WEDDING | MAUNAWILI, HAWAII
Built to Blend, Not Compete, with Maunawili’s Wild Backdrop
The thought and work behind the design.
Built to Blend, Not Compete, with Maunawili’s Wild Backdrop
The first time we saw the pavilion set above a small stream, we was immediately excited by the setting itself.
In a setting this lush, the choice was either to introduce bold color or to let the florals quietly echo what was already there.
With the bride drawn to layers of green, we chose to blend rather than compete — shaping a ceremony backdrop that felt rooted in place, present, and naturally part of Maunawili itself.
First design approach with more vibrant colors.
Final digital mockup of the pavilion installation.
With the bride drawn to layers of green, we chose to blend rather than compete — shaping a ceremony backdrop that felt rooted in place, present, and naturally part of Maunawili itself.
To create that backdrop, I leaned into fine, layered textures with just a hint of color — enough to tie the ceremony and reception together without pulling focus from the landscape.
Familiarity, with a twist
With both the bride and groom being from Hawaiʻi, we wanted the design to feel familiar but not expected. The bridal bouquet became a natural place to express that balance.
Scent has a way of bringing memories back, so for their June wedding, we chose fragrant, locally grown flowers like gardenias and stephanotis — blooms many people in Hawaiʻi instantly recognize — and paired them with gloriosas and alliums to create an organic, cascading shape, with just a subtle twist.
Takotsubo Inspired Boutonnière
For our groom, a local Japanese fisherman, we wanted to incorporate something fishing-related. The pitcher plant felt like the perfect nod, mimicking a takotsubo: the traditional Japanese pot used to catch octopus.
Hanging Installation with Pele’s Hair
One thing the bride and we knew we wanted from the start was Pele's hair (Spanish Moss) - something you see all the time in Hawaii, but rarely used in wedding flowers.
And we didn't want just a little. we wanted A LOT of it to make a statement under the tent.
We could have probably used existing frames, but what’s the fun in that? We created the frames to hang greenery on to fit the perfect size in the tent.
We felt so much joy creating for E & J. Maybe it was the shared love of fishing and spearfishing with the groom, or maybe it was the bride’s warmth and trust throughout the process. Either way, it was an honor to be part of such a meaningful day.
Team
Couple : E & J
Flowers : Nine Kole
Event Coordination : Wanderful Adventures
Photography : Christie Pham Photography
Venue : Private property
Rentals : Aloha Artisans
Beauty : Kazuko Tsujii
Caterer : Colin Hazama, C4 Table
Drinks : GAZOZ
Dessert : Nius Soft Serve