Kysa and Mark have been together for 8 years and every year for their anniversary they go to a different National Park to celebrate! When it came to planning their wedding at Paliku Gardens at Kualoa Ranch in Oahu, Hawaii they wanted to incorporate as many elements from their camping adventures to their special day!
For their wedding, the couple aimed to create an experience for their guests that involved K + M’s special memories shared at these National Parks. They truly wanted everyone to experience the places where they fell in love and grew as a couple. Surrounded by palm trees, fresh Hawaiian air, and close family and friends…they had a wedding they will never forget!
Planner Justine Miller with Luana Events helped the bride execute her dream celebration, and you guys are going to fall in LOVE with all the DIY decor and accessories made by the bride herself! Kysa enlisted the help of Jeff Alencastre when it came to tropical floral design and Taimane Kini captured every magical moment we just KNOW you guys are going to fall in love with! Now let’s travel to Hawaii! 🌺
A Hawaiian Daydream
The nails! The jewelry! The bridal tiara! Kysa knew exactly how to accessorize! 😍
The bride shared that she originally wanted a very minimalistic slip-dress until she had a conversation with a girlfriend who reminded her that this was one of the rare moments in your life when you could dress like a princess! … So that’s exactly what she did!!
“That resonated in me, and then, I decided I wanted to be a princess for the day! When looking for my dress, I wasn’t interested in going to bridal boutiques and being overcharged for a dress I would only wear once. I looked on Etsy and found the exact dress I wanted, and the designer’s dresses were all custom-made, so it was my precise measurements. When I received it, it fit like a glove. The only thing I changed was adding vintage lace to the corset for some added details. I put a gamble on ordering my dress online without trying it on, but I couldn’t imagine it any other way.”
Totally obsessing over these adorable bridesmaid fans that the bride crafted herself! Also in love with these mismatched bridesmaid dresses in the same color palette.
The Breathtaking Ceremony
Processional: I'll Try Anything Once, Julian Casablancas
Recessional: Kokomo, The Beach Boys
First Dance: You're the One, Black Keys
When guests arrived they were given trail mix, matches, a site map, and a pamphlet that replicated the ones you’d get at the park to round out the experience!
What a view!! Not sure it can get any better than this!
“Mark and I have been together for eight years, and each year we celebrate by going to a different National Park. You really get to know someone when you’re in the woods, unplugged from your phone and internet. You don’t have to worry about wearing makeup or even showering. You’re your most authentic version of yourself with your favorite person.“
DIY Reception Details
The couple designed their seating chart so each table was a different park! How creative!
Talk about a DIY queen! The bride made all of the macramé table runners herself along with the cocktail table dried flower arrangements…In fact, MOST of the design elements from the day were hand-crafted by the couple!
The couple’s cocktails were named after National Park trails and the food was made on wood-fired grills with s’mores to finish instead of cake to give it the true feeling of cooking outdoors.
Mark: My most memorable moment was watching Kysa walk down the aisle in her dress.
Kysa: I have two!
Mark and I were raised in what feels like two completely different worlds. I am from Honolulu, HI, and he is from Pittsburgh, PA. Seeing our family and friends travel worldwide to celebrate us created this once-in-a-lifetime feeling. We are incredibly thankful to everyone who traveled to participate in our special day.
I'm a very hands-on person and what was the most challenging part of planning my wedding was letting other people set up the design elements. At a certain point, you have to let go and put your trust that your coordinator, vendor, family, and friends will take care of everything for you. When I saw the venue with everything set up, I almost cried. The hard work paid off, and my wedding was everything I envisioned.
Make it authentically you! It's your day and your love story. The best weddings include personal details that tell the story of your relationship, and those unique touches are the ones that you and your husband will remember forever.
What a way to close the night! Such a magical day with two beautiful souls, we couldn’t be more excited for the two of you! Here’s to many years of health and happiness! 🥂
photography: Taimane Kini // venue name: Paliku Gardens at Kualoa Ranch, Kaneohe, HI, USA // planning: Justine Miller // florals: bride and Jeff Alencastre // wedding dress: Etsy // bride's shoes: Alohas // bride's ring: Young in the Mountains // hair stylist: Jessica La'a // makeup artist: Lynn Yee // groom's ring: Young in the Mountains // catering: Memoirs Hawaii // furniture rentals: Aloha Artisans // music: Starfari // cocktails: Stir It Up Oahu // Music: James Taugher and the Who Cares // Hair and Makeup for Bridesmaids: Angel Deihl
