Sunrise Wedding: Nina + Jon

sunrise wedding

Today’s wedding is a first for me – the wedding took place at sunrise! As soon as I heard about this wedding from Braedon of Braedon Photography, I was intrigued. I thought it sounded pretty magical and such an intimate ceremony – well, I assumed it would be a small wedding. Then Braedon told me there were actually 250 guests! What?! I couldn’t wait to see the photos and learn more about their day. Well, the photos don’t disappoint. :) They are so magical and Nina + Jon are seriously the sweetest couple! A bit more about why they choose to get married at sunrise from Nina:

Well for one, we had never met anyone who had done that before, which intrigued us to try it. I loved the symbolism of beginning a new life together with the new light of the beginning of the day and everything that it resembles. There is something magical about the sunrise and getting up while the rest of the world is still asleep, the stillness and peace you find at that time of the day. I also thought it would be such a unique experience for our guests. We wanted it to be a reflection of who Jon and I are as much as possible too.

Some of the things we did were to make a mix tape that we recorded to sound like a morning radio show for our friends to listen to on their way to the wedding, guests arrived while it was still dark so we had twinkle lights help guide the way, we had plenty of Handsome coffee, a mariachi band, pinatas, and a hula dance. And looking back now, I’m really so happy we did it. It was the most beautiful wedding I’ve ever been to. The light was unreal, the sounds of nature were breathtaking, and the sun shining through the trees right when we kissed couldn’t have been pulled off better.

sunrise wedding wooden wedding signs

sunrise wedding

sunrise wedding light bulb backdrop

sunrise wedding light bulb backdrop

Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding

I think my favorite memory was when our pastor Joseph Barkley said "If you ever doubt if these people here love you, just look at your watch!" he then had us stop and turn and look at the 250 guests that have traveled from all over the world to be here with us on our big day. Jon had his family and friends from Indonesia, and my family came from England, the Philippines and Hawaii. It was such an incredible moment to be marrying the man of my dreams in front of everyone I love. It will probably be the only time in our lives that all of our worlds came together to celebrate with us, so was extra special to take the time to soak in the moment.

He also had our parents come up and pray over us. It wasn't planned, and it felt very special and natural. I thought I would be so nervous to be wearing 4 inch heals in front of so many people at 6am but somehow it felt very normal. I was filled with peace like I was right were I should be. My friend Alana Mock performed a traditional Hula for everyone as well (she also made my jewelry!). Growing up in Hawaii, I always thought I would get married there. Jon and I also met there and got engaged there. Because we decided to get married in Los Angeles, it meant so much to have a piece of Hawaiian culture in the celebration.

sunrise wedding ceremony

sunrise wedding

sunrise wedding

sunrise wedding

sunrise wedding

sunrise wedding

sunrise wedding

sunrise wedding

sunrise wedding


Here I thought I was the simplest bride in the world wanting a wedding with blankets and bagels and some trees but actually getting a venue to let you set up in the middle of the night is really hard! The venue was perfect for what we wanted. We worked with a park ranger named Catherine who made the whole process so easy and wonderful. Thank you Catherine! Getting married at a National Park is actually really affordable, which was an amazing surprise and blessing. The outdoor amphitheater was gorgeous for the ceremony. You could hear the birds chirping and the peacocks calling as the sun rose over the mountains and through the trees. I loved the everyone sat on the ground and cuddled close. The guests then moved over to the picnic areas for the breakfast, jumpy castle, and pinata time. The park has lots of hiking trails so a lot of guests did that after as well.

sunrise wedding

sunrise wedding

sunrise wedding

sunrise wedding

sunrise wedding handsome coffee

sunrise wedding handsome coffee


Coffee by Handsome Coffee to start the early morning!

sunrise wedding handsome coffee

sunrise wedding


Nina is a pretty talented designer and designed their wedding invites + other fun details!

sunrise wedding coral invitation

sunrise wedding

sunrise wedding

sunrise wedding donut bar

sunrise wedding

sunrise wedding jumper

sunrise wedding mariachi band

sunrise wedding pinata

sunrise wedding

sunrise wedding

sunrise wedding feather caplet

sunrise wedding


Recognize that gorgeous feather capelet? Love this story Nina shared about it! This is actually a great story. I first saw the feather capelet in these engagement photos here on Green Wedding Shoes. I had been searching for something to keep me warm and I knew this was it. I emailed the stylist who told me it was Top Shop, but from a few years ago and it belonged to the bride-to-be Jaqueline. Long story short the bride rented it to me to use for our wedding! She was such a sweetheart and I am still in shock of how lucky I am that it worked out that way! Big thanks to Jaqueline + Green Wedding Shoes!

I seriously have the BEST readers!! So fun to hear how that all worked out!!

sunrise wedding

sunrise wedding

sunrise wedding

sunrise wedding

sunrise wedding


And their gorgeous wedding film by Tom Aiello! The music in the film includes “You’re Great To Me” by Jon Hans (yes, the groom!) written for Nina, “All I Want is You” by U2 and “Chicago” by Sufjan Stevens.

Congrats to Nina + Jon for having the wedding of your dreams and for sharing it with us today!!

photography: Braedon Photography // venue name: Peter Strauss Ranch // wedding dress: Shelly dressing up // groom attire: Native Son // music: Among Savages // hair and makeup: Francesca Giaimo // feather capelet: Top Shop // day of coordinator: Mary Grace // wedding video: Tom Aiello // floral design: Clementine floral works // invitations: Design by the bride Nina Hans + printed by Got Print // paper goods: Design by the bride Nina Hans + printed by Got Print // coffee: Handsome Coffee // water bottles: Boxed Water // jewelry: Thread & Stone // tables: DistrictMillWorks

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