At the Iliahi Estate, Kauai, Kalee in her Tara Lauren Winslow bridal gown married Chris in a fun & celebratory wedding with family & friends.
Of her Winslow gown, Kalee said “The Winslow dress was my dream dress. Actually, Tara Lauren had my dream dresses! …when I finally tried on the Winslow dress, I finally got that feeling that every bride talks about, that moment it finally clicks and deep down, you realize that THIS. THE. DRESS!”
Names: Kalee & Christopher
Wedding Date: 08/31/2019
Guest Numbers: 300
Wedding Location: Iliahi Estate, Kauai
Photographer: Tess Tadlock
Tell Us Your Love Story
How did you meet?
Our mutual friend at our small college in Prescott, AZ introduced the both of us. As we started talking, we found out that we were both from the same island, (Kauai) but didn’t know each other because I (Kalee) went to a different high/boarding school on Oahu. So it was a pleasant surprise to meet someone else from Kauai at our small college.
How did he put a ring on it?
Chris was getting deployed to Qatar for 6 months and told me, and all of our friends and family that he wanted to spend his last dinner on Kauai, down our family’s beach property. He sent me and my best friend to grab things from the store while everyone else would set “dinner” up. As soon as my best friend and I turned the corner I noticed Chris, kneeling on one leg with a ring in his hand and each of our friends holding a letter that spelt out “MARRY ME?” Surprised was an understatement because I thought the dinner was for him and it turned out to be the best surprise of my life because I did not expect at all.
Where did you draw inspiration from?
I got lots of inspiration from Junebug Weddings and from Tessa Tadlock, our wedding photographer! Tessa shot so many weddings that had the same vibe that we were looking for.
What made the wedding personal to you?
The fact that we found a venue big enough to accommodate all of our friends and family! We both have huge families and lots of friends and we wanted to celebrate with
everyone. Our family also cooked all of our wedding food so it made it even more memorable. Chris’s dad was also our Pastor who married the both of us! We couldn’t have made it any more personable than having his dad bless our marriage.
What were you most nervous or excited about?
We were most nervous about missing anyone in our thank you speeches. We had so much help that we didn’t want to miss anyone because we really appreciated everyone coming together and giving us the most special day we could have asked for.
Now, the most important part – the Dress!
Tell us about your dress?
The Winslow dress was my dream dress. Actually, Tara Lauren had my dream dresses! I fell in love with the 2018 collection. It came down between the Henley and Winslow dress. But when I finally tried on the Winslow dress, I finally got that feeling that every bride talks about, that moment it finally clicks and deep down, you realize that THIS. THE. DRESS! The Winslow dress was everything I imagined it would be. The off the shoulder lace sequinned gown was exactly what I was looking for!
What stockist did you get it from?
I was super lucky that Tara Lauren was doing a trunk show at Bellasposa Bridal & Photography in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. I’m a flight attendant for Hawaiian Airlines so me and my friends was able to work an LA trip just so I could attend the trunk show!
What was your most memorable moment from your day?
I think the most memorable part of the day was during our ceremony. As I was walking down the aisle, I noticed the boys looking a little stressed and looking on the ground for some reason. When I finally met Chris, he whispers to me that his brother dropped my ring while he was walking down the aisle. I couldn’t help but laugh because no wonder the boys looked extremely stressed!
When the time came to exchange vows and put the rings on, his brother quietly tells his wife in the first row to hand over her wedding ring. And all I could think of at that moment, was that I hope it fits, so I just started laughing again because it was so funny that I’m over here stressing if the ring was going to fit and that Chris’s brother looks he’s ready to pass out from all the stress. It was so funny, trying to pretend that everything is 100% going according to plan but really we have a diamond ring lost somewhere and no one but the bridal party knew what was going on and that we married each other with our sister in laws wedding ring! Luckily Chris’s sister found the ring right after the ceremony, but we will forever remember the time Chris’s brother (Micah) lost our wedding ring and gave us his wives!
Vendors to credit:
Venue: Iliahi Estate // Photography: Tessa Tadlock // Videography: Jimmy Jensen // Event Design, Florals, Furniture: HiLight Installations // Make Up Artist: Mia Moriguchi // Shave Ice: Wailua Shave Ice