Wedding Blog

By the time our honeymoon in July rolled around, Mr. J and I were exhausted. We’d gotten through our wedding, plus a second reception. We’d also attended two out-of-state weddings and I finished moving into Mr. J’s place. We were SO ready for some rest and relaxation and luckily for us, Hawaii was just the place for that.

Here are some highlights from our vacation:

Kauai Highlights:

Captain Andy’s Tour:
Sailing along the Napali Coast in a beautiful catamaran was definitely one of the high points of our trip. While the water was sometimes choppy, the views were absolutely incredible. I also had the opportunity to snorkel for the first time—although I was kind of a wuss about it. They also served an incredible dinner, and we met some really fun people (and fellow honeymooners!).

Silver Falls Ranch:
Easily my favorite Kauai experience! In an intimate group of six, we rode horses (mine was Naulu!) along a beautiful Hawaiian ranch. Our guide was hilarious and incredibly knowledgeable about Hawaiian history and culture. Our horses took us to a beautiful waterfall, where we stopped off for a refreshing swim and a great lunch. It was such a unique experience!

The Beach House:
Multiple websites recommended The Beach House, so Mr. J made reservations for a sunset dinner there. Not only was the food excellent, but the view was breathtaking. It was so romantic, although the professional photographer ready to snap a commemorative portrait made it a little cheesy to me.

Vows at Sunrise:
In a recap post about our wedding, I mentioned that I was worried during our wedding ceremony. Knowing how much this distressed me, Mr. Jasmine came up with a romantic idea. Early one morning, we set out for the beach. As the sun slowly rose over the ocean, we read personal vows to each other, expressing our love, commitment, and exhilaration at the journey that lay ahead of us. Not only was it a wonderful opportunity to “redo” our vows, but the warm tangerine sunrise and the craggy black rocks set a stunning backdrop. It was just a lovely, personal moment.

As you can see, we were blissful, but tired. It was early!

Maui Highlights:

Four Seasons Wailea:
The Four Seasons Wailea was absolutely incredible in every way. Every staff member, all throughout the hotel, magically knew our name. It was such a delight being referred to as “Mrs. Jasmine”! Lavish cabanas by the pool and beach were complimentary, and staff members came by frequently to offer complimentary fruit, Evian spritzes, Otter pops (!), and took food/drink orders. The concierge made all our restaurant reservations and because it was our honeymoon, and we always had the best seat in our house. The grounds of the hotel were immaculate and our room was stunning. We received some lovely perks because it was our honeymoon. It was a truly exceptional experience and it’s fair to say that staying at the Four Seasons spoiled me for life!

the incredible pool and beach area

a romantic breakfast on our private lanai

I’m passed out in our cabana, it was so relaxing!

the dazzling ocean—I could never quite believe what I was seeing

Spago:
There are just no words. When we walked into Spago and saw the view from our table, both Mr. J and I gasped. These photos hardly do it justice. Not only was it a once-in-a-lifetime view, but the dinner was indulgent and delicious. And when our waitress noticed I was cold, she brought a basket of cashmere pashminas and let me choose one to match my outfit. Talk about service!

Mama’s Fish House:
Mama’s Fish House is legendary so we couldn’t leave Maui without having dinner there. It was easily one of the best meals we’ve had in our entire lives and the ambiance was completely charming and romantic. The only reason it doesn’t get my full recommendation is because it felt like a sauna in there. That’s why there’s no picture—I’m a super sweaty mess in all of them.

All in all, I quickly realized why Hawaii is such a popular honeymoon spot. It was an incredible vacation and I look forward to going back someday.

Did any of you go to Hawaii for your honeymoon? What did you love most?