Lauren Miller & Matthew Yen
You Had Me at Aloha
Married
Feb 16, 2019
Kaneohe ,
Hawaii
Photo Credit
Amber Laurel Photography
Style Guide
Color Palette
Style
Destination
Season
Winter
The Proposal
It was a forbidden love at the work! Actually, we made sure it was okay with our office manager that we could date. She just said, “make sure you check it at the door” and the rest was history. Or, at least the first few chapters of a book that we will continue to write as our love grows. The proposal happened out at sea. Matt’s grandmother’s ashes were spread in Moanalua Bay, so we took Matt’s father’s little Boston Whaler out to pay our respects. He then popped the question. It was very special to him because he was very close with his grandmother.
In Preparation
With our planner, Nichole Shin, at the helm, the preparation was as close to perfect as we could have imagined. We wanted the natural beauty of the island and all that it had to offer, to be the basis of the wedding. We chose a soft palette of blush, gray, and gold as it nicely complimented the surrounding lush, greenery. We wanted to have a simple wedding and have everyone from both Oahu and the Midwest just enjoy being in such a beautiful destination.
The Big Day
The Midwest winters can be brutally cold so we chose a weekend during the coldest month (February) to escape to Matt’s home island of Oahu. It was important to us to have a personalized ceremony so as asked Matt’s calabash uncle (Hawaiian term for a family member who isn’t blood related), Uncle Jim, to marry us. We also handpicked all of the songs for our ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. Our awesome DJ, Toshi of Spectrum Entertainment, did a fabulous job of putting it all together. Even though Matt and I are musically declined, music plays such a strong part in our relationship. Our guests also made the day incredibly special. From the family and friends who flew from the Mainland (continental US), to the speeches and toasts, everyone did such a great job and it really showed how very loved we are.
The Retreat
Not to sound cheesy but every time I go back to Hawaii with Matt, it feels like we’re on a honeymoon! But I will say that the two weeks we spent there before, during, and after our wedding were extra special. Matt’s mother also helped us unwind by gifting a two-night stay at the Halekulani once the wedding was over. It was a perfect way to spend our first two days as a married couple. We had one of the best rooms in the hotel that faced the ocean and we were able to relax and recap about everything that happened during our big day. We’re now expecting our first child in February and it’s going to be so special bringing our baby boy back to Matt’s lovely childhood home of Hawaii.
Contributing Vendors
PHOTOGRAPHER
Amber Laurel Photography
EVENT PLANNER
Nichole Weddings & Events, LLC
FLORALS
Flowergirls Hawaii
RECEPTION VENUE
Kahaluu Fishpond
CATERER
Island Fusion Catering
CAKE
Cake Works Hawaii
DJ
Spectrum Entertainment
EQUIPMENT RENTALS
Pacific Party Rentals LLC
CINEMA & VIDEO
Your Everyday Epic Films
SECOND SHOOTER
Alyssa Grace Photography
LINENS & COVERINGS
The Wedding Linen Company
HAIR & MAKEUP
Whik’d Hawaii
