Some wedding locations are beautiful. Others carry a history that belongs only to the couple standing there.
Rosie and Evan got married on the oceanfront spot in Waikoloa where Evan proposed. Their surprise engagement happened on that shoreline. Then, years later, they promised their lives to each other in the same place, in front of their closest family and friends. I photographed their Big Island wedding, and I felt that history in every frame.
A surprise proposal in Waikoloa
Evan secretly flew to Hawaiʻi and worked with Rosie’s family to plan the proposal. He asked her to marry him beside the ocean, with flowers, family, and a complete surprise. Because of that, choosing a wedding location was easy. They weren’t looking for the most impressive view. They wanted the one that already meant something.
Why the private sunset portraits mattered
Rosie and Evan told me the private sunset photos were some of their favorites from the entire day. I understand why. A wedding moves fast, but sunset portraits give you a pause. No guests to greet, nothing on the schedule. Just the two of you and the ocean.
That pause is what I build into every timeline.
What Rosie and Evan said about Couple Cups
“We couldn’t have been happier with our experience with Kris at Couple Cups Photography! From the very beginning, Kris was incredibly responsive, thorough, and thoughtful about getting to know exactly what kinds of photos we wanted. He struck the perfect balance between capturing beautiful candid moments and making sure we got all of the posed and family/group photos that were important to us.
We especially loved having some private sunset photos together. Those ended up being some of our favorite pictures from the entire day. Kris also did such a great job making us feel comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera. He was friendly, personable, and easy to work with throughout the entire process.
We’re so grateful to have such a beautiful collection of photos that capture both the big moments and all the little candid moments of our wedding day. Kris was an absolute pleasure to work with, and we would highly recommend him and Couple Cups Photography to anyone looking for a talented, professional, and genuinely wonderful wedding photographer!”
The team behind the day
Rosie and Evan planned from Southern California, so their local team kept everything calm from a distance. Here’s who made it happen:
Their Waikoloa Wedding, Hawaii wedding vendors:
- Planning: Blush Weddings Hawaii
- Hair & makeup: Indigo Grace Artistry
- Flora’s: Uhiuhi Flower House
- Rentals: Kea & Loaf Rentals
- A/V: Eclipse Effects
- Video: Drew Williams Video
- Dance floor: HSAV
- Transportation: Polynesian Adventure Shuttle
- Cocktail hour music: Ravi Lamb
- Ceremony music: Magic Strings
- Ceremony bar: Spirited Cocktail
- Signage: Ocean Events
- Photo booth: Brio Booth
- Photography: Couple Cups Photography
Rosie and Evan didn’t look for the most famous spot. They went back to the coastline where Evan asked Rosie to build a life with him, and this time they stood there as a married couple. The ocean was still moving. Everything else had changed.
That’s what I hope wedding photography holds onto: not only what the day looked like, but why it mattered.
Planning a Big Island wedding, intimate celebration, or Waikoloa ceremony? Explore our Big Island elopement and wedding packages, or contact us to start a conversation.