RUGGED WAIPIO VALLEY HAWAII ELOPEMENT

With the changing realities of a post covid world, I want to advocate for more weddings like this rugged Waipio Valley elopement on the big island of Hawaii. They described themselves to me as adventurous and told me I should be prepared for something rugged in Waipio Valley for which they had rented the services of an all terrain vehicle for a tour. This day was an incredible photographic treat helped along by the insightful guidance of Jots of Thoughts, Hawaii wedding planner. The couple rented the only Frank Lloyd Wright house in the state of Hawai'i for their wedding week. The property sits overlooking vast swaths of Waimea countryside with views of the volcanos. Both bride and groom got dressed in the spacious house and the bride and I followed to a private home on the edge of Waipio Valley. It was perhaps a 45 min drive from the dry sunny hill country to this incredibly lush and misty valley. They were married by Kahu Tom with valley views behind them.

Post ceremony we all hopped in a chartered 4x4 for a steep and bumpy descent and tour of the expansive Hawaiian valley. We took some shots in front of some immense waterfalls at the back of the valley and then met with some wild horses as we approached the beach. One of them began pawing at my camera bag which I had unwittingly left by a tree while I worked. Our last photo stop was the misty black sand beach flanked by waterfalls. We all headed back to sunny Waimea in time to freshen up for a chef-catered dinner for two back at the Frank Lloyd Wright house. It was perfect. I'm always happy to island hop from Maui for days like these.

For another romantic Hawaiian elopement, take a look at this beauty on the island of Maui.

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