Real estate agent and property manager Chandler Mae-Jean Thomas connected with Travis Smith, owner of organic coffee chain The Sunrise Shack, to chat virtually for the first time. “We met through Instagram during COVID-19,” Chandler explained. “I posted a green smoothie I made based on Dr. Gundry’s recipe, and Travis messaged me and said, ‘This looks insane.’ So, I thank my mom for that,” she said. “He introduced me to Dr. Gundry!” As their relationship grew over the next few years, the Hawaiian couple shared smoothies, surfing trips, and more.
Travis proposed to her on July 3, 2023, while the couple was traveling to Tahiti. “We stayed in Teahupo’o because Travis loves to surf, but we went to Moorea for one night and stayed in a bungalow by the water,” Chandler said. “We were spending a beautiful afternoon on our patio, swimming, and Travis asked to take a picture. I should have known right away because he had never done it before, after setting up a tripod, Travis got down on one knee. He videoed us in a very funny way because I couldn’t believe it at all,” she said. “It was amazing — everyone on the beach was clapping.” Chandler called it “the most special moment.”
The goal for the wedding was to have a big barefoot party that “wouldn’t be weird” and would allow them to express their creativity. The couple decided to host their big day on Oahu on June 22, 2024, starting with a ceremony on Secret Island on the island of Kawau and then moving on to a reception in the valley at Kualoa Ranch. Getting married in Hawaii was perfect for Chandler and Travis because it gave them the opportunity to be surrounded by people from their community. The couple also turned to friends and family for help in making their wedding dream a reality, from conception to morning preparations.
“It was a true labor of love,” says the bride. “Travis’ mom, Jill Smith, makes natural dyes from plants, so she could do so many things — from the wedding invitations to the tablecloths and dresses for everyone in the wedding party. My mom made our welcome sign out of handmade beads and small ceramic vases for everyone to take home as a token of appreciation, and the planning team at Forever Amore Events helped execute the day. It was amazing and made our wedding so cozy and beautiful,” Chandler said.
For her outfit, Chandler wanted to wear something “simple, something that fit my style but was also beautiful,” she explained. “I wanted my look to be in line with how I usually express myself, so I decided to keep everything minimal.” The bride found herself drawn to Australian brand KYHA after seeing a strapless gown online. “Luckily, it fit perfectly!” She later wore a lace dress and danced the night away. For the rest of the look, the bride decided to do her own makeup, wear earrings she wears every day, and have her friend Joanna Cruz style her hair. The groom looked casual but classy in a tan suit, white button-up shirt, and no shoes.
The morning of the wedding began with family and friends arriving to help set up the wedding tables and decorations. “It was so special,” the bride recalled. The event began with guests, the wedding team and the groom taking a boat trip to Secret Island. Chandler would make a grand entrance on another vessel with his parents. “The wedding was beyond even our wildest dreams. When my parents and I were walking down the aisle it was raining lightly and when I got to Travis the rain stopped and the sun started to shine on us,” the bride said. “It’s really magical,” Travis’ brother, surfer Koa Smith, who officiated the ceremony, said. “He has probably spent the most time with us as a couple and he knows us very well, so we were so happy when he agreed to do this,” Chandler added. “Koa’s speech was a perfect blend of emotion and humor.”
After the ceremony, the newlyweds boarded the boat with all of their guests for the reception. Chandler recalled the trip saying, “There’s nothing better than being with all the people in your life. It’s truly a surreal feeling.” The custom e-bikes gifted to them by Super 73 that had a “Just Married” sign on them and Juneshine canes that read: “Travis’ favorite drink!”
The reception was held under string lights in the stunning canyon. The couple made sure the party had a relaxed atmosphere with an open bar and buffet so guests could spend most of their time on the dance floor. “One of the most special moments of the reception was when our friend Luis Solivoda surprised us with a song he wrote just for us, ‘Dream Girl,'” Chandler recalled. “He wrote the song with the help of our friend Ziggy Alberts, who is a musician. Luis sang the most special song and gift to us that we could imagine, so everyone stood in a circle around us. I think we all cried.”
Reminiscing about this day was definitely a “bittersweet” experience for the bride. “I’m so happy I don’t have to plan a wedding again, but it was the best day of our lives and it all happened so quickly,” she said.
