We decided to elope because a smaller, more intimate celebration truly resonates with us as a couple. Eloping feels like the most authentic way for us to begin our marriage—one that’s intentional, meaningful, and centered on our commitment to each other. By choosing a private experience, we’re able to focus on this commitment and start our marriage in a grounded, personal way.
When we decided we wanted to combine an intimate ceremony with a deeply personal honeymoon, we were drawn to two choices: A golden sunset beach full of Aloha like Kuki'o Beach near Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i or a stunning black sand beach full of magic like Reynisfjara near Vike, Iceland. We were drawn to both places for their beauty, but we ultimately chose Hawaiʻi because it allows us to be legally married in the U.S. with fewer logistical steps. Having our intimate ceremony and legal marriage happen together in the same moment, in a simpler and more straightforward way, felt like the right choice for us. Hawaiʻi and the intention it weaves into its wedding ceremonies also offers us a sense of peace and grounding that aligns with how we want to begin our marriage.
We chose April 22, 2026 because it holds layers of meaning for us and feels deeply aligned with the way we want to begin our marriage. Falling on Earth Day, the date carries a sense of grounding, care, and connection—to each other and to the world around us. Spring is a season of renewal and quiet growth, which feels like a beautiful reflection of this moment in our lives. The numbers of the date also felt significant and aligned, reinforcing that this was the right moment for us. Altogether, it felt intentional, symbolic, and deeply resonant.
Yes! While our ceremony itself will be private, celebrating with the people we love is still very important to us. We envision gathering together in a more relaxed, meaningful way after we return whether that is at our backyard, beachside celebration back home in Homer or over a shared meal when we next visit with you. We’re excited to share stories, photos, and joy from our day, and to celebrate our marriage with you in a way that feels connected, present, and true to us. Your love and support are a meaningful part of this chapter, and we truly look forward to celebrating together.
Yes—we’re really excited to share pieces of our day with you. While the ceremony itself will be private, we’ll be capturing meaningful moments through photos and videos, and look forward to sharing them with everyone. We plan to post these special moments here on our website as they unfold and after we return, so you can feel connected to the experience and see how this day comes together for us. It means a lot to us to be able to share this part of our story with you.
Your love, encouragement, and understanding mean more to us than we can put into words. Knowing that you’re supporting us brings us a deep sense of peace as we step into this chapter. If you feel inclined, we would love to receive messages, notes, or well wishes from you that we can read together throughout our wedding day. Carrying your words with us in that way allows us to feel held by our community, even in a quiet and intimate setting.