My Best Friend – Katie & Brandon’s Oahu Beach Wedding

Some people choose a wedding venue for the view. Some for the convenience. But Brandon and Katie? They chose an Oahu beach wedding on Papa’iloa Beach because it’s stitched into the very fabric of their love story, with a little family legacy, a dash of sentimentality, and one incredibly thoughtful (and kind of genius) 3D-printed Ring Pop.

Let’s rewind. Brandon and Katie first crossed paths in high school thanks to mutual friends. Life took them in different directions, college, careers, the whole “growing up” thing—but fate (and perhaps a very smart algorithm) brought them back together after graduation. Since they officially started dating in 2017, one thing’s been consistent: their yearly trips to Papa’iloa Beach. It’s been their favorite place for ocean breezes, lazy afternoons, and quiet walks, just the two of them.

But this beach wasn’t just a vacation spot. It was home in the emotional sense, especially for Brandon. His great-grandmother grew up on Oahu and raised his grandmother there. Though his family eventually moved to Minnesota, they remained deeply connected to their roots in the islands. Visiting Hawaii has always been meaningful, but when he brought Katie along for the first time, it felt different. Bigger. And, as it turned out, permanent.

Surrounded By Love

In 2021, he proposed on Papailoa Beach with a Ring Pop he designed himself on a 3D printer (yes, really, this programmer knows how to combine heart and high tech). Hidden inside was Katie’s actual engagement ring. Let’s just say she said yes. Obviously.

So, when it came time to plan their wedding, it was never a question where they’d do it. Papa’iloa Beach wasn’t just a backdrop, it was the beating heart of their story.

Their Oahu beach wedding day was nothing short of stunning. Elegant without being stuffy. Intimate, personal, and full of love. The ocean sparkled, the sky showed off with soft pastel light, and the breeze carried just enough warmth to make everything feel like magic. Katie looked radiant, and the way Brandon looked at her, you could feel it. Years of love and laughter packed into one very quiet, very big moment.

Our favorite part? The simplicity. There was no need for extravagant décor when the setting was already so meaningful. Every step they took on that sand had history behind it, memories, promises, and now, vows.

They had the closest friends and family by their side, all anyone could ever wish for!

We’re so honored to have captured their wedding day, filled with joy, gentle waves, and the kind of light you wish you could bottle up and keep forever. Congratulations, Brandon and Katie! Your wedding was everything a love story should be: thoughtful, deeply personal, and impossibly beautiful.

OAHU BEACH WEDDING – EVENT DETAILS

Time of Day: Sunset

Oahu Wedding Package: Simply Elegant Wedding on the Beach Package #4 by Simple Oahu Wedding

Florals: Leis, Attendant Bouquet, Boutonniere, Rustic Hawaiian Bouquet – Vibrant by Sweet Blossoms Hawaii

Beach Wedding Location in Oahu: Papa’iloa Beach

Officiant: Ellsworth Simeona

Onsite Coordinator: Keani

Oahu Wedding Photographer: Mike of Karma Hill Photography