Photos by Kai-Photo
When Loni jokingly asked a friend’s husband if he had any attractive single coworkers, the last thing she expected was to meet the man who would become her husband – but that’s exactly what happened! And nearly five years later, on Christmas morning, Ryan gave Loni a present she would never forget…not mistletoe, but a sparkling diamond and the offer of a lifetime together.
After contemplating a small celebration on the island of Moloka`i, where Loni was born and raised, the couple decided instead to hold their event on their home island of Oahu so all their local friends and family could attend. On the wedding day, in her suite at the Hawaii Prince hotel, Loni prepared to walk down the aisle. For accessories, she donned an earring and necklace set made of valuable Ni`ihau shells. These coveted natural wonders are gathered from the Hawaiian island also named Ni`ihau. This land is surrounded by an allure of mystery, as its shores are closed to outsiders – hence the nickname of “The Forbidden Island.” The intricate and costly shells on its beaches are believed to be spiritual due to the lengthy process it takes to find just the right ones. “I felt it was special jewelry to treasure,” Loni explains.
Prominent designer Maggie Sottero, widely known in the fashion industry for her luxurious and innovative looks, created the bride’s stunning gown. The dress featured clean lines and expert draping, while the corset-style back added the subtlest hint of flirtation to the classic shape.
The groom was the picture of island sophistication in a light-colored suit, and Loni presented him with a fresh maile lei to complete his look. A longstanding fixture at weddings, the maile lei was once used by ancient kahuna, or Hawaiian priests, to tie the hands of the bride and groom together as a symbol of their bond. Fortunately, the photo shoot before the ceremony at Tenrikyo Church didn’t involve that part of the tradition – just a lot of romance.
Loni’s bridesmaids wore strapless attire from Fighting Eel, a fashionable Hawaiian clothing line enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. The juicy cherry shade of the dresses brought a light-hearted mood, while the daisy bouquets from Elegant and Tropical Flowers felt equally fresh. Though everyone was a bit nervous for the big day, this playful pose was all about fun…
Back at the Hawaii Prince, working crews busily transformed the ballroom. The head table arrangement could have come straight from the windowsill of a sunlit house with a white picket fence. From the very beginning, “I knew that I wanted a red and yellow wedding with gerber daisies,” Loni explains. Thanks to the cheerful theme and attention to detail, the décor resembled an alfresco garden party that was both carefree and coordinated.
As per local Japanese tradition, Loni had worked together with family to carefully fold no less than 1001 cranes out of origami paper, each one an intricate symbol of the patience and cooperation that would be present in their marriage. Classic Cranes, a respected design company, then mounted the origami on plush black velvet, using each tiny bird in the formation of the Japanese kanji character “love.”
The reputation of the Hawaii Prince’s food was a leading factor in Loni and Ryan’s selection of the venue, so it’s no surprise they wanted their guests to appreciate the fare as well. The menu cards, composed on cream cardstock with a subtle sheen and accented with a pale gold ribbon, let guests know of the delicious foods to enjoy.
After the meal, Loni slipped into a halter gown by Calista of Cotton Cargo. The flowing material allowed freedom of movement for one of the evening’s highlights: The surprise hula she learned for her new groom. Since she wanted to be sure to express the perfect message, Loni had thought long and hard about the song to which she wanted to dance. In the end, her kumu, or teacher, had a dream about a woman dancing for her husband during their wedding. “The song she heard in the dream was about my favorite flower, the puakenikeni,” Loni relates. “When my kumu shared this with me I felt that the right song had been chosen for me by the right person.” It was only fitting that Loni also donned graduated strands of leis made with this same flower for the performance. Like the bloom itself, her movements were exquisite and graceful. When the music ended, she lovingly presented her leis to Ryan. Many guests teared up when they saw the look of awe in his face.
This unforgettable moment was not the only surprise. All of a sudden, A Touch of Gold, an island-famous band known for both their covers and R&B originals, entered the ballroom and treated the guests to several impromptu songs.
Kapena, a sought-after Hawaiian group which has released no less than 20 best-selling albums, also bestowed their music upon the evening, singing the harmonic, feel-good melodies that have earned them a permanent place in our land’s musical culture.
As the hour grew later, AudioZone DJ kept the party beat pulsing with a mix of dance favorites.
Tired yet happy, the couple reminisced on their events at the evening’s conclusion. “We have had lots of comments from guests saying that we had a ‘first-class’ wedding,” the bride reflects. That’s exactly the word we too would use to describe these newlyweds’ love.
Congratulations, Loni and Ryan!
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