Salt Air, Soft Vows: Why Claire Wolford and Colton Cowser Chose Hawaii for a Wedding That Felt Like Home

Claire Wolford and Colton Cowser exchanged vows in a private seaside ceremony at a luxury Maui resort in Hawaii

The former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and the Baltimore Orioles outfielder tied the knot in January in an intimate seaside ceremony in Maui, choosing presence over production and meaning over spectacle. It was not a headline-grabbing celebrity affair, and that was precisely the point. 

Set against the Pacific and surrounded only by immediate family and a few close friends, their wedding felt less like a performance and more like a pause. A calm beginning before the rest of life catches up.

Why Maui Made Sense for the Couple

The ceremony took place at the Seaside Chapel at the Grand Wailea in Maui, a venue known for its glass walls and uninterrupted ocean views. But Hawaii was not selected for its postcard appeal alone.

In an interview, Wolford shared that Maui had long been part of her family’s story. She grew up visiting the island, often staying at the same resort, which gave the location a familiarity that many destination weddings lack. Rather than feeling like a far-flung escape, the setting felt grounding. It was a return to a place that already carried memories.

That sense of ease showed throughout the day. The ceremony leaned into the natural beauty of the location instead of competing with it. The ocean shimmered just beyond the chapel windows. Light filtered through stained glass. There were no dramatic installations or oversized floral moments. The setting did the work quietly.

An Intimate Ceremony by Design

With only their parents and closest loved ones present, the wedding felt closer to an elevated elopement than a traditional large-scale event. The guest list was intentionally small, allowing the focus to stay on the vows rather than logistics.

In an interview, those close to the couple described the ceremony as deeply emotional and prayerful, centered on faith and family rather than formality. Photos from the day show moments of group prayer, soft laughter, and an unguarded joy that often gets diluted in larger productions.

As a wedding expert, it is hard not to notice how this aligns with a broader shift happening right now. More couples are choosing to separate the act of getting married from the act of hosting a celebration. Wolford and Cowser plan to hold a larger reception later in the year, allowing the wedding day itself to remain private and personal.

Letting the Setting Lead the Style

Wolford’s bridal look mirrored the tone of the day. While details were kept understated, the overall effect was classic and coastal without veering into beach-wedding clichés. Her styling leaned soft and romantic, complementing the natural surroundings rather than overpowering them.

Cowser’s look followed suit, polished but relaxed, appropriate for a seaside chapel rather than a ballroom. Together, they looked like a couple comfortable in their choice to keep things simple.

The styling choice reinforced an important truth about destination weddings done well. When the location is this strong, restraint becomes the most elegant option.

From Cheer Squad to Center Field

Wolford and Cowser announced their engagement in late 2025 after about a year of dating, following a proposal in New York City. Their relationship unfolded largely out of the spotlight, despite Wolford’s visibility from her time with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and her appearance on Netflix’s America’s Sweethearts.

Since retiring from the squad in 2023, Wolford has stepped into a more private chapter of life. Cowser, meanwhile, continues to build his career in Major League Baseball. Their wedding marked a moment of alignment, two busy lives choosing stillness together before the next season begins.

What makes this wedding compelling is not celebrity or scale. It is the confidence behind the choices. Hawaii was not used as a flex. Intimacy was not framed as a trend. The day felt guided by memory, faith, and practicality.

In a wedding landscape increasingly shaped by spectacle, Wolford and Cowser’s Maui ceremony offers a reminder that meaningful does not have to be loud. Sometimes, it looks like salt air, a chapel by the sea, and vows shared with the people who know you best.

A Blueprint for Couples Craving Calm

For couples considering a destination wedding in 2026, this is a case study worth noting. Choose a place that already matters to you. Keep the guest list honest. Let the setting lead the mood. Save the big party for later if you want one at all.

Because at the heart of it, a wedding does not need an audience to be unforgettable.

Photos by Dmitri and Sandra Photography

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