Carol Oliva, a wedding and elopement photographer based in Hawaii, draws inspiration from the couples’ love, the warmth of families, the play of light, and the ocean’s vastness. She finds solace and creativity in capturing the raw beauty of salty moments by the water’s edge, both above and below the surface. Carol’s journey brought her to the North Shore of Oahu, where she created an editorial shoot at Turtle Bay Resort, serving as both the photographer and designer. Her vision was to blend the natural beauty of the surroundings with yellow flowers, elegant pink elements, pearls, and sparkling fairy lights, resulting in a timeless and sophisticated atmosphere.
The team’s aspiration was clear: to blend classic elegance and bohemian style with the unique charm of Hawaii’s North Shore. To add vibrance and personality to this beachfront wedding, they chose a sunny palette. The pink and yellow shades offered a playful feel full of early summertime blooms.
“When dreaming up the florals for this shoot, we wanted to showcase something unique yet fitting to Hawaii,” Carol shares. For the ceremony, Katie, the florist from Belle the Jour, opted for yellow floral chandeliers hanging alongside the glass one from the arch, allowing contrast to the blue sky and ocean. Lush pink baby’s breath on the arch gave the ceremony an exquisite yet beachy feel. The bride’s bouquet was full of bright yellow peonies, butterfly ranunculus, spirea, and chamomile, which gave it a lot of movement and a sun-kissed aura.
The bridal gown featured a simple and clean mermaid silhouette, complemented by adjustable straps with beaded flowers. The corset-style back with exposed boning, soft tulle train, and plunging V-neckline added romance to the look. The professional beauty team from REVEAL Hair & Makeup achieved a flawless yet natural look, seamlessly transitioning from the outdoor ceremony to the evening. They aimed to create proper dimension in her eye shadow and a soft contour to capture the light, ensuring she radiated with a soft glam allure throughout the day. The hair artist crafted a perfectly balanced, effortless, and elegant hairstyle for the bride.
The jewelry made from perfectly imperfect pearls, tan lines, and bronzed skin infused a relaxed island vibe to the overall appearance and complemented the laid-back charm of the setting.
The ceremony occurred against an enchanting backdrop with a beautiful lawn and a stunning private beach setting the stage. The sky, ocean, and sand created a picturesque canvas, further enhanced by a white arch adorned with asymmetrical floral arrangements.
Carol and her team paid meticulous attention to every detail throughout the day. Among the romantic landscape, elegant white velvet furniture added a touch of refinement to the setting.
A beachfront wedding would only be complete with tender and cheerful photographs against the ocean. The lovebirds’ laughter, glances, and gentle touches brought a distinct charm to every skillfully taken photo by Carol Oliva.
For the reception, the team wanted to carry on the playful elegance by incorporating yellow flowers and soft pink candles as centerpieces. All-white dinnerware brought timeless elegance, perfectly complemented by white and gold tableware and ribbed glasses.
Acrylic was an unusual material that added a modern flair to the design elements. Cest Calligraphy ingeniously crafted a frost acrylic sign adorned with pearls for the seating chart. The pearlescent acrylic menus and invitations continued this theme, providing a sleek touch to the table settings. Even the wedding cake was envisioned as a unique masterpiece, with transparent layers adorned with delicate pearl details. The white creation served as a stunning centerpiece and added charm to the reception’s overall aesthetic.
As the sun began to set, the couple made their way to the lounge area under the sailcloth tent. White velvet sofas awaited, providing both luxury and comfort. Glass round chandeliers and delicate flower arrangements hung, enveloping the space in a soft, ethereal glow. In the center of the lounge, a champagne tower with flowers serves as a stunning focal point.
Carol’s vision for the reception dinner was to evoke the enchanting ambiance of a summer night under the twilight sky. To bring this dream to life, the team meticulously arranged twinkling fairy lights throughout the venue, enveloping the space in a romantic glow.
PHOTOGRAPHER & DESIGNER Carol Oliva | VENUE Turtle Bay Resort | FLORAL Belle de Jour | MUAH Reveal | DRESS Epiphany | COORDINATOR All the Deets | CAKE Hipp Bakes | RENTALS Aloha Artisans | CALLIGRAPHY Cest Calligraph
