palm trees and paper lanterns with views over the golf course and towards the ocean, it was the perfect setting for the rest of the evening. After dinner came emotional speeches (no surprise if you know this family), traditional cake cutting, and the most dreamy first dance. For a small group of 23 people, this dance floor was PACKED and I love that Amy’s dad stole my camera for a few minutes and got a few of me with the newlyweds! Usually when this happens I get a whole lotta out-of-focus, so this was a surprising treat!

In typical Amy fashion, this girl had the sweetest things to say about hiring me as her wedding photographer. Aaaaand she managed to put together the most eloquent review…before she had even seen 98% of her photos!

<< Where do I start with Megan? It’s hard to come up with the proper adjectives to describe her as a person, and artistically. Our pictures, are pure magic – and that’s all thanks to Megan. Her ability to capture light, moments, colour, emotions, and details small and large is incomparable. She makes you and your partner feel like the most important people in the world everyday after you sign her. And on your wedding day, she makes you feel like the only people in the world. Megan Steen treats you with respect and kindness, takes your lead, and makes you feel comfortable being led. She is so funny, down to earth, full of charisma, and down for any adventure. She also was so flexible with us when our stuff was a mess and we couldn’t figure out where we wanted to shoot! It was so nice to have that non-judgmental support. She also took so much initiative on making sure she “scouted out” the shooting locations. This is what I’m trying to highlight about Megan – it’s all these little things she does that might seem insignificant at the time, but that’s what (in my opinion) sets her apart from everyone else we considered. She also is just a killer photographer. You will not be disappointed if you book her, but you will be if you don’t. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts Megan. >>

View more destination weddings here :

Gillian + Michael at the Spice Factory
Kelly + Wes’ Big Sur Adventure Elopement

And if you’re interested in planning a wedding or elopement in Hawaii, flights from Vancouver are quick + painless, let’s make it happen!