Imagine exchanging vows in a place where dreams are woven from sunlight and sea spray. Kelsey and Adam did just that, turning their Kauai nuptials at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay into a storybook escape. Their wedding wasn’t just a ceremony; it was a celebration of love, adventure, and the kind of magic only an island paradise can conjure.

“We both love to travel,” Adam says, “and wanted our wedding to be an epic adventure for our guests.” Hanalei, Kauai, became their chosen stage. “Hanalei is magic,” Kelsey adds, “you can’t go there without being obsessed.” And it’s easy to see why.

The couple traded traditional for tropical at the stunning 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. With the help of wedding wizard Jennifer Pletcher of Mauna Creative, their vision blossomed into reality. Picture this: lush florals by Lost Girls Flowers & Events, dreamy stationery by MC Pressure, and a cake from 1 Hotel that was almost too pretty to eat. Kelsey stunned in a Vivienne Westwood gown, while Adam looked sharp in Ralph Lauren Purple Label. The bridal party was a vision in Ulla Johnson and The Black Tux.

But it wasn’t just about the glam. “We stressed from the beginning that we did not want a traditional ceremony,” Kelsey says. They opted for a courthouse commitment in snowy Aspen before jetting off to Kauai for the main event. Their ceremony was as laid-back as their love, with handwritten vows, a barefoot bride, and even a ring-bearing pup.

Planning a wedding from afar can feel like navigating a stormy sea, but these two had their compass. “Having an epic team saved us,” Kelsey says. Their advice? Find a wedding planner who knows their stuff and schedule a pre-wedding recon mission.

When asked how their 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay wedding would have been different if they’d stayed stateside, Kelsey didn’t hesitate: “I can’t imagine our wedding any other way. The magic of bringing everyone together in a faraway place was so important.”

So, to all the lovebirds dreaming of a destination wedding, Kelsey and Adam offer this wisdom: “Choose somewhere that is meaningful for you because these memories will last forever.” And don’t sweat the small stuff. After all, a little island magic can turn any hiccup into a heartwarming story.

Vendors: Photographer: Christina Cernik Photography; Wedding Planner: Jennifer Pletcher of Mauna Creative; Venue: 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay; Florist: Lost Girls Flowers & Events; Stationery: M.C. Pressure; Gown Designer: Vivienne Westwood; Groom’s Attire: Ralph Lauren Purple Label; Bridesmaids Dresses: Ulla Johnson; Men’s Attire: The Black Tux