Mountain Mayhem: A Waikīkī wedding for Gavin and Britta

Aspen residents Gavin Merlino and Britta Briscoe celebrated their wedding on Oct. 18, 2025, at the historic Moana Surfrider in Waikīkī, Hawaii. Gavin, an architect and founder of Kuulla Studio, originally hails from West Virginia, while Britta is an Aspen native who serves as a fashion editor for Aspen Sojourner Magazine and co-owns Bundles Gift Co. & The Gift Box. Reflecting on her roots, Britta went to Wildwood School, Aspen Elementary, and Aspen Middle, and graduated from Aspen High School. She moved to New York City for college and worked in the fashion industry before returning to her hometown 13 years later.

The couple chose the Moana Surfrider for its unique blend of history and coastal beauty. Britta explained the choice of location: “While Aspen is our home, Hawaii has always been a second home of sorts since my father lives there part of the year and I have been visiting yearly since I was a child. We wanted the wedding to feel like a vacation for everyone, and Hawaii was the perfect place for that. The hustle and bustle of Honolulu mixed with the serenity of the rest of the island was the perfect backdrop for our nuptials. The Victorian era is one of my favorite fashion eras, so a historic Victorian hotel situated right on the beach was the perfect location for a blend of sophistication meets beach party. We knew it would be no small feat to bring everyone we loved to Hawaii, but no one could pass up the opportunity to leave Aspen for a week and party in the sun on Oahu.”

The ceremony blended modern flair with local customs, including a traditional Hawaiian lei exchange. The bride’s fashion choices were a highlight of the day; she transitioned through four distinct looks, including a bespoke pearl-beaded Kim Kassas gown and a silver paillette after-party dress. “I wanted to evoke a shipwrecked mermaid theme to really invoke the mermaid feel,” she noted.

Despite the logistical efforts of gathering 103 guests from global locations like Bali, New York City, California, and beyond, the couple was surrounded by a strong Aspen contingent, including officiant Zach Stevens and “floral goddesses” Kaylee Hathaway and Chelsea Murdock. Britta recalled the support of their community: “We really felt the love from every Aspenite who attended, from the Flying Monkees ski gang to real estate brokers, business owners, and restaurant workers. We had everyone from Aspen we loved with us for our wedding day. We knew it was a long way to go, but everyone rallied and showed up and lived the Aloha spirit. As a special touch for the wedding, local musicians even played ‘Country Roads’ to tie together Hawaii, West Virginia, and Colorado.”

The couple, who got engaged in Morocco, will continue their adventures with a European honeymoon this spring, traveling from Ireland to Greece. Despite their love for exploration, their hearts remain in the mountains.

“No matter where we go, we will always call Aspen our beloved home,” the bride concluded. 

The Wedding Team:

·       Planner: Stephanie Le (Esselle Weddings & Events)

·       Photography: Masha Sakhno

·       Floral Design: Mango House Floral

·       Venue: Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa