Daphne’s first message to me included that she and her groom, Connor, were both young creatives who had a light-hearted approach to their wedding day. They envisioned an intimate party with family and close friends and wanted photography that was about capturing moments candidly throughout this special day. I couldn’t have been more delighted to be a part of this one.
The whole celebration took place at Duke’s in Malibu. Duke’s, name after the famed Olympian Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, sits right on the shoreline with beautiful ocean views for ceremony and dinner. The restaurant carries the Hawaiian theme and celebrates the aloha spirit. Duke’s has their own private access to the beach and is the perfect backdrop for a seaside wedding. Overall this venue is unfussy and laidback, I love that.
I met the groom as he was setting up decorations for the reception before finding Daphne in the bridal suite. One of my favorite shots this season was Daphne fluffing out her dress in front of a portrait of a surfer. It was purely accidentally that her arm and the surfer’s lined up perfectly parallel.
Since it was a smaller ceremony, the two opted to not see each other before the ceremony. Instead, we did a small first touch behind the bridal suite door that was sweet and meaningful to the couple.
The ceremony itself took place in a room lined with glass windows looking out across the sea. It really doesn’t get more romantic. They shared vows and an old Irish tradition of binding the hands together.
Loved this day, below are a few of my favorites.
Venue: Duke’s Malibu
