Some weddings feel like an embrace. Warm, familiar, and completely true to the couple at the heart of it. Lani and Steven intimate wedding at the Wayfinder Waikiki boutique hotel was just that: a love letter to their original home, their people, and to living fully in the moment—even when that moment forgets the rings.

“We met our first year of college through a mutual friend,” the bride says. “It took two years to start dating, but we’ve stuck together ever since.”

Their journey led Lani and Steven to their roots in Hawaiʻi for their wedding—something that was never in question. “Anyone who grows up here knows how special the people are,” Lani says. “We wanted to celebrate sincerely and be present with everyone.”

But planning a wedding in the place they considered “home” still came with its own surprises. “We completely forgot our wedding rings in Arizona,” Lani laughs. “We didn’t realize until a couple days before. We ended up finding a dupe on Amazon, but it came in the wrong size, so I’m not wearing a ring in most of the photos. Honestly, we were laughing so hard exchanging invisible rings at the ceremony. Some things you just have to let go.”

The Wayfinder Waikiki stood out for its unique architecture and indoor/outdoor flow—a must in unpredictable island weather. “We’d never actually been before the wedding,” Lani admits. “But we scouted it on social media and did a walkthrough a couple days before. The staff was incredible—so flexible and communicative. They even let us change the ceremony location so I could have a real aisle. We were the first couple to get married there, and it felt like a shared creative adventure.”

With a small guest list, Lani and Steven invested in the details that mattered most. “We love flowers, and Kahihae Florals gave us a true showstopper. The venue already had so much vibe, we didn’t need to overdo anything. It was all very easy and natural.”

As for the ceremony, simplicity reigned. “We wanted it to feel like one big love letter,” Lani says. “Just us, expressing our vows with our family holding us accountable. I don’t even remember reading mine—I just remember looking out and thinking, ‘this is all I care about.’”

The couple relied on vendor communication to navigate planning from afar. From Kamarin Ann Photography’s timeless captures to Whitehead Films’ moving wedding video, each moment was carefully preserved. With help from a dream team that also included Redfish catering and cake, Chandler D Designs stationery, AK.Hawaii hair and makeup, the day came together seamlessly.

Looking back, Lani and Steven say, “If we had done it at home, we probably would’ve had a much bigger wedding. But I don’t think it would’ve felt like ours. It’s hard to create that laid-back joy anywhere else. Where else can you just text your friends and watch the sunrise together the morning after your wedding?”

And their advice for other destination couples? “Be flexible and trust your vendors. Ask questions and make sure you’re on the same page. You can always dress up again, take new photos, have a fancy dinner—but you can never get back the minutes with your family. Be present.”

Vendors: Photography: Kamarin Ann Photography; Venue: Wayfinder Waikiki; Videography: Whitehead Films; Stationery: Chandler D Designs; Beauty: AK Hawai’i; Florals: Kahihae Florals; Catering: Redfish