In 2014, Australians Tiarnna and Thomas met through a mutual friend and unexpectedly fell in love. Their first vacation as a couple was to Hawaii, making it an irresistible choice when deciding on a destination for their wedding. With two young children, Tiarnna and Thomas wanted their wedding to feel like both a celebration and a family vacation. A Waikiki Beach wedding at Halekulani Hotel, a serene and elegant locale, provided the perfect backdrop.

“It brought back really special memories, and solidifying our love here was an amazing and special moment,” says Thomas.

Effortless Planning in a Familiar Paradise

Having visited Hawaii four times before, the couple felt at ease planning their wedding from afar. Their familiarity with the islands made working with Jenna from Tropical Moon Events a seamless experience.

Dreaming of a beachfront ceremony, Tiarnna and Thomas exchanged vows on Waikiki Beach, incorporating traditional Hawaiian elements. They wrote their own vows and took part in ka māpuana o ka niu—the blossoming of the coconut. This meaningful Hawaiian tradition symbolizes unity, fertility, and prosperity. During the ceremony, the minister cracked open a coconut, and the couple, along with their children, sipped the water to signify the start of their new life together.

“We loved the meaning of marriage in Hawaii,” says Thomas. “It fits us because we always wanted to get married with something other than a traditional Australian wedding, and this was us perfectly.”

A Celebration Infused with Personal Touches

For the reception, Aloha Artisans transformed Waikiki Leia into an intimate yet lively setting, blending the couple’s vision of a wedding and vacation seamlessly. Guests enjoyed a vibrant bar setup by Drink Gazoz and Star Bar Hawaii, featuring curated cocktails that embraced the tropical atmosphere.

Adding a personal touch, Tiarnna and Thomas brought a custom neon sign of their last name from home. Guests also left heartfelt voice messages on a vintage-style rotary telephone, creating a keepsake the couple will cherish forever.

Words of Wisdom from the Newlyweds

As the newlyweds reminisce on their special day, they share that having the right planning and coordinator helped everything run smoothly and stress-free. They advise other couples planning destination weddings to spend their wedding day together as much as possible and not worry about pleasing others. 

“It is just one day, but marriage is for a lifetime,” says Tiarnna. “Don’t be so caught up in the little details.”

Vendors: Photographer: MeewMeew Studios; Wedding Planner: Tropical Moon Events; Venues: Halekulani Hotel & Waikiki Leia; Florist: Marie Blooms; Cake: A Cake Life