In August, bestselling author, podcaster, and internet creator Drew Afualo married her longtime partner, Pili Tanuvasa, in a deeply personal and intentional celebration in Hawaii. Known for her candid style and fierce defense of women on social media and through her popular podcasts, The Comment Section and Two Idiot Girls, Afualo offered her millions of followers a brief, emotional glimpse just moments before walking down the aisle.
In a TikTok video shared with her audience, she stood in her custom Cult Gaia wedding dress, reflecting on the milestone. "Hey y’all, I’m about to go get married," she told the camera, admitting that she was a little nervous and had already cried dozens of times before preparing to wed the love of her life.
Despite her public persona, Afualo made a deliberate choice to keep the wedding planning and preparations entirely private prior to the ceremony. Explaining her perspective to Glamour, she noted that the wedding remained a sacred event that they took very seriously in terms of privacy and intentional planning. Choosing Hawaii as the destination felt natural for the couple, as Afualo describes the islands as another home where she has a significant amount of family, making travel accessible for her loved ones while also honoring indigenous Pacifica land.
The journey to the altar was not without its hurdles. Just six weeks before the wedding date, Afualo found herself changing her wedding planners, ultimately hiring the Oahu-based company The Gay Agenda. Describing the frantic period, she admitted that taking on new planners six weeks out—followed by changing her venue a week later—proved to be one of the most stressful experiences of her life, though it ultimately culminated in a beautiful celebration.
Keeping with their personal values, the couple chose to forgo traditional wedding gifts. Recognizing their fortunate professional standing, Afualo and Tanuvasa instead asked their guests to make charitable donations to four distinct organizations. Two of these initiatives focus on halting deep-sea mining in the Pacific, particularly around Samoa, while the remaining two operate locally to champion cultural preservation, land acknowledgment, and the protection of Hawaiian heritage.
To maximize enjoyment for everyone involved, the wedding itinerary spanned multiple days. Friday featured a rehearsal dinner, Saturday marked an intimate ceremony attended by only 22 close family members and friends, and Sunday hosted a larger reception. Afualo emphasized her desire to avoid being the center of attention any more than necessary, focusing instead on ensuring guests had a wonderful time. The reception featured an open bar, a continuous buffet, and a standout entertainment choice: an Oahu-based caricature artist who delighted attendees with custom drawings.
Following the multi-day celebration, guests departed for home or extended their stays to enjoy a Hawaiian vacation. For the newlyweds, however, the conclusion of the wedding marked the beginning of their honeymoon on the island of Lanai. Reflecting on nearly a decade together, Afualo shared that transitioning into marriage felt like an official and wonderful extension of their long-term partnership.
The Planning
Planning for the August honeymoon began earlier in the year, around January and February, right in the midst of initial wedding preparations. Afualo initially considered more distant tropical locations such as Tahiti or Bora Bora, but ultimately factored in the grueling multi-leg travel required to reach them. Unwilling to spend two and a half days of a week-long trip in transit and risk starting their marriage stressed, the couple opted for a more accessible destination within the Hawaiian archipelago.
The Destination
The couple ultimately decided on a resort in Lanai after receiving a passionate recommendation from actor Anna Konkle of PEN15, who had recently visited the island and described it as the best place she had ever been. Taking it as a sign, Afualo booked the trip, finding the island to be exceptionally peaceful and scenic.
The Packing
Despite describing herself as an overpacker by nature, Afualo managed to condense her belongings for the two-week trip into two pieces of luggage, utilizing another two bags for her husband’s clothing and vital wedding materials such as outfits, steamers, and stain-removal pens. Her stylist provided a comprehensive binder detailing how to coordinate outfits, incorporating leftover looks from her bachelorette party. Afualo, a self-described Virgo, meticulously tried on every ensemble and accessory prior to departure.
For travel gear, she relied on Béis luggage in wine red, noting that her oversized clothing choices—reflecting a relaxed style—filled out her bags efficiently. Travel to the smaller islands required boarding Mokulele Airlines, a tiny eight-seat aircraft where passengers and all luggage had to be meticulously weighed, adding a brief moment of anxiety before a smooth journey.
The Clothes
For footwear, Afualo favored TKees flip-flops, packing four distinct variations ranging from square-toe leather designs to waterproof options for the pool. She also brought a woven brown raffia beach tote from Vitamin A, which she used daily throughout the trip, bypassing the resort’s complimentary bags.
The Beauty Kit
Afualo curated a specific beauty and body care routine for the honeymoon, highlighting Cyklar’s gold-toned body oil for its warm, non-sticky illumination suited to her skin tone. She also packed Josie Maran tangerine-scented body butter and Monoï Tiare Tahiti coconut oil to maintain a deep tan without discomfort. When she realized she had accidentally left her sunscreen behind with family members who departed after the wedding, she acquired reef-safe Coola face sunscreen on Lanai, successfully preventing any sunburns during her outdoor excursions.
The Activities
True to her preference for relaxation when visiting Hawaii, Afualo spent much of the honeymoon relaxing by the pool and the beach. However, the couple also ventured out to explore local culture and landscape. They visited the nonprofit Lanai Art Center, where they purchased a print by a recently deceased local artist whose daughter had entrusted his final works to the gallery.
They also traveled by off-road vehicle to the Garden of the Gods, a scenic lookout point featuring traditional Hawaiian shrines known as ahus. As an author currently writing fiction inspired by Polynesian mythological lore, Afualo found the historical site deeply inspiring, appreciating the ability to drive directly to the landmark rather than engaging in strenuous hiking.
The Dining
Culinary highlights included a memorable visit to Ganotisi’s Pacific Rim Cuisine, a local establishment recommended by residents. Afualo praised their Hawaiian barbecue plate lunch, singling out the kalbi short ribs, rice, and macaroni salad as an unforgettable meal that left a lasting impression.
The Quintessential Honeymoon Outfit
When it came to daily wear, bikinis served as the ultimate honeymoon uniform. Afualo praised Roxy swimwear for being exceptionally friendly to curvy and tall figures, noting that the brand’s cheeky bottoms and supportive tops provided both comfort and style throughout their week as newlyweds in Hawaii.
