Photographer: brett Hutton
Josie & Rick chose Lydgate Beach Park on Kauai for their beach wedding location. However, when we all got there, we discovered a massive storm six weeks earlier that had dumped 50 inches of rain in 24 hrs had left the beach covered in logs and storm debris! So instead of a ceremony on the beach, we found a perfect little spot tucked in the trees just above the beach.
Rick arrived first and received his maile lei from Todd, the wedding officiant. Rick then stood staring out to sea as he waited patiently until he could see his bride.
First Look
As a wedding photographer, I've seen planned First Looks that were nowhere close to as sweet as the obvious connection and emotion I watched between Josie & Rick! I loved that everyone quietly gave them several minutes to just look at each other and express their love silently. Wow...
The Ceremony
Josie & Rick kept their ceremony short and sweet, first exchanging Hawaiian leis before saying their vows.
The solemnity of the ring exchange was broken with laughter when Josie tried to slide Rick's wedding band on his finger...only to find it wouldn't quite fit!
Once Rick got his ring on, Todd proudly announced the newlyweds to all their gathered friends and family and invited Josie & Rick to seal the deal with a wedding kiss. Which they happily proceed to do.
After receiving hugs and well wishes from their friends and family, Josie & Rick offered love leis to each one individually.
It's always obvious when people have a close connection because even when they aren't focused on anything in particular they tend to gravitate towards each other and circle a shared point.
Wedding Party Portraits
With the ceremony over, it was time for portrait photos with friends and family who had made the trek to Kauai with Josie & Rick.
Josie & Rick
With sunset fast approaching, I took Josie & Rick off alone for some lovely portraits of the two newlyweds. Usually, getting the new husband to snuggle romantically with his wife is a bit of a challenge as, face it, we men aren't normally that comfortable being so demonstrative in public, let alone with a camera pointed at us! But Rick was clearly the opposite, so obviously happy to be married!
It's always so delightful as a wedding photographer to get couples who are perfectly willing to tromp thru woods, navigate log jumbles and dance in the ocean waves, getting all wet and sandy just so we can get gorgeous shots like these!
Congratulations to Josie & Rick on your sweet and lovely Kauai elopement! It was a pleasure to be your wedding photographer and to meet you and your crazy fun friends. Much love from Hawaii
Aloha & Mahalo!
Credits:
Copyright Bodhi Hutton, Lightness Photography