1. Real Weddings

An Intimate Country Wedding at Kahua Ranch in Waimea, Hawaii

Tara Reed (25 and a medical student) and Shannon Simmons (25 and a maintenance supervisor) first spoke to each other while they were traveling to a tr

Tara Reed (25 and a medical student) and Shannon Simmons (25 and a maintenance supervisor) first spoke to each other while they were traveling to a track meet in high school. Shannon worked up the courage to ask Tara to the Winter Ball, which led to dating throughout the rest of high school and college. Tara was under the impression that Shannon was flying from Hawaii to California to celebrate her birthday, but he had other plans in mind. When Shannon arrived, he called Shannon to tell her to look outside at her birthday present. To Tara’s surprise, she saw a heart made of red roses spread out on the lawn, with a message displayed in the middle that read, “Will You Marry Me?” The couple got married at Kahua Ranch in Waimea, Hawaii with rolling hills overlooking the surrounding ocean. Tara and Shannon invited 100 of their closest family and friends to the outdoor wedding ceremony and tented patio reception. Peach, pink and ivory flowers decorated the wedding arch, white dining tables and even the four-tiered blue wedding cake! Rustic elements added country flair to the reception, from the wood box centerpieces to the tall lanterns made of branches. “There was a faint mist right after we exchanged our vows, but then the clouds cleared and the sun shown brightly on us all,” says Tara. “Dinner started with the perfect and most beautiful sunset.”

Silver and Gold Wedding Rings
Wedding invitations were printed on simple white stationary with blue text and floral graphics. The invitations was wrapped in blue ribbon.
Tara held an ivory, blue and pink bouquet filled with roses and hydrangeas. The bouquet had a pink wrap.
"I wanted an upcountry classic country wedding and a wedding gown that was timeless," says Tara. "My only bridesmaid and Maid of Honor was my sister, who wore a simple pink floor length gown."
Outdoor Ceremony at Kahua Ranch
Wedding Arch with Drapery and Flowers
"We were married at Kahua Ranch on the rolling hills on the Big Island of Hawaii, an we had a rustic wedding overlooking the ocean," says Tara. "It was a small intimate wedding of 100 of our closest family and friends, and the weather was perfect."
First Kiss Underneath Elegant Wedding Arch
Intimate Shot Underneath Ivory Wedding Veil
Swing Decorated with Flower Arrangements
At Kahua Ranch, the reception took place on the patio that was decorated with white drapery. Dining tables were dressed in white tablecloths with petite flower arrangements.
Escort Card and Guest Book Table
A blue and white table number was positioned in front of a wooden box centerpiece filled with a variety of pastel roses and hydrangeas.
White draping at the reception was tied with a green garland accented with pink roses.
Pink and ivory roses were arranged in glass vases and placed inside a rustic wooden box. Behind the box were tall lanterns made of branches with candles inside.
The intricate blue four-tiered wedding cake was designed with cake flowers and gold ribbon at the base of each tier. The cake stand was designed to look like white pillars with a mini fountain in the middle, surrounded by flowers.
Tara and Shannon First Dance