Ashley and Garrett McGuckin planned their entire Hawaiian wedding by phone and e-mail. The bride admits it was a bit risky.
“I was definitely nervous, but it ended up working out really well,” says Ashley, whose maiden name is SooHoo. “I had to keep in mind that it was for family and friends. If things didn’t go right, it was okay.”

The Rancho Murieta couple—both Sac State alumni—wed June 21, 2008, overlooking the beach at Paradise Cove, part of Oahu’s Ko Olina Resort. The ceremony took place on a grassy area, where a ukulele player provided the music. The brunch-time reception was held in a restaurant on the golf course.

Like any wedding, the McGuckin’s was not without its hiccoughs. ATA Airlines went bankrupt two months before the big day, and Ashley lost one of her false eyelashes during the wedding. The couple never let the bumps in the road phase them. Ashley says that other than those inconveniences, “It was complete perfection.”

When the reception ended, the whole group adjourned to the beach, toting their wedding favors: large, pale green and coral beach towels embroidered with the couple’s names and wedding date.