Anniversary Glow

One year down, forever to go. What a fun way to celebrate a year of marriage— getting all dolled up in luxury bridal-wear from Elly’s Formalwear and standing together on the same ground vows were made exactly one year ago. Cheers to many more sweet and thoughtful anniversaries, Greg and Sirena!

Not only did Greg do an amazing job (with help from Darren Keala and Elly’s Formalwear) at creating the perfect anniversary celebration for Sirena and himself, he also gave her the most exquisite emerald and diamond ring as a token of his love. Now THAT is how you celebrate one year of marriage!

Sirena’s hands were adorned with all sorts of gorgeous bling (which I am a complete sucker for), but this pear-shaped emerald stone surrounded by tiny diamonds definitely stole the jewelry show.

It’s so magical how people weave into our lives, even just for an hour, and have the power to change our perspectives or paths. We all influence each other, big or small, over the course of a lifetime or simply for a moment. You can show up to a photoshoot, for example, with the simple intention of taking photos you hope the people will love and cherish, and you can leave with a greater understanding of people and places you may not have fully known about before.

After photographing these two at the temple where they were married, Sirena told me that growing up in Thailand she had always dreamed of wearing a beautiful wedding dress and being photographed, and just like that, I was a part of something bigger than I realized. I love that about life, every day and every moment can hold so much more magic and meaning than you expect or imagine.

Boho & Barefoot Renewals in the Woods

I met Krishna in kindergarten over two decades ago. As is true for all of us, my memory of that time in my life has been blurred by time; a kaleidoscope of broken pieces of memories that I am sure have morphed a few dozen times since those carefree days every time they have resurfaced and rolled over in my mind. I cannot be sure of much from those days on the playground, as those memories feel like fuzzy dreams. What I am sure of, though, is that who Krishna (the artist formerly known as Christian) was to his core has not changed. He has always been kind and creative, passionate and artistic. He has always worn his heart on his sleeve and openly expressed himself. It is always refreshing to be around someone like that.

I reconnected with Krishna recently at my friends’ wedding. He and his gorgeous wife (who I instantly recognized as one of the coolest and most down to earth chicks I’ve ever met) were the videographers. How random is that?! They were hired to film a wedding I was a bridesmaid in about 2,555 miles away from where Krishna and I had once played together and where I still live. Even though so much had changed since those days running barefoot at our Waldorf school, like his name and his new roles as husband and father, I didn’t feel like I was meeting a stranger, just meeting an old friend again in another lifetime.

Krisha, Aly, and their (insanely adorable) mini-Krishna , Phoenix, (they are repping the same man-buns currently) visited Maui and decided to celebrate their fives years of marriage with a vow renewal. It was small, intimate, and filled with so much love. So many facets of our Waldorf past wove together to help them celebrate. Serena and her mom opened up their home, a beautiful farm property up in Olinda, for the celebration. Serena and her boyfriend, Charles, surprised the couple with a handmade driftwood arch to say their vows under, as well as a bohemian styled dining table illuminated by twinkle lights and the moon and stars. Joseph Palmore, our main teacher during our time at Waldorf, officiated the ceremony, and his wife opened with a chant and closed with a ti leaf water ceremony. After the ceremony, a small group of family and friends sat around the outdoor table, laughing, reminiscing, and enjoying a decadent vegan dinner Krishna and Aly made for everyone. Once our bellies were full, we migrated to the fire. With the glow of firelight illuminating the faces around me, I was reminded how precious life is and how pieces of our past can trickle back in to our lives in the most spontaneous and special ways.

Cheers to finding love and having the strength, passion, and perseverance to cultivate it and help it continue to grow through all the phases of life. Krishna, Aly, and Phoenix, thank you for letting me witness your love up close and capture glimpses of your magic!