Photography by Bridget Kaleki

Jonah & Leslie

What a lovely , back on the farm,  ‘Up Mauka’ kinda wedding.  The Armitage ‘Ohana worked long and hard to perfect their farm for the big day, and what an outstanding job they did!  Not even gonna mention the killer kau kau (food) the whole extended ‘ohana worked days in advance to prepare.

Everything just fell in place as it was just meant to be.  It seemed like just the other day, Leslie, another one of our ‘Captain Cook Beauties’  was about to embark on an adventure to South Africa for a nine month school with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) where she met Jonah and …connect the dots… here we are on the other side, celebrating their love, and commitment for one another.

Couldn’t have been a more bitter-sweet departure as she hugged the ones she loved and bid her good-byes before taking off for her new home destination–Alaska.  The Robinson Adventure is just beginning and thank goodness for Skype and Facebook to keep us filled in!

Mahalo Nui Jonah & Leslie for allowing me to capture your first day as newlyweds!

The beauty of this wedding (besides the Bride & Groom) was the simplicity of it all.  This Haleiwa day was absolutely stunning up at Kawailoa Ranch on the North Shore of O’ahu.  And the old pavilion was transformed from drab to fab thanks to all the wonderful friends and family that helped kokua.

Robert & Gisele: It was an absolute delight to shoot your wedding. You couldn’t have been more stunning and wonderful to work with- and I’d do it again in a heartbeat-though it’d be hard to recapture those one off moments, so I’m glad we’re only going for once here…ok maybe a vow renewal in 40 or 50?  I’ll pencil it in?!

Congratulations and Much Aloha~

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The excitement of Alena’s big day was all a-buzz as I stepped into their suite at the Sheraton Kona Resort.  With all the activity and commotion going on, all ten bridesmaids were like honeybees on a mission with one thing on their mind-get this queen ready!  I’ve known these girls for a long time, Alena, Joy, and I grew up ‘on the hill’ together and they were the reason I would’ve ever considered stepping out onto a soccer field (how can I ever repay them?!).  It brought tears to my eyes to see Alena so radiant, absolutely gorgeous and did I mention c-a-l-m?  Yes all of the above–you knew this day was a long time coming and she was nothing but ready.  I only wish we had more time before the wedding to shoot photos before rushing off to make the ceremony, but then again I always want that.  Gio is one blessed man to have this ‘Captain Cook Country Beauty’ and we were all so happy to see her united with him, as it was a beautiful ceremony and reception on the Benton family farm that evening.  And better yet that this photog got the pleasure of being a guest only, no camera bag date to lug around!

Congratulations Gio & Alena!  Lens you are a dear friend and it was such a delight to capture your last moments as being Ms. Alena Benton–now on to bigger and better things– with some “G” style.