Featured Location: Kauai.....Just the Two of Us
By: Carolyn Steere

Some couples might hesitate tying the knot at a place called Shipwreck Point. Not Tanya Medlin and Bruce Heinrich! Armed with a realistic commitment to meeting life's challenges head on, they purposefully decided to have an intimate destination wedding with just the two of them. As they relay their story, it is clear they have no regrets about the choices for their wedding and their commitment to each other.

Tanya and Bruce recognized early on that all relationships encounter bumps in the road. Even their engagement had a rocky start (pardon the pun). Tanya said, "It was awful. I had just returned from traveling and on the way home from the airport a disagreement ensued and continued to Bruce's home."  Bruce had already decided that this was going to be the day he was going to ask Tanya for her hand, so he did not allow the disagreement to change that. Instead, as Tanya lay sulking on the bed, Bruce went to her, got down on his knees and said, "Tanya, I love you. Will you marry me?" Tanya looked at him incredulously and asked "What? Is this is? Are you asking me right now? Bruce replied, "Honey, In know in marriage it will not always be rosy and I want you to know that no matter what we go through, I love you and I am committed to you. So, even though we are not getting along right now I want you to know that it does not change my desire for you. So, will you marry me?" With tears rolling down Tanya's cheeks, she wrapped her arms around his and said, "Yes, a thousand times yes!" They went on to dinner where the disagreement continued.

Tanya and Bruce feel that their unromantic engagement prepared them for the struggles of a relationship and are quick to say that most of their time together is fun, joyful and romantic.

"Our goal is to have a happy, joyful life together, forever," Tanya says. Having a destination wedding was a conscious decision. We believe weddings should be about the couple getting married. It seems that all the details and expense of a traditional wedding are for the benefit of the parents, their friends and guests, while the couple's well being gets lost in the chaos.

How did this couple from Missouri settle on Kauai for their wedding? Bruce graduated from Chaminade University in Honolulu and knew how much Tanya would love the islands. They chose Kauai because Bruce had never been there and they wanted the experience of discovering a new place together.

As Tanya and Bruce describe their wedding, there is no doubt it was all they hoped for and dreamed about. "I thought it was the most beautiful wedding I've ever seen. Our ceremony at Shipwreck Point was breathtaking."

They chose formal dress to mark the occasion. Tanya wore a long ivory strapless gown with buttons running down the length of the dress. Bruce wore a black tuxedo with white shirt and ivory tie. Tanya described, "The hakulei and beautiful bouquet of island flowers were unbelievable; simple and elegant. Bruce's maile lei was the perfect masculine touch to accentuate the Hawaiian theme."

Tanya and Bruce couldn't have been more pleased with the Kauai wedding service providers they selected. Tine at Mohala Weddings was fantastic. He knew the location and feeling that was right for us. The team he put together consisting of Pastor Niles and Bob Cox the videographer was excellent. Their talent, energy and care were suburb. The entire experience for us was absolutely perfect!
 

Their reception dinner was sushi and sake at Kitaro's again, just the two of them. When they returned to Kansas City as the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Heinrich, they shared their joyful experience with the family and friends at a cocktail party and reception at the Hotel Phillips in downtown Kansas City.

Their advice for other couples planning a destination wedding? Bruce says, "Just do your homework and ask a lot of questions. Get all agreements in writing. We did a phone interview with the pastor, poured over photographer's portfolios and scrutinized many wedding planners before making our decision. We were very pleased with all of our choices and were relaxed and confident when the day arrived. Another hint: ship your tux and wedding dress to the hotels concierge to have them pressed and prepared for you upon your arrival."

Did they have any regrets? No way! Bruce describes their wedding as, "Absolutely perfect. Our Hawaiian wedding and honeymoon was a storybook fantasy turned reality.

4-1-1
Site of Wedding Ceremony: Shipwreck Point, Poipu, Kauai
Wedding Coordinator and Photographer: Tine Howard, www.mohala.com
Officiant: Pastor Niles
Florist: Blue Orchid
Dress Designer: Christian Michele
Cake Designer: Susie's Date Bar

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