Oahu Elopement at Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden

I was stoked when Kilee and Michael contacted me about their Oahu elopement at Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden. This backdrop was everything they were looking for–moody, romantic vibes, with lush greenery all around them. They wanted their day to be intimate and focused, so we skipped the “getting ready” part and dove right into capturing the heart of the day: the ceremony and couples portraits. The whole vibe was peaceful and deeply personal, just the two surrounded by some of the best nature you can get. I’m so ready to shoot more elopements and weddings in Oahu.

A Peaceful Refuge: Kilee and Michael’s Full-Circle Love Story

Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden is truly a dream spot for couples who want a peaceful, nature-inspired elopement. The name translates to “a peaceful refuge,” and that’s exactly what it feels like—a hidden gem in the heart of Oahu. Four hundred acres of worldwide botanical collections surround you—places like the Philippines, Malaysia, Hawaii, and Africa.

For Kilee and Michael, it couldn’t have been more memorable. They met in high school (Kilee was friends with Michael’s brothers!) and reconnected at a bonfire just a week before he graduated. Fast forward to their proposal on a hike along the Road to Hana, when a rainbow made the moment completely magical. So, when it came time to tie the knot, Hawaii just made sense. The whole day was a full-circle moment for them.

A simple Oahu elopement at ho’omaluhia botanical garden

Kilee and Michael’s ceremony at Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden was simple, intimate, and exactly what they wanted. They said their vows on a sunny morning with their closest family and incredible mountain views around them. Coming all the way from Michigan to exchange vows in Hawaii made it feel extra special. After the ceremony, we explored the garden for their couple portraits. The large hanging palms did not disappoint. Kilee and Michael were so relaxed and happy, enjoying the moment together. It was a genuine and beautiful day!

For more experiences like this, check out my full-service elopement planning business, Elope in Hawaii! I also encourage you to check out this elopement in Maui at Haiku and Paia.

Louella Aquino officiated the wedding with Wild and Free Elopements.

A rad letter from Kilee and Michael

“After getting engaged in Maui during our 2023 family vacation, we instantly knew we wanted to elope in Hawaii. One of the first things we did was look at photographers, instantly Rodrigo’s IG caught our eye and we were dead set on having him as our photographer! We were completely taken away by his style of work shown in his portfolio, as well as being drawn to his very unique personal vibe. Planning a wedding is not easy, especially when you live thousands of miles away from your destination! But Rodrigo made us feel much more at ease and was very accommodating to our changing plans throughout the planning process. Having Rodrigo as our photographer for our wedding was one of the best choices we made when planning our wedding. He made getting our pictures taken feel so natural and easy and fun! We got our wedding album back within a month and were completely blown away at the talent he has! This is a photographer who is truly passionate and cares about the work he does. If we could give Rodrigo 10 stars, we would!”