“We took forever, and then moved really fast.” That’s the quote Maile & Patrick used on their wedding website to describe their relationship. This was a marriage essential decades in the making. But fate/the universe/coincidence made these two wait until the timing was *just* right.
They married on Martha’s Vineyard at a private home, where their ceremony overlooked both a pond and the ocean. Shuttles picked guests up at their hotels and dropped them off at the head of a long dirt road where they then walked about 1/4 mile to the ceremony site. When it came time for the ceremony to begin, Maile would make that long walk by herself, holding on to her bouquet and her white dress as she walked towards the family and friends who came to witness her exchange vows with the love of her life. When she neared the clearing, she was joined by her father and her & Patrick’s daughter to walk her the rest of the way down the aisle. Patrick, Maile, and her father all wore traditional Hawaiian maile leis, the most traditional wedding lei. It was a small (and beautiful) symbol of Maile’s heritage (and of course, her name). The ceremony was officiated by a good friend as their guests gathered around to watch. After the ceremony, all of the guests walked back up to the main house where the reception was taking place. Maile & Patrick took their time, partially because I made them for photos, but partially so they could soak it all in. In the craziness of a wedding day, it’s really special to have some time when it’s just the two of you (and a photographer with a zoom lens).
To help her pull off a perfect island wedding, Maile enlisted by emily b., an amazing group of wedding planners and designers who really helped execute her vision. All of the little details – little sprigs of lavender tied with leather around the napkins, a cool wood beer tap, champagne & oysters at the ceremony – the list is endless! Maile & Patrick enlisted the help/participation of all their talented friends to help pull the day together and as a fun detail, they posted photos and bios of everyone at the reception site. It was like a wedding website brought to life! And if you weren’t already impressed, the reception was amazing – great food, great music, gorgeous location, happy people, lots of dancing! Maile and Patrick just radiated joy the whole night. They weren’t even fazed when someone knocked their wedding cake over! And I swear it wasn’t me! When I said good-bye at the end of the night, I could feel myself tearing up. Sure, being pregnant probably played a small role, but when you see two people so happy together, so happy with the life they created together, and continue to create together every day, and you simultaneously just truly wish them a lifetime of genuine happiness and know they found it, it’s hard NOT to get emotional. And all I can say to them is, Maile & Patrick, congratulations a million times over, and on the days when you drive each other crazy, look at each other and know that even in that moment, it was 100% worth the wait.
Wedding Planner: Kristin Burgess, by emily b.
Dress: Nicole Miller for BHLDN
Veil & Earrings: BHLDN
Hair: Taryn Smith, friend of the bride
Make-up: Katie Nisbet, friend of the bride, out of Influx Salon
Leis: Cindy’s Lei Shoppe
Cake: Jess Michaud, friend of the bride
Tent: Big Sky Tent Rentals
Catering: Clambakes, Etc.
Donuts: Back Door Donuts
Pies: Morning Glory Farm
