My husband and I made a last minute decision to do a "courthouse wedding" before our big event in…read moreorder to ease some legal and moving issues we were having. 7 days before our selected date, we realized courthouses close at 4pm on Fridays and we were planning to pick up our marriage license that day--at 3:30pm after work. Cue Rev. James Chun--I send him an inquiry at 8:30pm on a holiday and get a phone call him from him within 15 min saying let's book your beach wedding. 5 days later, my in-laws flew down from the mainland and with my parents, brother and grandfather, witnessed a beautiful and intimate ceremony at sunset at Magic Island. James was not only professional and helpful in the whole process, but despite not knowing us at all, truly found the words to capture our love and curated a ceremony that was truly "us." I cannot recommend him enough and feel so thankful he was the one to go on this adventure with us!!

Rev. James Chun helped my husband and I feel at Ease during our rehearsal the day before our…read morewedding by making sure we both knew what to do and gave us discrete little cues incase we forgot some steps for the day of the wedding. He was easy to communicate with. His directions for our rehearsal were clear and easy to follow. During the day of our wedding he ensured our ceremony went smoothly, he informed our guests it was an unplugged ceremony and that he would give them a moment once he pronounced us husband and wife to pull out their phones and capture the moment. He even stepped aside during our kiss at the alter. He is very professional and down to earth. I highly recommend working with him. He will ensure you are comfortable and will make sure your day is everything you hoped for and more.

We booked CIHW for day-of coordination, and it was quite literally the best decision we could have…read moremade. While Jayvee was very helpful during the initial planning stages, a scheduling conflict arose two weeks before our wedding, and we were handed off to Leah. Despite the short notice, Leah took over and was incredibly thorough. We scheduled multiple meetings in those final weeks to ensure she knew our vision inside and out. She immediately began checking in with our vendors to ensure everything was on track. Since we were planning from Canada (not sure why our profile says SF) and had never seen our venue, we did a walkthrough with Leah and Monique once we arrived. By the time we hit the rehearsal the day before, they knew our plans well and were identifying small details we hadn't even thought of. The real "kicker" happened the morning of the wedding: the island and our venue flash flooded, and we were forced to call off the day after hair and makeup were just wrapping up at 8AM. In what would have been a breaking point for most couples, Leah, Monique, and Jayvee were our rocks. They helped calm us down and worked tirelessly with our vendors to reschedule everything. We let them know our venue preferences (no ballrooms or conference rooms, we're in Hawaii!) and they assured us that we would be able to plan something for the next day. In less than 24 hours, they helped us plan an entirely new wedding despite unknowns about the weather. Within hours, they secured a brand-new venue, negotiated the rental of a tent left over from a previous event, coordinated with all vendors to rearrange arrival times and logistics, adjusted floor plans, and rental counts due to a shift in guest attendance, and so much more that we probably don't even know. While the total change in venue and timeline led to some unavoidable delays, we saw Leah and Monique working incredibly hard to pivot and make the day beautiful. They "married" our original vision with these new, emergency arrangements as perfectly as possible. It was also the nicest day we had experienced on the island since landing several days before, a huge blessing. Once we finally made it down the aisle, they kept us on schedule and completely stress-free. Because of them, we were able to actually soak in and enjoy our wedding day, even though everything felt brand new. Having Leah and Monique by our side was a true blessing, we cannot recommend them enough for their expertise, heart, and ability to perform under pressure. Leah, Monique, and Jayvee - we love you!

From the moment I reached out to them a year before my April wedding, I knew I was in good hands…read more We chose the partial planning package, and the level of care, communication, and attention to detail we received felt above and beyond. Jayvee, Chiara, Elena, and Mina were absolutely incredible. They responded to emails promptly, walked us through every detail during planning meetings, and truly listened to what I wanted -elegant and simple. On the big day, they brought that vision to life flawlessly. I didn't have to worry about a thing. They handled everything with calm professionalism and kindness. One moment I'll never forget was when I realized I had forgotten my veil, and the venue was ready to start the ceremony without it. Even after I expressed that I really wanted to wait, they pushed to begin on time. I was feeling pretty heartbroken at the thought of walking down the aisle without something that felt so special to me. Jayvee stepped in and advocated for me without hesitation -she firmly and graciously pushed back multiple times, insisting that we wait. Thanks to her, we delayed the ceremony about 20 minutes until the veil arrived, and I got to walk down the aisle with my veil! I'm forever grateful for that moment. We also had a transportation issue less than a month before the wedding when the shuttle company we had originally booked suddenly bailed on us. It was a stressful moment, but Cherished stepped in immediately, found a reliable replacement, and handled all the coordination. The entire day flowed beautifully, from ceremony to reception, and I received so many compliments from our guests about how stunning and seamless everything felt. Thanks to The Cherished in Hawaii Weddings Team, I was able to be fully present and soak in every moment of the most beautiful day I could have imagined. I truly couldn't recommend them more. Mahalo Cherished!

We rarely post reviews--unless something is truly awful (buyer beware) or absolutely exceptional…read more In the case of Fred and Kate Events, our experience was nothing short of exceptional--and that's putting it mildly. From start to finish, Tessa and her team made our wedding unforgettable. It's been seven months since our big day (February 23, 2025), and my wife, myself, our friends, and family still talk about it constantly. We laughed, cried, ate, drank, danced, socialized, and snapped countless photos. Most importantly, we were able to relax and truly enjoy ourselves. Fred and Kate Events had everything under control. The only thing we had to focus on was getting married--which is exactly how it should be. Tessa is phenomenal, and her staff is top-tier: professional, attentive, and kind. If you try to step in, they'll gently remind you to let them handle it--and trust me, you'll be glad you did. We can't thank them enough for managing every detail so we could stay present in the moment. That gift alone was priceless.

We couldn't be happier with our experience working with Fred and Kate! From the very beginning,…read morethey were organized, easy to communicate with, and always made us feel heard and supported. No matter how many questions or requests we had (and we had plenty!), Tessa, Henry, Midori, and Lauren were consistently accommodating, friendly, and incredibly quick to respond. On the day of the wedding, the planning team showed up in full force. They were professional, efficient, and totally on top of everything--firm when they needed to be, but always brought the right energy and hype to keep the day exciting and fun. Everything ran so smoothly that we hardly even noticed they were there, which is a true testament to how well they had everything under control. We're so grateful for their dedication and would highly recommend Fred and Kate to any couple looking for a seamless and joyful wedding planning experience!

We are beyond satisfied with Aloha Bridal Connections and would choose them again and again! We had…read morethe pleasure of working with Mackenzie, Natalie, and Sammy, with Autumn also helping on the day of -- and I truly feel like I made a genuine connection with each and every one of them. They are such wonderful people, and they helped make our day beyond special. Everything I envisioned for my wedding came to light, and it simply would not have been possible without ABC. They are organized, responsive, reassuring, and so much more. I especially appreciated how seamlessly they handled all the behind-the-scenes work and the communication with our vendors -- it let us be fully present and enjoy our day. If you're looking for a coordination team that truly cares, ABC is it. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts!

Despite the glowing reviews and many recommendations that ABC Weddings was one of the best planning…read moreand coordination teams in Oahu- I unfortunately was left very disappointed with the lack of presence/front-end coordination on the wedding day and miscommunication. For background information, we purchased their basic package for $3000 (which is only for hotel venues). The first mishap was when I wanted to schedule an appointment to discuss additional questions I had ($120 for 1 hour). They never showed up for my appointment. I did try calling their main line and the coordinators cell phone, but it all went to voicemail. In the end, it turned out that the coordinator was moving and had a lot on her plate, so my appointment fell through the cracks. They ended up scheduling me another meeting free of charge, which I did appreciate. In October, I was really feeling the pressure, so I inquired about having my coordinator start 3 weeks earlier than planned. ABC Weddings was quick to respond and have my lead coordinator, Sammy, start earlier for a $500 fee, to which I paid. Here's where things take a turn for the disappointing. When Sammy took over point of contact (POC), I still had my vendors emailing me directly for questions/info. Also, when I asked Sammy questions about my venue (i.e. rehearsal times/location, basic questions regarding catering, etc), she wasn't sure a lot of the times, which then meant I had to ask my venue directly. This wasn't EVERY time, but it was a lot of the time, which I felt defeated the purpose of taking over POC. I also felt there wasn't closed loop communication, so I was unsure of what Sammy was doing on her side with the vendors until the very end when I asked her to CC me on her final emails with timelines so I knew what they were being told. At the rehearsal, Sammy only had 2 copies of the timeline printed, which was not enough to distribute to both our parents and our maid of honor/best man. Additionally, we also learned at the rehearsal that she was NOT going to be the person actually coordinating the day. For example, letting us know where to go and when, updating the timeline if there are any changes, etc. Per our contract, it states: "We will check in with you before the professional photographer arrives to organize the important details, check in with family members, keep the timeline moving smoothly, get you out the door on time, organize requested group photos, and overall customer service throughout the day!" The huge missing pieces for us was checking in with family members, keeping the timeline moving smoothly, and getting us out the door on time. On the day of, Sammy was already confused on a decor piece that we had discussed at previous meetings, which led to me having to re-explain to her what I wanted during my hair/makeup. She did not check-in with any of my family members/bridal party. She only had communication with my matron of honor who was running the entire timeline/day, and this was largely because my matron of honor was the one checking in with her. She did not text us to let us know when to go where, so we were completely on our own. When it came time to put on my wedding gown, Sammy was unable to zip my dress, and the entire time I was clearly upset, she did not offer any reassurance or support, but rather spent time in the living room looking lost/confused. She did call the wedding shop, per my suggestion, and they came to the venue to help put on my dress which was amazing on their part (Casablanca!). Due to the issue with the dress, our timeline got pushed back by 15-20 mins, to which she told my matron of honor to let my parents know to delay our first look. Why didn't she text them and update the timeline herself? Although it worked out, this situation was not solved nor made better by Sammy. Honestly it felt like she didn't want to be there and didn't have a lot of care for our wedding day. I did share my thoughts with Lauren (CEO) post-wedding, and she was very apologetic but explained that "Our lead coordinators focus primarily on managing logistics, vendors, and timeline flow behind the scenes so couples can remain present and enjoy their day". This is confusing because that's not what is stated in our contract nor expected from our conversations. I understand she was doing the behind the scenes, but why was the timeline piece missing? There were two coordinators on site, to which I was told the 2nd coordinator would be doing setup/vendor management, but it seems like that's not the case? Irregardless, I felt the contract was not met, and that there was not any management for us, the wedding party and family members. Sadly, I would not recommend ABC Weddings if you are purchasing the basic coordination package. It definitely seemed that because I purchased the lowest tier, we were not high priority and it did not feel like they were willing to go above and beyond for one of the most special days of our lives.

We love Keoni! We found out about him through the Bridal Expo we attended. We actually never…read morestopped by his booth, but after the expo, he sent out a mass email to everyone who attended and we just fell in love with his photos. They were bright, romantic, and timeless -- exactly what we wanted out of our wedding photos! Since we were planning for a Hawaii wedding from California, we were happy when mostly everything was communicated through email and phone. When we visited Hawaii before the wedding, we decided to take engagement photos with him to get to know each other better before the wedding... and oh my goodness, can't say enough amazing things about the whole experience. It was a windy and somewhat gloomy day up in Tantalus where we took our photos, and paired up with the fact that my husband and I can't stop laughing when we're forced to be "lovey" with each other, I was extremely concerned about them not turning out nice. Keoni was a great "director," telling us how to pose and what to do. Since it was the holidays when we took our photos, he got back to us a little later than expected, but they were so worth the wait. I actually cried looking at them and was so in awe at how he captured those shots when we were laughing most of the time. He uploads them on a website where you can share, view, and download them. Easy process! Keoni made us feel so comfortable and he's a funny and friendly guy. Not sure if he does photography outside of weddings, but if he does, we would 100% work with him again. I recommend him to all my friends getting married in Hawaii. BONUS, he now does packages with Inspired Films Hawaii for wedding photo + video! We were lucky enough to have already hired Inspired Films with him, and on the day of the wedding, they truly were in sync and a pleasure to work with. I can't wait to see the final products!

My husband and I chose Keoni as he came highly recommended by our wedding coordinator and we are so…read moreglad we did! Keoni clearly has a passion for shooting weddings. He is fun to be around, brings a lovely team along and ensures that he captures all the important moments without intruding any intimate moments. Coming all the way to Hawaii from Germany, we knew we needed a reliable partner that we found in Keoni. He was right there for all of our questions and always approachable. We really enjoyed the first pictures we received and are so excited for the full set. Keoni clearly goes above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction and to capture this very special day in the best way possible. I would like to emphasize the great angles he found and the good eye for landscapes and the nature as such, which we felt is really important when you are getting married in such a beautiful spot. All in all: We strongly recommend Keoni as a wedding photographer. Thanks again Keoni for capturing our day!

judge Shirely(?) did a great job, I was pleasantly surprised how friendly & warm the judge was…read more She was quick and efficient but also made us feel very comfortable. If you're looking for a quick and easy wedding I'd recommend.

Very simple and straightforward process, which is what we're were looking for. The Judge that…read moremarried us was supper kind, and seemed to genuinely enjoy the privilege of marrying people.

Long Overdue Praise for Joseph Esser and His Incredible Team…read more This review is long overdue for Joseph Esser and his phenomenal team of photographers and videographers. If you're searching for a wedding photographer and videographer in Hawaii, look no further -- Joseph and his team are truly among the best. From the very beginning, I was impressed by Joseph's professionalism, warmth, and incredible attention to detail. In the months leading up to the wedding, he collaborated closely with my amazing wedding planners, Fred and Kate, to review the timeline and ensure everything was aligned. That preparation paid off -- the entire day ran smoothly and stress-free, allowing me to fully enjoy every moment. Joseph and his team arrived punctually and were ready to capture the magic from start to finish. They didn't just take photos -- they preserved moments. Looking back at the images and videos now, I'm filled with joy reliving those memories with my husband. What truly sets Joseph apart is how much he cares. His energy and positive attitude were infectious -- he had us laughing all day, which naturally translated into joyful, candid photos full of smiles. Beyond his personality, it was his instinct and thoughtfulness that left a lasting impression. For example, during our grand reception entrance, we used a money gun that left fake bills scattered all over the dance floor. Before our first dance began, Joseph got down on his knees and cleared the floor himself -- not something you'd expect from your lead photographer, but it speaks volumes about his commitment to the perfect shot and a smooth experience. Similarly, during the ceremony, when my wedding train and cape needed adjusting, Joseph didn't hesitate or wait for a bridesmaid -- he stepped in and fixed it himself to ensure everything looked flawless. These small, meaningful actions showed just how much he truly cares about his clients and the quality of his work. Joseph and his team worked tirelessly for nine hours, and the final results were nothing short of spectacular. Every guest who's seen our photos and video has commented on how stunning they are. We also opted for a 10-minute wedding highlight video -- and I highly recommend it! The timing of the music, lyrics, and our vows were perfectly matched with the visuals. The attention to detail, from the transitions to even the placement of our names on the Cover page -- Everything was intentional, thoughtful, and beautifully executed. As someone who is very detail-oriented, I was blown away by how aligned Joseph and his team were with my vision. Their passion for what they do shines through in every frame. They don't just document a wedding -- they tell a story. Thank you, Joseph, for being such an integral part of our day and for capturing it so perfectly. You and your team are truly the best -- mahalo from the bottom of our hearts!

TL;DR: Joseph is a wonderful person and a stellar…read morephotographer with an eye for capturing the essence of his couples and the true magic of the day! He and his photo/video team were so much fun, and you won't regret getting a chance to work with them! The Long Story: Our wedding planner recommended Joseph after my now-husband and I told her how photography/videography were among our top priorities for our big day. During our first call with Joseph, we immediately sensed that he'd be a great fit. He was delightful and easy to talk with, and his extensive knowledge, thoroughness, and patience in walking us through our many questions made us realize we'd be in the hands of a true professional. So after reviewing his gorgeous portfolio of wedding photography, we ended up booking a 10 hour photo/video package (which included an engagement shoot and photo booth as add-ons). Our engagement shoot (which we highly recommend doing with Joseph before your wedding day so you can get to know him and get used to being photographed) quickly solidified our opinion of him as both an excellent photographer and an awesome person overall! He woke up bright and early to meet us for sunrise and even went above and beyond by helping me find someone willing to do my hair and makeup at the last minute, which I was incredibly grateful for. The session started out with some rain, but Joseph was super chill and suggested we wait and see what happens. Sure enough, the rain clouds parted, treating us to a gorgeous sunrise. My husband and I are super awkward when it comes to photos, but Joseph made us feel so at ease with his fun, infectious personality and his thoughtful approach to directing us. Funnily enough, this engagement rain experience repeated itself on our wedding day, when a seasonably late Kona low was pouring rain all over the island during the week of the wedding and into the big day itself. Despite the gloom of both the weather and the bummed out bride (aka me), Joseph and his team brought bright, positive vibes from the get-go. They showed incredible care and flexibility given the circumstances and pivoted seamlessly when the weather prevented us from doing our first look at our originally planned location. When we were running ahead of schedule, Joseph and his main videographer, Jimi, even made sure to get extra photos/videos of us in some cool locations nearby. And when the moment of truth came for our actual wedding? Pure magic--no rain for the ceremony and a stunning sunset! Joseph and his team did an incredible job at capturing just how unique that day was, and we're grateful to have had them there by our sides throughout. Thank you, Joseph and team, for capturing such wonderful memories for us! P.S. Check out Joseph's wedding podcast, Unveiling Paradise! We were featured on Episode 69, and in that episode, Joseph does a wonderful job breaking down how photography is handled when weather threatens your big day :)

Everything was beautifully done and filmed. Yannis was a one-woman crew and made sure that our…read morespecial day will always be remembered. Turnaround time was perfect. Thank you so much for everything. Would highly recommend

Yannis is talented, easy to work with, and well-prepared before the wedding day. She asked us about…read moreour opinions and toured the venue with us during rehearsal. We are deeply touched by the final video which combines our Chinese culture and Western ceremonies.