Kara & Josh -Andaz Wailea Wedding

This Andaz Wailea Wedding is one of my favorites to date.

It’s hard to put into words how much love I have for Kara & Josh. The love they share is so tangible.

The two met while going to college in Arizona. When their relationship got serious, Kara made the move to Maui to live close to Josh and start their future together. From following them in the good ole’ Instagram I knew they were my type of couple. These two travel all over the place and just have a ton of fun together.

Most of my couples aren’t from Maui which means I typically don’t get to meet them in person until their wedding day. I was SO SO happy to get to grab a few cups of coffee with Kara to talk about all things wedding planning. When I say “I’m here for you” and “let me know however I can help,” I 100% mean it. Planning a wedding can be so difficult. As someone who got married on Maui and has been to a ton of weddings, I love to provide insight to help make the planning process a bit easier for ya!

For their engagement session, we did one of my favorite hikes on Maui which just solidified that they were my dream couple!! They were literally up for anything. You can read all of their engagement session here.

Okay, let’s talk about the wedding!

Hanging out in the room when my couples get ready is one of my favorite parts of the wedding day! I approach getting ready photos as a fly on the wall. I do my very best to direct as little as possible. I’m just there to photograph you and your people getting ready and having a ton of fun together. Getting Ready is all about the candids and very little posing. I’m always observing to make sure I’m in the right place at the right time. One of the reasons why I l love Andaz Wailea weddings is because the rooms are SO beautiful for getting ready in. They’re super modern which looks so great in photos.

When Josh opened his pre-wedding letter and gifts from Kara he was instantly brought to tears… even with his groomsmen watching him. Josh just kept saying “oh my gosh, Kara is so cute.”  It was the sweetest!!! Kara reacted the same way when she read her letter from Josh… just trying to keep it together 🙂

Back when Kara & Josh were dating, they went to a Backstreet Boys concert. I had no idea that they still do those!! Anyway, during Josh’s vows, he quoted a popular line from one of their songs. During the last line, every groomsman and possible some of the audience said the words with him. It was hilarious. You can tell from the photos that Kara thought so too 🙂

A few little special details that I love from the day:

Kara opted out of a first look with Josh and did a first look with her bridesmaids AND her dad instead. I’m all about this.

Time was a priority for the couple. Wedding days go by fast and Kara and Josh didn’t want to miss a beat. When we made their timeline, we made sure to give a lot of buffer time. I love buffer time. You should always add it in. Naturally, things don’t always stick exactly to schedule. It’s best to have some time so that you aren’t feeling rushed during any part of your wedding day.

Kara and Josh’s wedding was one of those that makes me fall deeply in love with being a wedding photographer all over again. Honestly though, I feel that way after every single elopement or wedding… umm can I do this forever!??

All of the vendors that made this Maui Wedding possible:

Videography: Ryan Flinn 

Hair & Makeup: Amelia Hair and Makeup

Getting Ready Location: Andaz Wailea

Florist: Floral Designs Maui

Dress: BHLDN

The wedding was featured over at Pacific Weddings. Check out the article here.