They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but Yvette and David didn’t play by those rules. Instead, a few years after their eyes first met across a Las Vegas nightclub, the couple tied the knot on a historic plantation overlooking the Maui shore.

Yvette and David fell in love with Maui as a potential wedding site while on a family vacation. Plus, the picturesque setting offered a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of Sin City, where the couple lives with their young daughter. “Our family and friends couldn’t wait for a tropical vacation, in addition to sharing one of the most important days of our lives,” says Yvette.

While choosing the location – the oceanfront Olowalu Plantation House in West Maui – was easy, planning a destination wedding from more than 2,500 miles away posed some challenges. Once they booked the site, the couple would not be back until their wedding week, a decision Yvette recalls as “terrifying.” Instead, she turned to Pinterest for ideas and inspiration. It was through the virtual bulletin board that she discovered Tamiz Photography, who in turn helped the couple choose additional vendors.

“If you find one vendor that you love and trust, ask them for recommendations,” advises the bride. “The vendors have so much experience working with each other, so they are best to point you in the right direction.”

In July of 2013, the anxiety from the previous months melted away as the couple and their 90 guests experienced a romantic, sunset ceremony beneath a driftwood arch adorned with fragrant flowers. The reception featured not only a DJ, but also hula dancers.

Despite hosting a party that would make Vegas proud, one of Yvette’s favorite memories is a simple one – the sweet gesture of the couple’s two-year-old daughter cutting-in on their first dance, proving that some people really are lucky in love. 

VENDORS: Photographer: Tamiz Photography, Ceremony/Reception Site: Olowalu Plantation House, Wedding Planner: Barbara Gerraty of White Orchid Wedding, Gown Designer: Augusta Jones, Boutique Rentals & Florals: Opihi Love, Caterer: Maui Executive Catering, Videography: Hawaii Video Memories, DJ: DJ Del Sol with Maui Wedding DJ, Minister: Keli’i Brown with Get Married Maui, Musician: Ricardo Dioso, Cake: Maui Wedding Cake.

This article first appeared in Destination I Do’s Fall/Winter 2014 issue. You can order a copy here.