Upscale Backyard Wedding in Hawaii With Gorgeous Intentional Details and Fierce Fashion

Set against the lush beauty of Kapa‘au, Hawaii, Forest and Kenyon’s wedding was a celebration rooted in togetherness, intention, and community. Guests gathered for what felt like an upscale backyard wedding as the couple created a space where both of their families — meeting for the very first time after more than a decade together — could live, celebrate, and truly commune for an entire week.

“If we had a house big enough, we probably would’ve just hosted it ourselves,” Forest shared. “It was really important that we had a space where we could all commune comfortably.”

As a queer couple, Forest and Kenyon approached their wedding day with a desire to step away from rigid tradition and instead focus on presence and connection. “Neither of us is really religious or has deep cultural ties,” Forest explained, “but it was still really important to us that there was a sense of togetherness and ceremony.” Their ceremony reflected that intention, beginning with a grounding meditation led by their close friend and officiant, followed by a sage smudging using local flowers to help guests feel present. In a moment that perfectly captured their playful dynamic, the couple even decided who would read vows first with a live game of rock, paper, scissors. “We wanted the ceremony to feel like a journey we were all on together,” Forest said.

Inspired by Hawaii’s natural beauty, the design was intentionally minimal, allowing the setting to speak for itself. “The venue was gorgeous — huge banyan tree, ocean views — so we really just wanted to emphasize that,” Forest shared. Guests were invited to wear all white, creating a striking visual contrast against the greenery and ocean backdrop, while the tables featured soft blues, dusty pinks, lush greenery, and natural wood textures. Their fashion choices echoed that same ethos of self-expression and cohesion. Both grooms wore custom suits, with Forest opting for an oversized, 70s-inspired gray suit accessorized with layered jewelry, and Kenyon choosing a patterned three-piece suit with tailored shorts. “Kenyon really wanted to wear shorts and a pattern … and I did not,” Forest laughed, “so we found a way to make both looks feel cohesive.”

The reception unfolded with warmth, humor, and joy. Locally inspired vegan and pescatarian dishes, a mezcal mai tai — “a nod to our time living in Mexico City together,” Forest noted — and the soft sounds of a harpist created an elevated yet relaxed atmosphere. One of the most unforgettable moments came when Forest surprised Kenyon with a rap written just for him. “Kenyon had NO idea,” Forest said. “The energy was amazing, it was literally so much fun.”

Later, the couple slipped away for sunset portraits at a nearby rocky beach, savoring a quiet moment together before rejoining guests for a cozy after-party indoors. Reflecting on the day, Forest shared advice that feels especially fitting: “Everybody is there to celebrate you … they’re going to remember the people, the dancing, and the vibes.”