The Bride Wore a Cathedral-Length Veil and Her Grandmother’s Traditional Hawaiian Jewelry to Marry on Oahu

Creating an authentic love letter to Hawaii and their guests was the goal when planning the wedding. “It meant everything to us that our guests didn’t just attend a wedding, but truly felt the spirit of the islands we love so much,” says Jayda, who worked with Laura Armendariz of Fawn Events to craft the celebration. “From the florals to the food and drinks, everything was locally sourced and crafted with so much heart and intention.”

When choosing her wedding day attire, Jayda wanted to wear something minimal to complement the grandeur of Kualoa’s backdrop. “With the wedding being both outside and in Hawaii, I also knew I didn’t want a big heavy dress,” she says. “Still, I wanted some drama.” The bride decided on a two-piece set by Sept by Sarah Seven, complete with a custom-made long-line corset and a pleated chiffon skirt. The designer also helped her create a dramatic moment with a cathedral-length veil lined with the same lace as the corset. For her footwear, Jayda knew she didn’t want to wear a heel. “I’m already tall and didn’t want to worry about the grassy terrain or being uncomfortable,” she says. So, she decided on Chanel Mary Jane flats that she wore from the start to the finish of the day. To accessorize, she borrowed Hawaiian jewelry from her grandmother, including a plumeria necklace with matching earrings, a ring, and a bangle.

For his wedding ensemble, Jaylinn wore a custom black tuxedo by Pantheon Limited. “Pantheon Limited designs for many athletes and celebrities, and were extremely easy to work with given his tight football schedule,” says the bride. He coordinated the look with Bottega Veneta Roma lace-up shoes and a Rolex Deep Sea James Cameron. The wedding party was also dressed to the nines. “My bridesmaids wore butter yellow dresses they each chose to reflect their own style and the groomsmen kept it classic in matching tuxedos from Men’s Wearhouse, tying it all together perfectly!” Jayda adds.

The wedding weekend kicked off with a sunset catamaran for the rehearsal dinner. “Our wedding party and immediate families joined us, and it was the perfect way to slow down and show our favorite people a different view of the island that means so much to us,” says the couple. “It ended with a firework show put on by Hilton Hawaiian Village, a beautiful surprise that made the night feel even more special.” The next morning was an intimate celebration: a beachside baptism with the couple’s pastor. “It was important to us that before we made our vows to each other, we wanted to first renew our commitment to God,” says Jayda. “We welcomed any friends and family who wanted to join us, and together we shared an incredible moment at Ka’a’awa Beach, surrounded by the people we love.” That evening, guests joined the couple at The Ritz-Carlton Turtle Bay for their all-white welcome party. To stand out from the cream-colored guest ensembles, the bride wore a Georgia Hardinge dress as her “something blue.”

The wedding ceremony the next day was set with both the ocean and the mountains as its backdrop. “The circular ceremony setup really allowed for you to take in the full 360 view,” explains Jayda. Florals lined the aisle and central platform to feel as if they were an organic part of the environment. “We were really intentional with the florist and wanted to choose someone who was going to pay homage to the island and elevate the natural beauty of Kualoa Ranch,” says the bride. “Mei Day used all locally grown flowers while also incorporating my favorite flower, orchids."

The bride walked herself to the aisle before joining her parents for the final steps to the groom. “I’ll never forget the vision of her amongst the stunning Ko’olau mountains—it looked straight out of a movie,” remembers Jaylinn. “As she walked down to meet her parents, all I could do was stare and try to contain my excitement at the thought of getting to spend the rest of my life with her. She talked a lot about how nervous she was to walk down the aisle, but I honestly didn’t feel a single nervous bone at all. I was so turnt up the whole day thinking about how this was my personal Super Bowl.”

The couple had a personal ceremony with original vows. They were also married by their pastor, who had known them their entire relationship. “Having Kevin marry us was important because he has literally seen us through every stage of our relationship,” the newlyweds shares. “He has helped us through the good and the bad, as we’ve navigated all the transitions of the NFL and life.” They add, “I think everyone who attended would say they felt the love from every corner of the wedding.”

Cocktail hour followed with live music and a portrait bar for guests by A4 Studios. “They have a way of photographing that brings out the beauty in everyone, and I love that we have those portraits of all our loved ones forever,” share the couple. Food was a priority for the couple, so they also had a poké bar and passed appetizers of “all our favorite bites in one place” as guests sipped on drinks.

Dinner followed with a family-style menu of misoyaki butterfish, kalbi-braised short rib, kale and kahuku corn salad, glass noodles, blistered green beans and macadamia, and garlic fried rice. “Plates were passed around the table encouraging conversation and connection, just the way we imagined,” says the couple. The menu didn’t stop with the multi-course dinner. “As the night went on, we kept the energy up with a late-night snack of wagyu sliders and fries served in the mini branded burger and fry boxes,” shares Jayda. “Last but not least, we had a malasada truck from Kalele Eats parked and ready for guests to enjoy at any time—because nothing says Hawaii love story like fresh, hot malasadas under the stars.”

One of the groom’s main goals? The wedding had to feel like a party. “If you know Jaylinn, you know he loves music—specifically music from our home state of California,” says Jayda. “When we thought about who was going to DJ our wedding, we immediately knew we needed our friend Teemak to do it. We danced with our friends the whole night, and even if you weren’t from Cali, you certainly were repping it by the end of the night. Everyone from our grandparents to our friends got down on the dance floor and you could really feel the culture that he grew up on.”

Reflecting on the wedding weekend, the couple shares they don’t have a single regret. In their words, “We honestly couldn’t have prayed for it to go any smoother and I think it perfectly reflected the peace and happiness and just pure joy that comes with knowing you found the right person.”