by Joel McDonald | Mar 22, 2017 | Kauai Wedding Photography, Kauai Weddings
A Swiss Couple gets married on Kauai!
Not something that happens every day … after all, Hawaii is on the other side of the world to Switzerland. However, that didn’t stop Swiss couple Sandra and Patrick from choosing a Kauai destination wedding. The couple got married on Kauai at Tunnels Beach on the North Shore on January 17th, 2017, on a bright sunny day in January, which is supposed to be the “rainy season”. However on that day the weather was perfectly clear without a drop in the air.
Sunny day at Tunnels Beach: what a way to get married on Kauai!
Love is Beyond Language
The parents didn’t speak a lot of English – luckily for us both Joel and I speak German and Spanish (and Joel speaks Japanese too). The family had a hard time parking at Tunnels beach. Even just parking a few cars there turned out to be way more difficult than anyone would’ve thought on a weekday morning during non-peak season. Once everyone finally got their cars parked the wedding started quickly and effortlessly. There were three of us working the wedding, plus the bride, the groom and two guests.
To get married on Kauai often means to do a ring exchange on the beach.
From Switzerland, the Other Side World to Hawaii …
The brides’ parents were unable to make it from Basel Switzerland. One of the most touching moments of the ceremony was when the mother of the groom hugged the bride – you didn’t need to speak their language to see that she loved her like a daughter. There embrace was exaggeratedly long. It was clear that this family was a unit and loved each other deeply.
Exquisite Turquoise Ocean and Scenery
We found a nice shady spot even though it was 11:30 in the morning. We did the service right next to the exquisitely gorgeous turquoise and blue ocean, standing underneath the most magnificent sheer tropical cliff. I couldn’t imagine a more beautiful setting surrounded by the lush Napali Coast, plus the amazing whales which are around and jumping this time of the year. And, to top it all off, some of the most exquisite blue and turquoise colors I’ve seen in a long time!
Great Kauai Weather for Wedding Photography
After the ceremony we took some group photos and then the bride, groom and I went in the sun to the waters edge for a couple shots. The weather could simply have not been more perfect. It was hot enough to want to stand in the shade but not uncomfortably hot – it was so sunny it may taking pictures easy and once they were edited the colors were magnificent. There was just the right amount of cloud cover to be comfortable and yet make the photos pop.
This couple decided to rush their photos for only $40 and received them 3 days later – they were thrilled!
Congratulations Sandra and Patrick!
This wedding was performed by Aloha Ever After, with wedding photography taken by Timory McDonald Photography.
by Joel McDonald | Feb 18, 2017 | Kauai Wedding Photography, Photography
Pretty! This featured kauai family photo shoot has some girls in sync.
Our featured Kauai family photo shoot
took place on December 20th, 2016, at Kealia Beach, Kauai. Right before Christmas we had the opportunity to meet a lovely family from California who were out here on Kauai for their parents’ 30th wedding anniversary. The 5 siblings decided to gift their parents with a long overdue photo shoot of the whole family. The siblings had contacted Timory McDonald Photography ahead of time, splitting the cost of the photo shoot so it didn’t cost any of them very much money.
The Best Way to Incorporate the Surprise Element with Women and Photo Shoots
Additionally, we planned to do the whole thing as a surprise, and we love surprises! However we‘ve learned over the years that while it’s a great idea to surprise a woman with the photo shoot (you can’t go wrong with offering her photos) … it’s not always a good idea to spring it on her right in the moment. A woman needs to be ready, with her hair and makeup the way she feels comfortable, in order to enjoy the pictures! So the mom and dad were told that they were going to take some family pictures with their iPhones down at the beach – the surprise was that it would actually be Timory, a professional photographer.
Family Photo Shoot with A Christmas Theme
Since it was right before Christmas, Timory met with the siblings right before the photo shoot to come up with a plan to make it as festive of a surprise as possible. She drove up in her white SUV, decorated as Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, put on a Santa hat and met them right next to the bike path full of Christmas joy and enthusiasm as she wished them a happy 30th wedding anniversary surprise as well as “Merry Christmas”!
Great Variety of Backdrops for Photos
One of the 5 siblings was a very wonderful disabled man in a wheelchair. Timory had gone early to find the perfect location where we could get a picture with the beach in the background but still keep him on the cement bicycle path. We took a surprisingly large selection of background shots given that we only left the path once. For instance, we took pictures near a tree with the ocean background, just an ocean background, trees and pine trees surrounding the sand and the ocean and we even went down to a bridge to have a river and the ocean in the background. It was a wonderfully varied 60 minute photo shoot!
Happy Anniversary and Happy Holidays
The clients were very happy. We received this testimonial about their featured Kauai family photo shoot:
“Thank you again for the quick turn around with the photos. They turned out amazing! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Best“ ~ Hannah
Happy 30th wedding anniversary and happy holidays to Hannah and all her family!
This family photography shoot was taken by Timory McDonald Photography.
by Joel McDonald | Nov 12, 2016 | Kauai Wedding Photography, Kauai Weddings
Tunnels Beach, Kauai,
was the scene of a beautiful, picture-perfect sunset on Sunday, Sept 23rd, 2016, for the wedding of Matt and Ryan. The sunset was so stunning and gorgeous it looked like a postcard, with gentle touches of pink draped across the fading blue sky. Against this Tunnels Beach backdrop 20 people gathered, all dear family and friends of Matt and Ryan, to celebrate a love they were finally able to legally consummate.
Tunnels Beach: Wide and Long, With Bali Hai Mountains in the Background
There is a reason why Tunnels Beach is chosen by so many brides and grooms doing a destination wedding on Kauai. During the summer months, the sun actually sets into the water, providing a truly spectacular sight. Tunnels Beach has it all: a wide long beach, calm waters, nearby jungle and forest, and towering mountains surrounding you on one side – the unique shape of Bali Hai. The jagged outline of Bali Hai is often used in tourist commercials advertising Kauai as a holiday destination.
Wedding Ceremony: Touching and Emotional
The wedding ceremony itself was touching, with Matt and Ryan both choosing to write their own vows, which they read aloud before exchanging rings. They involved their 10 year old daughter in the ceremony, by including her in the traditional Hawaiian lei exchange at the beginning. Matt and Ryan both wore the open green ti leaf leis, traditionally worn by men, while they daughter wore a purple-and-white orchid lei.
Amazing Beach Wedding Photos
Some wedding groups are more friendly, outgoing or photogenic than others. This group was particularly joyful, which made it easy for photographer Timory McDonald to bring out the best in them and capture some great shots. The group was composed of babies, young children, other married couples and family elders; the group photos thus reflected a wide spectrum of ages and interests.
Congratulations Matt and Ryan!
This wedding was performed by Aloha Ever After, with wedding photography taken by Timory McDonald Photography.
by Joel McDonald | Nov 12, 2016 | Kauai Wedding Photography, Kauai Weddings, Wedding Photography in Hawaii
Lydgate Beach, Kauai,
was the scene of a most unusual – but romantic – wedding on Wednesday, October 26th, 2016. Adam and Francesca had decided to get married on Kauai, and when the big day arrived, it was raining on almost every side of the island. We eventually found a secluded little shelter or hut right next to Lydgate beach where they could get married near the ocean, despite the Hawaiian rains. However, rain on your wedding day is considered a blessing in Hawaii.
A Misty Tropical Hawaiian Beach Wedding
Lydgate Beach is a great Kauai wedding location because it is private, not often frequented by tourists, and features many secluded areas. It is normally also dry and sunny at sunset, but on this occasion, the rain had set in. Despite this, we actually conducted the wedding in the open, right next to the shelter. Adam and Francesca actually exchanged vows while the minister (Joel) prompted them in the mist!
Wedding Music with “Love Song” (by the Cure) on Ukulele
The atmosphere of the wedding ceremony was augmented by Aimee Brown, a superb vocalist who also played traditional Hawaiian ukulele wedding songs. Adam and Francesca had requested a special song for them: “Love Song” by the Cure. Aimee played it right at the conclusion of the wedding ceremony, right after they had been declared husband and wife.
A Day to Remember Forever
Some brides have a fixed idea of what they want on their wedding day. This is fine, however if you are choosing to have an outdoor wedding in Hawaii, you can’t control the weather! Francesca was a very relaxed bride who flowed with the conditions and was happy regardless. They were a couple that was clearly and deeply in love. They will remember their wedding day forever thanks to the rain. The next day, which was dry, Timory did some wedding photography for them at another location, so now they have 2 sets of photos instead of just 1.
Congratulations Adam and Francesca!
This wedding was performed by Aloha Ever After, with wedding photography taken by Timory McDonald Photography.
by Joel McDonald | Mar 12, 2016 | Kauai Wedding Photography, Kauai Weddings
Learn what you need to do to prepare your bridal party for the after-ceremony wedding portraits, including tips on styling and making a master list.
Wedding portraits
are an aspect of the ceremony for which many people in your bridal party may be unprepared. After all, some people may be following you all the way to Kauai for your Hawaii destination wedding to have fun, let their hair down and celebrate! You, however, may be counting on them to step in front of the camera and say “cheese” when they are told by the wedding photographer. Read on to learn about making your photo list, styling and posing, and how to communicate what you want. With this info, you’ll successfully prepare your bridal party for their part in the keepsake beach wedding portraits that will bring back all the memories of that special day!
Make a List and Check It Twice
Making a master list for you, your wedding party and your photographer will be a great help when it comes time for family pictures. Keep these things in mind:
- Work with your photographer on a detailed photo list and give it to every person in your bridal party. It should include who, when, and where. For example: Parents of the bride at 3:00pm by the water fountain.
- Pad the times a little to account for delays.
- Your photographer is a professional and knows which shots to take of your bridal party. However, if there are any creative poses or specific locations that you’ve been dying to use, put it on the list.
- Put someone in charge of ensuring everyone is present when it’s their time to smile.
With a master list, your photoshoot will run like clockwork.
Styling and Posing
The biggest thing to remember about styling and posing is to trust your photographer. He or she knows how to show off everyone’s best features in the wedding portraits. Here are a few other pointers:
- Carry the “feel” of your wedding into your pictures. If it’s a black tie affair, you’ll want formal portraits. If it’s a wedding with a kick-back vibe, you’ll want spontaneous and fun snapshots.
- If using any, assign someone to bring props, hand them out, and then gather them up.
- If a child isn’t looking and smiling, maintain your composure. It’s confusing and overwhelming for the child when many adults make different demands at once. Then, if the child does smile, the adults aren’t ready. Let the photographer use his or her own tricks.
The best pictures don’t always have perfect styling and poses but instead have personality and genuine smiles.
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
The number one thing you can do in preparing your wedding party for pictures is to communicate the following items well beforehand:
- The list
- The styling and posing
- The assignments
- The desired lack of drama and stress
Remember, trust your professional photographer and you’ll forever look back on your wedding portraits with a smile.
For Kauai wedding photography or any other aspect of your wedding planning, contact Timory McDonald Photography today!
