Aki and Shawn were married at 11 in the morning on the beach at Bellows, with 24 of their family and friends and Aki’s sister Kumi as her maid of honor. Their white arch was decorated with light yellow and pink hibiscus and green ivy, the chairs wore turquoise sashes with shimmering sea mist organza, and the aisle was lined with white plumeria, yellow hibiscus, sea shells and starfish.
Three days before the wedding, they did a photo tour in a very special kimono, a wedding present from Aki’s grandmother. Dressing in the kimono took almost two hours, plus another hour and a half for hair and makeup, and then we headed to the cliffs at Makapuu, Sandy Beach and the Blowhole.
Click any photo to see it full size.
Getting Ready in Waikiki · A White Hibiscus Arch at Bellows · Vows on Bellows Beach · Family & Friends on the Beach · Romance at Bellows · A Kimono Photo Tour at Makapuu · The Blowhole, Sandy Beach & a Harley
Getting ready
Getting Ready in Waikiki
Aki got ready at the Ala Moana Hotel: hair and makeup by the window, a flower in her hair, and a few quiet moments in the kimono her grandmother gave her before the photo tour.
The setup
A White Hibiscus Arch at Bellows
The white arch stood on the sand facing the ocean and the islands offshore, wrapped in yellow and pink hibiscus and ivy. Turquoise sashes, an aisle of white plumeria and yellow hibiscus edged with sea shells, and a harpist tuning her golden harp were all ready for the guests.
The ceremony
Vows on Bellows Beach
Aki arrived in a white limo and walked down the aisle with her father, carrying a light pink plumeria bouquet. Under the arch, Shawn said his vows, they exchanged rings and kissed, and their guests showered them with flower petals before they signed their wedding certificate on the sand.
Family
Family & Friends on the Beach
After the ceremony everyone gathered on the beach for photos: Aki’s mom and dad, her sister, the best man and maid of honor, and all the family and friends who flew in to share the day.
Just married
Romance at Bellows
Then the newlyweds had the beach to themselves. They posed under the arch, walked along the water, kissed by the ironwood trees, sat on a bench under the trees, and Aki danced to the harp and jumped for joy before waving goodbye.
Photo tour
A Kimono Photo Tour at Makapuu
The photo tour began at the Makapuu cliff lookout, where the day turned out beautiful. Aki wore her grandmother’s kimono and Shawn his dress uniform, high above the turquoise water.
Photo tour
The Blowhole, Sandy Beach & a Harley
Next we stopped at the Blowhole and the cliffs nearby, then Sandy Beach, about 30 minutes from Waikiki, famous for its waves. Under the palm trees at the little park by the beach they took a few more photos, including some with a Harley.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Aki and Shawn get married?
On the beach at Bellows on Oahu's east coast, at 11am, with 24 guests, followed by photos on the beach and in the ironwood trees.
Can we do a photo tour in a kimono or other traditional dress?
Yes. Aki wore a kimono from her grandmother for a photo tour at Makapuu, Sandy Beach and the Blowhole. See our photography page.
