July 31st, 2006 Destination weddings are awesome! But when they're in a place like the north shore of Oahu, they're super-awesome! We were flattered when Brian Patenaude and Jennifer Stephan, Groom & Bride respectively, invited us to take part in their wedding. We were also happy to have a good excuse for a week away from work, and some more time in the islands. The first night (Tuesday) there was a big party at the Stephan house on Sunset Beach, and it was great to meet so many of their friends and relatives. Both families have so many friendly, laid-back people. It was so much fun hanging out with them all. Afterward we met up with Brian's brother, sister, and their spouses, jumped the fence at our condo pool, and enjoyed some illegal swimming. On Wednesday, I got to go scuba diving at Shark's Cove with Brian and his brother-in-law Sean. Didn't see any sharks but we did some amazing cavern dives, something we'd never seen anything like. That night there was a huge dinner party hosted by Brian's parents at a restaurant in the nearby town of Kawailoa. Afterward we hung out with Brian's siblings and their spouses again, drank, told stories, and had a great time. There was also a "frog war". Thursday was the "Big Day". The entire thing was beautiful, and everything seemed to go very smoothly. Jen and Brian exchanged their vows in front of the crashing waves, out on the tip of the Turtle Beach Resort to an audience of about 50 relatives and close friends. The partying continued that night and into the morning. Speaking of mornings, Brian and I went surfing on Saturday. And we got in some decent rides. That day we lounged around, talked to family some more, and took it easy. Sunday was spent exploring the island more. We drove around the entire west side, all the way up to the North end again. That afternoon we hung out on Waikiki beach before heading back home. Big thanks to the Stephans and the Patenaudes, for making us so welcome in their celebrations. They were amazing hosts. And a huge "CONGRATULATIONS" to Brian and Jen. We saw how much they love each other and the whole wedding was inspiring. Thanks for letting us be part of it. -Rob & Nicole
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After reeling with disappointment at not having seen the actual memorial, we happened upon this 1/18th scale version! Pressing our noses to the plexiglass enclosure, we reflected on the lives of the 1177 sailors who perished in the Dec 7th attack on Pearl Harbor.
Our first night on the Island, Jen's parents throw a barbeque party at their house on the beach.
Sunsets in Hawaii are always gorgeous, even when snapped with a point-and-shoot.
As the party winds down Jen's mom gets cozy with Ava
Nicole poses in front of some ripe Hawaiian flora.
I call this photo, "Red-faced bird with an obvious attitude problem".
That night, we attended the "Rehearsal". Good thing too, or we'd have all fugged the whole thing up.
At the rehearsal dinner, Rob and Nicole get close.
Nicole opts for a much less controversial "I'm cute".
Nicole reads a poem about love for all in attendance.
(photo credit: Oahu Weddings)
(photo credit: Oahu Weddings) The groomsmen pay close attention.
(photo credit: Oahu Weddings) Exhausted, Brian hitches a ride to the buffet table on his "man wagon".
After the wedding, Nicole surveys the sunset, and the buffet.
Ava tries to eat her hand, while Zarlacht smiles beautifully for the camera.
Da Boyz after an hour of catching some North Shore curls.
Rob ponders his cavalier approach to sunscreen... and decides he's been wrong about the value of SPF 4.
Another shot of Chinaman's Hat, and the eastern coast of Oahu.
The Pali tunnels that connect the east and south shores of the island.
Before you think I'm being a sarcastic asshole, look at this photo carefully, then nod slowly and say, "Yeah, he's got a point."
There are many more wedding photos and some great shots of their honeymoon in Tahiti at: |
The ferry ride to the USS Arizona memorial was "3 hours", so we decided to pay our respects from the ferry doc via the Canon EF 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 DO lens.
Brian and his lovely sister, Jenny.
The soon-to-be-weds pose in front of some unidentified green plants.
Sean and his wife, Jenny share a laugh. Well at least Sean's laughing...
Peacocks are incapable of modesty. How could you look like that and be modest?
Imagine walking around with these feathers all over yourself, 24/7?
Aaron, Zarlacht, and Ava pose after the wedding rehearsal.
Then Rob throws down some South-Shore props, nearly causing a scene.
As the night wore on, rounds of "Table Wars" ensued. Here's Brian's table, firing a broadside at Rob's table, who were sadly ill-prepared for the onslaught.
(photo credit: Oahu Weddings) Brian and Jen exchange their vows.
(photo credit: Oahu Weddings) Bridesmaids.... maiding across the grass.
(photo credit: Oahu Weddings) The Patenaude Clan invited us in for this photo!
One of my favorite shots from the hired pros, this one just after the ceremony.
Just after the ceremony, Aaron and Ava pose for a few shots in front of the tiki torches.
Here's Ava and her proud mother, Zarlacht.
Rob and Nicole swap sunburn stories and enjoy a couple o' tropical drinks.
Nicole photographs the totally-arbitrarily named "Chinaman's Hat", on the east shore of Oahu.
The eastern shore of the island is totally beautiful. We had no idea.
We spent the afternoon at Waikiki beach, and discovered exactly how many human beings can be crammed into a thousand feet of over-developed, gentrified, loud, Americanized shoreline.
As the sun set over Honolulu airport, we gazed out at the last glowing clouds, and had one final sip of Pina Colada... until next time...
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