Stephanie and Ahmad are the type of couple that likes to live life to the fullest. After their intimate Maui wedding they chose to do a Trash the Dress shoot because, as Stephanie says, “you spend all this time and money picking out THE wedding dress of your dreams and then when the moment is over your dress gets to spend forever in a box. Why not get some once-in-a-lifetime pictures of you and your husband?” Dellables, who also did her wedding flowers, created a gorgeous headpiece, beautiful bouquet, delectable bowl of fruit, and even a chandelier to hang from the banyan tree. Karma Hill Photography found an enchanting location and captured these two in some of my favorite TTD photos ever!
Before the Ring (from the bride):
My husband and I met five years ago at a tex-mex restaurant/bar called the Matador in Redmond, WA on Cinco de Mayo in 2008. I had just moved an hour away from my hometown and out of my parents’ house because of a work opportunity. Feeling lonely on this Cinco de Mayo in my new city, I called a girl who I was introduced to by a mutual friend and invited myself to meet up with her and her friends. When I showed up at the restaurant, there he was – my future husband, Ahmad! It was love at first sight for both of us. We made a b-line straight for each other and hung out the whole night. We never left each other’s side after that. We are best friends and soul mates. There is a song “God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you,” and I believe it. Ahmad is originally from Beruit, Lebanon, but was living in Kuwait as a child. When the Gulf War started he and his family had to make a bold escape to get out of the country and come to the US. I thought my destiny was to be stuck in a small town forever, I never thought I would get a job in the city and end up meeting the love of my life. I would say God definitely blessed the road that led us to each other. How crazy are the circumstances that put us both in Redmond together at the same place and time.
The Proposal:
We got engaged on February 18th, 2012. I was going to San Fransisco on a work trip and since it was on the same weekend as Ahmad’s 29th birthday we decided to make a trip out of it. I planned a romantic dinner cruise around the bay and under the bridge for Ahmad’s birthday; little did I know I was the one in for a surprise. Ahmad told me he found this secluded spot upstairs with a great view and said we should go check it out. I am always one for an adventure so of course I went without question. When we got upstairs I noticed his breathing starting to quiver and the lady who took our photo by the lifesaver when we first got on the boat was following us. I mentioned to Ahmad that the lady followed us and that I didn’t think we were supposed to be there. That was his cue to go….the next thing I knew Ahmad was down on one knee saying “the only way this birthday could get any better is if you do me the honor of being my wife and celebrate every birthday with me for the rest of my life.” Then the flash started going off from that lady snapping away getting pictures. Needless to say the look on my face was pure shock! The rest of the night was spent celebrating and dancing. Just like our wedding and the day we met, it was a magical moment.
Why Do a Trash the Dress Shoot?
I decided to do a ‘Trash the Dress’ because you spend all this time and money picking out THE wedding dress of your dreams and then when the moment is over your dress gets to spend forever in a box. Why not get some once-in-a-lifetime pictures of you and your husband? The wedding is over so you are more relaxed in front of the camera and your love really gets to shine through because it’s just the two of you with no family around. I know some brides hold onto the dream that maybe their daughter will want to re-wear the dress, but in reality that’s not going to happen. Every bride wants their own, new dress that speaks to them and shows off their personality. I figured we were in Maui, what better place to ‘Trash the Dress’?! I really wanted to get some amazing photos of my husband and I in the hillsides of Maui, not just your typical rolling around on the beach TTD pictures.
I am one lucky girl to get a shoot like this; it definitely was a once-in-a-life time experience. I feel like every woman should get to experience this. I also have the greatest guy in the world! I don’t know how many men would be willing to give up a day of lounging on the beach to be with their wife, in 80 degree heat and humidity somewhere in the jungles of Maui to take more wedding pictures.
Photography: Karma Hill Photography / Floral, Fruit, Chandelier in the Banyan, and headpieces: Dellables / Wedding Coordinator: Simple Maui Wedding