Have you ever dreamed of saying “I do” in paradise? This week, we’re taking you to the breathtaking shores of Poipu on the southern tip of Kauai for an unforgettable destination wedding at the Grand Hyatt.
My dad is getting remarried, and we are beyond thrilled to welcome his beautiful bride, Rebecca, into our family. Between them, they have 10 grown children and 26 grandchildren—and over 100 loved ones joined us for this incredible Hawaiian celebration.
From a poolside family BBQ to the rehearsal festivities, a welcome luncheon at Dukes, and even some epic sandcastle building, I’m sharing every special moment. This video is a love letter to my dad and Rebecca, to our family, and to anyone who believes in second chances and happily ever afters.
I love capturing life’s beautiful moments, and I hope this glimpse into our wedding week brings you joy, inspiration, and ideas for planning your own dream wedding in paradise. Let’s dive in.
ARRIVING IN KAUAI
No matter if you’re planning your wedding on the North or South Shore of Kauai, your journey will begin at Lihue Airport (LIH). Be prepared—rental car shuttle service can be slow, especially during peak hours. Based on our experience, Budget tends to have the longest wait times, so keep that in mind when booking your rental to ensure a smoother arrival.
The wedding is set for Friday, June 20, 2025, at the beautiful Grand Hyatt in Poipu, Kauai. With over 100 guests flying in for the celebration, several nearby rental homes were secured to accommodate everyone. Having so many friends and family staying within walking distance of the hotel made it easy to go back and forth throughout the weekend—and helped create a cozy, connected village feel around the festivities.
The boys and I arrived in Kauai five days before the wedding guests started to roll in—just enough time to soak up the island magic. We spent our days playing on the beach, sampling local food trucks, hiking Waimea Canyon, and simply unwinding.
Hiking Waimea Canyon
INVITATIONS
About three months before the big day on June 22nd, we received a detailed email from Zola outlining all the wedding events. Rebecca had thoughtfully built a beautiful wedding website, which not only shared the itinerary but also introduced both sides of their wonderfully large, blended family.
Shortly after, a stunning invitation arrived in the mail, complete with the wedding colors and a glimpse into the joyful celebrations to come.
WEDDING DETAILS
The bride and groom arrived on the island a few days before the rest of the wedding party to finalize last-minute details. Since the boys and I were already in Kauai, we were quickly recruited to help—our main task: assembling all the table seating assignments. The boys made quick work of creating 100 charming Honolulu Cookie Company tablescapes, adding a sweet island touch to the celebration.
My dad and I at Kiahuna Beach
Bride and Groom at The Beach House
It was also a lovely chance to spend some relaxed time with the bride and groom before the whirlwind of wedding events officially began.
Beach House Restaurant – Kauai
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BACKYARD BBQ
On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, friends and family began arriving on the island. To kick things off, we hosted an impromptu BBQ at one of the rental homes with a pool. It was the perfect casual gathering to start the celebration—good food, laughter, and a chance for everyone to relax, reconnect, and ease into the joyful days ahead.
My new sister Chrissy with her mom Rebecca, the beautiful bride.
WEDDING REHEARSAL
On Thursday, June 19, 2025, the wedding kicks off with a rehearsal lineup with all fifty people in the wedding party. The Grand Hyatt wedding coordinator made quick work, and we only walked the procession two times. With 26 kids in the Hawaiian midday heat, this was a success.
DUKES LUNCHEON
After the rehearsal, we made our way to Duke’s in Lihue for a beautiful welcome luncheon. As more friends arrived, we were greeted with fresh leis and festive drinks, setting the tone for a joyful weekend. I’ve had wonderful experiences at both the Waikiki and Lihue locations over the years, but there’s something especially charming about Duke’s in Lihue—it’s usually less crowded, which makes for a more relaxed and intimate atmosphere.
As the luncheon began to wind down, Rebecca had a thoughtful surprise—a watercolor painting station where both kids and adults could sit and paint Hawaiian postcards. It was such a creative and relaxing touch, and everyone loved the chance to slow down, get a little artsy, and take home a sweet, hand-painted memory from the day.
SANDCASTLE BUILDING COMPETITION
First Place The Ukele-Lovely Stewart
Second Place The Water Park
Third Place The Siberian Castle
THE LIZARD
The Volcano Shark
We should have won:)
It was such a fun and creative activity for everyone, and afterward, we enjoyed a relaxed beach picnic dinner while the kids played in the surf.
WEDDING DAY
The next day was the big event—the wedding! The wedding party didn’t need to arrive until 4 PM, so the boys and I spent the morning soaking up the sun at the beach and pool.
Kiahuna Beach was one of the boys favorite beaches.
We grabbed a casual lunch at the Koloa food trucks before heading back to get ready.
KOLOA FOOD TRUCK
CEREMONY
The wedding ceremony took place on a stunning terraced deck overlooking the Pacific Ocean—truly a picture-perfect setting.
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Rebecca and my dad had all of their children and grandchildren walk down the aisle before the ceremony began, making it such a meaningful, family-centered moment.
Before we took our seats, they read a heartfelt letter to our big blended family, which had everyone emotional. Then came a musical performance accompanied by a graceful hula dancer, adding a touch of Hawaiian magic before the vows.
While we’re still waiting on the professional photos, I’m so thankful to Russ, one of Rebecca’s friends, for capturing these beautiful moments for us.
APPETIZERS
Following the ceremony, we were immediately greeted with delicious appetizers on the terrace. It was the perfect time to mingle, reconnect with longtime friends and extended family, and soak in the joy of the moment. We also took this opportunity to capture family photos while the light was still golden and the excitement of the ceremony lingered in the air.
RECEPTION
After the appetizers and family photos we headed down to the reception. The reception lawn is dropped a few levels down from the ceremony terrace.
Because my dad and Rebecca have such a big blended family, they took a moment during the reception to introduce each of us by name. It was such a sweet and personal touch. When it was Stewart’s turn, he made sure no one would forget him—he dropped to the floor and did the worm! The whole crowd erupted in laughter and cheers—it was the perfect mix of heartfelt and hilarious.
Before all the fun officially kicked off, we were treated to a series of heartfelt toasts from friends and family. Each one beautifully acknowledged the incredible match that my dad and Rebecca make, celebrating their love, their journey, and the joy they’ve brought to all of us by coming together. It was the perfect way to start the evening—full of laughter, emotion, and deep appreciation.
The reception included corn hole for the kids.
A fun photo booth to capture the moment.
A Hawaiian story teller at sunset.
Then it was time to cut the cake.
A fire dancer to turn up the heat.
And lots of dancing.
AFTER PARTY
After the ceremony and reception, we wrapped up the evening with a bit of crab hunting on the beach—a spontaneous and playful way to end an unforgettable night.
On our last day, the boys and I took a scenic drive to the North Shore and spent time in Hanalei before packing up and heading home.
This truly was an epic Kauai dream wedding at the Grand Hyatt, and I’m beyond grateful that my dad and Rebecca included us in such a magical celebration and I hope this gave you inspiration for your Kauai dream wedding.
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