A Wedding Full of Sweet Tradition: Melissa & Matt’s Big Island Celebration

As wedding planners, we’ve had the privilege of bringing many beautiful visions to life, but Melissa and Matt’s wedding was truly one of a kind. Their celebration was a perfect reflection of who they are as a couple: deeply connected to family, traditions, and the places that have shaped them. From start to finish, their wedding was a blend of personal touches, natural beauty, and unforgettable experiences that left a lasting impression on everyone involved.

A Wedding Rooted in Meaning

Melissa and Matt’s wedding was centered around a unique theme: honey. Melissa’s name means “honey bee,” and her father is a beekeeper, while Matt’s tattooed “rose” is a cover-up of a honey bee tattoo. Their shared connection to bees and honey became a beautiful thread woven through the day. They incorporated an ancient tradition where the couple feeds each other honey before their first kiss, a nod to both Persian and Greek customs.

The couple also embraced the tradition of mead, or honey wine, which inspired the term “honeymoon.” To honor this, they toasted their guests with local mead and gave them jars of honey from Melissa’s father’s hives as a sweet memento of their time in Hawaii.

Hawaii, the Perfect Backdrop

When it came time to choose a location, Melissa and Matt knew they wanted something unique and meaningful. Hawaii, specifically the Big Island, felt like the perfect place. Matt had lived on Oahu for years, and Melissa had a personal connection to Kona. The islands represented creation, growth, and new beginnings—making it the ideal setting for their wedding. As their officiant so beautifully said, “The ocean doesn’t separate us; it connects us.” And that sentiment was woven into the very fabric of the day, as the couple exchanged vows under the blue Hawaiian sky, with the sound of the ocean’s waves as a backdrop.

They also timed the wedding to coincide with humpback whale season—something Melissa had dreamed of for years. It was a spectacular experience for all the guests, who were lucky enough to witness the majestic whales breaching off the coast. It was a magical touch that I don’t think anyone will ever forget.

Thoughtful Details and Vintage Charm

One of the most unique aspects of this wedding was Melissa and Matt’s commitment to making their guests feel cared for. They wanted every detail to be a reflection of their personalities, and their love for their guests was evident throughout the day. As a couple who both thrive on acts of service, they made sure their loved ones felt valued and appreciated every step of the way.

They kicked things off with a Welcome Bag Pick-Up Experience, where guests picked up their embroidered, handmade welcome bags at a rented estate. To ensure everyone had a relaxed and intimate experience, we staggered guest arrivals throughout the day. The highlight of the event was the custom bar menu they designed, which featured a selection of tropical drinks and local snacks. A never-ending charcuterie board and Matt’s signature twist on a classic Pina Colada were crowd favorites. Melissa also sourced vintage Hawaii matches and stirrers, adding a touch of retro charm to the bar.

A Monochrome Tablescape with Hawaiian Flair

The reception was nothing short of breathtaking. As guests entered the venue, the sunset over the ocean bathed everything in a golden glow, creating the perfect atmosphere for the evening. For the tablescapes, we used a color palette of Chartreuse, Boysenberry, and Light Pink, which felt fresh and vibrant against the tropical landscape.

But it wasn’t just the colors that made the tables stand out. Each table featured local produce—jackfruit, rollinia, jaboticaba, mountain apples, banana flowers, and eureka lemons—all showcased as part of a larger tribute to the natural beauty of Hawaii. It was a bold and creative choice that elevated the reception, and I was in awe of how our team, Shoots and Blooms and our local farmers brought Melissa’s vision to life. The tablescapes stole the show during golden hour, and I’ll never forget the look on the couple’s faces as they took it all in.

Instead of traditional escort cards, Melissa and Matt opted for a more personal touch: vintage handkerchiefs. Each handkerchief was carefully embroidered with a guest’s name and served as both a place setting and a beautiful keepsake for the evening. Most of the guests folded their napkins and took them home as a reminder of the day—a small, but meaningful detail.

Sweet Traditions and Lasting Memories

During dinner, the celebration continued with a a rendition of “Say a Little Prayer” performed by their dear friends, Mary Claire King and Chris Dwan (literal broadway stars!), toasts of local mead, and a beautiful ohana-style farm-to-table dinner from Chefs Katie and Dan Robayo. 

After dinner, guests shuttled to nearby restaurant, Sunset Kai Lanai to dance the night away with Island Kings Band, dessert and late night snacks. As a final touch, they served an impossibly long 12-foot key lime pie, which became a crowd favorite, and late night snacks of breakfast sandwiches and tator tots. 

As wedding planners, weddings like these are the reason we love what we do. Melissa and Matt’s wedding was a perfect blend of personal traditions, thoughtful details, and an undeniable sense of love and community. From the honeybee-inspired rituals to the carefully designed local fruit tablescape, everything about their day felt intimate, unique, and filled with meaning. It was a celebration I will cherish forever, and I’m so grateful to have played a part in their beautiful journey.

Vendor list with links:

Planning and Design: Sunshower Weddings

Photo: Calen Rose 

Video: Ben Rountree 

Venues: Outrigger Kona Hotel, Hale Wailele, Sunset Kai Lanai 

Florals: Shoots and Blooms 

Catering: Pa’ina Pantry 

Bar: Spirited Cocktail Co.

Dessert and Late Night Snack: Sunset Kai Lanai 

Cocktail hour and dinner music: Ponchoman

Wedding Band: Island Kings Band

Hair and Makeup: Golden Hour Beauty

Napkin details: Honeybee Roses

Furniture rentals: Kea and Loa and Island Celebrations Hawaii

Lighting: Kona Event Rentals

Flatware: Meraki Events Hawaii

Tablescape and placesetting rentals: Sunshower Rentals

Fruit Bar menus: Island Celebrations Hawaii

Dancefloor lighting, audio and photo booth: 240 Media

Shuttle: Blue Sky Transportation

Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Huggos On the Rocks

Attire:

• Welcome Party
  • Bride’s attire – Kes NYC
  • Groom’s attire – Dandy Del Mar
• Rehearsal:
  • Bride’s attire – Oscar de la renta Raffia Dress
  • Groom’s attire- linen suit from Percival
• Wedding:
  • Bride’s Wedding Look – Kyha Studios – Milford Skirt, Kyha Studios – Kasia Corset, and Jimmy Choo Bing 100
  • Bride’s Reception Look – Kyha Studios – Young Hearts
  • Groom’s Wedding Look – Allen David Custom Suit in NYC and he chose a Zegna fabric