Del Rae & Doede, Old Airport Beach, Big Island of Hawaii

On January 1, 2012, Hawaii finally recognized same sex marriage,  making Hawaii the seventh state to permit civil unions or similar legal recognitions for same sex couples.

I am thrilled that same sex couples in Hawaii  have finally been given the same legal rights as everyone else, many congrats to the gay & lesbian community!  Before the law passed though, I had actually already photographed a few lesbian and gay weddings.

What always gets to me is the overwhelming support I have seen for couples who have chosen to celebrate their lives so openly,and now legally!  It is touching to witness such love and acceptance.

Del Rae & Doede were married yesterday by Rev. April Weaver (april@midwiferytoday.com). Congratulations to my most recent happy couple, and what a memorable couple they are.   They’re 2 of the nicest ladies you’ll ever meet!  I have to say, I really really enjoyed being a part of their special day, which was very relaxed and incredibly friendly.

Christine and Felicia’s wedding / Kailua-Kona / Big Island of Hawaii

Christine and Felicia are from the area of Knoxville, Tennessee and decided to head to the Big Island of Hawaii to get married. They were trying to keep it a secret. The plan was to quietly slip away from Christine’s family, who they were vacationing with, for a few hours. Their family however, knew something was up, so they decided to tell them about 10 minutes before the ceremony! It was a very small intimate ceremony at Kukio beach set on the Kona-Kohala Coast, adjacent to the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Ka’upulehu. The wedding was very casual with both Christine and Felicia wearing cargo shorts and denim shirts, and the rest of the family in whatever they were wearing when they were told about the ceremony.

It was so much fun hanging out with Christine and Felicia and I was honored to be a part of their wedding day. As you can tell from the photos, they are just awesome women who love each other immensely, and know how to have fun and laugh!