An Elegant Lanikuhonua Wedding in Oahu | Winnie & Jeffrey
Winnie and Jeffrey were married at Lanikuhonua in Oahu on October 3, 2026. Their day paired a classic white and green palette with a tented reception and a lively lion dance. It struck a balance I always love to photograph: thoughtful design, and a celebration that still felt relaxed and natural.
Getting Ready and a First Look at Four Seasons Oahu
Winnie and Jeffrey got ready at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina, just minutes from Lanikuhonua. Before the ceremony, they shared their first look in the garden corridor on the first floor of the hotel, a quiet walkway lined with palms and greenery.
Jeffrey waited with his back turned as Winnie walked up behind him. When he turned around, the emotion hit them both at once. There were tears, laughter, and then a few quiet minutes together as they read their private vows to each other. Their wedding party watched from nearby, wiping tears and cheering, but in that moment it felt like the two of them were in a world of their own.
This is why I love first looks. Once the ceremony begins, the day moves quickly. A first look gives a couple time to breathe, and to be nervous, happy, and emotional together, before they step in front of everyone they love.
A White and Green Palette at Lanikuhonua
Lanikuhonua is a private oceanfront estate in Ko Olina, with wide lawns that run down toward the water. A white and green palette fits this setting naturally. White keeps everything light and clean, while the greens pick up the palms and gardens around the estate, so the design feels like part of the place rather than something placed on top of it.
When I photograph wedding details, I look at how everything comes together as a whole, not just each piece on its own. The goal is to show the full picture while still saving the small things the couple chose with care.
A Tented Reception
The reception took place under a tent, with the same white and green palette carried through, so the whole day reads as one story. I photograph receptions in two ways: wide frames that show the atmosphere of the space, and closer frames that stay with the people. One helps you remember how the wedding looked. The other helps you remember how it felt to be there.
The Lion Dance
The lion dance brought a burst of color and energy to the celebration, and a fun contrast against the soft palette. For moments like this, I watch two things at once: the performance itself, and the faces around it. The laughter and reactions in the crowd are half the story.
Photographing a Destination Wedding in Oahu
My approach to destination weddings is simple: an editorial eye for portraits, and a calm, easy presence for everything in between. Couples get portraits they are proud to frame, along with the honest moments that bring the day back years later. Winnie and Jeffrey's wedding had both, in one of the most beautiful settings in Oahu.
Winnie and Jeffrey, thank you for trusting me to document your day. It was a joy to be part of it.
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