Ashley and Aaron chose Makapuu Beach for their ceremony, which immediately felt like the perfect match for their relationship. The first moments of the day felt light and joyful as their family and friends gathered along the shoreline. The soft wind moved through her veil while the water stayed surprisingly calm. Everyone kept smiling because it was one of those days where the setting truly did the work for us! I remember noticing how comfortable they were with each other right away. They kept whispering little jokes before the ceremony started, and it helped break any nerves they might have had. Since they love to travel and eat their way through date nights, it felt fitting that they chose such a special destination for this moment.

From Makapuu Beach to Kualoa Ranch Jurassic Valley

After the ceremony at Makapuu Beach, we drove to Kualoa Ranch Jurassic Valley for portraits. The shift from ocean to mountains created the coolest contrast. As we stepped out of the car, the lighting was soft and even. It felt like a dream for those filmy, carefree images they wanted.

The mountains at Jurassic Valley have this larger than life feeling. Every time I shoot there, I try to let the landscape guide the poses, since you really do not need to overthink anything. Ashley and Aaron fell right into it and kept laughing because the views felt surreal in person. Since they mentioned how much they love traveling together, it made sense that they wanted a location that felt adventurous and cinematic.

Their families followed along and kept cheering during the shoot. At one point, Aaron’s mom yelled out how proud she was, and everyone cracked up because it was such a sweet and unfiltered moment! Little reactions like that always remind me why I love documenting days like this.

A Fun + Meaningful Celebration

The whole day felt warm, relaxed, and full of genuine connection. Their group was small, yet the energy stayed high the entire time. Since they are close with their friends and family, every single person felt invested in celebrating them. One of the guests even mentioned that the locations felt like something out of a movie, and I could not have agreed more!

Since the combination of Makapuu Beach and Kualoa Ranch Jurassic Valley created such a memorable setting, the entire gallery came together effortlessly. Their vision was fun, filmy, and carefree. I loved every second of it.

Valory Evalyn | Hawaii Wedding + Couples Photographer

If you’re dreaming of a wedding day that feels relaxed, scenic, and deeply meaningful, Makapuʻu Beach is the perfect place to begin your forever. From dramatic coastal cliffs to soft golden light, this shoreline has a way of turning simple moments into the kind of memories you’ll hold onto for a lifetime. I would be honored to photograph your celebration and help you create images that feel as natural and heartfelt as the day itself. If Makapuʻu Beach (or anywhere on Oʻahu!) is calling your name, reach out to start planning your dream wedding experience.

I can’t wait to hear from you and help bring your vision to life!