Stephen really nailed it.
Stephen in action - taking photos of my bridesmaids!
Mary H.
May 6, 2019
Are you stressed and still looking for a wedding coordinator and photographer? Well look no more! You definitely need to join forces with Stephen Ludwig - Salt & Sandalwood Events and divert your energy to other things. I know this sounds like an info-mercial, but we had such a great experience with Stephen Ludwig and his team from start to finish. I think we lucked out and also I think everyone deserves a special wedding so I hope you give them a look.I contacted several companies/groups/people looking for flexible packages to fit our needs. It's hard in the early stages of planning a destination wedding knowing just how many guests you'll have! My ceremony was at Kualoa Ranch with the reception to follow in Honolulu. I was stood up by a few companies; bad sign when your potential wedding team "forgets" they had a phone call appointment with you! Stephen and his lovely wife, Litton, were incredibly accessible and responsive to every wacky question or request I had. Super easy to negotiate with and I never EVER felt like I was being swindled or lied to.Obviously their website scores major points for organization and being aesthetically pleasing. The clean, professional yet personable style matches them in real life, too! We exchanged numerous emails along the way during planning stages. Stephen and Litton helped me find a great hair/makeup stylist, arranged for the most perfect officiant (his wife was also wonderfully helpful but that's for another review), and coordinated a guitarist for the ceremony. Stephen went to look at the site a few weeks ahead of the date then sent me photos in order to know exactly where to put the chairs and flower arch. Ceremony went off without a hitch thanks to the on-site day of coordinator and the rest of the Salt & Sandalwood team making sure my flowers and chairs and guests were in their proper places. I was able to worry about just myself. I was pleasantly surprised to see they brought water for my guests, I completely spaced on that detail and given the sunshiney day it would have been a major faux pas. Now, the main reason I selected Stephen with Salt & Sandalwood was because I knew I'd be looking at these photos for a lifetime. So far I just have the mini gallery, but it's amazing. After the obligatory group photos and diplomatically dealing with certain relatives (haha) we broke off to do our own photo shoot with tons of backdrops, angles, poses -- really incorporating the beauty of Kualoa Ranch and Hawaii. Stephen made my husband and me feel at ease, expertly ordering (in a nice way) us around, "hand here, walk that way, do a twirl," snapping a bazillion photos. I was disappointed when last minute the ranch told I couldn't have horses in the nearby paddock as advertised. Stephen even asked Kualoa if we could go to the stables, but that idea was shot down. I'm still a little bitter about it, but with how great everything else went I can't complain too much. Remember how I said my ceremony and reception were different locations? Salt and Sandalwood drove us from A to B, which was so nice of them. He busied himself taking photos of guests and decor and things; obviously he does this a lot and knows what matters and how to make things look magazine worthy. He made sure to photograph the cake before we attacked it, my husband and I before we got too drunk and really did a fantastic job of capturing moments without being a nuisance. 100% would book again! My favorite vendor from the whole wedding experience. Heck, Stephen Ludwig was the backbone of my Hawaii wedding experience! You won't be disappointed.
Read MoreTiffany H.
Jan 25, 2020
Stephen Ludwig is the most amazing photographer! We reviewed the work of so many other wedding photographers and we are so happy that we went with Stephen! I wanted specific shots during the wedding such as a group shot of everyone (150+ people) and he was able to direct everyone to get the perfect picture. He captured so many special moments that night! He responded quickly to our questions and was so easy to work with. I highly recommend him!
Read MoreC L.
Sep 23, 2019
Stephen still has that great eye! He took pictures of our family and even though it was a little cloudy, drizzly, slightly windy, and little kids were involved, he got some great shots! We had fun hanging out and catching up with Stephen and his work is amazing. I can't recommend him enough. Can't wait for the next time!
Read MoreSydney M.
Jun 12, 2020
Stephen did a phenomenal job with both our wedding photos and our rehearsal dinner photos. I really wanted gorgeous sunset beach wedding photos and they are absolutely stunning!! I couldn't be happier. He has great energy, was easy to work with, and made us feel super comfortable. I am so happy that we choose him. Thank you so much Stephen!
Read MoreMichelle T.
Apr 16, 2024
We are beyond thrilled with the exceptional service and talent provided by Stephen Ludwig on our wedding day. From the moment we met Stephen, his warmth and friendliness put us at ease, making the entire photography process a joy.We chose Stephen for his unparalleled creativity and keen eye for color, and he did not disappoint. His creative compositions captured the essence of our special day in ways we never imagined possible. We have so many wonderful shots that reflect not only the beauty of the moment but also Stephen's unique artistic vision.On the day of the wedding, Stephen went above and beyond to ensure that every moment was captured flawlessly. His professionalism and dedication were evident in every shot, and the result is a stunning collection of memories that we will cherish for a lifetime.If you're searching for a wedding photographer who will not only capture your special day but also exceed your wildest dreams, look no further than Stephen Ludwig Photography. Thank you, Stephen, for giving us a treasure trove of memories that we will cherish forever!
Read MoreMatthew L.
Jan 15, 2024
Highly recommend Stephen Ludwig as a photographer. We had him as our photographer for our wedding at Kualoa Ranch and he was great. Very experienced and professional, and he had plenty of experience shooting in different lighting at our venue. He did a great job capturing the event and we love how his photos turned out. He had great energy and did a great job making us feel comfortable and candid for our shots. Loved his artistic style! Thank you Stephen!
Read MoreBridget M.
Feb 28, 2023
When the photographer I originally hired for my daughter's wedding had to cancel due to her surprise pregnancy, she highly recommended Stephen Ludwig, who was her wedding photographer. The traditional wedding photos, along with the captured candid shots, had an artistic beauty that surpassed any wedding photos I have ever encountered. I was able to share his photos with the caterer and florist who were elated as they were able to use his photos on their websites. His generosity and kindness in sharing his work with the other vendors speak for themselves in describing his character and integrity. His prices are competitive with other photographers. He truly is amazing.
Read MoreNatalia D.
Dec 12, 2021
Are you looking through all the photographers on Yelp, The Knot, and Wedding Wire trying to find the best photographer in Hawaii with decent pricing because you're getting married in Hawaii and you aren't from there and you are literally going to have to put your trust in some stranger and just hope to God it works out? Well so was I... and let me tell you... THE SEARCH IS OVER. Listen, I'm not just some random girl exaggerating some average photographer because he gave me one cute wedding pic. I've worked with many photographers in my lifetime and I know a good one from an average one. This guy is friggin' good. Honestly... if anything, he should charge more. Stephen literally gave us the best experience I've ever had with a photographer. My husband and I got married on Oahu. In the beginning, we didn't know where to even have our tiny little ceremony of only 5 guests. Stephen suggested a small, secluded beach where there would be minimal bystanders. We spoke with him on the phone and he sounded completely professional and knowledgable so we decided to just put our faith in him. Not only did he come through, he surpassed ALL our expectations. He did a photo shoot with us up at the Jurassic Park mountain before the ceremony, shot the ceremony, and took family shots afterward as well. He was professional, creative, and diligent. To top it all off, we paid an extra small fee to add on a trash-the-dress style photo shoot for the day after the wedding. Not only was Stephen willing to move the date when we realized the day after your wedding is more exhausting than you think it will be, but he also went in advance to scope out the best spots for our location. He took us to three different locations for that shoot, the last of which was a beautiful beach with a drop-dead gorgeous background. We thought he was going to just take photos of us running into the ocean of something. WRONG. Stephen literally went INTO the water with us. I'm talking FULLY submerged and took photo of us in the ocean. He even put a waterproof lens over his camera and took undercover shots. THAT'S how dedicated he was to making sure we got some unique shots of us in our wedding gear. I just cannot believe how respectful, professional, creative, skilled, and PATIENT this man is. It. is. unreal. He's simply the best. Stephen, if you're reading this, THANK YOU for the best experience and for really dedicating yourself to each and every shot. I can't wait to book you for an anniversary shoot the next time we go back. Sincerely, Tim & Natalia
Read MoreAllyse R.
Aug 14, 2021
Our awesome wedding coordinator highly recommended Stephen for our wedding day at Waimea Valley on Oahu. She gave us a short list of her favorite photographers and reviewing all the galleries we decided Stephen's was the one we were most drawn too. His photos weren't too edited and we loved how he focused on color. Stephen was a joy to work with- he is super friendly! We put together a list of photos we wanted and locations we wanted to shoot at and he made sure we got everything we wanted. When we received our gallery we were blown away! The photos were beyond what we had expected. His galleries are also very user friendly which is an added bonus. Thank you Stephen! You truly captured what our wedding day embodied! Xoxo Allyse & Jesse
Read MoreSaundra T.
Oct 5, 2022
My wife and I got married on Hanalei Bay in Kauai and we couldn't be happier with Stephen. For very small extra fee he fly to this island and met us on the beach for 10AM ceremony. His insight and vision into the camera, the angels, the scenery, mountains, ocean, and overall natural beauty the setting offered were remarkable. We couldn't be happier. We have color, highlights, black/white, and the process to obtain these photos to laptop, phone was easy. Total pro and super nice and friendly. It felt like our best friend was there to share in the happiness.
Read MoreRated: 5 (15 reviews)
Rated: 5 (4 reviews)
Event Photography, Session Photography