A Classic Destination Wedding with a Tropical Twist at Kaanapali Coffee Farms in Maui, Hawaii

Fate came into play when Carolyn Wiktor (30 and a wedding consultant) and Ben Clay (30 and a US Navy officer) met on a flight leaving Maui, Hawaii, to return to the mainland. Fifteen years later, the couple returned to the island where it all began to have their tropical-themed destination wedding at Kaanapali Coffee Farms in Maui, Hawaii. “We wanted a place to celebrate and stay, and it seemed perfect for us to return to the place where our relationship began,” Carolyn says. The wedding-party attire was comfortable and simple: Bridesmaids wore pink dresses in different styles of their choice, while Ben and his groomsmen wore a casual combination of Tommy Bahama tropical shirts, khakis and boat shoes, all captured on camera by Angela Nelson Photography. The bride even dressed it down by wearing an ivory bridesmaid dress that her mom accented with a sash, reflecting the day's relaxed vibe. With the help of event planner Elaine Kerr, decorative items that fit the tropical theme resulted in an array of colorful hues, rather than following a strict palette, from the fresh pineapples used as centerpieces to the bright blue sunglasses and programs. We loved the local spin incorporated into the wedding through the freshly picked flowers that made up Carolyn's stunning bouquet, filled with colorful anemones, ranunculus and roses. "Focus on what's important to you as a couple, not what you think your guests will expect," Carolyn says. "Stay true to yourselves, and don't sweat on the small stuff."