WEDDING BLOG

Hawai‘i had already become part of Ellie and Kyle’s story long before their wedding day. After years of growing up near each other in New Jersey, staying connected through long-distance, and finding their way through different cities and seasons of life, they eventually began their next chapter together on O‘ahu. So when it came time to get married, choosing the Four Seasons O’ahu felt personal in more ways than one.

“Our nearly 7 years as a couple has been characterized by distance, but also by love, patience, and adventure,” they shared. That history carried into a wedding that felt meaningful, intentional, and deeply tied to everything they had experienced together.

What We Love About This Four Seasons O’ahu Wedding:

• A soft, romantic design that complemented the oceanfront setting
• Jewish traditions woven together with family history and personal meaning
• Custom details that reflected their life in Hawai‘i
• A wedding week full of thoughtful gatherings with loved ones
• A reception that felt emotional, joyful, and completely true to them

Featured Vendor:
Derek Wong Photography

Planning a Destination Wedding While Managing a Big Life Move

Ellie and Kyle began planning before they had officially moved to Hawai‘i. During a visit to O‘ahu the summer before, they toured venues with one goal in mind: finding a place by the ocean where guests could enjoy the beauty of the island from start to finish. The Four Seasons O’ahu stood out right away, especially with its sunset views.

Once they secured the venue and date, they moved into planning mode early. They finalized their guest list, sent electronic save-the-dates designed by the bride, and began interviewing vendors. Although the venue required a day-of coordinator, they quickly realized a full-service planner would make the process much more manageable as they prepared for a move and full-time work schedules. “Having full support and guidance gave us so much peace of mind,” they shared.

They stayed very involved throughout the process. A detailed wedding folder kept contracts, invoices, guest information, and budget tracking all in one place, alongside inspiration photos, timelines, and checklists.

Bringing Jewish Tradition Into a Personal Ceremony

Their ceremony was rooted in Jewish tradition, but every detail reflected their story. One of the most meaningful parts was having the same rabbi who guided the bride through her conversion officiate. “After spending so much time learning and growing together, it felt full-circle to have him standing with us on our wedding day,” they shared.

Family played a central role throughout the ceremony. Seven relatives read English blessings following the Hebrew recitations, and during the circling under the chuppah, the bride was joined by the groom’s mother and both grandmothers, including one who traveled from Western Australia.

Many of the ritual items carried deep personal meaning. The kiddush cup was the same one they used during their first Passover together in Hawai‘i. The groom wore his father’s tallit, while his childhood tallit was draped over the chuppah. They also included the groom’s grandmother’s handkerchief, a piece that has been in the family for over 70 years.

Their custom yarmulkes, designed with their wedding logo and sea turtles, reflected both their faith and their daily life together on the island.

Spending With Intention

From the beginning, Ellie and Kyle had a clear budget in mind, which helped guide their decisions.

Photography was one of their biggest priorities. “We both deeply value having high-quality, professional photos as a way to relive the emotions and moments from our wedding day,” they said. Which made Junebug vendor of an incredible 17 years, Derek Wong, the perfect choice.

Florals were another key focus, especially for the ceremony chuppah. To make the most of that investment, they repurposed arrangements throughout the day, moving them from the aisle to the reception and sweetheart table.

One of their later decisions was hiring a content creator, which quickly became one of the choices they appreciated most. Having candid, real-time footage allowed them to relive the day in a more immediate and personal way.

Ways to Spend More Time With Guests Beyond the Wedding Day

With guests traveling from the mainland and Australia, Ellie and Kyle wanted the celebration to feel like more than a single day. They spent the days leading up to the wedding sharing parts of their life in Hawai‘i.

They gathered for matcha runs, poke outings, drinks, and a group hike along the Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail. Their rehearsal dinner at 53 By The Sea brought together their closest family and friends for an evening filled with sunset views and heartfelt speeches.

The next day, they hosted a relaxed welcome party at Aloha Beer Company, where guests shared food, played games, and spent time reconnecting.

To close out the weekend, they gathered on Waikiki Beach to watch the Friday night fireworks. It was one of their favorite traditions as a couple, and sharing it with family made it even more meaningful.

Creating a Cohesive Wedding Look Without Overdecorating

With the natural beauty of the Four Seasons O’ahu as their backdrop, Ellie and Kyle focused on enhancing the space rather than overwhelming it. Their palette of greens, soft pinks, white, and subtle gold accents complemented the landscape.

Florals were layered throughout the day, from the ceremony chuppah to cocktail linens and custom napkins. Warm LED candlelight added a soft glow as the evening progressed, creating an inviting atmosphere.

Personal details added another layer of meaning. Their seating chart featured the Taylor Swift lyric “at every table I’ll save you a seat,” displayed in delicate script against a floral backdrop. Their welcome sign included a palm tree motif, and their signature cocktails reflected both their engagement in Italy and their life in Hawai‘i.

Incorporating DIY Details That Actually Feel Meaningful

Many of the most meaningful elements of the wedding were designed by the couple themselves. Their invitation suite started with a Minted design and was layered with custom details, including palm tree vellum sleeves, wax seals, and a printed engagement photo card.

Their custom green linen yarmulkes were especially significant. Designed by the bride, they included their wedding logo, names, and sea turtles inspired by their daily walks together.

They also created a memorial table to honor loved ones who had passed away, including the groom’s family dog. It was a quiet but powerful way to acknowledge their presence and the role they continue to play in their lives.

Balancing Emotional Moments With Celebration

The reception carried a balance of heartfelt moments and celebration. Their first dances to “Everything Has Changed” felt both meaningful and slightly nerve-wracking, but it came together beautifully.

Later, they stepped away for sunset photos and were lucky enough to witness the rare green flash as the sun disappeared below the horizon.

Dinner included speeches that reflected different parts of their relationship, with a mix of humor and emotion. Then came the hora, which brought an incredible burst of energy as guests of all backgrounds joined in, forming circles, clapping, and lifting the couple in chairs.

From there, the dance floor stayed full. Their DJ moved through a mix of favorites, keeping the energy high throughout the night. They closed the evening with “Love Story,” surrounded by guests singing along.

The Takeaway That Stayed With Them

Not everything went exactly as planned, but none of it changed how the day felt. “The most surprising part of it all was how little any of these things mattered to us while in the moment,” they shared. “We felt completely present.” Even as two people who carefully planned every detail, they found themselves letting go and simply enjoying the experience.

Ellie and Kyle’s wedding at the Four Seasons O’ahu brought together years of memories, traditions, and relationships in one place. Their advice to other couples is simple and honest. “Don’t let wedding planning consume you,” they said. “At the end of the day, it’s about the love, not perfection.” And that’s exactly what stayed with them long after the celebration ended.