Sometimes, the moment you realize you’ve found The Person strikes like lightning. Other times, it sneaks up, slowly and warmly like the rising sun. No matter how it happens, it’s magic, and Emma and Connor’s moment was particularly sweet.
Shares Emma, “Connor is a lifelong tennis player, and he’s been teaching me the past couple of years. It was during one of our tennis lessons that I knew I wanted to marry him. He is a patient, diligent and supportive coach and I realized he embodies everything I’m looking for in a life partner.”
Meanwhile, Connor had this to say, “The moment I met Emma I was immediately drawn to her and felt at ease around her. As we got to know each other, I discovered she was an even better person. I specifically remember one night lying in bed awake and thinking to myself that she was the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.”
They chose Maui as the spot to wed because it’s beautiful, has meaning for both of them, and it was the perfect compromise! After getting engaged, our lovely bride hoped to elope, but Connor wanted to include family. So, Hawaii it was!
More about their dreamy, intimate wedding in one of the most stunning places ever from Emma below.
wedding gown: Lea-Ann Belter Starling via the flagship Lea-Ann Belter Toronto bridal boutique | photography: Dmitri and Sandra
How did you two get engaged?
“Connor proposed at the Rose Garden in Washington Park, a local park near where we both grew up in Portland, Oregon. He had scouted a quiet place that’s more isolated and got down on one knee to pop the question. Afterwards Connor organized a surprise party at a local hotel with our close family to celebrate. My brother even flew in to join the festivities!”Tell us about your outfits! How did you choose your gown?
“I am not somebody who knew what kind of dress I wanted going into gown shopping, and honestly hadn’t given my wedding day a whole lot of thought before getting engaged. I went to a local bridal shop and tried on a lot of different dresses, but quickly learned I like the simple and sophisticated dresses. The woman helping me thought of Lea-Ann Belter immediately when I learned my preference, and I knew immediately that the dress was my favorite when I tried it on! Connor wore a blue Jack Victor suit with a white shirt, no tie, and brown shoes/belt. We wanted to keep it casual in true Hawaiian fashion.”Why did you decide to get married where you did?
“Going into wedding planning, I wanted to elope, but Connor wanted to include family in the celebration. We compromised by deciding on a small intimate wedding with just our immediate family, and because of this we decided to do a destination wedding. We really wanted it to be somewhere scenic, and we both love the ocean. Maui has a special place in our hearts because Connor’s Nana and Papa lived there for a renewed their vows on the island. We had visited together before, and it seemed like a romantic and laid back place for a wedding.”
What part of your wedding day was most important to you?
“The ceremony and location were the most important parts to us. It was really important to both of us to write our own vows so we could uniquely express our promises to each other, and why our love means so much to each other.”
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
“After the wedding and festivities, we stayed in Maui an extra week after everyone else left. We went to a different part of the island to explore and relax. We mostly laid by the beach and played tennis to unwind!”
Any tips for couples getting married?
“Everyone says this, but the day goes by so fast! A piece of advice someone gave us was to remember to stop and take it all in. Even with a small wedding there is so much going on and it can be easy to forget to just enjoy the moment!”
