If there is one thing I love, it’s sunsets. (Sunrises too. I’m not picky. I’m just usually more awake for a sunset than I am for a sunrise.) They are a thing of beauty – in shades of red, yellow, orange, pink, and purple. Whether it’s on the beach or in the mountains, in the winter or the summer – sunsets are always full of promise. Much like this couple – beautiful, full of promise, and very much in love – who chose to wed on this Hawaiian beach at sunset, with only the incredibly talented Jana Morgan Photography there to witness and capture every loving moment.

Ironically enough, Dabney and Chris are from my neck of the woods having attended the same small college in Connecticut. Even more ironic is the fact that they never crossed paths while there. Not once. (Crazy, right?) They went to a lot of the same parties, had a lot of the same friends, but neither can ever remember being introduced. Then, two years later, in California, Dabney was visiting friends who took her to a party of some other Connecticut college grads. The guys hosting the party were good friends of Chris, who also attended the party. And still they did not meet.

Ten years later (yes, ten), Chris and Dabney met at a favorite local breakfast spot. They lived only about a mile from one another in Oakland, CA. (Also ironic.) They soon discovered how much they had in common, how many friends they shared, and how many missed connections they’d had. Many years later and a long way from New England, they were finally ready to meet. (Sounds like fate to me.)

Their relationship has always been filled with laughter and travel. Dabney cannot remember a moment where she wasn’t laughing with Chris. During their first year together, they travelled quite a bit. As far away as Europe and Brazil, and as close as San Diego, Pt. Reyes, Santa Cruz, and Tahoe. But no matter how near or far, each trip was special and holds many memories for the two. Including a very special moment in Brazil, when Chris told Dabney he was in love with her. (Sigh.)

Chris had a reputation for being a very quiet and private man. But with Dabney, he was very willing to communicate – more so than any other man Dabney had ever dated. It wasn’t long before Dabney realized she was in love with him. You see, for her, Chris was not just a nice guy – he was funny, smart, and had enough of an edge to make him the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

They bought a house together some time later. And like any normal, red blooded, American girl, Dabney began wondering if there was a ring in her near future. She dropped little hints, but Chris never let on that he was in fact planning his proposal. On the eve of a romantic getaway they had planned to the wine country in Calistoga, Dabney asked if the weekend held any special significance. When Chris shrugged off her questioning, Dabney figured it wasn’t time yet.

The day Chris had planned to pop the question, Dabney derailed most of his plans. She suggested a far less special breakfast place and opted out of the hike they were supposed to take, where Chris had planned to get down on one knee. Always one to go with the flow though, Chris regrouped and planned again. And as they walked into their hotel room, and Dabney fumbled for a light switch, Chris got down on one knee. When the lights came on and Dabney turned around, Chris asked her to be his wife. It was a complete surprise, exactly how Chris wanted it to be.

As they left the hotel to go to dinner that night, they passed two women who out of the blue commented that they looked like the happiest couple on Earth. Truth was, in that moment, they probably were. (Sigh.)

{From the bride} The wedding was so much fun. Since it was just the two of us, it was pretty low stress. I woke up and took a yoga class while Chris went snorkeling. On his adventure, he swam with what he recalls was the biggest turtle he had ever seen in his life. That seemed like a good omen to me as I love turtles.

After returning to the hotel, we took a cab to the local marriage license place – where we encountered several other couples getting married that day. Then it was off to a nice lunch where we toasted our impending nuptials. All’s that was left after that was to get ready, and call family and friends over Skype. We loved being able to connect with our parents and Chris’ brother and wife on our special day even though they couldn’t be there with us.

When our lovely photographer, Jana Morgan, arrived, the wedding officially got started. I was so nervous. Was my hair okay? Was my bouquet alright? There were photographs a plenty and then it was off to the beach. At the point at which we arrived at the beach, the stress seemed to melt away. All I can remember is being really, really happy and so in love. I didn’t care about the photographs anymore. I didn’t care about the weather. I couldn’t stop smiling and looking in Chris’ eyes.

Our minister was amazing. The vows were beautiful. It’s all a bit of a blur, but certain elements I remember clearly. I loved when the minister chanted a blessing to mark the beginning of the ceremony. I loved the Lei ceremony when Chris put the flowers around my neck. I loved when the minister did a blessing on our rings. I remember those moments clearly and again, I just remember being so, so happy.

After we were pronounced husband and wife, we played on the beach for a bit, took a few more photos, and then it was time to celebrate. Which we did! We had a bottle of champagne, a Rolls Royce limo, and we were headed to what we had heard was the best restaurant on the island – Mama’s Fish House.

It had been a long day. After dinner, we were tired, tipsy, and content as we headed back to our hotel to begin our honeymoon and more importantly our lives together.

Wasn’t their wedding just beautiful? I love the simplicity of it. Just them, the minister, and photographer. The sun, the sand, the love. Beautiful. Makes me want to get married on the beach (a dream of mine I’ve had for a very long time).

{From the couple} Our wedding advice is to not get carried away and spend too much. It’s a blur no matter what you do and the most important thing is that you are getting married! You are going to get to be with your best friend and that is what counts. Our marriage advice is to really be conscious of being nice to one another. Even if you are in a bad moon – own it, apologize, and ask for a hug. Oh, yeah – and if you ever go to Mama’s Fish House – get the lobster. It was amazing.”

I’ll remember that. I love lobster. And I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii… :)

Picture perfect advice from this perfect perfect couple! Congratulations Dabney and Chris! We wish you so much love and laughter in the years ahead of you! Best of luck! And thank you so much for sharing your love story with all of us!

A very special thank you to the wonderful Jana Morgan of Jana Morgan Photography for sharing this beautiful wedding and her remarkable talent with all of us!

Photography: Jana Morgan Photography – Floral Designer: Anny Held Flowers -

Caterer: The Fairmont Kea Lani – Reception Venue: Mama’s Fish House -

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Now do me a favor, at some point this weekend, take in a sunset. Or a sunrise, if you’re so inclined. It does the heart good… :)

Happy Thursday!

xoxo