It’s been an entire year since I was standing on Kaanapali Beach at sunset, photographing these two! Maddie and Gavin were on their honeymoon, and my husband and I were on our 1 year wedding anniversary trip. Both June wedding couples, both staying at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Maui.

Maui is hard to describe. Words and photos don’t do it justice. There isn’t a more beautiful stretch of nature that has quite wowed me more than this island, although the Amalfi Coast in Italy is a close second. Our trip was a mix of perfect relaxation with bits of adventure. My husband and I took a helicopter tour from Maui over the island and waterfalls of Molokai. We also ventured out on our own (armed with a GPS app as our tour guide) to explore the Road to Hana, and we drove up a giant volcano before dawn to watch the sunrise from 10,000 feet in the air, but we also spent some time just enjoying our resort.

Picture giant mountains to your left, and a torch-lined walkway leading you to a beautifully manicured, yet lush landscape perfumed by island florals. And that’s just the walk from the parking lot. Inside the open-air lobby, sky-high palm trees, still-growing golden Maui pineapples and a fresh orchid lei welcome you. You continue your walk passed an adorable black-footed penguin habitat, and then you see blue ahead. The terrace overlooks the giant main pool and cabanas, and the calming yet exciting view of the Pacific in front of you.

On our walk to our room every day, we would pass the gorgeous swan courtyard. I can still hear the waterfall and birds chirping if I try hard enough. The resort was so perfect that even the times that we spent just sitting in front of and taking dips in the adults-only infinity pool were perfect. On our last full day we rented a private beachfront cabana. Our waiter brought us complimentary fresh-cut pineapple from the restaurant behind us and we spent the entire day lounging in between reading, napping, and eating shaved ice and pineapple. Perfection.

Maui is my paradise and I dream of going back to photograph a wedding. Let’s be honest – my real dream is to move there to be a Maui wedding photographer! :D Haha but if that dream doesn’t come true, hopefully I’ll at least be able to visit a few times and include Oahu and Kauai on my visits too. Here are a few of my favorite photos from Maddie and Gavin’s honeymoon session on Maui, and a few iPhone snaps from our trip as well.