First meeting while performing on the national tour of Hamilton in 2018, Hannah Cruz and Edred Utomi’s connection unfolded night after night on stage. Cast as Eliza and Alexander Hamilton, the pair quite literally fell in love in front of audiences across the country. “Every night for about a year we would fall in love and get married on stage,” Hannah shares. Three years later, life mirrored art when the two started dating in 2021 – and in 2023, Edred planned a proposal that paid tribute to the very place their story began.

Following his final performance with the Broadway tour in Puerto Rico, he asked Hannah to marry him on the set of Hamilton, surrounded by both of their families. After a year-long engagement, the couple exchanged vows on the Hawaiian island of Maui. “We had taken our first vacation there together and had missed our initial flight – and therefore missed a whole day in Maui,” Hannah recalls. “We vowed we would come back, though at the time we hadn’t anticipated we were vowing to indeed take our vows.” With 64 guests in attendance, the intimate destination wedding became a meaningful getaway for the couple and their loved ones.

Planning their nuptials while balancing demanding careers required a thoughtful approach. “Hannah was in Suffs on Broadway while planning the wedding, and efficiency and ease were top priorities in order to not get overwhelmed,” Edred explains. With the help of their planner, the process remained manageable. “From our first call, she set us up with a checklist for every month to really break it down and make it manageable.”

From the start, Hannah envisioned a timeless aesthetic that would allow the natural beauty of Hawaii to shine. “I wanted an Old Hollywood feel – to our clothes specifically. Classic black and white, no frills or lace or sparkle,” she says of her vision.

The ceremony featured all-white florals and greenery, creating a clean, elegant look. As the celebration transitioned into the cocktail hour and reception, however, the palette evolved. “Once you went under the tent, it was an explosion of bright, tropical, local colors,” the bride adds, noting that the floral installation above the dance floor became her favorite design element of the day.

“Every night for about a year we would fall in love and get married on stage.”

With Hannah’s mother being a florist, offering guidance throughout the process, florals were a major priority for the couple. Hannah carried a cascading bouquet of orchids, while both mothers held arrangements of pink mums for the celebration. The reception floral design included orchids, dahlias, roses, and more in vibrant hues, creating a lush and colorful atmosphere beneath the tent.

The evening’s events unfolded with intention, beginning with a cocktail hour highlighting fresh raw fish, fruit, and a signature mocktail – a thoughtful touch reflecting that the couple does not drink. Guests were then seated for dinner, choosing between red miso black cod or chicken breast, followed by one of the couple’s favorite culinary elements: a malasada (Portuguese fried pastry) bar for dessert.

Personal and cultural traditions added meaningful layers to the celebration. To honor Edred’s Nigerian heritage, the couple changed into traditional garments made in Nigeria, re-entering the reception to dance to Nigerian music, which created one of the most joyful moments of the evening. Guests also received custom Christmas ornaments as wedding favors – a nod to Hannah and Edred’s tradition of collecting ornaments together. The wedding cake too offered a blend of their individual tastes, featuring layers of white chocolate mango and tiramisu.

Music and performance naturally played a central role in the celebration, thanks to their community of fellow performers. “We have a lot of performer friends and so our dance floor was pretty spectacular. Jump splits and all,” Hannah shares. The couple’s first dance was equally memorable, set to “The Way I Love You” by Michal Leah – a song they have loved since the early days of their relationship. Hannah’s father-daughter dance also brought a playful and emotional element to the evening, with “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston transitioning into “I Ain’t Got Nobody” by Louis Prima.

Despite the beauty of the setting and the carefully curated details, it was the feeling of togetherness that stood out most to the newlyweds. “Hawaii is a really healing place, and it was really special to all congregate there together,” Hannah smiles.

Looking back, the couple has just one wish: “More time to dance! We all wanted to keep going for hours and hours,” the bride notes. Their advice to others planning a wedding is rooted in that same spirit of presence. “Stay together,” she adds. “And don’t let any outside stress make its way to you. Have your best man or person of honor be in charge of keeping any stressors off your plate!”

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