The wedding weekend began not with a rehearsal, but with a return. The bride’s family has deep roots in Maui, where her grandparents once kept a home in Puamana. That home was lost in the Lahaina wildfire. So when she and Matt chose the island for their modern black-tie wedding, the celebration carried a weight that went beyond floral arrangements and seating charts. It became a homecoming, a tribute to what was lost, and a party that honored the land’s endurance.
Matt proposed in Cabo San Lucas in February 2024. He had been planning the moment for months, keeping it entirely under wraps. As the sun dropped toward the horizon, he suggested a walk on the beach. He got down on one knee. The bride was, in her words, completely surprised and beyond overjoyed. The night didn’t end there. Matt had arranged a private dinner overlooking the water, so the couple spent the rest of the evening staring at the same view where the question had been asked.
The wedding itself took place on Maui, at a private venue, with the couple’s vision rooted in the island’s coastline. They paired understated black-tie formality with soft tropical details. Airy florals, natural textures, and warm wood tones anchored the design. The bridesmaids wore butter yellow gowns in varied silhouettes, from sleek columns to open backs to airy draping, which kept the elevated aesthetic feeling modern and at ease in the setting. The groomsmen went classic: black tuxedos, crisp white shirts, black bow ties. The contrast between the formal menswear and the organic, breezy decor was the point.
The bride wore a gown by Ines Di Santo with clean lines and a fluid silhouette. The back was open, finished with a delicate row of buttons. She paired the dress with her mother’s veil and her grandmother’s ring, layering modern design over family history. For the reception, she changed into a custom Cheryl Leung mini dress, a sculptural ivory piece covered in floral appliqué. It was built for dancing, and it signaled the shift from the formal dinner to the after-party at Taverna, where the evening loosened up and ran late.
The details were personal. The signature cocktails were named for the couple’s dog, Vinny. The “Vinny-Tini” was a lychee martini garnished with a white orchid. The “Mai Wife” was a Mai Tai topped with lilikoi foam. Dinner featured locally inspired island entrées, followed by an interactive dessert setup with an ice cream and affogato bar, churros, and malasadas with dipping sauces. The head table was framed by a statement floral and greenery installation, with wavy woven pendants overhead and lush centerpieces set against moody linens.
The weekend stretched beyond the ceremony. Out-of-town guests gathered for a casual cocktail party at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua Lobby Lounge. The women went sailing. The men played pickleball and gathered by the pool. The rehearsal dinner was held al fresco at the bride’s mother’s home in Kapalua, an intimate gathering that set the tone for the days ahead. It was all designed to give guests time to connect before the formalities began.
The photography was handled by Meghan Baskin Photography, with cinematography by No Ka Oi Films. Couture Events planned the weekend, Mandy Grace Floral & Event Design handled the flowers, and Cutting Edge Catering managed both the food and the mixology. The calligraphy came from Miss B Calligraphy, the paper goods from Swell Press, and the linens from Theoni Collection. KCK Entertainment provided the DJ, Marvin Tevaga played live music, and Primo VIP handled transportation. Rentals came from Refinery and Co and Artisan Events, with styling by Maui Makeup Artistry.
The location was never just a backdrop. The bride’s grandparents’ home in Puamana was lost in the Lahaina wildfire, and returning to the island to celebrate alongside her mother’s home in Kapalua gave the weekend a deeper meaning. It was a way to honor what was lost while celebrating what remains. The wedding was photographed in spring, and the full gallery captures both the elegance of the black-tie details and the easy, oceanfront atmosphere that defined the day.
According to Style Me Pretty.
