Our Wedding (Part IV): Our Honeymoon

APRIL 22, 2016: THE DAY I MARRIED MY FOREVER LOVE.

"Our Wedding"  ❤  A Five-Part Blog Series

Honeymoon – Bryan and Christie Lukes.jpeg
  • Part I – The Preparation (Click HERE to view)
  • Part II – Our Ceremony (Click HERE to view)
  • Part III – Our Reception (Click HERE to view)
  • Part IV – Our Honeymoon
  • Part V –  Video (+ Photo) Highlights

 

 

 

Thanks for checking out my wedding blog series! We are on the brink of one year and five months into our marriage, and looking back on our wedding/honeymoon never gets old! Did you miss "Part III – Our Reception"? Click HERE to get the scoop on all of the details to our reception!  ❤ 


PART IV: OUR HONEYMOON

– TEN "MAUI-WOWWY" THINGS TO DO –


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✔️ 1 – Stay (majority of your time) in Lahaina

We stayed in two different locations on the island, and I'm so glad we spent majority of our time based in Lahaina. It's a beautiful part of the island, close to a lot of beaches, and a great "home-base" when exploring elsewhere. We also saved by staying at a condo vs. hotel the whole time.


✔️ 2 – Rent a Convertible and EXPLORE!

My favorite part about Bryan are the times he's able to legitimately surprise me (FE: Our proposal). This is another fine example. He surprised me by renting a red convertible for the week! The coolest part was how much of a God-thing the rental was...we ended up at the wrong rental car place, and when Bryan asked them about if they had a red Camero, they initially said how their location rarely ever gets the sports cars. But, low and behold...they had ONE left! 👌🏻

No matter the vehicle, explore the island! From the beaches to the back roads...plan some time to simply explore the island.

Surprising me with the Camero rental car!

Surprising me with the Camero rental car!

Christie Lukes Photography
Christie Lukes Photography
Christie Lukes Photography
Christie Lukes Photography
Christie and Bryan Lukes Honeymoon
Christie and Bryan Lukes Honeymoon

✔️ 3 – Eat Good Food

Here are my top five places to eat in Maui...

Our first restaurant we went to in Maui!

Our first restaurant we went to in Maui!

Amazing BBQ Pulled Pork Tacos (and fish tacos, so I hear...not a fish fan) :-)

Amazing BBQ Pulled Pork Tacos (and fish tacos, so I hear...not a fish fan) :-)

The last-standing Cold Stone in Maui...being the ice cream fanatic I am, I say it's a must-visit! :-)

The last-standing Cold Stone in Maui...being the ice cream fanatic I am, I say it's a must-visit! :-)

SO GOOD! Not typically a shaved ice fan, but this was a game-changer. Right off of Front Street...

SO GOOD! Not typically a shaved ice fan, but this was a game-changer. Right off of Front Street...

An amazing place with an amazing view for our last evening in Maui... ❤

An amazing place with an amazing view for our last evening in Maui... ❤


✔️ 4 – If  You Take the Road to Hana, Take the Road with Dramamine...

Another term for this is the "Road to He...." nevermind :-) Let's just say, it's best to take a Dramamine if you get sick on wind-ey roads. Not sure if this contributed to my whoozy-stomach, but I will say that there is a place to eat half way, but I didn't think it was that good...so I advise bringing snacks!

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UNLESS you want to see all of Hawaii's flowers in one place (kind of neat)...avoid overpriced "Phhokamoa Falls" .... Can't even get close to the falls, and the price was pretty ridiculous. Still, I got some great photos out of the visit!

Property of Christie Lukes, Christie Lukes Photography

Property of Christie Lukes, Christie Lukes Photography

Property of Christie Lukes, Christie Lukes Photography

Property of Christie Lukes, Christie Lukes Photography

Property of Christie Lukes, Christie Lukes Photography

Property of Christie Lukes, Christie Lukes Photography

Property of Christie Lukes, Christie Lukes Photography

Property of Christie Lukes, Christie Lukes Photography

Finally, this is a great drive for lots of waterfalls, jungle-feel and TIGHT road corners...so drive safe! It took us a full day to do the trip FYI, and we didn't even see everything. So, if you really want to see something particular, plan ahead.

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✔️ 5 – Molokini Crater is Your Place for Snorkeling

Real moment: I strongly dislike fish: eating, swimming with...seriously. BUT...I will say that this was a neat adventure to go out to this world famous area for snorkeling! Bryan was super patient with me and helping me conquer some (for me, uncomfortable) fishy moments. A great bonding activity! :-D The snorkeling deal we got also included a boat tour on the way back to shore.

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✔️ 6 – Go to a Farmer's Market and Buy "Apple Bananas"

Go to at least one farmer's market while you're in Maui (but remember that you can't bring food back to the states) A must-have fruit is an apple banana!!! They are so good, and the next time we go to Hawaii, I am getting a bundle of 'em!

Honeymoon Christie and Bryan Lukes

✔️ 7 – Take a Stroll Down Front Street. Multiple times.

This is just a neat beach town with lots of shopping! ALSO...savings alert!! I forget the name, but there is a little hole in the wall right there on the street that advertises CHEAP activities: all you have to do is spend about 2 hrs of I remember right at a "timeshare" event in a hotel. We were able to go snorkeling and attend a luau for 70% off original price!!

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✔️ 8 – Attend a Luah

Go to one! It may seem super touristy, but it's an all-you-can-eat event and a culturally neat ️experience. Also, I must say it was extra special to us, as we met fellow newlyweds sitting across from us. It's crazy how God brings people together at just the right time, and that couple certainly fit the mold of a new lifetime relationship!


✔️ 9 – Watch a Sunset. Or Two. Or Three...

Of course, it didn't hurt to see a few of these moments while we were out there...

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✔️ 10 – Have a Professional Photoshoot on the Beach

Finally, I wanted us to have captured moments from a professional towards the end of our trip. So, we had Stu! If you want a good photographer for a beach shoot in Maui...USE STU! I am more than happy to send his number to anyone in need of this during their Maui trip. These are only a small collection I've posted here, and love them so much!

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❤  I hope you enjoyed these "Maui-Wowwy Moments" from our Honeymoon in Hawaii! ❤ 

From Sea to Shining Sea! Part I - CA/AZ (birthday fun)

Well what a wonderful two weeks or so it had been! It was filled with trips to San Diego, Boston, Washington DC, Richmond, Newport News, Philadelphia (for a transfer flight), then back to Arizona!

San Diego/AZ Birthday "Pit Stop"

San Diego was a pre-birthday getaway, filled with relaxing, resting, and refocus on priorities. The weather was a fabulously cloudy time for the majority, with brief bursts of sun at the beach! What a God-send the trip and bursts of sunshine was :-) AND I got to see my Disney friend, Jenna, that I haven't seen in over seven years!! It was fabulous!

San Diego, CA

San Diego, CA

Seaport Village with Bryan! San Diego, CA

Seaport Village with Bryan! San Diego, CA

Reunion time with Jenna! San Diego, CA

Reunion time with Jenna! San Diego, CA

San Diego, CA

San Diego, CA

After a brief comeback to Arizona just in time to celebrate Memorial Day (and my birthday) at the D-backs game, I was headed out again for a vaca/work trip to the east coast...oh the adventures that would come!

Mom and me at the Diamondbacks game, May 26, 2014. Phoenix, AZ.

Mom and me at the Diamondbacks game, May 26, 2014. Phoenix, AZ.

Birthday lunch with Bryan, May 26, 2014. Scottsdale, AZ.

Birthday lunch with Bryan, May 26, 2014. Scottsdale, AZ.

Birthday celebration from work! Phoenix, AZ.

Birthday celebration from work! Phoenix, AZ.

NEXT STOP: BOSTON, MA!

Roosevelt Lake - Video Shoot

Roosevelt Lake - Photo by Christie Roshau

Roosevelt Lake - Photo by Christie Roshau

Welcome to Roosevelt Lake! ☀ This past week I directed/produced a segment to a project I'm working on (which included a 3am wake-up call) out by the lake. It was wonderful to work with such a talented group of individuals. If you haven't been out to Roosevelt Lake, I highly suggest it – it's absolutely gorgeous out there!

Myself at Roosevelt Lake

Myself at Roosevelt Lake

The Crew

The crew (left to right): Genaro (grip), Julie (makeup), Daren (grip), Joe (audio), Robert (Steadicam)

The crew (left to right): Genaro (grip), Julie (makeup), Daren (grip), Joe (audio), Robert (Steadicam)

Something that is so crucial for me on my video shoots is to work with people that are passionate about their individual gifts and talents. I had an incredible camera man who has an ability to bring out on camera the vision I have for a project. My lighting grip is just an all around amazing, whose presence just lights up any room he walks into -- literally! :-) The audio mixer communicated so well to let me know how everything is sounding (even if a loud motor kicks in during the middle of a take!). My grips were both ready to think ahead for me, and extend the helping hands wherever needed. The makeup artist not only looked out to make sure makeup and hair was fabulous, but she also has an eye to point out details during a take that may otherwise be missed. My talents were absolutely wonderful to work with, and had their lines memorized and ready to go!

(Below photos courtesy of Genaro Delgadillo)

The Lessons

It was a long day - a very long day! Waking up at 3am surprisingly came easy, and I can only thank God for that. As a director/producer for this project, the most difficult part was to be able to step back and breath, as I had to continuously be thinking ahead to the next location, talent, script, etc. Nevertheless, I have to say that directing and producing are my two favorite parts of the whole production process. Pulling in the best crew for the job and being able to execute the vision is so satisfying. Being able to work on projects like this really help me to learn from my mistakes, continue striving in areas I'm doing well in, and listen to the ideas and suggestions from others on my shoot.

Until next time, keep creating!

 

Photo Courtesy of Genaro Delgadillo

Photo Courtesy of Genaro Delgadillo