Kade + Courtney | Palmer, Alaska Hawaiian American Wedding
One of my 2020 working goals: to blog twice a month….that lasted two months! HA! But here’s my excuse (hear me out). I had a huge four state trip planned for March. Unfortunately as you know, COVID-19 took over our lives. I’m currently in Georgia at my parents’ house and extremely grateful for that. However, I was suppose to be going to Vegas from here to see Kade and Courtney again. Yep, the couple that I’m going to tell you all about! We would have made another adventure over in Vegas but that will have to wait til later. Since I’m sitting at home, blogging this wedding was on my to-do list so now I have the time to share. I honestly should have blogged this earlier but what better time than now when they’re on my mind. It’s taking me back to the experience of a lifetime.
Alaska has been a dream destination of mine for most of my adult life. I thought I’d get there eventually, but I never thought I’d get a chance to work there! Yeah - I have to read that sentence over and over again to really believe it myself. These two took a chance on me over local photographers to fly me out. It means everything to me when couples choose me to work with them in their special place in the world. I care about my clients very very much so it’s nice when it is reciprocated. Not only are Kade and Courtney welcoming and warm, their family is too.
The way I mapped how I wanted this Alaskan summer adventure to go wasn’t how I thought it would be in my head. Things got a little jumbled along the way. But that was totally alright - it was worth all the ups and downs of a solo expedition! Their families were so supportive of me. They ended up housing me for a bit when the trains ran out of tickets and provided transportation when the rental cars were sold out. Other members took me to pet the sweet fur babies at a local animal shelter and on hikes at lakes. Kade and Courtney showed me around while we did a pre-wedding shoot. We went to a waterfall then to a beach overlooking the mountains at golden hour. We then enjoyed pizza while listening to a local acapella group of older men sing to the restaurant. It was so adorable!
Here’s a photo from our little adventure. When locals take you to their favorite spots, you know you struck gold. It was pretty funny because the train I wanted to get on actually passed by us on the little mountain. But guess what? It was so pretty to watch it cross over in the light. I took some film photos of it and them in the sand while it passed by.
Some phone photos of me enjoying my Kenai Fjords day cruise during my time in Alaska.
Ok wedding time - ready?
The couple set me up in a private villa on the venue property the night of the wedding. It was such a relaxing start to the beautiful day ahead. Check out my view from the window at Paradise Alaska!
The day began with the ladies getting ready in an upstairs location. The guys got ready quite quickly (how that normally goes of course) then went outside to help out. How sweet!
That Alaskan summer light lasts all day. I heard about it but it was so interesting to experience first hand. Didn’t even care if it was harsh light at times. I loved it ALL.
There was a beautiful triangular window where the ladies were. A mirror and a few other things were in front of it but I knew I needed photos there. It was too perfect to not utilize.
Their little reception space at Paradise Alaska was next to the ceremony spot outside. There was a tent set up next to their alter - complete with a play area and bubbles for the kiddos.
Kade’s reaction to seeing Courtney was so pure. I later asked the best man what he whispered to him. He said, “that’s your wife. that’s really YOUR wife.”
Kade wasn’t the only one with a wet face. Incredibly special to witness.
The pasture behind their alter was such a wonderful addition to the background. No, it wasn’t smelly. Just animals peacefully grazing. The cow is totally photobombing this second photo but that’s what makes me love it!
Can we talk about this good-lookin’ bridal party? A dream palette, pretty faces, and talk about those homemade bridesmaid ring bouquets! Courtney’s color choices for the dresses and her bouquet deserves a slow clap. Kade’s tux team goes so well with the ladies. I honestly don’t usually share many bridal party photos but this is too perfect. The Alaskan fireweed, tall grass, and tractor was in such a good spot away from the cocktail party so we all hung out here for a bit for some fun.
A bridal entrance to the party isn’t complete without some dance moves, laughs, tears and serenades of sweet Hawaiian music. During this current COVID-19 quarantine, I can’t help looking at these photos in anticipation of hugging my people again.
Courtney’s family is from Hawaii. They had traditional foods like Poke - a dish usually consisting of raw fish, like Tuna, sliced in a particular way and seasoned bomb as heck.
Now for the MONEYYYYYYY DANCEEE!! Ahh I love this. It’s a Hawaiian tradition, but also found in other cultures. Get this: guests give money to the couple by placing it all over the newly married. I mean ALL OVER. The most popular is an exchange of money through a kiss but each grab for the money has to be taken by the mouth after placed by hands of the guests.
Courtney’s first dance with her father had everyone bawling. She is her “daddy’s little girl”. Butterfly Kisses was played. Even the children were crying.
Kade and his mother shared a more upbeat soundtrack with a Phil Collins song. We wiped our tears away as smiles and laughter filed the room. Just seeing his mother’s lengthy locks swaying made me happy. She is so pure!
After seeing Courtney and her father dance, her big sister realized she never got her first dance at her wedding. She wanted a special moment too and I believe that was fulfilled.
Queue the waterworks again!
Let ‘em eat cake…really good cake
The bridal bouquet was so beautiful and such good condition that it was decided to have a separate bouquet toss than her own. I think that was a good idea seeing that there was a fight over who got it! Ended up being a tie!
A few candid moments in between. Can’t help to catch guest and family reactions as they happen.
A few toasts and powerful speeches from the bridal party. Losing family members and gaining new ones were a huge part of these messages. Courtney’s large family so effortlessly welcomed Kade. Kade couldn’t have much of his family attend for it to be so far away. For those that did, they made it special for him. Ohana means family, baby! Lilo and Stitch knew best.
When a groomsmen caught the garter, he made the Shaka gesture towards the camera as he put the garter on his head LOL
Kade told me what he learned about the Shaka hand sign that is widely used everywhere as “hang 10” or “hang loose”. You actually aren’t suppose to tighten your hand to make it - it really is suppose to be very loose. As I saw many guests and even Courtney make it at the alter, I really noticed how Hawaiians use it correctly. Before Kade was properly shown how by her side of the family, he said they would say “your inner white boy is showing”, HA!
Still swooning over this color palette with added eucalyptus in the bouquet!
It started raining during reception, but just a perfect light sprinkle.
Here’s a cliche “kiss me in the rain” photo. Love the lil’ droplets you can see against the greenery.
After coming to Alaska in the summer, I think fireweed is a new favorite flower of mine. It’s so full and vibrant. I think it encompasses the personality of these two. A rainbow came out just as dusk was starting. Such a beautiful way to end this magical time together. Big thanks to nature and for Kade and Courtney sharing memories with me. See ya in Vegas soon!
