1. Real Weddings

Sarah & Paul: A Tropical Wedding in The Big Island, HI

Sarah and Paul both grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and knew each other from high school. About four years ago, both moved back to their homet

Sarah and Paul both grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and knew each other from high school. About four years ago, both moved back to their hometown, and after a chance reunion at a mutual friend’s party, their reconnection led to romance. The Bride Sarah Buck, 36, owner and president of a telecom brokerage firm The Groom Paul Casey, 37, vice president of a pharmaceutical services company The Date August 19 Sarah was getting ready to leave for dinner at her parents’ house on Christmas Eve. As she came downstairs, she asked Paul if she looked okay. He replied, “You look great, but there’s just one more thing you need.” On the table was a large Christmas present. Sarah tore into it, finding a large jewelry box. Inside was a silver bracelet she’d had her eye on for a long time. But as Sarah opened all of the other drawers and compartments in the box, Paul said, “Wait, something’s missing.” He pulled a ring box out of his pocket and asked Sarah to marry him.

Floating tea lights and white orchids filled the infinity pool, which was in the side yard that guests passed through on their way to the ceremony.
In addition to the wedding cake for dessert, guests sampled chocolate truffles, lilikoi (passion fruit) tartlets, fresh fruit, and mini creme brulees.
Guests later headed back behind the house for the reception, just as the sun set. Tables were decorated for dinner with lime-green and hot-pink linens, and the palm trees above were uplit in green and purple. The tables surrounded the dance floor, which was sectioned into blocks that lit up in different colors. “It definitely set the mood,” Sarah says, “along with the grooving tunes of our band, Hot Lava, who made for an evening of constant dancing!”
Sarah and Paul’s wedding was decked out in a combination of white, violet, and green, accented with hot pink. The couple planned four days’ of activities for their 40 guests, beginning with a welcome party on Thursday and an authentic Hawaiian luau on Friday. Their theme for the festivities? “Big Island, big time.”
Sarah carried a bouquet of green cymbidium orchids. Wrapped around the stems was a white-orchid lei, which she used during the lei exchange in the ceremony.
Sarah and Paul wed in the backyard of the groom’s parents’ home, standing between two palms with the ocean in the background. Baskets of white orchids hung from tall iron stands, and led the way from the entrance to the ceremony area. The couple incorporated Hawaiian prayers into the traditional ceremony, as well as the exchange of leis. “Our officiant was spiritual and personable -- and barefoot!” Sarah says. “He completely set the tone of our ceremony, as well as the whole wedding weekend. Love, family, and the aloha spirit!”
Sarah wore Manolo Blahnik metallic silver thong sandals accented with crystals -- perfect for a stylish island wedding.
Sarah and Paul’s guests enjoyed a three-tier square wedding cake covered in white-chocolate fondant and adorned with a cascade of green cymbidium orchids. Each tier featured a different flavor: chocolate sponge cake with a chocolate pastry-cream filling, vanilla sponge cake with a vanilla buttercream filling, and lilikoi chiffon with lilikoi filling.
Sarah walked down the aisle in a gown custom-designed by a bridal salon in Raleigh. Her dress was made of eggshell-white silk organza, with an Empire waist and a deep V-neck. In back, the low cowl was accented with a lace inset, and the gown flowed down into a train with scalloped edges.
The Entertainment
Sarah had three bridesmaids -- her two sisters and new sister-in-law. Each wore a different style of dress in plum and pear green.
Sarah, Paul, and their guests enjoyed champagne in front of the house, while the backyard was being transformed for the full reception. The ceremony had been set up to one side, while the reception area was shrouded by a large white screen. Guests had no idea just how amazing the party to come would be.