Qi and Vincent traded skyscrapers for sea cliffs, subway heat for ocean breeze, and New York’s relentless tempo for Kauai’s unhurried one. Their wedding at Princeville Makai Golf Club felt like stepping into a calmer universe, the kind where time stretches out and the horizon seems to exhale.

“We first met in New York,” Qi explains, “so we wanted a place that was far from the city, quiet, and peaceful to enjoy the special moments.” Even their date carried meaning. November 22nd marked exactly one year since they’d signed their marriage certificate, turning their celebration into a sweet anniversary-within-a-wedding.

They’d long imagined a coastal celebration, just not the kind where tour buses rumble by mid-vow. “A smaller, more secluded island felt perfect for us and the kind of celebration we envisioned,” Qi says. Kauai, with its lush edges, moody cliffs, and blissfully slower pace, fit instantly.

Of course, even a quiet paradise comes with its own quirks. “There weren’t many options for specialized rentals and florists,” Vincent shares. Instead of worrying, they treated it like a creative scavenger hunt and packed specific décor pieces they couldn’t live without in their luggage. Think things like gold utensils, napkins, placemats, and custom coasters.

The venue search, however, offered zero drama. The moment they reached the cliffs at Princeville Makai Golf Course, the decision was made. “The dramatic scenery overlooking the ocean was everything we wanted, romantic and breathtaking,” Vincent says.

They layered in details that felt entirely their own. Qi and Vincent DIY’d their name cards, customized watercolor invitations, and spent more hours than they’ll admit fine-tuning their color palette. “These little touches made everything feel more us,” Qi says.

The ceremony carried a soft, steady sweetness, even after a heavy downpour minutes before. Nature had one final surprise in store. “Right before the ceremony, we were blessed with a Hawaiian rainbow. It felt like a good omen,” Qi says. The couple still talks about that moment.

Planning from across the Pacific could have been a headache, but they had help. “Having a local planner was a lifesaver,” they share. Aegir Wedding Event & Design handled the calls, bookings, and logistics that would have been nearly impossible to juggle from New York.

After navigating travel, weather, décor, rentals, and everything in between, the couple now shares their go-to advice for future destination pairs: “Plan ahead as much as possible, and always leave extra room in your budget.” Surprises will happen. But with flexibility, patience, and a sense of humor, those surprises become stories you actually want to tell later… just like their rainbow.

Vendors: Photographer: Leeson Liu Photography; Wedding Planner: Aegir Wedding Event & Design; Florist: Floraland Weddings & Events; Stationery: Illusdreams; Cake: Ko Bakery + Coffee; Hair & Makeup: Jessica Makeup & Hair; Rentals: Transcend Event Design & Kauai Event Design; Musician: Strings of Hawaii; DJ: Kustom Sound Kauai; Videographer: Kenson Production; Ceremony Officiant: Julie D Wirtz

 

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