A Romantic, Waterfront Wedding at Plantation House in Lahaina, Hawaii

Stephen West (49 and a business agent for a union) knew that Zahida Parveen (47 and a pathologist) was the one after just four months. He proposed as the sun set on a small waterfront restaurant in Maui, Hawaii. To recapture that magical moment on their wedding day, they planned an elegant sunset ceremony overlooking the water on the golf course outside of the Plantation House in Lahaina, Maui. Beneath a bamboo arch, decorated with a crystal curtain, roses, and orchids, Stephen sang “She’s Got a Way” by Billy Joel as Zahida walked down the petal-strewn aisle toward him. They decided to have a traditional Hawaiian minister officiate their wedding, including several Hawaiian traditions, a hand washing symbolized their new life together. They created a red and white color scheme, “We chose a red color theme because it's my favorite color and it represented the warmth and intensity of our love," Zahida says. "From the flowers to the bridesmaid dresses, from the decorations to the wedding favors, there was red, balanced with white and accented with crystals, that represented our shining love.” The reception was just a few steps away at the breathtaking Plantation House. It was important to Zahida and Stephen to incorporate pieces of Hawaiian culture throughout their wedding, with a guava-flavored cake and wedding favors made of Hawaiian chocolates.  —Jen Leahy