A Laid-Back Wedding at Dillingham Ranch on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu

Hawaiian weddings are not always only about vibrant colors and sandy beaches. Just ask Kate Brady and Tom Hackett, who tied the knot on Oahu on September 29, 2018. “We wanted a more natural, laid-back feel and loved the classic ranch look at Dillingham Ranch in Waialua,” says the bride. The couple knew they wanted to exchange vows in a natural setting, and the sprawling property (complete with the most gorgeous tree for a ceremony backdrop!) was just the place. 

Kate and Tom hired Opihi Love to plan their big day, and say they loved how easily their planners grasped their vision and made it all happen. “It was hard not being able to meet any of our vendors in person before our wedding arrived, but they made it effortless for us,” Kate says. With a neutral palette, a simple vision, and a beautiful setting, Tom and Kate’s romantic Hawaiian wedding celebration is proof that there’s a lot more to this fan-favorite wedding destination than you might expect. Take a peek at the photos by Lilly Red Creative, below.

Dillingham Ranch has it all, from a luxe lodge to sandy beaches to rolling fields full of horses, tucked up against the Waianae Mountains and overlooking Oahu’s North Shore. 

Kate’s simple Alexandra Grecco dress featured a plunging neckline and a slit in the skirt. “Take your dad shopping with you!” advises the bride. “He’ll tell you that you look beautiful no matter what.”  She paired the dress with gold floral statement earrings, white pumps, and a chic chignon bun.

Kate asked her bridesmaids to choose their own dresses, sticking to a light and neutral palette. Tom and his groomsmen also stayed neutral, wearing suits in shades of grey. The groom wore a custom suit from Urbana Custom Clothier, which he topped with a lei of maile leaves.  

The couple opted to do a first look before the ceremony, posing for photos in front of the ranch's natural aisle.

The ceremony was held in front of a towering tree on the ranch’s lawn, with two low arrangements of white blooms flanking the altar. “Getting married under a tree was one of our top priorities,” says Kate. They invited their guests to wear white and neutral colors, creating an ethereal vibe that felt fresh against all the surrounding greenery.  

“Tom and I wrote our own vows, but decided that they would only be shared between the two of us in private,” says Kate. “We did ask my uncle, who officiated, to share a reading that had been done at my parents’ wedding, ‘On Marriage’ by Kahlil Gibran.”  

Cocktail hour took place on a nearby lawn, where everyone sipped on old fashioneds, Moscow mules, and chilled white wine.

Vintage-inspired lounge furniture invited everyone to have a seat and relax, whether they snapped pictures with Polaroid cameras or played a game of giant Jenga. After, they found their seats on an oversized sign framed in copper.

Dinner was served beneath an elegant tent lit with string lights. Guests were seated at a mix of round and rectangular tables, with some left bare to add a rustic feeling to the celebration. Each place setting featured a simple white plate, gold flatware, and a gold-rimmed champagne flute. The centerpieces matched Kate’s bouquet, combining pink and white roses with lisianthus and crisp greenery in gold compotes.  

“Walking back up the aisle with Tom after our ceremony was one of my favorite moments,” says Kate. “After so much build-up, it was wonderful to have a quiet moment together!” The couple danced the night away with their friends, knowing that their main focus had been a success. “We wanted our guests to have a great time, especially knowing that they’d made such a long trip to be there with us. It was absolutely a memorable evening!”