California girl Heather Cowie says, “I absolutely love Kauai. I always knew I would be married in Hanalei.” On September 5, 2009 her wish came true. As the sun peeked through the misty clouds illuminating Mount Wai'ale'ale, Heather exchanged vows with Chris Lewis in this peaceful setting that had become her second home. As the ceremony came to a close, the two faced each other with their heads touching. Officiant Kelvin Ho blessed the union and they took their first breath together as man and wife—the “breath of life” or “ha” in Hawaiian. The magnitude of that moment is imprinted in their hearts. As Heather recalls, “Nothing else mattered. It was just the two of us.”

Heather and Chris first met during their freshman year of high school. They actually attended different schools, but bumped into each other fairly often at various parties. If there was any spark between them back then it would have to wait, since Chris was involved with a girl from Heather’s school at the time. Seven years later they reconnected at a mutual friend’s tennis match. “This time we were both single and we began dating,” says Heather. “We’ve been together ever since.” It didn’t take long for the pair to realize what their friends saw from the beginning—they were meant to be together. “All our friends said that they had never seen us so happy,” comments Chris.

Over the next two years they settled into life as a couple, and while Heather never doubted their plans to make the union permanent, Chris left her wondering about the timing. She was practically certain he would propose on a romantic trip to her beloved Kauai, but time came and went with Chris seemingly oblivious. As their holiday continued on the island of Maui, Heather admits, “I kind of lost hope.” Then one extraordinary day at Big Beach in Makena, Chris asked her to marry him. According to Heather, “The sun was shining, the water was warm and turtles were swimming close to shore. I asked Chris to hand me a cold drink, and to my astonishment he held out a ring instead!” In the shock of the moment she was speechless until Chris asked, “Is that a yes?” She replied, “Of course!”

Heather and Chris planned their wedding in about thirteen months time, enlisting the professional assistance of event planner Deanna Schafer of I Do Weddings. A trip in October enabled them to meet in person to discuss every detail, from the flowers to the rehearsal dinner. “I fell in love with our florist at Martin Roberts Design and felt confident that he would do a wonderful job,” says Heather. The striking color palette the couple chose for the wedding reflected their modern aesthetic: a mixture of slate grey was punctuated by deep purple and white calla lilies mixed with chartreuse and white orchids. To set apart her two sisters among the bridesmaids, Heather asked the florist to create unique bouquets of dark purple orchids and calla lilies. Centerpieces composed of the same brilliant flowers graced tables covered in slate linens with runners in a lighter hue.

The bride was absolutely radiant in a simple strapless gown by Melissa Sweet with a rose detail at the bodice. The bridesmaids wore pewter dresses by the same designer to coincide with the groomsmen, who were dressed in classic Brooks Brothers suits. Chris opted for Brooks Brothers as well, and had an elegant bespoke suit created for the occasion. No detail was overlooked thanks to the (almost) daily phone calls between the bride and Deanna, who transformed the blank canvas of a white tent into a chic dance club to everyone’s delight. A slide show of childhood images played during Heather’s emotional dance with her father, while family and friends watched with teary eyes. And when the bride’s brother caught the garter, the jubilant mood was contagious. Indeed, no one in attendance wanted the evening to come to an end.

The mother-of-the-bride added a final parting touch for each of the celebrants—a hand blown glass ornament of the humuhumunukunukuapua‘a, Hawaii’s colorful state fish. Heather and Chris agree, “We hope they will think of our wedding every Christmas.” And while the evening seemed to have passed by too quickly, there is no doubt that Kauai will be calling them back very soon.