I think destination weddings are so beautiful. There is just something about wedding vows set against such a natural (and breathtaking) backdrop. Honestly, how lovely is the circle that Allison and Scott stood it for their ceremony. Truly, no other decor was needed.
Allison & Scott | June 18, 2010 | Maui, Hawaii
How he proposed
Scott and I had a very long courtship. After several years together, we were living in NYC (now living in Portland, OR) and he surprised me with a beautiful ring one snowy evening in at home. I was in my pajamas and was a total wreck, but he loved me anyway. 🙂
The ceremony
We were married in Hana, HI at the Hotel Hana Maui. The ceremony took place on the afternoon of June 18, 2010 with about 35 of our closest family and friends in attendance. The ceremony site was on the bluff area overlooking the Pacific ocean and was along side a beautiful horse pasture. We had a fairly traditional wedding ceremony with small pieces of Hawaiian culture mixed in.
The moment Allison will never forget
One of my favorite moments at our reception was when my father gave a very moving speech. He is not much of a public speaker, so it really meant a lot to me that he got up there and spoke from his heart. He had everyone in tears!!
I also very much enjoyed our first dance. It was unexpected because it was not the song or the time we had planned for it, but it turned out beautifully and was truly memorable.
Splurges and Savings
The biggest splurge was definitely my dress and our reception. We saved by cutting down on the amount of flowers at the ceremony and also a few DIY items like our welcome bags, guest gifts, and family history boards. We also didn’t have a DJ which saved us quite a bit. We just hooked up an ipod to a stereo system.
Why she decided to sell her wedding dress?
I decided to sell the wedding dress because I know it can be difficult to keep a dress preserved and I am often moving around the country. I also know how expensive weddings are and no matter how much you save and cut back, you always end up spending more in areas than you expected. If I could go back in time, I would seriously consider buying a pre-owned wedding gown. You save so much money and can often get the same exact dress you would find in the bridal salon for much much less. You have to alter a new dress to fit you anyway, so why not buy used and save that money for your honeymoon or a downpayment on a home?!
Her advice for other brides
My biggest tip is to enjoy your day and if you’re a destination bride (like I was), enjoy the extended time with your family and friends. And try not to sweat the small stuff. I know it’s hard…trust me. 🙂
