An Intimate Tropical Urban Wedding By: Chaelie Kekona
Who: Chad + Chael
Where: Kailua, Oʻahu & The Tchin-Tchin! Bar
It’s surreal to write about a wedding as personal as my own, but here’s an overview of our day.
We started our day separately; Chad at his father’s home in Kailua, the place we hung out at nearly 10 summers ago when we first started dating, and I stayed in our hotel room at the Prince Waikīkī in Honolulu.
A beautiful tropical and urban contrast; views of the cobalt blue waters from the sky high hotel room while Chad’s father’s home is surrounded by lush greenery.
The two of us decided long ago that we wanted a small intimate wedding with only our closest friends and family and we stuck to it. It took a while for us to find the right location (due to COVID plans continuously changing), but I couldn’t be happier that we ended up having our ceremony in the place where we first fell in love, Chad’s family home in Kailua.
After the ceremony we took a moment to do a very “us” thing and get boba from a shop we frequented when we spent most of our time together in Kailua. In my boho lace dress and Chad’s khaki suit we walked Kailua town to get our boba fix and take in this momentous occasion.
Just the two of us enjoying that moment with our friend and talented photographer, Kenzie Kate Photo.
After we soaked in the fact that we finally tied the knot, we drove over the Pali to our reception in Chinatown at The Tchin Tchin! Bar. Through the emerald green Koʻolau mountains to the not so bustling streets of Chinatown.
The venue was a stunning mix of urban red brick and luscious tropical green foliage. It all really came together with our warm red-orange, mustard yellow, coral, pink color palette.
After finally seeing my vision come to life, all the DIY, all the replanning, all the tears, frustration, and sleepless nights immediately felt worth it to see our family and friends having the time of their lives.
We had the most incredible day, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the team who helped execute my vision FLAWLESSLY. 15/10 would totally recommend the TGA team.
Vendors that made this wedding possible (click the links below to view): Photo: Kenzie Kate Photo Venue: The Tchin Tchin! Bar Coordination: The Gay Agenda Collective Florist: Papiro Flowers Signage: Chara Kreates Boba: Bee and Tea Kailua Desserts: Ono Berries & Liliha Bakery Decor: Wedcycle Hawaii
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