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Let’s all face it: Hawaii is one of the most romantic places to travel. Whether it is to getaway from real life for a while, tie the knot and enjoy your blissful honeymoon days and nights, or even renew your vows to solidify your promises to each other. Hawaii is perfect for anything and everything and it also always ends too soon as I discovered.
My husband and I were finally past probationary periods with our new jobs and decided it was time to take a peaceful vacation after all the chaos and stress that comes with running a middle school. So, at about two in the morning, we were huddled around the computer and pressed confirm for ten days in Waikiki, Oahu!
The next several months were slow as molasses and a blur all at the same time. But before we knew it, we were on a seven hour flight to Honolulu. My mind was racing through all the incredible thing we would be experiencing and seeing, while my lovely husband was snoring in the seat next to me. When we finally landed, we had to peel off the layers of jackets and socks we put on when it was 38 degrees at home and soaked in the lovely sun for the first time in months!
While checking into the hotel, we noticed they have free vow renewals on the beach for all of their guests. Being married only a year and a half, a vow renewal almost seemed silly, but I told myself we would probably never have the opportunity to renew them in Hawaii again.
We had our date to renew set for Valentine’s Day (which makes it even that much more romantic) and I was excited at this point. I was thankful I packed a white dress for this unexpected occasion. When the 14th rolled around, of course we wake up late, that’s just who we are. We have only minutes to spare, so we put on our clothes, I threw a few flowers in my hair and called it good.
When we got the the beach, we found out we would receive a free Photo session from Nature’s Touch Photography in the Outrigger Reef Hotel to capture the ceremony. By this time in the morning, the beach was already getting crowded with surfers and “early morning people” I assumed we wouldn’t get a good shot but I didn’t think much of it. The ceremony was absolutely beautiful… Down to the last detail (almost like they’ve done it a few hundred times). My husband and I were one of ten couples in the group renewing our vows, and yet it never felt more private. I felt like we were the only two people on the beach. It wasn’t until we were placing the lei’s around each other’s necks that I realised the photographer was still snapping away. At the end of the ceremony, we made an appointment to see our photos later in the day.
Walking into the office of Nature’s Touch Photography I wasn’t planning on buying any of the photos. That is, until I saw them.
Bayona was able to capture the way I felt: as if we were the only two people on the beach. She talked with us to get genuine smiles at the same time as the waves were rolling in. When we were having our rings blessed, she timed her shot perfectly as the drop of water was mid-air above our hands. One after the other told a completely different story of the vow renewal ceremony; and I was instantly in love.
Our wedding photos were filled with awkward poses, nervous people, and blurred shots. These were perfectly candid and completely relaxed. I am so thankful and glad that we have these photos to preserve the memories of Hawai’i forever. It definitely couldn’t have been captured in a selfie.
Nature’s Touch Photography offers complementary photography sessions for Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort guests and reasonably priced photo packages. I highly recommend Nature’s Touch Photography whether you are a guest of this resort or not. Their photography services range from Vow Renewals and Wedding packages to Maternity Photos to Family Portraits. They have various types of packages from single prints to entire collections of books and canvases. You can also purchase a CD of all your photos to print off yourself. They have multiple options for every style and budget. For more information or to make an appointment, go to their website at www.ntphawaii.com . One thing is for sure: you will want to capture your memories of Hawaii forever!
