It seems like forever ago that I photographed Ashlie and Eric's engagement session at French Creek park and casually commented at the end of the session that if they wanted me to fly to Maui to photograph their wedding to reach out to me. I was half-joking when I made that remark, because I was still teaching high school mathematics full time and knew that I probably wouldn't be able to get away to photograph their October wedding, even if I wanted to. I only had limited personal days, and would use them every year to fly to Colorado to cheer on my daughters as they competed in the national snowboard championships each winter.
Shortly after they received their engagement gallery, Ashlie reached out to me again. She and Eric loved their photos and wanted to know if I was serious about flying to Maui to photograph their destination wedding - and if I was, they would love to have me join them. I instantly agreed, and set out to find a way to make it happen... even though I was still teaching full time. Once I set my mind on something, I make it happen - 100% of the time. I'm determined, to a fault.
Soon after I accepted their offer and we worked out the details, a crazy chain of events happened in my life that that involved my dog running away (we got her back), me chasing her and running face first into my garage door (and getting a pretty severe concussion and shattered nose), taking time off of teaching, and eventually resigning from my teaching position. The entire time, in the back of my head, was Ashlie and Eric's Maui wedding that I had booked. I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and I feel like this was the Universe's way of assuring me that I made the right decision to shift my focus from education to photography, and was helping clear the path for me as I pursued this dream of mine.
Fast forward to late September.
I put out a request on social media asking if any of my friends would like to fly to Maui with me and be my assistant for the wedding day, in exchange for a place to stay and someone to adventure around Maui with. I was thrilled that someone took me up on my offer and booked my exact flights a day later! (Bonus: She happens to have a lot of the same interests as I do!) So, we flew to Maui together, spent a few days sightseeing and surfing, and met up with Ashlie and Eric to photograph their Day #1 together as husband and wife!
We couldn't have asked for a better week. The temperature was in the 80s every single day, the typical Hawaii rain showers were kept to a minimum (even though we did have a few that brought with them some stunning rainbows!), and Ashlie and Eric and their loved ones were so much fun to celebrate with and photograph! It was a bit windy on their wedding day, but I think it made their photos even more incredible. From the beachside ceremony, to the sunset portraits, to the ukulele player/singer, to the incredible Hawaiian buffet and bar menu, everything was absolutely perfect. A rainbow even made its appearance while Ashlie's dad was escorting her down the aisle. On top of that, Ashlie looked absolutely breathtaking in her silk wedding gown, and Eric was as handsome as ever! (Ashlie's wedding dress even had pockets - how amazing is that?!)
I hope you enjoy this small selection of my favorites from their destination wedding. For a list of all of the local vendors who made this day possible, scroll down past the photographs.
Congratulations again, Ashlie and Eric! Thank you again for asking me to be your photographer. And big thanks to my friend Amanda for joining me on this adventure! I surfed more during that trip than I have in the last 5 years combined, and I probably wouldn't have done it if I didn't have a friend along for some added peer pressure!
(And if anyone else is looking for a photographer for a wedding outside of Pennsylvania, be sure to check out my Wandlerlust deal that is currently running! Help me check more states off of my list so I can complete a personal project, while you score a great deal on a wedding photography package!)
