Wedding Day

Tuesday 18th July
We awake to a perfect Maui day, the clouds have contracted back to their mountain tops. The sea is turquoise blue and the palm trees are once again waving a good morning welcome. The big day for Troy and Heather is here at last and in Aussie terms it’s gong to be a ripper.
Matt and I have some duties to perform, Troy has a mountain of refreshments piled up in his room. They need to be loaded into his car so that he can transport them to the site of the wedding in preparation for the bar staff. 
After breakfast Matt and I drive down to Troy and Heathers hotel in Lahaina where we are joined by Amanda’s brother Jimmy and a stressed looking son in law Peter. He explains that he has had credit card problems, an errant duplicated charge from the hotel has locked up his card and the hotel unhelpful in assisting him in clearing it with his travel agent. Thankfully he has just managed to contact the them directly and all is good in paradise again. We locate Troy who has scratched his head on the side of the swimming pool while swimming in the dark last night. He will need a little make up himself for his big afternoon. Like father like son though hair is not a problem. Loading the car takes us all of five minutes and we are back in the car heading back to Honua Kai. 

We can relax for awhile before changing into our wedding attire. To be ready for pickup and delivery to Olawalu Plantation House, the site of the wedding venue at 1.30pm today. Amanda and I visited the site in May last year on the recommendation of Amanda’s nephew Kuau who is a resident renowned wedding photographer on the island. Situated south of Lahaina in a wooded coastal area the plantation house property is hidden from the road. Once the home of a sugar plantation owner it is now the venue for couples and their wedding party to ready themselves for their big moment in time. The house itself is a simple wooden structure with a large rear covered Verandah that looks out over manicured lawns and gardens to the ocean itself only 50 metres away. From the unpretentious entrance we drove through enormous overhanging monkey pod trees to the car park at the front of the house. Then as we walked around the house the scene opened up, the lawns dotted with palms run down to the beach. To the north a huge Morton bay fig and even bigger Monkey pod tree stretch their angular limbs skywards to provide a canopy of shade, enough for an army of wedding guests. To the south the beach curves around to a man made jetty, this is not a wooden structure as we in Australia would know it but more of a seawall, a break that holds a path out into the ocean, ideal for wedding photographs that provide nothing but the ocean and island views as a backdrop.
Back at the hotel we dress in our finest, Amanda in her Anne Namba number purchased on our arrival to the islands, me in my white trousers, Navy Ted Baker shirt and newly acquired Truffaux Panama hat. Matt as best man looks relaxed in beige pants and white open neck shirt.
At 1.30pm we make our way to the lobby, our taxi is there under the Porte-cochere waiting to whisk us off to Olawalu. Any clouds have scattered to the mountain tops, the day is clear and warm to hot, any breezes having vanished by the time we arrive.
We are greeted by the wedding planner Lori and welcomed to the venue. We park our belongings, I grab my camera as we re-familiarise ourselves with site. Somehow it is more beautiful, the lawns are greener, the gardens immaculate, tropical foliage and flowering plants showing their summer colour. Under the fig and the monkey pod trees the large paved area facing the ocean is set with tables themselves now in the process of decoration by the catering staff. To the left of this the green lawns stretch down to the ocean and here a canopy of white diaphanous material will keep the bride and groom from the sun during the ceremony.

First Troy and then Heather arrive, Heather with her entourage, she is quickly whisked inside so that Troy doesn’t see her before the ceremony as is tradition. Lori runs through the ceremony guiding the bridesmaids, Abbey, Aubrey, Cadence, Calista, and Cindy in their part of the ceremony. Heathers father also given his instructions. The photographer gathers the wedding party for some pre wedding photos. Amanda and I watch on, as the busy scene before us gradually develops into the scene of a wedding. Bridesmaids flit about like colourful butterfly’s eventually retreating to attend their queen as more and more guests arrive.

As the hour approaches the sun is high in the sky sending its scorching rays earthwards, all breezes have stilled, the guests are handed woven heart shaped fans to create their own breezes as we make our way to the seating area, now staged in front of the wedding canopy and facing the ocean. The Hawaiian male celebrant stands to the right of the canopy, dressed in a white shirt and beige trousers but with a traditional blue and white patterned shawl that hangs across one shoulder loosely to the waist. He is holding a creamy white sea shell that once we are seated he holds to his mouth and blows a note skywards signalling the beginning of the ceremony.

In turn the bridesmaids dressed in peach make their way from the house, leading the way is Aubrey, followed by Abbey then Cadence then Calista and finally Cindy. First groomsmen Matthew walks Amanda down the isle and to her seat. Followed by second groomsmen Justin and Heathers mother Bonnie then Troy in a blue suit and white opened neck shirt and his mother. Once again the celebrant raises the conch shell to the sky and blows three notes signalling Heather to begin her journey towards the canopy, escorted by her father. Heather looking beautiful is dressed in a flowing white gown with a high bodice and white lace top covering her shoulders. Plumeria flowers adorn her blond hair, a white plumeria shaped pendant necklace at her breast. The amplified strains of an Hawaiian 12 string guitar with the traditional Bridal Processional Song Maunaleo sang beautifully by Jamie (Lori’s husband) fill the surrounding air. 
The celebrant begins the wedding ceremony, the most beautiful and fun filled ceremony I have ever witnessed. Starting with lei giving Troy and Heather each place the floral leis around each other’s neck, then each in turn, Stan, Bonnie (Heathers parents) Amanda, I and Troys mother receive the gift of a lei from our children Troy & Heather. 
The kids say their vows and exchange rings underneath the white canopy that shades them from the sun but the heat of the day evaporates as we bear witness to their love for one another. A tear comes to my eye the love and happiness palpable.

We are soon on our feet congratulating them as they are pronounced man and wife and once again traverse the isle they trod as singles just thirty minutes ago as a married couple. Friends and family gather round to congratulate the jubilant pair lining up for photos as more are taken of the couple and their guests.

The bar opens and the party begins as the sun starts its way towards the western horizon. The recently quiet breezes pickup cooling us down as the servers circulate with finger food appetisers of coconut shrimp, samosas, sliders and mini toasted sandwiches. Meanwhile the couple are off having more photo moments the photographer having a field day against what must be one of the most beautiful backdrops on the planet. 
We are seated for dinner service just before sunset. The sky is briefly lit with orange and pink as finally the sun disappears into the ocean, the now gentle breezes are a welcome relief to the daytime heat. White moon shaped lanterns come alight, darkness descends, speeches are made by a very emotional me, Cindy (Heathers sister) and Stan her father. Then each of the members of the bridal party are formerly introduced to the guests.
More photos are taken as the wedding cake is cut, a small white iced chocolate cake sitting above circular trays of chocolate cupcakes.
The music begins. the married couple take their first dance under the monkey pod tree, and the party starts in earnest. Guests flock to the dance floor, as the night goes on more and more young and old loose their inhibitions in their dancing. From the youngest ten year old to the oldest 79 year old all the guests enjoy the music and fun. 

Eventually all things must pass and the music stops, the lights go out and we return to our beds holding a most memorable night of fun love and laughter in our hearts for ever.