It was never a question that Lyndie Dupuis and Andy Irons would be married on the Iron’s home island of Kauai. They set out to find an oceanfront location on the North Shore that was private, quiet and most importantly, beautiful. They choose to hold an afternoon celebration on a pristine stretch of grass above Anini Beach near Hanalei Bay. They wanted everything to be intimate and relaxed. Crisp brown invitations designed by the bride disclosed only the wedding date, keeping the location a secret. With only a few months to plan, Lyndie called upon her best friend Amy Hamilton to see through her vision of an understated and modern event. “She knows me so well, it was easy and stress-free,” the bride says. Wedding coordinator Deanna Schafer of I Do Weddings lined up the island’s top vendors, including flowers by Blossoms Kauai and catering by Joe’s on the Green. The bride’s vision for the wedding décor took cues from the interior of the couple’s home— modern, understated and serene. “I wanted the setting to have the Zen-like feel of Asian décor,” she says.
The wedding day arrived and guests were greeted with the music of Paul Togioka and the easygoing sounds of his slack key guitar. A dramatic floral altar of white dendrobium orchids, fuji mums, stargazer lilies, and stephanotis enhanced the natural splendor of the setting. The bride looked especially beautiful that day in an icy white silk gown with loose flowers in her hair. She held a cascading bouquet of white phalaenopsis orchids with bursts of yellow. Her bridesmaids carried bouquets of yellow cymbidium orchids, green chinaberries and equestrian reed stems against their chocolate brown dresses. Andy was handsome in a beige Calvin Klein suit and maile lei.
The couple exchanged vows in a spiritual ceremony officiated by Hawaiian minister Calvin Ho. The groom honored the traditions of Hawaii in breaking open a coconut shell to symbolize a new beginning. Two adorable ring bearers presented the couple with a starfish containing their wedding bands tied to satin. The glowing newlyweds sealed their union with a kiss and a lasting embrace. After the ceremony a second wave of attendees arrived for dinner and dancing beneath a grand tent aglow with candlelight. Simple arrangements of green cymbidium orchids sat in square vases atop chocolate-brown linens with embroidered polka dots for a fun look. The bride’s sister Aimee brought back miniature Buddha statues from Bali that were offered to each guest in a sign of gratitude. The newlyweds enjoyed a private lounge area adorned with sleek furniture and candlelight throughout the evening. “Everything happens so quickly, it was nice to escape together to take in the moment,” Lyndie says.
Andy and Lyndie carefully selected each item on the contemporary “Hawaii style” menu. Guests dined on a delicious assortment of fresh ahi sashimi and Furikake crusted fish with a ginger wasabi aioli. A highlight of the evening was a touching speech by the groom’s brother Bruce conveying the importance of family. After an elegant wedding cake was served, the entire party took to the dance floor. Lyndie reminisces on an evening filled with extraordinary love and warmth,“I think about that day ever since it happened. I couldn’t have asked for anything else.”