This Mindful Wedding in Maui Blends Hawaiian Culture and Sustainability

Intention, energy, intimacy, and poetry. These are the ingredients for Kat + Ian’s mindful wedding at Haiku Mill in Maui, Hawaii. Kat is the founder of Wildstate which is a wellness platform that provides inspiration for healing and meditation. Ian is a talented artist and interior designer behind some of L.A.’s most inspirational restaurants. It’s no surprise that their wedding was a blend of the two. With the help of Nichole Weddings, they planned a Hawaiian wedding day that mixed culture, sustainability and lush, tropical beauty. K shares:

Haiku Mill on Maui immediately spoke to us as the most magical place to get married. This rustic former sugar mill is overgrown with tropical plants and flowers, and captures the essence of old Hawaii with a European flair. Every aspect of planning our wedding was imbued with intention. We realize that with every event waste is created, so we made it a priority to minimize our impact on the land and our planet. We requested that our vendors stay in alignment with this as much as possible. 

Ready to see the magic through the lens of Melia Lucida? Let’s go!

The First Look

First look moments always get us. You can already feel the deep love between these two!

Lush + Tropical Location

Talk about stunning! This Maui venue is already an oasis full of tropical plant life. Mandy Grace Designs took things to another level with lush ground arrangements lining the back row of chairs. She also lined the staircase where the ceremony would take place. In addition to roses and tulips, tropical flowers and palm leaves tied in with the tropical vibes of the venue.

Mindful Wedding Ceremony

K + I were intentional throughout their wedding planning process, but that really shines through in their cultural wedding ceremony.

The ceremony was the most important aspect of our wedding. We had our dear friend, Kat’s longtime teacher, Yogi Charu, perform a ceremony that combined elements of Vedic ritual and Hawaiian culture. The multigenerational trio Puamana chanted and sang. We burned copal incense throughout the mill, which is used as an offering to connect heaven and earth. During the first dance, we had guests turn their phones so we could all be fully present together. We wanted to bring the ancient and sacred practice of ceremony into its truest form.

If you’re wanting to bring a creative and unique aspect to your wedding day, check out these Meaningful Ceremony Unity Ideas.

The Newlyweds

So much JOY!

Without a doubt, this floral installation is pure magic!!

A mindful wedding requires mindful attire. K chose a beautiful gown from Loho Bride. The designer is Rime Arodaky, a cruelty-free French bridal house. She paired her gown with a Daphne Newman veil, Loeffler Randall heels, and hair and makeup by Jasmine Mullins.

Are you looking to shop sustainably for your wedding dress? Check out some of our favorite sustainable wedding dresses below:

Rich Reception Decor

K + I added some beautiful pops of color to the reception space. Pale pink, mauve, and golden tropical blooms complemented this stunning bar space where Garnish Craft Cocktails served beverages to the guests.

The groom was also looking dapper on the day in attire by High Society Custom Tailoring. We’re absolutely loving his neutral look!

K + I styled the venue with these cozy lounge spaces which featured rattan furniture from Inspiration Events Hawaii.

After the ceremony, the venue was transformed into a beautiful and intimate dinner space. Set Maui provided tabletop rentals and The Wedding Linen Company provided gauze runners and drapes.

It was all in the details for K + I who had Alannah Rae Calligraphy create beautiful accents for the paper goods. Cutting Edge Catering provided locally sourced food and beverage throughout the reception.

Ready to Celebrate

Throughout the evening, the sacred space was full of joyful, intimate moments that the couple shared with their guests.

Due to the quickly changing landscape surrounding the global pandemic, we were fortunate to have our wedding just before the world seemingly shut down.We are infinitely grateful to our friends, family, and team for creating an unforgettable celebration of love.

Congratulations Kat + Ian! We loved seeing your mindful wedding day that was full of cultural beauty and rituals. The GWS team is wishing you both a life full of love and happiness!

photography: Melia Lucida // venue name: Haiku Mill, Haiku, Maui, Hawaii // event design: Nichole Weddings // planning: Nichole Weddings // florals: Mandy Grace Designs // wedding dress: Rime Arodaky // wedding dress boutique: Loho Bride // hairpiece: Daphne Newman // bride's shoes: Loeffler Randall // bride's ring: Polly Wales // getting ready robes: made by friend // hair stylist: Jasmine Mullins // makeup artist: Jasmine Mullins // groom attire: High Society Custom Tailoring // groom's ring: Lauren Wolf Jewelry // calligraphy: Alannah Rae Calligraphy // catering: Cutting Edge Catering // desserts: Cutting Edge Catering // tabletop rentals: Set Maui // furniture rentals: Inspiration Events Hawaii // linen rentals: The Wedding Linen Company // music: Puamana (traditional Hawaiian ladies trio) // astology: Heidi Rose Robbins