Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Weddings Celebrity Weddings Renee Puente and Matthew Morrison's Destination Wedding in Hawaii By Martha Stewart Editors Martha Stewart Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter Website An article attributed to "Martha Stewart Editors" indicates when several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The Martha Stewart team aims to teach and inspire readers daily with tested-until-perfected recipes, creative DIY projects, and elevated home and entertaining ideas. They are experts in their fields who research, create, and test the best ways to help readers design the life they want. The joy is in the doing. Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 20, 2018 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Natalie Watson Photography Not even Hurricane Ana could stop this model and actor from getting Maui-ed. 01 of 22 The Couple Natalie Watson Photography In the hierarchy of pickup lines, "Howzit, sista?" wins the award for Best Use of Hawaiian Slang. (And yes, we may have just invented that award.) The recipient of this distinguished title is Glee's triple threat Matthew Morrison, who tried it on model Renee Puente when he overheard her speaking pidgin at a Hollywood party in 2011. He was familiar with the Hawaiian dialect from summers of singing backup to Don Ho, and she grew up on Oahu. "When he came up to me, I had no idea who he was," Renee says. "I just started laughing because it was so adorable to see this cute white boy talking pidgin." They talked some more—this time, in plain old English—and after two years of dating, a month of which was spent on a bus as Matthew toured for his new album, he tearfully proposed in Maui with a sapphire-and-diamond ring. With the islands being such a big part of their story already, the pair began planning an intimate three-day modern luau that included a welcome dinner, a sunset cruise, and on the last day, their nuptials on a private estate. However, even the best lei plans often go awry. Hurricane Ana rolled past Hawaii the exact weekend of their wedding, causing an emerald sunset the night of the cruise ("It was phenomenal," Matthew says) but a total downpour on their wedding day, October, 18, 2014. Luckily (or fatefully), "the moment my mom and I walked down the aisle, it stopped raining," Matthew recalls. The storm paused for the entire nondenominational ceremony while the pair exchanged self-penned vows and walked up a lavender-rose-petaled aisle to Pharrell Williams's "Happy." During the reception, where 43 guests sat at farm tables to enjoy kalbi short ribs, misoyaki cod, huli huli chicken, and fried rice, the weather continued to cooperate. Not a single drop fell as Matthew surprised his bride by playing the ukulele and singing her late mom's favorite song, "Top of the World," by The Carpenters. (There were plenty of teardrops, though.) And in a wedding-day miracle, "The rain held off until the band said, 'Okay, thank you, good night!'" Matthew says. "I can't even tell you how perfect it was." See Renee and Matthew’s Wedding Video 02 of 22 A Postcard-Like Setting Natalie Watson Photography After Matthew proposed in Maui, the couple chose the island to be the backdrop to their chic Hawaiian celebration. "We wanted a slower pace, and Maui is a great mix of touristy and natural beauty," Matthew says. 03 of 22 The Invitations Bryan Gardner Travel-themed invites by Details Design Studio outlined the three-day event's activities. 04 of 22 The Fashions Natalie Watson Photography The bride, in a custom Gustavo Cadile gown, smiled with her Brooks Brothers-clad groom. 05 of 22 All About That Lace Natalie Watson Photography Renee found inspiration for her Gustavo Cadile gown on Pinterest, then visited the designer, who custom-made it. "We looked through thousands of lace fabrics," Renee says. "But the first one I saw was the one we ended up going with. It was so beautiful." 06 of 22 The Bouquet Natalie Watson Photography Renee's bouquet was composed of garden and spray roses, café au lait dahlias, scabiosas, clematis, veronicas, millet, and bay leaves. 07 of 22 Something Blue Natalie Watson Photography Matthew designed the sapphire-and-diamond engagement ring himself with the help of The Diamond Source in San Diego. "I didn't realize it until after the fact, when people started to say, 'It looks like Kate Middleton's ring,' that, oh yeah, it does!'" Read More About How Matthew Proposed to Renee 08 of 22 The Bridal Party Natalie Watson Photography Renee's two sisters were bridesmaids, along with other pals; Matthew chose close buds for his crew. "By the day of the wedding, everyone was lifelong friends," Renee says. 09 of 22 The Bridesmaids' Bouquets Natalie Watson Photography Each of Renee's bridesmaids held a grouping of lisianthus, irises, blue curiosa roses, ocean song roses, maidenhair fern, and scabiosa pods. The colors reflected the bride's favorite shade, lavender. 10 of 22 The Sound of What's to Come Natalie Watson Photography A blown conch shell marked the official beginning of the ceremony. 11 of 22 The Processional Natalie Watson Photography "As a little girl, I would make my dad buy me bridal magazines," Renee says of her father, who walked her down the aisle to "Feels Like Home" by Chantal Kreviazuk. "I was always that girl who dreamt of her wedding until I got older, and then I didn't want to get married anymore. But Matthew changed my world." 12 of 22 The Ceremony Setting Natalie Watson Photography The ceremony arch bloomed with roses, lisianthus, veronicas, passion vines, eucalyptus, and olive branches. 13 of 22 The Ceremony Natalie Watson Photography During the emotional ceremony, Matthew pulled out a handkerchief he had embroidered with Renee's married initials, "RMM," to wipe her tears. 14 of 22 The Flower Girl Natalie Watson Photography Renee's niece tossed rose petals as she walked down the aisle in a dress from FlowerGirlsCouture. 15 of 22 Happily Maui-ed Natalie Watson Photography After exchanging vows, the pair recessed up the rose-lined aisle to Pharrell Williams's "Happy." Listen to Matthew and Renee’s Full Wedding Playlist 16 of 22 The Cocktails Natalie Watson Photography Guests sipped on La Puente Calientes (a jalapeño martini) and Morrison Mai Tais during cocktail hour. 17 of 22 The Weather Natalie Watson Photography A hurricane may have dampened the island, but not the guests' spirits—nor the actual ceremony, for that matter. "It rained all day long," Matthew says. "But the moment my mom and I walked down the aisle, it stopped. And the rain held up until the band said, 'Okay, thank you, good night!' Then—boom—it started pouring again." 18 of 22 The Centerpieces Natalie Watson Photography At each reception table, wooden bowls held arrangements of purple hydrangea, scabiosa pods, irises, lisianthus, ranunculus, campanula, clematis, allium, and roses. 19 of 22 Special Seating Natalie Watson Photography Hand-painted signs, olive branches, and lace marked the pair's dinner spots. 20 of 22 Island Style Natalie Watson Photography "We were just hoping we'd get our moves right," Matthew says of their hula at the reception. "And we did!" 21 of 22 The Reception Natalie Watson Photography All of the wedding's festivities—from Thursday's welcome dinner to Saturday's reception—took place at a private estate right on the beach in Kihei. 22 of 22 Sources Natalie Watson Photography Event Planning: Kevin Covey Wedding & Event Coordination Catering: Celebrations Catering Event and Floral Design: Inviting Occasion Photography: Natalie Watson Photography; Watson Studios Videography: Perryfield Films Photo Booth: Epic Entertainment Hawaii Stationery: Details Design Studio Music: Crazy Fingers Conch Shell Blower and Hula Dancers: Manutea Nui E Rentals: Signature Maui chairs; Envisions Entertainment & Productions, Inc. tables and wood canopies; Island Rents Bride's Gown and Veil: Gustavo Cadile Bride's Accessories: Emmy London shoes; The Diamond Source jewelry Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bebe Flower Girl Dress: FlowerGirlsCouture Groom's and Groomsmen's Suits: Brooks Brothers Lighting: Epic Lighting Transportation: Roberts Hawaii Child Care: The Nanny Connection Was this page helpful? 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