Tying the Knot in Maui
Our wedding took place on Sunday, July 11, 2004 at 10:00 am in a garden overlooking Maluaka Beach on the sunny Southern side of Maui. We opted for a morning ceremony because 1) the color of the ocean and sky would be at their most saturated and 2) we wanted to follow the ceremony with a brunch, our own long tradition as a couple that we've since opened up to friends.
The event was private and intimate with a total of 22 in attendance. Mick and I chose not to have a best man or a maid of honor, but we did have a ring bearer, Taia, 2 1/2-year-old daughter to my friend Linda. She boosted the overall cuteness factor and supplied the spontaneity when she ran up in the middle of the ceremony to congratulate me.
Our officiant, Ron Winkler handled the surprise with flair and sensitivity, no differently than his heartfelt sermon and vows that amazed even my Dad. I tried not to cry, but during the vows, I couldn't hold back and bawled (but only for a couple seconds), setting off a chain reaction of sobbing among the guests. The stirring cello accompaniment didn't help matters either.
It was a touching and moving day for everyone.
After our official status was announced, we all celebrated with cake and sparkling apple cider (no alcohol allowed on public beaches). The guests walked up to the Prince Court restaurant at the Maui Prince Resort while Mick and I finished having our photographs taken. Gordon Nash and his crew of three assistants and one videographer performed a spectacular feat—documenting the event beautifully without infringing on its intimacy.
From what I was told, the champagne brunch was amazing. I was too wired to eat. We ended the afternoon with a much needed newlywed nap.
EVEN MORE DETAILS:
Mick wore a sand-colored, cotton twill suit designed by Paul Smith with the coolest polka dotted lining, a Helmut Lang button down, a Calvin Klein chequered tie and brown leather square-toed loafers with edgy vertical striping.
I wore an ivory BCBG Max Azria strapless A-line tiered gown layered with tulle squares and a pretty bow in the front. Cute really is the only word for it. Comfortable beaded sandals matched the look. I chose curls and orchids in lieu of a veil (it's outdoors in Maui!). I was a bit reluctant about my bronzy, sun-kissed look, but makeup artist, Tanya assured me it would look natural in the sunlight and in photographs. She was right. Let the professionals do their job.
My wedding band is a handmade platinum and diamond eternity ring with antique detail around the edges. Mick's wedding band is made of iron (!) and was designed by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
The men wore seashell boutonnieres and the women wore plumeria flowers with pearl-headed pin centers. Guests received gift bags of snacks and woven bracelets on their arrival to Maui. Brunch favors were stainless steel chopsticks in jute bags. Oh yeah, I fashioned the ring pillow from ultrasuede to match the color of Mick's suit. It was all very chic. I couldn't have done any of it without Martha Stewart.