Tropical Maui Elopement with Multiple Locations
March 11, 2026
Updated:
Why They Chose to Elope on Maui
Joanna and Tommy’s vision for their wedding was simple: enjoy an intimate day and take beautiful photos in nature. They wanted a wedding about their relationship, with special memories they would treasure forever, all unfolding within a breathtaking landscape with wedding photos to capture every moment. As they explored their vision deeper, Hawaii became the clear choice for the place they would start their marriage.
Their Elopement Day: From Kualoa Ranch to Secret Island
Getting Ready and First Look at Moli’i Gardens
Palm trees swayed in the tropical breeze as Joanna and Tommy got ready for their ceremony at the stunning Moli’i Gardens at Kualoa Ranch. Tommy couldn’t wait to see Joanna and his face exploded with joy during their first look – after lots of hugs and comments about how good they both looked, it was time to descend a regal spiral staircase and say their vows.
Intimate Ceremony with Hawaiian Traditions
Their ceremony was intimate, with only Tommy’s parents as guests. Their Hawaiian officiant walked them through a deeply meaningful ceremony full of symbolism about their love, draping leis around each other’s necks and dripping water from the vast ocean on their wedding rings to show the size of their love for each other.
After popping some champagne and celebrating with their loved ones, we set off with them to explore the island and take all the beautiful wedding photos their hearts desired!
Ocean Cliffs
Our first stop was a set of ocean cliffs with striking turquoise water where they stood and gazed out at the crashing waves and knew their marriage would withstand whatever rough waters life would throw at them.
The light was changing a lot throughout the day, but we adapted our photography to the shifting conditions to match the timeless beauty of Hawaii.
Private Boat Ride to Secret Island
The crown jewel of the day was a private boat ride out to Secret Island, where they stepped out onto a private dock to slow down and enjoy the majesty of the Koʻolau Mountains. We photographed the boat ride by embracing the nautical vibes and capturing them peering out at the island framed by the mast and ropes.
After sitting down together to soak in the beauty, they took the boat back to catch the sunset on the beach, dancing the day away as the light slowly began to fade.
Joanna and Tommy invested in what was most important to them: an intimate day in a beautiful place, and stunning photos to capture the special moments and the breathtaking scenery.
How We Helped Plan Their Elopement
Planning
From our first planning call, Joanna and Tommy knew they wanted an intimate ceremony in nature with incredible photo opportunities. We recommended Kualoa Ranch for their ceremony location, the stunning Moli’i Gardens with its spiral staircase and lush tropical setting was perfect for their vision.
We focused on photographing their true emotion at each location, documenting their one-of-a-kind elopement experience within the beautiful landscape with our photos.
Locations & Timeline
We found and recommended all the beach locations for them, including the dramatic ocean cliffs and the sunset beach. We also helped them arrange the private boat ride to Secret Island, ensuring they got that magical experience on the Koʻolau Mountains’ private dock.
Hawaii is very serious about permits, so we helped them get any and all permits required since we’re actually registered in the state of Hawaii, (it’s super important the photographer you work with is actually registered in Hawaii to get permits).
We created a custom timeline that accounted for the changing November light conditions and allowed time for exploration between locations. Every element of their day reflected their vision: intimacy, natural beauty, and stunning photos to remember it all.
Thinking about eloping? Let’s make it 100% YOU.
“Our experience with The Chaffins was nothing short of magical, and we are forever grateful”
“I truly hope our words capture how special Sammie and Micah are. After our first video call with The Chaffins we instantly knew they would capture our day exactly how we envisioned it.
They’re not just photographers; they provide an incredible amount of research and wedding planning. Their priority was to understand our wedding day vision, which they in return heavily researched locations, vendors, and activities. They were able to provide us with so many more options than we thought possible. It felt like having a wedding coordinator and photographer – all in one.
They orchestrated our entire wedding journey with so much grace and genuine care. Our experience with The Chaffins was nothing short of magical, and we are forever grateful for the beautiful memories they’ve given us.
From the initial consultation to the moment we said “I do,” Sammie and Micah were with us every step of the way. They picked out the most incredible landscapes in Hawaii and were able to capture stunning images.
They provide a beautiful experience that goes beyond photographs. Looking through our wedding album, we’re transported back to each moment, feeling the same love and excitement all over again. Their ability to capture the essence of our relationship is truly remarkable. They made us feel comfortable and relaxed throughout the entire process, allowing us to be ourselves and truly enjoy our special day.
One of our favorite memories was when Sammie and Micah asked if they could pray over our marriage. This small gesture meant so much to us as it showed their genuine love for us, for their craft, and their commitment to making our day truly special.
Thank you, Sammie and Micah we are forever indebted to you for capturing our love so beautifully and for being an integral part of our elopement journey. You’ve given us more than just photographs; but a beautiful elopement experience.”
– Joanna & Tommy
Photos From Their Amazing Elopement:
As fellow free spirits, dreamers, world travelers, and roadtrippers – we know that even on a normal day, it’s hard to choose what adventure to take. It’s no surprise that when it comes to the once in a lifetime adventure of getting married, choosing just one path feels nearly impossible.
So… choose two or three. Share your vows privately in Italy and come back to the West Coast to celebrate with your loved ones. Or have your wedding ceremony in Switzerland and then share a honeymoon adventure in Morocco.
As fellow free spirits, dreamers, world travelers, and roadtrippers – we know that even on a normal day, it’s hard to choose what adventure to take. It’s no surprise that when it comes to the once in a lifetime adventure of getting married, choosing just one path feels nearly impossible.
So… choose two or three. Share your vows privately in Italy and come back to the West Coast to celebrate with your loved ones. Or have your wedding ceremony in Switzerland and then share a honeymoon adventure in Morocco.
As fellow free spirits, dreamers, world travelers, and roadtrippers – we know that even on a normal day, it’s hard to choose what adventure to take. It’s no surprise that when it comes to the once in a lifetime adventure of getting married, choosing just one path feels nearly impossible.
So… choose two or three. Share your vows privately in Italy and come back to the West Coast to celebrate with your loved ones. Or have your wedding ceremony in Switzerland and then share a honeymoon adventure in Morocco.
We're a husband and wife traveling photography team who believes
MARRIAGE IS ONE OF LIFE'S GREATEST ADVENTURES.
we want you to share experiences that make you feel…
Especially on your wedding day.
as vibrant as the sky at sunset.
as free as the breath moving through you.
as unstoppable as the crashing waves.
as complete as your interlocked fingers.