Coconut Coast Weddings & Photography Dream Hawaiian Weddings and Award-Winning Photography

Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not meaning “scram or beat it” I  simply mean, “take a right turn up ahead and see where it goes”!

Here are a  few, simple things about Kauai. The beaches are free and public. This means no one has a monopoly on the beaches here. Sure there are resorts that hug up alongside some beaches, but if you look close enough you will find a little path or trail  that sometimes leads you to a totally secluded beach with nothing on it but you and a huge sea turtle.

Exploring here really pays off. I will leave you with a few amazing photos .Sorry I can’t tell you where they are until you get here, though. : ) Photos by Kent Chastain

Aloha everyone. Allow me to  add some comfort to those who have thought of getting married on Kauai , and instead of something complex and elaborate, really want something quite simple, elegant, and romantic. So even though Kauai is 2,390 miles from California, 3,800 miles from Japan: 4,900 from China and 5,200 miles from the Philippines, it’s only about 30 seconds away by phone, incredible!

In a world where so many are communicating via the internet, it is always good to just have a conversation by phone . The other day a bride said, ” I just knew after talking to you, Kent, that you were the one I wanted to trust with my wedding”.  The internet, as personal as it tries to be, is in my opinion not that personal.

As part of adding relief to your planning, I wanted to share a little bit about the people that have devoted themselves to the wedding industry here; they are amazing. They are tracking with you on a few, simple, but important levels. Take for example the Hair and Makeup Artists.I had a great conversation with a bride the other day about her hair at the wedding.  The Hair Stylist  put her hair up  with a nice Cybidium Orchid perfectly positioned. I said ” It’s perfect”… from a photographers perspective it keeps her hair from covering her face because of the trade winds, creating better portraits and better snuggling shots with the groom.

From flower ideas , to the time and location, to even plan “B” in case of rain, we will know what you need when you call.

With my love for surfing comes a great familiarity of the many different beaches. For example, Lumahai is a wonderful beach as a wedding site during summer months, but can be very dangerous in the winter because of the huge waves. Also, there are certain beaches that have a more quiet shoreline because the waves are breaking on the outside reef, while some have waves crashing right on the shoreline.

Another factor to consider is the photography. As a photographer myself, I have seen light in many different situations. For the last 25 years I have photographed people from sunrise to sunset , and have learned in any given time of day to come out with something beautiful.

If you are considering music, I have something to add there as well. I appreciate good music, since I play a little myself, and hence I can find those individuals of high caliber in the music field.

We have thought in great detail about so many concerns already. I am waiting to talk to you, so just give a call and let’s connect.

Until we meet again,

Aloha!

Kent

Aloha everyone across the globe.” Its a new year” and despite the wars and rumors of war, love is still alive and people are still coming to Kauai to be married.

In today’s global market with technology soaring and the world  becoming more complex, there still remains one simple truth, ” It’s all about love”. You can have a smart phone that can do anything, but still a simple wedding on the beaches of Kauai can outdo any of that. A beautiful warm hued sunset wedding or even a crisp full color deep blue afternoon wedding, both are equally treasured. It has been such a privilege to be a part of these simple but romantic occasions here on Kaua,i and I look forward to this coming year to be the best ever. I know I can’t please everyone all the time but I will try my best to make this occasion the most memorable occasion of your life or your money back. Its January 31st 2012, and I encourage you to give me a call or email me to start making plans to come over. Here are a few reminder photos of how beautiful it is here. Blessings until we meet again. Kent

As I walked this morning along the bike path meandering along the beach in Kapaa,I  felt the warm breeze hit my face, and thought, ” what a nice  free gift of Kauai”. Or driving down the highway to Hanalei to see the sun rays boldly streaming through the clouds in a Charilton Heston fashion ; this another free gift. Or going  to  a wedding up by Tunnels( can’t tell you where until you come) to see no one on the beach but emerald  water and tiny seabird footprints and

with the oh so familiar ocean breeze in my face; the joys of Kauai.

One thing you will discover here  is the constant giving of the Island back to you in forms of beautiful moments. For example the three I mentioned previously. What becomes a part of Island living is, ” what will it show us today?” I think everyone on the Island, visitors and locals alike are amazed at the Island in this way. Taking a walk alond the coastline is beautiful enough but when a whale decides to bless you with a spout or even a giant leap into the air. Or taking a dinner sunset cruz and to be doubly blessed with a pod of dolphins coming by  just to say hello. Believe me the stories go on. Let me just say that coming to Kauai is money well spent; lots of freebies coming your way. I’ll leave some photos to prove my point. Until next time, aloha!!

Kent

One of the most frequently asked questions is, ” what do we do if it rains?”

The standard answer is this, ” wait 5 minutes then proceed”. Most often, as even today, the trades are blowing strong which keep the clouds moving. It does happen throughout the year even in summer when a lone rain cloud makes its way to us and spills a lovely downpour for yes 5 minutes. You wait, run for cover, or simply open up the umbrella, then carry on. I will say that a lot of brides do fret over this but I wanted to add one more element to this: I pray. Yes I pray before every wedding. I ask for a blessing on the couple and for the photography, minister and anyone else involved to do their best and for the bride and groom to be blessed, and of course I pray that the rain be held off for 90 minutes or so. Last winter, I saw wedding after wedding go off without a hitch and the rain held off. I’m attaching a few photos that shows how real the threat can be and how valid it is to pray for the rain to hold off.

Yes, we are practical as well. I do check the weather every day and communicate closely with the bride and groom. We move it up or back or even switch days if it really warrants it. I just wanted to let it be known that we do pray for the weather over here. It is the wettest island on the planet you know, and yet He is faithful to hear our prayers.