Hanna + Kemal
Wedding Date & Location:
November 4th, 2024, at The Four Seasons Maui at Wailea in Maui, HI
Hanna never saw herself as the “typical bride,” and her wedding reflected that beautifully. Instead of a Pinterest-perfect production, she and her husband focused on an intimate, meaningful celebration at Plumeria Point, Four Seasons Maui at Wailea—a breathtaking sculpture garden with ocean and mountain views. Blending elegance, opulence, and personal touches, their micro wedding featured seven courses of steakhouse dining, stitched menus for each guest, and a Fraisier cake they enjoyed for days after.
Honoring their Bosnian heritage, Hanna and her husband danced to “Ti Si Mi U Krvi” played live by a violinist, bringing a piece of home to Hawaii. With moments like writing her vows on the balcony that morning, gifting personalized presents to her closest women, and even inviting the single male guests to the bouquet toss, Hanna’s day was both emotional and refreshingly nontraditional.
Her advice to future brides? Forget the “shoulds” and make your wedding a reflection of you and your partner. Whether it’s a destination venue, a nontraditional dress, or a kid-free guest list, what matters most is that you feel present and authentic when you say “I do.”
What was the vision for your wedding?:
The most common comment I've received is about how I don't fit the "typical bride" stereotype. I have never used Pinterest, avoided having a large guest list, and never really focused on my identity as a bride. Before meeting my husband, I never really thought about my wedding day. It may sound a bit cynical, but it's the truth. In the 5 years we've been together, my husband and I have traveled extensively. He asked me to be his girlfriend on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, confessed his love for me in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris at sunset, and proposed on a 16th-century Ottoman bridge in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. When we got engaged, we both knew we wanted a destination wedding. While watching the first season of "The White Lotus," we were captivated by the location and knew we had to get married there. Our wedding took place at Plumeria Point at Four Seasons Maui at Wailea, a beautiful spot nestled in the Resort’s sculpture garden with views of the fountains, Pacific Ocean, and Kahalawai Mountains. It was an intimate, elegant, and opulent celebration. I may not have had a clear idea of what I wanted for my wedding, but knowing what I didn't want definitely made the planning process easier. So did Christina! My wedding coordinator.
How did it go on the day of?:
On the morning of my wedding, I spent some time on the balcony of my hotel room writing my vows and reflecting. It was just the start of many emotional moments throughout the day. Since we had a micro wedding, I was able to provide hair, makeup, and personalized gifts for all the women in attendance. We spent the day getting ready in my hotel room, enjoying some fruit and champagne. Our wedding included a mix of traditional and non-traditional elements. Both my husband and I are Bosnian-American, so we made sure to incorporate cultural elements into the celebration. Our first dance was to the song "Ti Si Mi U Krvi" by the Bosnian-Serbian artist Zdravko Colic, played beautifully by a violinist. This song holds special meaning to us, as we flew to London for one of his concerts and share a love for his music. We had a delicious dinner catered by a steakhouse restaurant, featuring 7 courses and an open bar. The menus were personalized with each guest's name (stitched) as a keepsake, and we had a champagne toast. Our wedding cake was a Fraisier cake (French strawberry cake) with layers of buttery sponge, Crème mousseline, strawberry compote, and a strawberry decoration. It was so delicious that we enjoyed it for days. We even did a bouquet toss, including some of the single male guests, and my sister caught the bouquet. It was a wonderful night filled with love and happiness. I would like to extend a big thank you to all the staff at Four Seasons, as well as those who do not use Instagram, for their contributions to our special day.
What is your #1 tip to future brides?:
It's important to remember that not everyone will agree with your vision for your wedding day. Weddings should be a reflection of you and your partner, not a performance for others. Whether you choose to have a kid-free event, elope, or wear a black dress, it's all about letting your individuality shine. Ultimately, when you say "I do," the focus should be on you and your partner, and everything else fades away.
