• Real Weddings

When it comes to planning a destination wedding, COVID protocols make it even more challenging than it needs to be. Thankfully the pros have had over two years to get the swing of it, so your best bet is to hire a team that you trust wholeheartedly like this couple did with their wedding in Hawaii. The biggest tip we can give to couples planning a destination wedding in this day and age is to think local, even when it comes to decor. Going with local flowers, local food, and especially, local vendors limits the opportunity for shipping and supply chain issues that have become more and more common of late. Plus, it's a great way to really immerse your guests in a once-in-a-lifetime local experience.

Sun Soul Style Interiors and Tie The Knot Hawaii worked together to help this couple design their dream boho island wedding. We love that the color palette was muted yet still colorful enough to bring those tropical vibes. These florals by Flowers By Emma Kauai are absolutely spectacular and we love how they incorporated a ton of local greenery. The slightly cloudy day created the perfect setup for these gorgeous photos by Julia Kathleen Photography. Keep scrolling to read more from Christina of Sun Soul Style Interiors about how they pulled off this couple's dream wedding. And, be sure to check out the full gallery to see all the photos from this lovely day. 

LEAN ON YOUR VENDORS 

In December 2019, Alyssa and Casey Candelaria were engaged on the beach near their home in Bird Rock, San Diego. The couple immediately set to wedding planning, dreaming of a 100-person affair on the North Shore of Kauai, on the property where Alyssa’s father has been a caretaker for over 20 years. However, a few months after their engagement, COVID-19 brought the world to a screeching halt. “As the reality of the pandemic set in, it brought a lot of stress and frustration,” Alyssa says. But, the couple decided to push forward and hope for the best. "While the details were absolutely beautiful, what really stood out to me about that day was spending an incredible night with all of the people we love the most in our special place. It really taught us to be patient, accept things we couldn’t control, and most importantly, be flexible!” The couple leaned heavily on Christina Higham of Sun Soul Style Interiors and Heather Singleton of Tie The Knot Hawaii for all of the day-of details, from decor to food vendors, as due to travel restrictions they wouldn’t be able to visit for customary tastings or site visits. However, given how much time the couple had spent on the Kilauea property, they knew it would be the perfect setting for their vision of a tropical bohemian wedding.

GETTING CREATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE

Christina worked closely with the couple on the day-of details and got creative on ways they could create the tropical wedding of their dreams on a smaller budget. Vintage brassware was placed on tables with an assortment of tropical flowers by Flowers By Emma Kauai. To get creative with their budget, the couple opted for compostable bamboo plates–which looked great when paired with coral gauze napkins and brass flatware. Alyssa had always dreamed of having a disco ball at her wedding, and local vendor, Hilight Installations, had the idea of rigging one above the dance floor amidst tropical palm leaves. Guests took in the tropical decor from a retro rattan lounge set provided by Atmosphere Rentals, where they had the opportunity to snap Polaroids to press into a guest book as a keepsake for the couple.

A BLESSING FROM ABOVE

The ceremony took place on a bluff at the edge of the property overlooking stunning Secrets Beach. The ceremony, officiated by Casey’s father Tom, included personal anecdotes and readings from family members, followed by vows Casey and Alyssa had written to each other. Kauai is home to “the wettest spot on Earth” just up the mountain from Waimea, and sure enough, the ceremony was blessed with a Hawaiian rain shower! Cora Mira played acoustic guitar while Julia Kathleen and Surf And Pine captured every incredible moment in beautiful photos and video.

LOCAL TALENT

Highlighting local food and vendors was incredibly important to the couple. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed fresh sushi, ice-cold coconuts, and delicious cocktails mixed with fresh juice from Kauai Juice Co by bartenders Pau Hana Pours. The couple opted to do a more casual, local-style plate lunch by local caterer Pomai Kai, complete with local favorites like mac salad and Kalua Pork, followed by dessert which included a lilikoi cake by Ko Bakery and an assortment of pastries by Kilauea Bakery. After dinner, guests danced under the disco ball to tunes spun by a friend of the couple. Spam musubi, a local favorite, was passed out as a late-night snack.

Advice for COVID couples

1. Be grateful for whatever happens and remind yourself of the reason behind the wedding. Things will probably not go 100% as planned, so prepare for the worst but hope for the best. Adopt a flexible mentality and be patient. Everything will turn out how it was meant to and the most important aspect is about you marrying your person!
2. ENJOY the planning process, even when it is stressful, and make sure you are savoring every moment of the bonding it will provide between you and your partner!
3. Have your caterer make you a special plate of appetizers for you and your partner. You will be so busy talking to people and taking photos that you might miss the passed apps–and you don't to miss getting to taste that amazing food!

• Bar Services: Pau Hana Pours
• Bridesmaid Dresses: Lulus
• Cakes & Catering: Ko Bakery
• Cakes & Catering: Kimiko
• Couple: Alyssa Candelaria (Alarcon)
• Couple: Casey Candelaria
• Event Planning & Design: Sun Soul Style Interiors
• Event Planning & Design: Tie The Knot Hawaii
• Flowers: Flowers By Emma Kauai
• Groom & His Men: Suit Supply
• Hair, Makeup & Beauty: The Artists Co
• Hand Painted Signange: Hapa Haloa
• Lighting, Entertainment & Photo Booth: Hilight Installations
• Live Music: Cora Mira
• Luxury Bathrooms: VIP Rentals
• Paper Goods & Calligraphy: Rachel Marvin
• Rentals: Kauai Tent
• Rentals: Destination Events
• Rentals: Atmosphere Rentals Kauai
• Wedding Dresses: Lovely Bride
• Wedding Films: Surf And Pine
• Wedding Photographers: Julia Kathleen Photography