Arien Sherman · PhotographerA graduate of the world-renowned Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, CA, Arien Sherman marries his own brand of technical perfection to Gordon’s unique tropical wedding styling to create beautiful wedding photographs. Originally at Brooks to learn cinematography, Arien soon discovered that his hobby of still photography would become his life's work. Born in Jamaica and raised in California, Arien relocated to Maui two years ago from San Francisco. Once here, it didn’t take him long to learn most of Maui’s most breathtaking hiking trails, and scuba diving spots. His appealing low-key and laid-back personality helps his couples relax and enjoy their wedding day photo shoots.
Branden Sequeira · PhotographerBranden is an ambitious young artist with a passion for photography, cinematography, painting and creativity. He left the beautiful countryside of Yosemite national park in California to make a name for himself in Maui’s demanding wedding photography industry. Working in Yosemite as a wedding videographer for over five years Branden has had the opportunity to capture the story of countless, love struck, couples on their big day. Now in Maui, Branden has broke out of the world of videography to explore his new passion, photography. To help him on his journey, and ensure a smooth transition Gordon Nash trained Branden for Professional Photography. Branden often assists Gordon on his many, beautiful weddings as a second Photographer along with shooting his own weddings. His lust for life, genuine nature, and creative style of photography make for a good addition to every couples big day!
Ian Shepherd · PhotographerIan's obsession for photography began circa four years of age, when he received a college zoology book from his mother. Throughout his life, he's marveled at imagery of wildlife, architecture, and character portraiture. When the time came to enter college, Ian simply couldn't decide on what form of art to master, so he chose Multimedia as his major with The Art Institute of Los Angeles, drinking in everything each field had to offer. Some time later, Ian visited and promptly thereafter relocated to Maui. Ian quickly connected with Gordon Nash and the talent of the pair turned out to be a perfect match. After 2 years spent under Gordon working in the lab, Ian finally decided it was time to pick up the Nikon hardware and try his hand in the field under the guidance of Gordon Nash. His unique history and extensive knowledge rooted in post production gives Ian an almost unique sense of foresight in photography, knowing exactly what to look for after working on literally hundreds of thousands of images. Uniting technical mastery with artistic flair, Ian brings a new vision to Maui wedding photography.
Jayanne Jefferys · Director of Events/
Planner Jayanne, a Maui Wedding veteran of fourteen years, believes every wedding starts with love. Gallantly romantic, Jayanne guarantees your wedding planning will include lots of laughter with a large amount of happiness and confidence on your part. Jayanne’s extensive wedding experience spans all cultures and walks of life, from barefoot on the beach to Celebrity Destination weddings. Having enjoyed the fast pace and high intensity weddings at the world famous Grand Wailea Resort Seaside Chapel as Head Wedding Coordinator for five years, Jayanne is an expert in managing wedding emotions. After the tender kisses and tears of the ceremony, Jayanne’s extremely skillful and insightful reception planning is very much appreciated. Her competence honed by four years as Catering Manager for the renown Haliimaile General Store and Celebrations Catering, the premiere catering company on Maui. Jayanne enjoys receiving yearly Christmas cards and birth announcements from her couples. “My dream is to make the couple’s dreams come true!”
Josephine Thurman · Wedding CoordinatorBorn and raised on Maui, Jo will coordinate your wedding with true aloha. A graduate of the International Air Academy, where she prepared for a travel industry career, Jo moved from her island home to Los Angeles, where she worked at L.A. International Airport as a ticket agent for several major airlines. While with the airlines, she traveled extensively, visiting Paris, Australia, Jamaica and many U. S. vacation areas. After marrying another airline employee in L.A., Jo returned home to Maui so she could raise her children near parents and other family members. Before joining APDW, Jo worked at the five star rated Four Seasons and Fairmont Kealani hotels. Now the mother of two young daughters, Jo enjoys spending her time off with her family and going to the beach.
Joanne Earles · Wedding Sales /Travel Manager
Joanne has had the pleasure of helping literally thousands of happy visitors plan great vacations on exotic South Pacific islands for the past 20 years as a travel industry destination specialist. Now she has expanded her services and expertise and combined her vast travel industry experience with a love of weddings and event planning. Her sharp eye for details and caring follow through make her a joy to work with on both travel and wedding arrangements.
Originally from Virginia, Joanne moved to Maui four years ago after she and her family visited this most beautiful island in the world and fell in love with Maui. It took her a year to complete the move, and, she says, about 30 seconds to send down deep island roots. Among her passions is sharing the island’s rare tropical beauty and unique opportunities for fun and frolic with her brides and grooms. Joanne loves to spend her spare time with family and friends on the beach and in the water.
Arlyn Pidot · Wedding Sales/ Office Administrator
Arlyn is a true reflection of the Aloha spirit. Raised on Maui since she was the tender age of 5. She attended Maui Community College and The University of Hawaii at Manoa. With an extensive background in both customer service and the visitor industry fields, she has worked for several beautiful resorts including The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui Hotel,The Maui Prince Hotel and The Renaissance Savery Hotel in Des Moines, Iowa for many years. She believes that every single wedding is truly special and will go the extra mile to make sure it is a paradise dream wedding come true. She loves to travel and has lived on the mainland in Iowa and Texas but she knew where her heart belonged…here in her island home of Maui. She has been to Nevada, Florida, California, Pennsylvania and Mexico just to name a few destinations, but her dream is to visit Italy someday. Her hobbies are listening to music (she plays the flute), reading, crossword puzzles and collecting coins. Arlyn has a very big, close-knit ohana (family) and enjoys spending time with her wonderful son, her 4 sisters, pets and close friends.
Diana George · Wedding
Coordinator/Minister/On-site Wedding CoordinatorDiana is our on-site coordinator specialist. She is a licensed ordained minister and has many years of experience organizing events. One of her greatest pleasures is taking part in our couples wedding day festivities. She is a member of the Maui Wedding Professionals Association, Hawaii Visitors Bureau and the Maui Visitors Bureau.
Chris Thompson · On-Site SupervisorChris moved to Maui at age 8 from Minnesota. He went to college in San Diego where he also worked in the catering industry. His easy and friendly manner helps smooth the wedding processs on your special day.
Della Peacock · On-Site SupervisorDella was one of the youngest members of both the San Francisco Ballet and the San Francisco Dance Theatre, and still has that eye for the elegant and dramatic. Her work at the nearby Steinhart Aquarium, as a teenager foreshadowed her love of the ocean and the environment, leading her to the Islands. She has lived for 20 years on the islands of Kauai, Oahu and Maui. Her tropically inspired sense of design and color has promoted her flourishing furniture painting business as well as led to an increasingly active role in the destination Wedding business. All three of her children were born in Hawaii and she lives, with her husband, two dogs and seven cats, on a solar powered estate in the jungles of the Hana Coast.
Keiko Shiba Nash · Photographer/Webmaster/Owner Keiko is co-owner of the company and our webmaster. She is an excellent photographer and accompanies Gordon on most of his wedding shoots. Keiko has studied under Gordon Nash's guide as a second photographer specializing in photojournalism. Keiko photography style resembles world renown photographer Dennis Reggie. Instead of directing her wedding couples she blends into the background capturing fleeting moments of your once in a life time event. The extraordinary and discerning work of Keiko Nash reflects an elegance rarely seen in the west and is beautiful to behold.
She was born and raised in Tokyo and majored in Business with a minor in Art History at Aoyama Gakuin University. She has the rare combined qualities of an artist, planner, gourmet chef and is a highly reliable and ethical professional. She is the art director of all our web sites and her discerning eye for design has brought us tremendous success. She also has taken on many highly demanding wedding reception projects requiring complex planning, budgeting and coordination with very successful results.
Gordon Mason Nash · Photographer/OwnerGordon is an accomplished, internationally recognized wedding photographer. He has extensive photo journalistic expertise and formal portrait photography training. Gordon established his first photography studio over 20 years ago and has been a success ever since. Gordon with his humor and warm heart has a special knack for making couples feel at ease while shooting. Gordon is part owner and head photographer of A Paradise Dream Wedding. Gordon and his associates are members of the Professional Photographers of America. Visit Gordon's photography web site at: gordonnash.com
In 2006, Gordon was selected as the first wedding photographer ever to appear in a Nikon Camera Catalog. He is featured in the brochure with 8 of his photographs along side Nikon's new line up of professional digital cameras.