1. Real Weddings

A Mountain-Chic Multicultural Polynesian Wedding at Quiet Meadow Farm in Mapleton, Utah

After meeting on Tinder, Kourtney Finch (23 and a receptionist) bonded with Fonoivasa Mata'afa (22 and a solar panel engineer) over their love of laug

After meeting on Tinder, Kourtney Finch (23 and a receptionist) bonded with Fonoivasa Mata'afa (22 and a solar panel engineer) over their love of laughter, family and dance. They married in the LDS Church and celebrated with a lively, multicultural reception for 200 at Quiet Meadow Farm in Mapleton, Utah, south of Provo. The rustic event centered on tropical vine motifs and shades of olive green, navy, cream and rose gold. Taking full advantage of the farm’s open space, Vasa and his family performed traditional Samoan dances in the grass—Kourtney got in on the fun too, dancing the celebratory Taualuga. “Not only did I wear a traditional dress, but I had baby oil rubbed all over me and red lipstick on cheeks,” Kourtney says. “It was fun to learn my choreography. It was really beautiful and such a fun experience.” Before the night was through, guests enjoyed a range of Hawaiian desserts, from guava cupcakes to mini pineapple upside-down cakes. Kourtney’s advice for other brides is simple: “Make it yours, even if what you like isn't trendy. And enjoy every second of the day—you deserve it after all those crazy months of planning.” —Carolyn Meers

Both Kourtney and Vasa have rose gold wedding bands; hers has a vine motif, a nod to Vasa's Pacific Islander heritage.
Kourtney's lacy dress had a mix of floral patterns, which fit well with the day's tropical theme. She paired her gown with a white rose flower crown, and a luscious bouquet of eucalyptus and white blossoms created by White Lily Lane.
Vasa sported a navy suit with a vine-patterned tie for the traditional Mormon ceremony. He and Kourtney also donned traditional Polynesian leis for the event.
Vasa's groomsmen wore khakis, cream shirts embroidered with leaves and flowers. They also wore traditional Kukui Nut leis.
"Quiet Meadow Farm had everything we needed and more: a beautiful spacious barn, an orchard, a field and animals," Kourtney says. "It was so dreamy."
At the reception, Kourtney surprised Vasa by performing the Samoan Taualuga dance. "I wore a traditional dress, and I also had baby oil rubbed all over me and red lipstick on my cheeks,” Kourtney says.
At the reception, Kourtney and Vasa created a special display that highlighted vintage photos of family members. "We really wanted it to be a day of not only celebrating us but also love in general," Kourtney says.
Handcrafted chalkboard signs encouraged guests to leave notes and well-wishes in the couple's guest book.
Adding to the day's Polynesian flair, tropical green garlands were hung from the chandeliers in the barn of the indoor-outdoor reception at Quiet Meadow Farm in Mapleton, Utah.
Cake Bliss of Provo, Utah, created Kourtney and Vasa's simple, roughly frosted white wedding cake adorned with white roses and displayed on a rustic wooden serving stand.
"The desserts we served at our wedding were fun island-themed desserts. We had guri-guri, a Hawaiian ice cream, mini pineapple upside-down cakes, banana bread with a coconut butter, guava cupcakes and haupia, a coconut dessert," Kourtney says.
At the end of the night, the newlyweds exited through a sparkler tunnel. Kourtney’s advice for other brides is simple: “Make it yours, even if what you like isn't trendy. And enjoy every second of the day—you deserve it after all those crazy months of planning.”