WHEN DID YOU BECOME ENGAGED, AND HOW?
We got engaged in December 2024 in Maui at Ho’okipa Beach, just off the iconic Hana Highway. Hawaii holds such a deep connection for our family, so it truly couldn’t have been a more perfect setting.
Ho’okipa Beach is known for its dramatic surf and is a favorite among locals, and we wanted to experience it at sunset. When we arrived, the timing felt almost surreal—the beach was beginning to clear out, and we stepped onto the sand just as the sun was setting.
As we stood there watching the waves and the sky shift colors, Jesse began sharing the most beautiful, heartfelt words with me. In that quiet, intimate moment, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him—it was truly unforgettable.
Afterward, we went to Mama’s Fish House, our favorite restaurant in the world, where he had already arranged a table waiting for us, complete with a celebratory card congratulating us on our engagement. We enjoyed an incredible dinner, and the rest of our trip was spent soaking it all in and ringing in the New Year in paradise.
#WEDDINGGOALS
During the planning process, what mattered most to both of us was creating an intimate, immersive experience where we could spend meaningful time with our closest friends and family. We knew we wanted a full weekend celebration—something that felt like a destination without being too far from home—and an all-inclusive setting that allowed everyone to stay together and truly enjoy each moment.
Another aspect that was especially important to us was ensuring that our family and guests could be fully present throughout the weekend without having to worry about logistics or details. We intentionally chose to work with planners, coordinators, and vendors who could thoughtfully handle every element behind the scenes, allowing our loved ones to simply relax and celebrate alongside us.
We also truly desired to be fully present with our guests throughout each part of the wedding day. We wanted to prioritize spending time with each other and our guests during cocktail hour and dinner, and planned on completing the majority of our photos prior to the ceremony so that we could truly enjoy those moments with everyone.
Creating a warm and intimate atmosphere for our guests was incredibly important to us, especially during dinner. We wanted a family-style dining experience so that everyone could remain seated, relax, and enjoy the meal together. We wanted our guests to have connection, conversation, and a shared experience that felt both personal and welcoming.
HOW DID PLANNING GO?
Planning our wedding was a very positive experience overall. I’m naturally very type A, organized, and detail-oriented, so I genuinely enjoyed the process. With the incredible team we had in place, everything felt seamless from start to finish. Communication was always open and consistent, which made a huge difference in keeping everything on track.
Starting the process about a year in advance also made everything feel much more manageable. By the time we were just a few weeks out from the wedding, most of the major decisions had already been finalized, which allowed us to truly enjoy the final stretch without unnecessary stress.
Some of my favorite parts of the planning process were the moments where everything started to feel real—especially the tastings and design meetings. We absolutely loved our food tasting with Pickles and Olives Catering, which was not only delicious but also such a fun and memorable experience.
We also enjoyed the wine and signa
ture cocktail tastings with Lamoure Vineyards, which allowed us to personalize the guest experience in a really thoughtful way.
Another highlight for me was working closely with my designer and florist, Blissful Rose. I loved being involved in selecting the colors, textures, and overall design elements—it was so special to see our vision come to life in such a beautiful and intentional way.
Those moments made the planning process feel creative, collaborative, and truly enjoyable.
Overall, it was such a rewarding experience, and having a strong, supportive team made all the difference in bringing our vision to life.
WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
With any wedding, there were a lot of decisions to be made, and at times it could feel a bit overwhelming. When we started to feel that decision fatigue, we found it really helpful to take a step back, pause, and come back to planning with a fresh perspective.
WHAT WERE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES OF STAYING WITHIN YOUR BUDGET AND HOW DID YOU MANAGE IT?
We had a pretty all-inclusive wedding venue. I became more flexible with the budget as the wedding got close because I wanted everything to be just right. My budget didn’t change much throughout the planning process.
HOW WAS THE CEREMONY?
Our ceremony was deeply rooted in our Christian faith, which was something we both felt strongly about from the very beginning. It was an immediate and shared decision that this would be the foundation of our ceremony.
One of the most special and personal aspects was having the groom’s cousin—who is also his best friend and best man—officiate. It made the ceremony feel incredibly intimate and meaningful to have someone who knows us so well lead that moment.
Our children were also an important part of the ceremony, which made it even more personal and reflective of our family. The ceremony took place inside a rustic barn at Lamoure Vineyards, which was beautifully transformed into a chapel-like setting. It featured church-style pews, a rustic wooden cross adorned with florals, and an aisle lined with white rose petals. Soft gospel music played during the procession, creating a peaceful and reverent atmosphere.
The space itself had a timeless, romantic feel—with beautiful white draping, stained-glass-style windows reminiscent of an old church, and polished crystal and gold chandeliers hanging from the rafters. While the ceremony itself was short and sweet, it was incredibly meaningful. We had exchanged personal vows privately earlier in the day, which allowed the ceremony to feel both intentional and centered on our faith, our family, and the commitment we were making.
ANY MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR RECEPTION?
There were so many memorable moments from our reception, but what stood out most was how intimate and connected everything felt. We chose a family-style dinner, which allowed our guests to remain seated while enjoying an incredible meal together. Food and drinks were continuously brought to the tables, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere where everyone could truly be present and enjoy the experience. The food itself was absolutely amazing and a highlight for many of our guests.
Our sweetheart table was set in front of a beautiful gas fire pit, which created a warm, glowing backdrop that felt both romantic and inviting. One of the most meaningful parts of the evening was the speeches—they were incredibly personal and heartfelt. Hearing from our loved ones, and especially from our children, was something we will never forget. It was an emotional moment filled with laughter, tears, and everything in between.
The reception concluded with our first dance, which was truly magical. The lights were dimmed, and a soft “cloud” effect surrounded us on the dance floor, creating such a dreamy atmosphere. As the song came to an end, cold sparklers were ignited, making the moment feel even more special. It was the perfect, romantic transition into the next part of the evening as we moved into the after party.
And I can’t forget the bubble sendoff………. what a cute and fun way to end the night as we bid farewell to our guests and headed towards the estate house where we would spend one last night with.
DID YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL CULTURAL FEATURES TO YOUR WEDDING OR FACTORS THAT CELEBRATED THE HERITAGE OF YOU OR YOUR FAMILY?
Incorporating cultural elements into our wedding was important to us. The groom is Mexican-American, so we knew we wanted to include a mariachi band as a way to celebrate and honor that part of his heritage.
We chose an all-female mariachi group, which felt especially unique and powerful. They began playing outside the chapel barn immediately after our first kiss as husband and wife. As we walked out of the barn, they escorted us through a beautiful flower-lined garden pathway and into cocktail hour.
The band continued playing throughout cocktail hour, setting an incredible tone for the celebration. Their energy was vibrant and uplifting, and it created such a fun and memorable experience for our guests. It was one of the highlights of the day and a meaningful way to incorporate culture into our wedding in a way that felt both authentic and celebratory.
MEMORABLE MOMENT
At some point during the celebration, the younger children discovered a few rabbits on the property and spent time gathered around their enclosure, completely captivated—playing, laughing, and enjoying such a simple, joyful moment together. Our photographer, P.J. from Fits & Stops Photography, captured the most adorable images of it, and it has become one of our favorite memories from the day. It was such a genuine and unscripted moment that perfectly reflected the warmth and charm of the entire weekend.
SPECIAL DANCE SONGS
First Dance: “Best That I Got” by Larry Fleet
MELISSA’S BEST PART
It was everything I had ever dreamed of—all of it—the kind of wedding little girls imagine and hope for. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would one day experience something so beautiful in my own life. But life has a way of unfolding more beautifully than we could ever plan. If I had to narrow it down, walking out of the chapel as husband and wife was truly unforgettable. In that moment, all of the anticipation, emotion, and planning simply melted away, and I felt completely at peace—I was exactly where I had always wanted to be.
That feeling carried into cocktail hour, which felt so relaxed and joyful. I was able to be fully present with our guests, my husband, and our children, which meant so much to me. Dinner and the speeches were also a highlight—I loved being able to sit back and take it all in, looking around the room and seeing it filled with people who love and support us. It was such a meaningful and emotional experience.
The energy of the evening continued into the after party, which felt like it went on forever in the best way. We danced, laughed, and even had to take breaks just to catch our breath—it was so much fun.
One of the most special and personal moments of the night came later, when we returned to the estate house. I had surprised my husband with a gift that held a lot of meaning for us. Early on in our relationship, he had mentioned that he had always wanted a 1911 Colt 45 Pistol, and I never forgot it. I had told myself that if I ever married him, I would get him one. Being able to surprise him with a collector’s edition that night was incredibly meaningful—it felt like such a full-circle moment and a beautiful way to end the day.
FAVORITE DETAIL
One of my favorite details from our wedding day was the barns. I had always dreamed of having a barn-style wedding with an outdoor, romantic atmosphere, but I never imagined we would have three different barn spaces to incorporate throughout the day.
Each barn had its own unique character and purpose, yet all felt cohesive and beautifully designed. They were thoughtfully used for different parts of the celebration, which made each transition feel intentional and added so much depth to the overall experience.
It was the perfect blend of rustic charm and elevated elegance, and truly brought my vision to life in a way that exceeded anything I had imagined.
#VENDORRAVES
My florist and design expert, Elena with Blissful Rose Events & Floral, came to me as a personal referral; bringing her on as both a designer and florist was one of the best decisions I made during the planning process. Elena went far beyond what you would expect from a traditional florist—she helped guide so many aspects of the design, from colors and attire to stationery and even small details like votives and candle selections. She was always available, whether meeting in person or connecting over text, and even accompanied me to the venue and staging areas to create mock tables and finalize layouts. She is incredibly professional, talented, and genuinely kind. The florals were absolutely stunning, and my bouquet was the most beautiful I had ever seen. I truly can’t recommend her enough.
I also want to highlight Pickles and Olives Catering and the owner, Zhana. From the very beginning, she was so professional and wonderful to work with. I loved how she incorporated her own culture into the menu, which made the food feel even more special and unique. Our tasting experience was such a fun and memorable part of planning—we were able to try so many incredible dishes, all beautifully presented. Their team was with us throughout the entire weekend, handling everything from the rehearsal dinner and cocktail hour hors d’oeuvres to the wedding dinner, dessert bar, and farewell brunch. The food was consistently exceptional, and by the end of the weekend, it almost felt bittersweet not seeing them anymore. I would absolutely work with them again in the future.
Our DJs, Stephan and Vinny with Club Choice DJ, were also incredible. They truly knew how to read the room and keep the energy high throughout the night. The music was a hit with everyone, and their lighting and special effects completely transformed the space. They were always responsive, easy to communicate with, and brought such a fun yet professional presence to the celebration.
And finally, Lamoure Vineyards, where our entire wedding weekend took place. Their team was absolutely exceptional. They were attentive to every detail and supported us throughout the entire weekend—from transporting us around the property on golf carts, to pouring champagne and mimosas, to coordinating meals during wedding preparations.
One detail I especially loved was that they remembered my favorite sandwich spot, Mendocino Farms, and had it brought in for our entire wedding party while we were getting ready—it was such a thoughtful touch.
There was not a single hiccup the entire weekend, which speaks volumes about how seamlessly their team works together. They are incredibly hands-on, truly all-inclusive, and provide so much of what’s needed to bring a wedding to life. We are so grateful for everything they did to make our weekend so special.
LOOKING BACK, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR GUESTS WILL REMEMBER THE MOST?
I think our guests will remember the overall atmosphere most—the way everything felt intentional, warm, and full of energy, all complemented by incredible food and drinks throughout the night.
One of the things that made the celebration unique was how the experience moved through multiple spaces. Rather than staying in just one or two areas, guests were guided through four distinct settings, each with its own beautiful atmosphere and feeling. It created a sense of flow and discovery that kept the evening dynamic and engaging.
More than anything, I think they’ll remember the intimacy and the love that filled the room. It truly felt like such a connected and meaningful celebration.
And of course, one detail that everyone is still talking about are the espresso martini shots topped with whipped cream that were passed out as guests entered the after party—it was such a fun and memorable touch that perfectly energized the night.
ADVICE FROM THE BRIDE
My biggest piece of advice would be to do everything you can to be fully present on your wedding day. After all the time, effort, and countless decisions that go into planning, the day itself goes by so quickly, and it’s so important to truly soak in each moment.
One of the best ways to make that possible is by having a strong team in place—especially experienced coordinators. Having professionals you trust to manage the timeline and all the behind-the-scenes details allows you to let go of any stress and simply enjoy the day as it unfolds.
I would also encourage couples to have an honest conversation with each other early on about what matters most to them. Whether it’s prioritizing photography, creating an incredible guest experience, or focusing on intimacy and connection, understanding what is most important to both the bride and groom helps guide every decision throughout the planning process.
When your priorities are clear, it allows your vendors to support that vision and bring it to life in a way that truly reflects you as a couple. At the end of the day, you want to walk away knowing that you created the wedding you genuinely wanted—and that you were able to fully experience it together.
WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY?
Absolutely nothing.
