For Chelsea and Austin, who met up for an emotional first look’ before skateboarding to their ceremony together, tying the knot was about way more than beautiful blooms and scoring a killer dress. £Marriage is finding someone you really love and enjoy having adventures with, high fiving and saying sweet, let’s keep having these adventures together forever’, explains Austin. Chelsea goes on, £as clichû? as it sounds, we really are one another’s best friends. Some of my happiest days have just been us together, doing nothing particularly special, and just soaking up each other’s presence.
With a vision of a £lush, tropical, funky sort of evening in tow, Chelsea (a wedding photographer by trade) and Austin (her long-time love) opted for a wedding at Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club Clubhouse in Oahu, Hawaii, telling us, £we frequently host dinner parties and barbecues at our home and wanted our wedding day to feel very much like that. We wanted to feel casual, comfortable and at home with everyone around us – no strangers, just our closest friends and family.
As for non-negotiables, the bride says it was essential that photographer Andria Lindquist be on hand to capture all the fun. £I have been in love with Andria and her work for years. We shared a few e-mails about five years ago and stayed connected on Facebook ever since. She was the one key factor (aside from my husband, of course) that I knew HAD to be a part of my wedding. No Andria – no wedding, says Chelsea, who adds that taking on age-old traditions isn’t quite as glamorous as it would seem.
£Our traditional rice shower was gorgeous (especially in the photos) but it was a NIGHTMARE to get out of our hair and clothes. It got stuck between my lashes, wedged in my flower crown – it was like glitter. Just, rice. Stuck everywhere. When we changed from our ceremony clothes into our beach clothes for the second portion of the day, our entire floor was covered in white rice kernels. It was hilarious.
Having opted for a mega-sexy yet tasteful dress from Lulus that was less than $100 and Sector9 skateboards instead of a limo as their means of transportation, there’s no denying that this pair’s day was chock-full of unique and special memories (also captured by cinematographer Pono Grace)- though the groom admits it’s difficult to pinpoint only one fave. £I don’t have a specific favourite, besides the obvious, getting married to the woman of my dreams. I just knew that everything would be perfect and it was.
Thinking of an overseas affair? Check out this gorgeous Thailand wedding…and whilst you’re at it, we’re still head over heels for this epic Italian shindig!
Chelsea and Austin’s tropical fiesta in Hawaii was originally featured in our third annual Real Wedding Special, on sale now and stocked in newsagents nationally. Search for your nearest stockist via suburb or postcode here or shop online with Mag Nation or via the HM online store here.
CREDITS Photographer Andria Lindquist // Cinematographer Pono Grace // Event Planner and Stylist Love Letter Weddings // Reception Venue Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club Clubhouse // Catering Cut Cuisine Catering // Furniture Hire Accel Rentals and Siam Imports // Photo Booth Instax Mini 8 // DJ The Perfect Wedding DJs // Afternoon Bikini Peace of Paradise Creations // Groom Sunglasses Urban Outfitters // Groom Reception Shoes Converse converse.com // Longboard Skateboards Sector9 // Bridal Gown Designer Lulus // Hair and Makeup Rebekah Higa // Groom’s Suit and Tie Louis Collections // Groom’s Shoes Nordstrom Rack //Barber Black Cat Salon.