Melissa Lucht weds Brian Velarde in Maui, Hawaii on July 16, 2007
Photography by Gina & Mike Goldman
It's no surprise that SoCal couple Melissa and Brian chose to go the more atypical destination route for their wedding -- they didn't come together typically either. When Instant Messenger first became popular, Melissa, now a fifth-grade teacher, found the AOL profile of Brian, a lab technician and small-business owner. "It was so old-school!" she says. "I was just looking for people in the area to talk to." The two chatted online for five years before ever even talking on the phone. When they finally agreed to meet in person, they were happily surprised to discover a physical attraction. After dating for three and a half years, Brian popped the question on a visit to the Grand Canyon.
The nature lovers chose to wed among the greenery and scenery of Maui. "We wanted something quiet and secluded, with no people walking around in their bikinis staring at us," Melissa explains. The private Olowalu Plantation House proved ideal. After a welcome dinner at the Hula Grill and a few relaxing days of golf, pool lounging, sightseeing and a luau, the 40 guests assembled on the seaside lawn to watch Melissa approach in a strapless Pronovias gown to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwo'ole.
The ceremony, led by a local pastor, was both spiritual and sentimental. After prayer, Scripture readings and communion, the couple walked down to the water to throw in the leis they had gotten from their mothers in remembrance of their late fathers. "A local singer, Jamie Lawrence, played 'The Hawaiian Wedding Song' during this time because that was my mom and dad's first-dance song at their wedding," says Melissa.
During the reception, local band The Brown Brothers played traditional Hawaiian music while two hula girls performed and guests enjoyed tropical drinks, mahimahi and a fondant cake with passion-fruit filling. A brief rain shower interrupted the fun but was followed by a huge rainbow that lit up the sky. As evening fell, tiki torches and paper lanterns livened the atmosphere while the party danced under the stars.
The couple spent their wedding night at ResortQuest Kaanapali Shores. To conclude the weekend the next day, they enjoyed one final dinner with a few close friends and relatives at Lahaina Fish Company.
It's All in the Details
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I wanted the bridesmaids' bouquets to really pop, so we used native yellow cymbidium orchids with specks of orange. My florist, Virgie Haines from Floreum.com, also made plumeria head wreaths for the flower girls. |
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Our invitations were custom ordered through Oliostyle.com. The inside had an RSVP card, a Maui map with directions and an events card listing all of the activities. I got so many compliments on them. |
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I wanted everyone to be together, so we set up the reception area in a giant U. Lori strung paper lanterns around the perimeter; because it was windy, she used artificial candles and twinkle lights on the tables. |
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The bamboo Chiavari chairs gave the ceremony Old Hawaii flair. Our fathers have both passed on, so plumeria leis rested on their chairs, symbolizing our love for them. We ordered the bamboo fans through Bliss Weddings Market. |
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The cake by Maui Wedding Cakes had three different layers: white with chocolate raspberry mousse, white with lilikoi (passion-fruit) filling and chocolate with cream filling. We also had a chocolate fountain, which was a hit! |
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The Olowalu Plantation House was so beautiful, it didn't call for a lot of extra decor. The tables were decorated simply with red, orange and yellow napkins that coordinated with the yellow orchid centerpieces and ribbon- and bead-embellished place cards. |
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These twins are two of our three flower girls; all three are my cousin's children. The appetizers included fresh fruit plus hand-passed coconut-crusted shrimp, crispy
pot stickers and lettuce wraps. |
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Our planner, Lori Lawrence from Tropical Maui Weddings, recommended The Brown Brothers, a Hawaiian trio, to sing and play during dinner. Two hula girls also came out and performed for the guests. It was like having our own little luau. |
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A family friend made the bridesmaid gowns. We were going for an Old Hawaii vintage feel. I thought the reds and oranges would really stand out from the green landscape and blue water. |
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