The couple didn’t want to wait too long to tie the knot, but they also had to contend with the busy schedule of football season. So, they had an idea they would get married in June the next year. “June felt perfect… until my best friend and maid of honor dropped the sweetest surprise: she was expecting, and due right around our wedding date! So, we threw the plan in the air and moved to March—less than four months away,” says Jayda.
Since her mother’s family is from Hawaii, the bride had always dreamed of getting married at Kualoa Ranch on Oahu. However, there were no available wedding dates that following year. When the need to move up to the date arose, luck was on their side. “I reached out one last time in November, and like magic, a spot had just opened up: March 23,” says Jayda. “It felt like divine intervention—everything falling into place exactly as intended.”
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.