Tips and Advice: prepare photos from your hair and make-up trial for your wedding

Hair and make-up trial or practice sessions with your hair and make-up artist prior to the wedding day help tremendously to solidify your bridal look. We recommend taking photos from the trial session and bringing them with you on the day of your wedding, to best jog your hair and make-up stylist's memory so that s/he can replicate the look, or can adjust the style as you wish by referencing the photos. Some hair and make-up artists will take and bring their own photos of you from the trial for your wedding, but if not, be prepared and take some on your own to best ensure the look you're most happy with on your wedding day.

Note how well Nica Jacinto of Flaunt replicated Shirley's hair and make-up style from the trial session style on the wedding day.

Photos by Kai Photo

Tips and Advice: devise a shot list

As the saying goes, "hindsight 20-20." In retrospect, many couples after their wedding wish their photographer and/or videographer had captured, say, more images of the guests, or a shot just with grandma, or some of the key moments and special touches planned for the day. Of course, nothing can replace those memories, but documenting them through film truly helps to relive those memories and to share them with others.

For those in the process of planning their wedding, we suggest creating a photo shot list, to include things that the photographer and videographer would not intuitively know to capture. For example, it would be unnecessary to include "bride and groom together" on the shot list because naturally, your photographer and videographer will know to shoot this, but the out of the ordinary requests are those that should definitely be included. Perhaps you would like a close-up of your grandmother's handkerchief that she has shared with you for your wedding, or it could be a photo sharing a toast with the groomsmen and the fathers prior to the ceremony. What touching images these would make!

To illustrate, here are some shot requests by other brides and grooms...

The bride and groom's "first sight" shot when they see each other for the first time on their wedding day, but the groom instead being more overwhelmed to see his "true love" (his car)

Photos by Kai Photo

A photo with the littlest and dearest member of the family - their dog

Photo by Kris Labang Photography

Photos at sunset

Photo by Kris Labang Photography

Photo of the bride and groom shooting themselves with their cell phones (to tie into their "When Apple Meets Droid" theme) after being pronounced "husband and wife"

Photo by Kai Photo

Note: an overly extensive shot list will mean that your photographer and videographer may end up spending more time checking things off the list than on capturing some great candids, so review your list with your wedding planner, photographer, and videographer to ensure that the list makes sense given the timing of the day.

Happy Planning!

The Knot's 2011 Cocktails and Connections Honolulu event - Part 2

Photos by Chrissy Lambert Photography

The Knot's Cocktails and Connections 2011 Honolulu event for wedding industry professionals featured such a plethora of creative contributions by so many of O'ahu's talented vendors, that one blog entry just would not adequately sum up the many facets of the event. Here's part 2 of my recap of the August 23, 2011 event held at the YWCA.

To create much of the ambiance, particularly after the sun had set, Eggshell Light Company "worked their magic" to highlight the different areas of the space and to create a festive and dramatic mood. The playful patterns projected onto the courtyard, against the walls, and into the swimming pool effectively yet subtly broke up the space without shining into guests' eyes. Even the layers of colors created by selecting different hues for the foreground and background created lots of visual interest, not often seen at weddings with hard-and-fast color palettes.

Entertainment for the evening consisted of a slam poetry performance by Kealoha of Slam Hawai'i, a flare bartending performance by Ryan Pierce of Lift Your Spiritz, on-site painting of the night's scene by Kimi Werner, a same day edit featuring guests in attendance, and a very special presentation from The Knot.

As a parting gift, guests chose a bottle of their favorite Waialua Soda flavor (root beer, pineapple vanilla cream, mango, Kona Red, or lilikoi). Each bottle sported a favor tag from Emi Ink to match the rest of the stationery items, and the gilded frame on the table from Scene Events instructed guests to help themselves. These bottles could then be tucked into a swag bag filled with goodies including delightful chocolate dipped sweets from Big Island Candies; a gift certificate for wine tasting for two and corkscrew from Oeno Winemaking; a water bottle from The Knot; and a chocolate bar with gift card entitling the bearer to 20% off spa services from The Spa at Trump.

Before bidding each other a fond aloha and goodnight, participating vendors gathered round for a group photo, waving "shaka" (or "hang loose") signs in the air. As with any event, it amazes me to see months of hard work pass by in just a few short hours, but the good times had by all make it always well worth the effort. A sincere and heartfelt mahalo goes out to all who contributed to making the event possible, and to those who took time out of their busy schedules to join us.

The Knot's 2011Cocktails and Connections Honolulu event

If you by chance happen to be reading this, then you are already familiar with The Knot and its tremendous presence in the wedding industry. Understandably, then, you can imagine what an honor it was for us to be asked to orchestrate their Cocktails and Connections event in Honolulu earlier this year (on August 23, 2011, to be exact). Our response was a hearty "yes" and we dove right in to the planning.

As with planning any event, one of the very first steps involves selecting the location. Darby Sherwood, Account Executive for The Knot, simply requested that the venue be one that was located in Honolulu, and rather new or unpublicized in wedding circles. After a couple of site visits and a bit of deliberation, the YWCA Laniakea emerged as the choice of locale.

The YWCA's stately architecture drew to mind images of grand European fine art museums and hence arose the museum theme for the event. To bring to life the theme, we enlisted the services of stationer, Stacey Shiroma Branch of Emi Ink, who created beautiful program with fold-out maps and admission tickets for guests upon arrival, and placards for the various "art" displayed throughout the venue. In fact, even the valet tickets were customized to match all of the stationery pieces in matching fonts and card stocks.

As far as "art" was concerned for the museum theme, human statues graced the hall, and were poised on custom-made all white platforms beneath the charmeuse draped arches along the hall. Christine Gardner and Nica Jacinto of Flaunt airbrushed the models in gold make up to match the wedding gowns, also painted in gold by Christine. The placards on the platforms describing each statue completed the look for the "Hall of Statues" created in the space that separated the pool from the Courtyard.

Other pieces of "art" included the floral displays by Spinning WEB Florist, placed purposefully in the middle of the Courtyard, as well as in the "Portrait Gallery," which by day, serves as the YWCA's Cafe Laniakea. Wendy of Spinning WEB added a Midas touch to many of the items, playing with the white and gold color scheme of the event, incorporating over-sized frames to further emphasize the fine art feel. We added stanchions from Accel Party Rentals and Designs as well, to rope off the floral portraits on the walls, as one would find in many major museums. To top it off, benches from Vignette in front of each of the floral designs allowed guests to pause and admire the artwork.

Inside the Portrait Gallery, The Spa at Trump set up a mini spa for guests to enjoy chair massages and Gemstone hand massages with oils from Dubai. Naomi Lee and Cari Nakanishi of Vignette delineated the space with panels of sheer fabric and softened the area with a plush all-white, faux fur area rug and satin covered benches. Guests knew exactly which services to choose from by viewing the spa menu, designed by Emi Ink and set in a gilded gold frame from Scene Events.



Mahalo to all the participating vendors who made The Knot's Cocktails and Connections 2011 Honolulu event possible:

A Cup of Tea
Accel Party & Design
Ben & Maila
Big Island Candies
cakelava
Casablanca Bridal and Formals
Chrissy Lambert Photography
Eggshells Light Company
Emi Ink
Flaunt
Ginniberries Catering
Hawai'i Slam
Kai Media
Kimi Werner
Les Saisons
Lift Your Spiritz Mobil Bartending Service
Market ADvantage
Oeno Winemaking
Prestige Valet Service
Randy Allen
Scene Events
Shakabooth
ShowTime DJs
Spinning WEB Florist
The Spa at Trump
Vignette
YWCA - Laniakea
Wahoo's Fish Tacos
Waialua Soda Works
Weddings by Grace and Mona

Money Dances in Hawaii

Photos by Dave Miyamoto and Company

Several different cultures have some form of a money dance at weddings. At certain weddings, male guests will pay the maid of honor to join in a dance with the bride or female guests will pay the best man to dance with the groom. At others, such as at Samoan weddings, the guests will literally shower the happy couple with money. The most prevalent style in Hawaii, however, most likely evolved from the traditional Filipino money dance.


Typically, the money dance occurs at the end of the program, and often leads into dancing for the rest of the event. By placing it after all the other formalities such as cake cutting, toasts and speeches, parent dances, etc., a lengthy money dance does not preclude the guests from enjoying any other portion of the program, especially since money dances can last the duration of several songs. Following the money dance, guests may choose to return home, or stay for dancing.


Once the money dance begins, guests politely form a line, coming up to the bride and groom one by one, and placing a bill on either the bride or groom, for the other to retrieve with his or her mouth. The result is a sometimes provocative and entertaining display, as well as swollen coffers for the bride and groom to embark on their married life together.


Some tips if planning on this style of money dance:

• choose several songs to dance to, especially if anticipating a large number of participants
  
• assign someone to assist by collecting the money received
• prepare slips of paper to wrap the money in for hygienic reasons
• pack a bag or basket in which to collect the money
  
• ask someone to hold on to the money until the end of the reception, or deposit into the safety deposit box if at a hotel

Here's to a prosperous life as husband and wife!

Dillingham Ranch: beautiful venue for outdoor weddings

Many search high and low for just the right venue at which to hold their wedding. Local couples prefer to select a location where their friends have not already been married at, and destination couples prefer a site that captures the beauty of Hawaii. On a recent visit to Dillingham Ranch, I rediscovered this hidden gem which might charm the hearts of any couple wanting to celebrate their wedding outdoors.

Tucked away in Waialua, far from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, lies the expansive Dillingham Ranch. I mentioned having "rediscovered" it, as it had been years since my last visit there, and the property seems even better than I had remembered it.

The lake area vegetation has been cleared away to reveal the lake's glassy surface, reflecting the flora and skies above. I imagine many couples wanting that feeling of being in the country will fall in love this very spot for engagement photos, or even for a ceremony. Being somewhat of a city girl myself, spending but a few moments at the beautiful lake felt like such a treat, and a peaceful getaway, even if only for our half-day location scout.

The real highlight was seeing the lodge, beautifully restored to its original elegance, with modern day amenities to make it wont for nothing. Upon arriving at the lodge, an impeccably manicured lawn greets you. The space is perfect for a cocktail reception with the lilting sounds of live musicians under the eaves by the plumeria tree, a bar on the opposite end, and butler passed hors d'oeuvres to whet guests' appetite.

The living area inside boasts beautiful hard wood floors, a working fireplace, and a magnificent view of the mountains with rows of arching palm trees serving as the backdrop for a tented or alfresco reception. From a wedding planning perspective, it is the kitchen which amazes me, designed for entertaining large parties, and perfect for caterers' use.

If wanting an ocean view, the Hawaii Polo Fields, located across the street from Dillingham Ranch's entrance, features a beautiful ocean view and a location so remote that few beach-goers ever find their way their sandy shores. Managers of the two properties work hand-in-hand with one another, so a ceremony by the ocean, photos by the lake, and reception at the lodge could easily be arranged. The combination joins together the best of Hawaii, with ocean and mountain views in an area so isolated, it feels as if being whisked away to the idyllic days of yesteryear, a slower time before technology seemed to increase the pace of our lives.

For more information about Dillingham Ranch, call (808) 637-8088. Aloha!

Photos courtesy of Dillingham Ranch

Tips and Advice: second pair of shoes

Photos by Eugene Kam Photography

To much of the chagrin of many a groom, I often suggest that brides consider getting a second pair of footwear for their wedding day. Just as Cinderella would not be complete without her perfectly fitting glass slippers, so would a bride be incomplete without her "to-die-for" shoes. That's right, brides! I'm giving you a justifiable reason for shopping for another pair of shoes.


Truth be told, the picture perfect pair of shoes may not necessarily be ideal for comfort or for walking in grass. Select your must-have shoes for picture taking and naturally, the garter removal if tossing the garter, and switch into the practical pair for walking about and for dancing the night away. In fact, some brides will even opt for fancier flip-flops as their second pair, perfect for weddings in Hawai'i! Note: be sure that both pairs are of the same height to ensure that the gown length remains the same. Happy shoe hunting!

Leis for Weddings

Now I know I've blogged about this topic before, but with destination weddings, many couples find the culture and usage of leis a bit foreign, so I thought I might help to shed light on the subject. Who should get a lei, and what type of lei is appropriate to give?

Let's start with the bridal party. For grooms, the most popular would be the maile lei, whose fragrant leaves look masculine and readily identifies a person of honor. It also does not stain clothing - a big plus on any occasion. Maile leis are typically reserved for "VIPs," so these would be appropriate for the groom, groomsmen, fathers, officiants, and even emcees, if this person is someone dear to you.

Kevin sports a maile with tuberose lei for his wedding earlier this year. Photo by Christie Pham Photography.

As for brides, one of my favorites is the rope pikake lei. The pikake, or jasmine blossom, resembles a dainty pearl and its sweet fragrance delicately scents its wearer. I recommend the rope over the multiple strands, as the individual flowers may separate on a strand, revealing the thread or floss holding the blooms together, whereas the rope style of lei retains its shape nicely, even after many hugs and a long day.

Nancy wore the beautiful and fragrant rope pikake lei for her reception and sunset photos on Waikiki Beach. Photo by Eclat Photography.

For moms and special female guests, something "fancier" and with a pretty scent usually serves well to acknowledge key people. Pikake leis, Micronesian ginger leis, double tuberose leis, and fancy orchid work nicely. (FYI - orchid leis generally do not have a fragrance.) For dads and special male guests, opt for leis without fragrance; some of the more popular varieties include kukui-mock orange and cigar leis.

Tiare's new mother-in-law and her mom wear beautiful Micronesian ginger leis for the wedding. Photo by Kai Photo.

As for out-of-town guests and even extended family members, a simple lei generally serves as a thoughtful gesture to recognize these people, without upstaging "VIPs" such as parents or bridal party members. Some suggestions include a single strand tuberose lei, single strand orchid lei, single strand lantern ilima lei, or single strand crown flower lei, to name a few. These typically cost less but still fulfill the objective of acknowledging these guests in a kind way. Choose flowers that match the colors of the wedding; the photos look even better when things are nicely coordinated.

Remember that the giving of leis is by no means a requirement, so do not feel obligated to give leis at your wedding, but if doing so, be sure to give them from the heart. Consult your floral designer, lei shop, or wedding planner for more ideas and tips on selecting leis for your wedding and enjoy the happy smiles of your guests when they get "lei'd in Hawaii!"

Tips and Advice: picking a veil with the right comb

Photo by Chrissy Lambert Photography

I just attended a hair and make-up trial session at the Naturally You studio with our bride who will be getting married this week, and hair and make-up artist extraordinaire, CJ Bae of Naturally You, shared with me a fantastic tip that I thought merited a blog entry of its own. With regard to veils, often times, they come attached to combs to secure to the bride's hair. Not all veils need to be secured with a comb, and some simply require a few bobby pins for keeping the veil in place, but if selecting one with a comb, opt for the metal combs as opposed to the plastic varieties.

Photo by Dave Miyamoto and Company

Often times, brides will don their veil for the wedding ceremony and formal picture taking, then will remove their veil, which may be a bit cumbersome to wear with guests giving the bride many hugs, and with it being less easy to move around with, for the reception. The plastic comb on a veil, however, will leave dents or marks in the bride's beautiful hair style, whereas the metal combs do not. Today's tip: if selecting the type of veil that has a comb attached to it, pick the "dent-free" option and go for one with a metal comb.

Kana with her veil for the formal picture taking, and without it following the ceremony. Photo by Visionari.

Kimono for Weddings in Hawaii

I recently learned of a new service now being offered by Zest Hawaii for couples wanting to add a unique, Japanese element to their wedding in Hawaii. Zest's "Kimono Reception Package" for brides and grooms includes a choice of kimono, assistance with getting dressed, hair and make-up styling for the kimono outfit, and a second hair and make-up styling for the wedding gown, and even someone on-site to assist!


Having donned a kimono before, I can definitely appreciate the fine skill involved in dressing someone in this beautiful garment. In fact, kimono-kitsuke, or dressing someone in kimono, is considered an art form in Japan, requiring years of study and training. What makes Zest's offering so much more impressive, is that the professional responsible for dressing brides and grooms in kimono took first place in a kimono dressing contest in Japan, a noteworthy distinction indeed!


Zest also offers a photo package for couples who would prefer to dress in kimono for photos, but just not on the wedding day. This "Modern Kimono Photo Plan" includes kimono and props for the bride and groom, dressing assistance, hair (Japanese kimono-style wig or "regular" styling) and make-up for the bride, along with a photo shoot at Aloha Tower, including 70 shots and a CD of images. Imagine what fun and unexpected engagement portraits these would make!


To learn more about the kimono options available through Zest Hawaii, call 808-591-0123, or e-mail info@zesthawaii.com.