Anna & Josh exchanged vows during a secluded, intimate beach wedding on Hamahiga Island in Okinawa, Japan on January 11, 2020. Their wedding was unlike any other — it was truly SO laid back, with a nod to the free and easy style of island living. No-one was rushed, and everyone just let it flow. #islandvibes

It was a DIY/boho style wedding — with a few pieces crafted by local vendors. Anna’s Mom made her veil, and one of her bridesmaids made the macrame in the photo booth, (that her dress is hanging from!) 

The weather turned out BEAUTIFUL, even though there were some rainclouds that appeared on the day of. At the first sight of a raincloud, Anna’s bridesmaids gathered together and prayed that the Lord would hold the rain, (at least until after the ceremony.) #girlprayergang

The way Anna & Josh lit up on their wedding day when talking about each other was the literal SWEETEST thing. You truly could just feel the love in the air, (as cheesy as it sounds.) I mean, just look at Josh’s face when he first sees Anna walking down the aisle. Oh yeah — it’s golden. 

To truly represent their faith and honor God during their ceremony, they even both led worship on the beach (yes, they’re worship leaders,) and had their close family and friends come up and pray for them during the middle of their ceremony. It was unreal. There are so many things I could say about them…

But first, let’s get a little backstory… shall we?

Josh and Anna have known each other since middle school. They met in their church youth group in about 6th grade, became friends shortly after and had a really tightly-knit friends group for years. Josh actually told Anna that he liked her via text in about 7th grade. ? (Fun fact: he was the first person that ever told her that they liked her!)

She says she was really awkward about it because.. well, middle school. (Can’t we all relate!?) They never acted on it, but he continued to like her through both middle and high school. They continued to be best friends, and in high school, he tried to ask her out — but she didn’t want to date anyone until after high school. Josh thought Anna didn’t like him, but then she told him that she technically never said she didn’t! 😉  That was in about 11th grade, and from that point on they knew they liked each other.

Fast forward to 2017, and Josh asks her dad for permission to date her, with the intention of marriage — so they started dating in November of 2018. After a while, they had been talking about engagement/getting married quite a bit. They basically just prayed, “Okay Lord, if it’s your will for us to get engaged this week, let us find a ring that we like!” (Turns out, they did!)

Now for the proposal, (my fav part!)

It was a really busy weekend with Anna’s graduation and Easter (they’re both on staff at the church), so the only day they had time was on Monday. She knew that he’d propose, so they just called it proposal day! (Love that!)

Josh took Anna to Aien coffee shop in the morning and they had lattes (they’re BIG coffee people,) and then he took her to transit cafe on the seawall for lunch. They were both pretty nervous so they couldn’t eat a lot. Then, he said for the next location he didn’t want to sound like a kidnapper, but he’d have to blindfold her. (LOL.)

So, they got in the car and took off to the next location and he pulled over and blindfolded Anna. Once they got there, Josh guided her out of the car. She remembers hearing music, cars, and the gravel under our feet. They were at BB Coffee which is their favorite coffee shop. (They’ve been going for years, and have a relationship with the owners). In fact, it’s where their first date was! Josh walked Anna up onto a deck and then told her to take her blindfold off.

She took it off to find her family, his family, and a few church families that have been a HUGE part of their lives and relationship for many many years. Anna immediately cried. Then, he took her hand and told her that he loved her, and that he couldn’t imagine his life without her. Then, he asked! (She said YES, of course!)

Anna and Josh both serve as the worship leaders at their church, Calvary Chapel Okinawa, and are also self-proclaimed coffee connoisseurs. In fact, they plan to open their own coffee shop together one day! (I’m totally going once they do!) 

I present to you — Mr. & Mrs. Josh Hagan! ?

OKINAWA WEDDING CREATIVE TEAM:

floral design: P style wedding in yomitan, okinawa japan

ceremony venue: shirumichu park, hamahiga island – okinawa japan • reception venue: koza baptist church • bride’s dress: the “florence ivory” from grace loves lace • wedding bands: olive avenue jewelry • cake:  manatu cafe &  jess sartore • catering: bama’s on camp shields, & the lumpia lady • calligraphy: Sartore Designs & Lettering • first dance singers: janoah benauro & bekah barnett • groom & groomsmen suits: Giorgio’s on Gate 2 Street, Okinawa • hair & makeup: salon718  • officiant: kevin johnson •  photographer: Jessica Vickers Photography in Texarkana, TX • videographer: maiko media