Standing on the cliffs overlooking the vast Pacific, Brett McHenry felt a sudden rush of emotion as his bride, Tanya Karnavy, walked toward him. She had never looked so beautiful. It was the culmination of months of anticipation, particularly since neither had been made privy to any of the details of the wedding day until now. Tanya and Brett had been selected as the winners of “Down the Isle”, a contest held by the Four Seasons Resort Lanai and Hawaii News Now. It is not every day that a couple wins a $150,000 wedding, so when the day arrived, it was surreal. “That’s when it finally hit home that we had won this amazing wedding, and with our families there with us… It was a big moment,” says Brett. The two were married on February 18, 2010 at the 12th hole at the Challenge of Manele golf course. Not even the spectacular views or their guests pointing in awe at breaching whales could distract either of them during the ceremony. “We didn’t even notice!” says Tanya. Looking into Brett’s eyes, the rest of the world seemed to fall away as they exchanged vows to become husband and wife.

Most brides wouldn’t dream of relinquishing control of their wedding. But Tanya was more than happy to comply when her friends convinced her to enter the contest in which every single detail of her wedding would be decided by complete strangers. To tip the scales in their favor, friends and family covered their application envelope with hand written notes and sentiments expressing why they deserved such an honor—and it worked! Several months later, Tanya and Brett were excited and a little nervous wondering what the local news audience had selected on their behalf. From the flower arrangements to the rings and even Tanya’s dress, Hawaii viewers literally planned every aspect by voting for their favorite elements of the wedding. The lucky couple was kept in suspense until just days before the event. “Even though we didn’t have the stress of planning, I felt a little overwhelmed as our guests all arrived at the resort,” says Tanya. So Brett promptly whisked her away for an intimate breakfast to calm the pre-wedding nerves. In the end, they agree that they wouldn’t have changed a thing.

It all began in Honolulu in January, 2009 when the fun-loving couple first met at a local pub. Brett happily abandoned his friends and spent the evening talking with Tanya. Since they lived just three miles apart, getting together was easy and natural, and they both realized quickly that their friendship had blossomed into something more. Tanya was completing her residency in pediatric dentistry, and on their fifth date, she shared the possibility that she may have to relocate to Boston for school. “I knew that if she left, I would follow,” recalls Brett. Tanya was just as smitten, saying, “I knew that I was in love with Brett just ten days after we met. I had never felt that way before.” Seeing him at his workplace teaching autistic children sealed the deal. “There was something special about him. I just knew that he was the one for me,” says Tanya.

Eight months later, Brett proposed. Having asked and received the traditional blessing of her parents, who are from Thailand, he waited for the ideal moment. On an afternoon trip to the park, Brett dropped to his knee to present her with a sparkling diamond, which she accepted without hesitation. Wedding plans became the predominant topic of discussion, and the pair agreed to eliminate the expense and stress of a large wedding by holding a smaller family affair. “I could see on her face that she really wanted something bigger,” recalls Brett. The contest changed everything. Not only would it eliminate the tension of planning the myriad details of an event of this magnitude, it allowed them to treat their closest friends and family members to the beautiful island of Lanai. The night preceding the wedding, the Four Seasons hosted an impromptu cocktail party, giving guests an opportunity to become acquainted. “It was the first time our families had met and we were a little concerned, but they got along so well!” says Tanya. It was the perfect prelude to a fabulous wedding and reception the next day. Floral designer Yvonne Chapman decorated the ceremony site in a vibrant arch of flowers to mimic the Hawaiian sunset. The beautiful bride entered on her father’s arm wearing a delicate lace v-neck gown tied with a silk sash. She carried a festive hand-tied bouquet of vivid roses and petite starfish-shaped Mokara orchids, a single orchid tucked in her dark hair. The photographers of Visionari captured each and every nuance of the day, all the while dodging camera-toting guests who couldn’t resist the exquisite background—whales and all!

Later that evening, Yvonne transformed the oceanfront ballroom with a festive Moroccan-inspired setting. Tables were arranged crosswise so that everyone could carry on conversations and celebrate as one family. Overhead, dramatic swaths of fabric allowed for even more intimacy among tall floral centerpieces in vivid hues of crimson, yellow and orange. Lanterns cast a soft glow over the tables, while guests dined on a scrumptious meal of chilled prawns and leeks, barbecue braised ribs and crab tempura. A three-tiered tropical wedding cake with coconut haupia filling was the perfect ending.

Guests mingled after dinner as a Hawaiian duo played softly in the background. Tanya and Brett couldn’t have imagined a more remarkable wedding day. Reflecting on the legendary service, Brett says, “We were just amazed at how the Four Seasons goes above and beyond in every possible way.” From the extraordinary work of the vendors to the exquisite accommodations, it was a magical event that no one will soon forget, at least not until next year’s contest.