When Patrick proposed, we had just attended a wedding in Austria and took a side trip to hike and surf in Norway. We live in San Francisco now, but Kauai is like my second home, and knew I wanted to get married there. When we found Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens, we were sold. Marie Foster at Legacy Events Kauai helped us, and our 110 guests arrived fi ve days before the event. We rented homes in Hanalei through VRBO and enjoyed a catamaran ride along the Napali Coast with Capt.
Andy’s Sailing Adventures, as well as a barbecue and bachelor/bachelorette parties. School buses rented through Akita Enterprises delivered our guests to the venue, and at 3 p.m. on October 2, 2015, my father and I walked down an orchid-lined aisle while local musician John Rivera played Israel Kamakawiwoole’s version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Guests sat on farmhouse benches from Ibaan Table & Tent Rentals as we exchanged our own handwritten vows.
After the ceremony, Na Aina Kai provided shuttles to a fi eld for cocktails and dancing under a clear tent from Lee’s Rentals. Strands of white orchids hung over the dance fl oor, and guests sat on bamboo chairs, also from Lee’s. Common Ground Kauai catered an island-style taco buf et with a bar dubbed Bruce’s Tiki Bar,’ after my dad; dessert was a coconut cake and a station of mini treats. DJ Mike from Kustom Sounds Kauai played music well into the night. Looking up, it felt like we were dancing under the sky. Jena Thurmer, as told to Katie Morell.
