Use of Lighting to Add a Hint of Drama and Elegance at Weddings

One of the hottest trends on the wedding scene is the incorporation of specialty lighting at wedding receptions. When tastefully done, it lends a certain level of drama and sophistication to an event. I love the way lighting highlighted Kelly and Don's tangerine orange theme color, helping to transition the whole event (down to the table tops) from a pretty daytime look to a dramatic evening look.

Here, the orange lighting combined with the billowy swags of orange fabric accentuate and highlight the wedding cake.

And even the glasses of champagne look dreamy...

Dancing the night away becomes even more fun when surrounded by lighting effects to enhance the festive mood.

Special recognition goes to Christie Pham Photography for so artfully capturing the lighting and elegance of the affair, and to Mood Event for the stunning lighting and fabric treatments.

Mochi Ice Cream: a fabulous treat for island weddings

Photo by David Murphey of Perfekt Photo

Put a Hawai'i-Japanese spin on your wedding with locally made mochi ice cream. It makes a delightful dessert or even a welcome bite upon arrival at a Hawai'i wedding reception, particularly when incorporating tropical flavors like lilikoi, guava, or mango. Pictured above: chocolate, green tea, and mango mochi ice cream from Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream and Desserts, butler passed after dinner at a casually elegant, outdoor, beachfront wedding.

A thin layer of pounded, sweetened, glutinous rice called "mochi" encases a ball of rich ice cream, creating a gourmet experience. Both mochi and ice cream can be made with different flavors, making it fun to sample multiple combinations. The green tea ranks #1 on my list, but I love many of the other flavors as well.

Be sure to consult with your wedding planner and caterer if desiring this yummy but temperature sensitive item. Service of mochi ice cream requires proper handling (and timing) to prevent it from melting before guests get to enjoy it, particularly if planning for an outdoor affair. That said, the small, additional logistical consideration for offering mochi ice cream is well worth it.

Featured Wedding #2: Jacque and Cameron

Photos by Eddy Fong of Ren'ai Photography

One of the most fun weddings I've had the pleasure of coordinating has to be Jacque and Cameron's at the Hale Koa Hotel's Lu'au Garden, and their wedding photos say it all. Smiles and laughter filled the day starting from the "getting ready" portion of the day straight through 'til the end of night. Their want for a non-pretentious and fun-time-for-all wedding was achieved, and the result? Memories to cherish for the rest of their lives.

the happy newlyweds

hamming it up in the Bambooth photo booth

garter toss - "Cameron style"

cakelava's Food Network Challenge to Air in April

As many already know, Hawai'i's very own cakelava participated in a Food Network challenge; no one but the show's producers and the challenge participants know the outcome, so to find out, tune in to the Food Network for the much anticipated airing of "Food Network Challenge: Sponge Bob Birthday Cakes." Here are the dates:

Apr 04, 2010: 8:00 PM ET/PT

Apr 05, 2010: 3:00 AM ET/PT

Apr 07, 2010: 7:00 PM ET/PT

The Food Network, on several occasions in the past couple years, invited cakelava to take part in their show and this one in particular was a great one for cakelava to be able to participate in for their very first time, as Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants show is one of the most popular shows on TV. Challengers invited to compete in Food Network challenges represent some of the very best in the industry and invitation is definitely an honor.

We're all so proud of cakelava and are looking forward to rooting for them on April 4th when the show airs and the results made public for the very first time!

In the meantime, enjoy some photos of cakelava cakes for clients of Weddings by Grace and Mona, a small sampling of cakelava's beautiful cakes for weddings during their five years in business in Hawai'i...


Images from (L-R) by name of couple for whom the cake was created: Andrea and Pete, Annabella and David (photo by Chrissy Lambert), Candice and Timothy (photo by Chrissy Lambert), Candice and Timothy (photo by Chrissy Lambert), Carisse and Todd (photo by Chrissy Lambert), Carly and Matthew (photo by Dave Miyamoto and Co.), Heather and Randall (photo by Christiaan Phleger), Janelle and Alex (photo by Stephen Ludwig), Janelle and Alex (photo by Stephen Ludwig), Kindy and Will (photo by Dylan Dawson)