Kahua Ranch Wedding, Kelsey & Ryan

April 25, 2017 by KarenLoudon

Kahua Ranch is located on the western slope of the Kohala Mountains, 3000 feet above sea level. This 8,500 acres of private ranch land provides a variety of landscapes. From grazing cattle, sheep and horses to vistas of ocean and coastal shoreline. A beautiful setting for a rustic chic wedding styled by Swept Away Events. The gorgeous flower arrangements made by Grace Flowers.

Kelsey wore a breathtaking dress by Blue Bridal and her makeup perfectly done by Mara McMichael for the special day. During the ceremony Keoni Thompson filled the air with a sweet serenade and at night DJ Tiger Jones took the floor for the reception. The cake was thoughtfully prepared by Pineapple Bakery, gold adorning the simple white two tiered cake. The newly weds danced the night away to a starry night sky, crisp mountain air and surrounded by family and friends.

Wedding Photographer: Karen Loudon

Venue: Kahua Ranch

Wedding Organizer: Swept Away Events.

Flower Arrangements: Grace Flowers.

Wedding Dress: Blue Bridal

Hair & Makeup: Mara McMichael

Ceremony Musician: Keoni Thompson

DJ: DJ Tiger Jones

Cake: Pineapple Bakery

Tom and Jing, Waikoloa Beach Marriott, Big Island Hawaii

February 18, 2012 by KarenLoudon

Here’s a sneak peek from Tom and Jing’s wedding photo session at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott…with their big ceremony to follow in China in May!

Kupala and Jeff, Waialea Bay, Big Island of Hawaii

February 5, 2012 by KarenLoudon

I know what you’re thinking…. How does Karen Loudon consistently get such beautiful brides? I can’t even count how many times I meet with a bride for the first time and have to pick my jaw up off of the floor. Kupala was one of those, AND generous and sweet. She’s the total package for a fun guy like Jeff and they’re perfect together, it just doesn’t get a whole lot cuter than these two. . .their wedding at the Lalamilo Beach Bungalow in Waialea Bay was everything I love about weddings. Laid back, on the beach, intimate with great people and lots of Hawaiian Kava Kava.

Anastasiya and Cory, Mauna Lani Bay Hotel, Big Island of Hawaii

January 16, 2012 by KarenLoudon

Some weddings I book years in advance and know every detail on what to expect from my couple, some weddings I book them right around the corner and am surprised with every thoughtful detail they created to make the day even more special! Anastasiya and Cory’s wedding day was filled a whole lot of love from everyone in attendance.

Destination beach weddings are all about the organic textures, tropical bouquets & centerpieces, and simple touches. Anastasiya and Cory had a beautiful outdoor ceremony on the beach in front of the elegant Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts on the Kohala Coast of the Big island of Hawaii. The pureness and authenticity of their day is what stands out in my mind.

Thank you Anastasiya and Cory for your kindness, authenticity and grace. Thank you … for everything!!

Alicia and Stewart, Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort, Big Island of Hawaii

September 13, 2011 by KarenLoudon

It was love at first sight during a snow ball fight in a snow storm. Stew face washed Alicia with a snow ball and they’ve been hanging out ever since. Stew and Alicia live in Northwest Washington, on their first real date he took her to a spot out on Chuckanut Dr. over looking Puget Sound & beautiful Chuckanut Bay. 2 1/2 years later he took her back to watch the sunrise and asked her to marry him! She said yes! He had the ring custom made by a local jeweler because she’s in love with sapphires.

Alicia and Stewart are two very happy people! I was so thrilled when Alicia contacted me and asked me to photograph their wedding. She wanted to know if I could start from the time they woke up on their special day…. what a novel idea, I loved it!

I knocked on the door to their beautiful suite located in the Palace tower at the Hilton Waikoloa Village at approximately 8am, to find the two of them lounging over a leisurely room service breakfast. They were so relaxed. We went back into the bedroom for a do-over wake-up photo session, I had an idea of them having a pillow fight (with a feather pillow that just happened to spill a few feathers, naturally!). Alicia and Stewart were up for it. I love it when couples just feel like friends you have known forever. That is exactly how I feel with these two. It was so FUN!

hair and makeup by Jackie Zimmerman http://jackiezimm.com

Terre and Mat, Green Church, Waimea, Big Island of Hawaii

September 12, 2011 by KarenLoudon

Terre and Mat are the kind of couple that inspire you to love.

They met in 2008 in Kailua, Oahu at Morning Brew which is a coffee shop (they are both coffee fanatics). Terre was studying for nursing school finals and Mat was having lunch. They’ve been drinking buddies ever since! They loved living in Oahu – they enjoyed hiking and their first official date was a hike at north shore. Mat is a skin diver and Terre likes to snorkel so they would go to the ocean as much as possible. He proposed on Christmas Day 2009 first thing in the morning after they had both just gotten up. Mat had the engagement ring made in Germany and he did not expect it to arrive so soon, but because it had, he thought Christmas would be perfect – and Terre agreed ! They decided to move to the mainland because they thought it would be best for a growing family in the future. They’ve settled in Austin, TX. Now they have a 4 bedroom house and they can’t wait to fill the rooms with children!

Initially, they thought their Hawaii vacation was just going to be that, but they could no longer wait – they really wanted to get married. A big fancy wedding was not important to them. On a trip to Terre’s hometown (NYC) in July, they managed to get custom made wedding rings done within days, then they decided to look for a small chapel in Hawaii where they could say their vows in a church. Terre happened upon photos of Ke Ola Mau Loa Church (the Green Church) in Waimea when surfing the internet, and contacted Rev. Terminello, who was very accommodating.

The church was even more beautiful in person than in the photos. The simple ceremony started and ended with Hawaiian blessings. It was sweet and beautiful and just felt natural. Terre’s bouquet was picked from a plumeria tree that morning. After the ceremony the newlyweds drove straight to Mauna Kea Observatory in their wedding attire. They took pictures up there and other visitors complimented them on being the best dressed tourists. The “reception” was at the shops at Mauna Lani. The Sunday following the wedding they attended services at the church. Rev Terminello, the Kahu of the church, and the church goers were very friendly, and invited them to lunch afterwards.

I didn’t meet Terre or Mat before their wedding, in fact our photo session was the day after the real wedding. Rev Terminello was also nice enough to open the church again the next day. it didn’t matter one bit. From the second Terre and Mat emerged newly married from their rental car, they were grinning from ear to ear and ready for photosAfter spending about 45minutes taking pictures at the church, we headed off to Hapuna Beach in time for a beautiful sunset.

Terre and Mat were were married on August 10, 2011 on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Karen Loudon Photography is now WeddingWire Rated for 2011

July 5, 2011 by KarenLoudon

Kailua Kona, HI – July 5, 2011 – WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is pleased to announce that Karen Loudon Photography is WeddingWire Rated 2011 for Wedding Photography. WeddingWire Rated is an annual award program that distinguishes wedding vendors across the country for their excellence. Based on hundreds of thousands of recent wedding reviews, WeddingWire Rated is the most recognized and trusted brand among engaged couples looking to find the best local businesses for their wedding.

Karen Loudon Photography has 6 reviews on WeddingWire. Reviews by our newlywed clients include detailed ratings and insightful descriptions about their experiences. Our reviews provide transparency for potential clients, assisting them in making the most informed decisions for their big day.

“We are delighted to unveil the 5th annual WeddingWire Rated program,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire, Inc. ” Karen Loudon Photography has made a commitment to capturing their clients experiences on the nation’s leading wedding review site.”

As the largest site for wedding reviews, WeddingWire empowers engaged couples with the most comprehensive and trusted review system available. The WeddingWire Rated program provides Karen Loudon Photography with a simple platform to capture customer feedback from their wedding planning experience. Newly engaged couples can easily access all of the reviews for Karen Loudon Photography on WeddingWire.com. We would like to thank our newlyweds for our WeddingWire Rated 2011 recognition.

For more information, please visit Karen Loudon Photography on WeddingWire.

For more information on WeddingWire Rated 2011, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

Rick and Ellen’s Wedding / New Orleans, Louisiana

June 13, 2011 by KarenLoudon

I’ve had a great time getting to know Rick and Ellen over the past few years. These two fun-loving former New Orleaneans moved to Kailua Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii about 4 years ago. Ellen is a former elephant manager at the Audubon zoo in New Orleans and was among those who rode out hurricane Katrina with the animals, so having their wedding at the zoo had special significance for the couple.

This is a couple that works hard, plays hard, and throws some amazing parties. It’s difficult to sum up their wedding into just one day….. the wedding festivities truly began a week before for me, with the arrival of myself along with many other Hawaiians into New Orleans in time for the end of jazzfest, followed by a full week of festivities leading up to the wedding, which included a crawfish boil, the bachelor and bachelorette parties, the reception dinner and finally the wedding…..

Rick & Ellen married on May 14, 2011! Preparations for the day began at the beautiful Avenue Plaza Hotel on St. Charles, then we headed to the Audubon Zoo where their evening ceremony took place in front of the fountain close to the sea lion exhibit.

The reception took place at the Louisiana Swamp Exhibit which is a re-creation of a 1930s swamp settlement equipped with a trapper’s cottage, Spanish moss, white alligators and cypress knees. This wedding included a blend of Hawaiian and Louisiana traditions. Ellen wore a white orchid haku lei in her hair and Rick wore a traditional maile lei. Their first dance, “A Beach in Hawaii”, was followed by a New Orleans wedding tradition, the Second Line Parade, which signifies the start of a new beginning of life for the bride and groom. Friends and family danced the night away in celebration in the Cajun Ballroom.

Rick and Ellen, you both are wonderful, kind hearted people and it was truly a pleasure to be there for your wedding day. I enjoyed the entire week, but after all those parties, I’m definitely looking forward to a vacation from this vacation! Congratulations! KL

Mike and Kestrels Engagement / Keauhou Beach Resort / Big Island of Hawaii

April 3, 2011 by KarenLoudon

Kestrel and Mike met while they were both performing in a theater production of Hamlet in Waimea. They started dating after opening night. Mike proposed at their favorite beach, Mauna Kea, they had packed a picnic lunch and found a spot in the shade. He disappeared to get something out of the car and when he came back, he told Kestrel he had just spoken to her father. He got down on one knee, read a beautiful poem he had written for her and proposed. The engagement ring is pink sapphire (sapphire is Kestrels birth stone) and white gold. He got it at their friend Moses’ shop, Mountain Gold Jewellers, in Kawaihae. He actually told Kestrel he was going to rehearsal for a show early and instead he drove to Kawaihae. He had the ring for 2 weeks before he proposed! The inspiration for their engagement photo session was 40s movie star glamour, as well as the Hawaiian beauty of the Keauhou Beach Resort grounds and their love for each other and their son.

Kestrel and Mike’s story and pictures were also published at your engagement 101.com

Kestrel and Mike’s story and pictures were also published at www.yourengagement101.com

Margaux and Colin’s Wedding / Hawi, Big Island of Hawaii

February 16, 2011 by KarenLoudon

Margaux and Colin were married in September 2010 at Hawaii Island Retreat, a boutique eco-hotel in Hawi, on the Kohala Coast of the Big island of Hawaii. I got to know them both very well when I photographed an engagement session for them a few months before the wedding. Margaux and Colin are a fun couple, always willing to be a little silly in photos, and both love to ham it up in front of the lens. In the above photo, I had the bridesmaids (all 9 of them!) swooning over Colin, needless to say, he loved it

After the ceremony, the bride and groom stayed behind on the cliff and shot an arrow together, into the ocean, a family tradition in Margaux’ family. To see more photos of Margaux and Colin’s wedding and engagement, please visit my website karenloudon.com

A few pictures from this wedding were featured on a larger wedding blog, see eco-beautifulweddings.com to read more

KAREN LOUDON photography

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