Tammy and Moonyoung dreamed of a cozy garden wedding with incredible views of the Koolau Mountains. They chose Hawaii to make their big day even more magical, surrounded by mountains and water. After months of planning, hunting for wedding ideas on Instagram, and creating a mood board, their vision came to life beautifully. Their Paliku Gardens wedding boasted a sunset-inspired color scheme, breathtaking flowers and decor, and views that left everyone in awe.

They couldn’t have picked a more stunning spot for their ceremony. The couple exchanged vows with the sea, mountains, and horizon, creating a perfect backdrop. The magic continued at their tented garden reception, where candlelit tables adorned with lush flowers and greenery set a romantic tone. The highlight of the evening was the beautiful floral and lighting installation above the dance floor, adding an extra touch of enchantment to their special day.

Their wedding day was like a fairy tale brought to life, full of breathtaking details that are sure to inspire your own special day. Thankfully every moment of this beautiful celebration was captured by the talented Junebug vendor Derek Wong. 

The Couple:

Tammy and Moonyoung

The Wedding:

Paliku Garden, Hawaii, United States

Cherishing a Quiet Moment Before their Paliku Gardens Wedding Ceremony

The most memorable part of the day was definitely the private first look that Moon and I shared at the Halekulani Hotel before heading to our ceremony and reception at Paliku Gardens at Kualoa Ranch. It was a special moment just for the two of us before the whirlwind of the day began. It allowed us to truly be present with one another, and it felt like we were the only ones in the world—except for our photographer, videographer, and wedding content creator, who were there to capture the moment.

How to Balance Joy and Budget on Your Wedding Day

Make decisions that will make you happy as a couple. Your wedding day is a time to celebrate your love and the beginning of the next chapter in your lives. Your guests are there to celebrate you, so do what brings you joy. Sticking to a budget can be challenging, but my one piece of advice is to splurge on things that will make an impact or are important to you. Create a prioritization list to help you decide where you might need to stay under budget so you can splurge on the things that matter most.

Choosing the Right Wedding Vendors by Trusting Their Gut

We’re most proud of two things when reflecting on our wedding and the entire planning process. First, we trusted our instincts and chose the right vendors with whom we connected and truly vibed. Living in Boston and planning a destination wedding in Hawaii meant we had to make the right choices with our vendors. With so much happening behind the scenes, their guidance and support made the 1.5 years of planning and the actual day feel seamless. Second, we’re glad we prioritized our happiness and made decisions based on what would bring us joy on our wedding day.

Why a Paliku Gardens Wedding Was the Perfect Choice for Them

When we decided on a destination wedding, there was no doubt we wanted it to be in Hawaii. After all, it was the first place we vacationed together. Initially, we explored resort and hotel options because we thought it would be easier to coordinate with fewer vendors, but it didn’t feel right for us. We ultimately chose Paliku Gardens at Kualoa Ranch (where many movies, like Jurassic Park, have been filmed) because it truly captured the essence of Hawaii. An outdoor wedding overlooking the Koolau Mountains—absolutely breathtaking. We couldn’t see the venue in person until our wedding day, and it was more than I could have ever imagined. It was definitely worth coordinating with multiple vendors to pull off such a beautiful and perfect wedding day.

The Creative Journey Behind Their DIY Paliku Gardens Wedding Signs

We DIYed our menu and small wedding signage, including the bar menu, table numbers, gifts and cards sign, guestbook sign, dinner menu, and table name cards. I invested in a Cricut machine during the wedding planning process because I’ve always had a creative side and knew I wanted to make something special for our big day. The signs were all acrylic, hand-painted with vinyl lettering that I cut using the Cricut machine.

Creating Instagram-Worthy Moments with a Bubble Gun

We brought a bubble gun machine for our grand entrance and used it on the dance floor throughout the night. It was a huge hit with our guests and created some truly amazing photos and videos for Instagram reels.

Honoring The Bride’s Father with a Special Pasta Dish During Their Paliku Gardens Wedding Reception

The wedding day menu featured a special off-menu item created by Memoirs to honor my late father. Since Moon and I love pasta, we knew we needed to include a pasta dish alongside the braised short rib and coconut macadamia nut-crusted catch of the day. We added garlic shrimp with linguine pasta to pay tribute to my father. The wedding day menu was family-style, reflecting our cultural tradition of sharing meals with our closest family and friends.

Congratulations to Tammy and Moonyoung on their Paliku Gardens wedding, which featured incredible views of Hawaii. A heartfelt thank you goes to Junebug vendor Derek Wong for capturing every stunning moment for us to enjoy. If this celebration has inspired you, don’t miss the chance to check out his profile in our directory of the world’s top wedding photographers.

This wedding truly highlights the impact a venue can have on the entire celebration. As you plan your special day, remember just how crucial the right venue is. If you’re looking for tips on finding the perfect location, be sure to check out our guide. Choosing the right backdrop is the first step in bringing your dream celebration to life.