Having grown up on the small island of Lanai, Meredith always knew she would come home for her wedding. “[Hawaii] holds a special place in my heart and I wanted to share that with David. Being able to share my home and the beautiful beaches of Hawaii with our friends and family in the context of our wedding was something very important to me.” 

After getting engaged, the couple decided the island of Maui would play host to their wedding dreams. “As soon as we announced our engagement and location of our wedding, our friends and family were eager to make it happen,” recalls the couple. “It wasn’t too hard to convince people to take a trip to paradise!” After all was said-and-done, Meredith and David were joined by 170 of their loved ones come W-Day.

When it came time to say “I do,” the couple kept things short and sweet. “The ceremony was amazing; it was very intimate and personal,” says the bride. “Being able to have such a personal ceremony along with an incredible backdrop of the Pacific Ocean really affirmed the reasons we wanted to get married in Maui.”

The couple was smart in letting their chosen destination do the hard work when it came to decorations. “With all of the amazing natural scenery, we went with more understated décor,” says Meredith. “It didn’t take much to create such a beautiful ambience. The reception was complete with a picture-perfect sunset over the island of Lanai and whales breaching right off the coast.”

Meredith was successful in making her destination wedding vision a reality and has advice for other couples taking the same path. “Establish the things that are of highest priority to you as a couple. Surround yourself with a team that you can trust and feel absolutely confident in. Doing so will alleviate a lot of stress and allow you to enjoy the moment.”

Vendors: Photographer: Justin Lee Photography, Wedding Planner: Lindsay Val Longacre with LVL Weddings and Events, Ceremony/Reception Site: Olowalu Plantation House, Florist: Mandy Grace Floral and Event Design, Stationery: Minted, Gown Designer: Nicole Miller, Groom’s Clothing Designer: J.Crew, Catering: Café O’Lei Catering, DJ: Maui Wedding DJ, Cocktail Bar: Maui Bars Are Us

This article first appeared in Destination I Do’s Fall/Winter 2015 issue. You can order a copy here.