Lanikuhonua Event and Wedding Expo TOMORROW

Lanikuhonua, one of O'ahu's most popular venues for weddings and events, is hosting a highly anticipated Event and Wedding Expo tomorrow at the venue itself, situated in the beautiful Ko'Olina area.  Anyone looking for an outdoor, oceanfront site for a special event will surely benefit by attending.  It is an opportunity to see Lanikuhonua all dressed up, and will feature drawing for great prizes, food, beverage, entertainment, and an array of vendors who can help make an outdoor wedding or event come to fruition.  Participating vendors include caterers, rental companies, entertainment providers, planners, floral designers, decor companies, and more!  To attend this event, which is open to the public, purchase tickets purchase in advance at tix.com or or pay at the door.  Admission is $25 for adults, $12.50 for children 6-12 years old, and it is free for kids under six.  For more information, e-mail or call 808-674-3360.

We love weddings at Lanikuhonua.  It offers stunning views of the ocean and coastline, some of the best sunsets to be found in Hawai'i, an abundance of free parking, and vast open spaces, representing a blank canvas for designing unique and special events.  Here are a few photos from events we have planned there over the years, to provide a sense for how the space can come to life and be transformed for weddings.

Photo by Chrissy Lambert Photography

Photo by Dave Miyamoto & Company

Photo by Stephen Ludwig Fotographi + Art

Photo by Christie Pham Photography

Photo by Marcia Campbell

Photo by Chrissy Lambert Photography

Photo by Eugene Kam Photography

Happy Planning!

Mona

neu events

(formerly known as "Weddings by Grace and Mona")

Venue Spotlight: JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa at Ko 'Olina

Of the many beautiful locations for weddings in Hawai'i, the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa at Ko'Olina has got to be one of our favorites.  Their stunning Lagoon Lawn makes for an amazing, oceanfront ceremony location, and the resort offers many fine options for receptions such as their Ocean Ballroom, Malolo Room, Lurline Room, Hokulani Ballroom, and the Lagoon Lawn, for those wanting open-air dining with a view of the water.  From a planning perspective, we love weddings at the Ihilani due to the flexibility with decor possiblities and the great staff that makes events there come together.

Here are a few photos of weddings we have planned there over the years...

Happy Planning!
Mona

The bride and her 'maids make their way over to the "first look" location.  Photo by Mike Pham Photography.

A romantic kiss by the water at the Ihilani.  Photo by Eugene Kam Photography.

Wedding Trend: party dress!

While definitely not a new or novel concept, the plan for the bride to wear a different dress for dancing the night away has definitely increased in popularity as of late.  Especially in Hawaii where warm days and full, heavy gowns do not always mix, the idea of slipping into a more casual dress is appealing to more and more brides.

Photo by Visionari

Photo by Visionari

They also find a shorter or less formal garment much easier to dance in, and besides, who wouldn't want a reason to shop for another fabulous dress?

The bride donned a flirty and fun dress for her first dance after wearing her formal wedding gown for the ceremony and most of the reception.  Photo by L'amour Photography.

Do you plan to wear a second (or third or fourth) dress for the dancing portion of your wedding?  We'd love to hear more!

Photo by Eugene Kam Photography

Photo by Eugene Kam Photography

Happy dress shopping!


Mona
Weddings by Grace and Mona

The Truth About Plumeria

For those desiring an island-inspired wedding, the beautiful and fragrant plumeria blossoms often come to mind as a natural addition to the floral decor. The simple, clean lines of this five-petaled bloom conjure images of sandy beaches and tropical weather, perfect for a wedding in Hawaii, right?

Photos by Eugene Kam Photography

The truth about plumeria (introduced to Hawaii in 1860 and also referred to as "frangipani") is that it is an extremely delicate flower, is seasonal, and its sap is poisonous if consumed. The fact that it wilts, bruises, and browns quickly once picked from the tree makes it less desirable as a wedding flower, particularly for bouquets if the wedding is an all-day affair. As for its seasonality, some varieties of plumeria only bloom during the summer in Hawaii, while evergreen varieties bloom less in the winter, making it more difficult to source in the non-summer months. Due to its toxic sap, floral designers advise against using fresh plumeria on cakes and cupcakes, and it would probably be wise to avoid using them on napkins as accent flowers.

So does this mean that you should not have plumeria present at your wedding at all? No, if your heart is set on incorporating this flower into your wedding, consult your floral designer and wedding planner for creative ways to "have your plumeria, and (not) eat it, too!" Some suggestions would be to use the plumeria as one of the flowers in arrangements, not making it the primary flower; to have your pastry chef create hand-crafted, edible plumeria for cakes or cupcakes; or to use it ways where less of it is needed, particularly since obtaining large quantities, especially in off-months, may be tricky.

Happy Planning!

Tips and Advice: bringing your wedding gown to Hawaii

Photo by Eugene Kam Photography

For destination brides traveling to Hawai'i for their wedding, we suggest bringing "the one" (your very special wedding gown) with you as a carry on when flying here, rather than checking it in as luggage. Upon arrival in the islands, get it professionally pressed or steamed, by a reputable bridal salon to ensure that it looks its absolute best for your big day. Call the bridal salons in advance, as not all salons will treat gowns that were not purchased there. Some hotels will even provide steaming/pressing services, but check with bridal salons first, as they would be most accustomed to dealing with such specialty garments.

Upon receiving your gown in pristine condition after being pressed or steamed, minimize the likelihood of any wrinkles from setting in by immediately removing the gown from its garment bag, unhooking the train, and spreading out the train. Shoot for pick up or delivery of your gown for the day prior to your wedding. The idea is to have your gown in your possession for as little time as possible, thereby preventing your significant other from accidentally seeing your gown, and from you having to transport the gown during which time more creases could be created.

I hope you are looking forward to getting married here in our island state. Happy planning!

Tips and Advice: selecting the right people to be on your bridal party

Photo by Eugene Kam Photography

I cannot underscore enough the importance of picking the right people to serve as your bridesmaids and groomsmen. On several occasions in my wedding planning career, brides and grooms have confided in me, sharing their frustration with the bridesmaid who seldom calls back... or the groomsman whose arm has to be twisted to go in for a tuxedo fitting... or the opinionated bridal party member who shoots down all of the bride's ideas for her wedding... or even the groomsmen who never plan a bachelor "outing" for the groom... It breaks my heart when couples do not receive the support they should when preparing for such a significant occasion in their lives.

Part of the problem lies in the choice of bridal party members. Often times, couples select bridesmaids and groomsmen out of obligation. They feel they ought to ask certain people to be on their bridal party because this is their oldest friend, or their future sister/brother-in-law, or because the other person asked him/her to be on that person's bridal party previously... There are countless reasons why couples have chosen someone to be on their bridal party just because they felt they should.

However, I would urge couples to instead consider those individuals who will truly take their role as bridesmaid or groomsman to heart. These people should be ones who sincerely care for the bride and groom, and who will take an active part in helping the bride or groom ensure the success of their wedding. Such bridesmaids and groomsmen, maids of honor and best men, make all the difference in seeing to it that the bride and groom enjoy not just their wedding day, but the process of planning it leading up to that special occasion.

Photo by Kris Labang Photography

I have witnessed a number of instances where members of the bridal party have gone above and beyond the call of duty to make the bride's or groom's experience extra special. Some will go shopping with the bride for her gown, or they will even plan unique and creative bonding events such as a bridal party scavenger hunt before the wedding. Another memorable example was the planning and preparation of skits for the couple, performed at their wedding receptions. Even just basic and kind-hearted gestures like helping to assemble favors or helping the couple by running errands for them can make all the difference in a couple feeling supported and extra excited about tying the knot. When it comes to selecting your bridal party members, choose wisely; you'll thank me for it.Photo by Kai Photo

Happy planning!

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!

Featured Wedding #14: Marebel and Chris

Photos by Eugene Kam Photography

Marebel and Chris tied the knot on March 12, 2011 at Lanikuhonua, formally uniting what previously existed not as two separate lives, but also, two separate families. Formerly married and both with children of their own, the happy couple created their modern day "Brady Bunch," which started back when Marebel and Chris would literally go the extra mile to spend time together, with Marebel living here in Hawai'i, and Chris over in Seattle.

To symbolize the blending of families and their union, Marebel and Chris chose to incorporate the sand ceremony into their wedding ceremony, with the different colored vessels of sand each representing the bride, groom, and their children. Marebel and Chris poured their vessels of sand simultaneously, forming an inextricable blend of the two as well as the foundation on which the children's sand was then layered. The meaningful gesture created a beautiful memento from their wedding for them to cherish for years to come.

One of the elements I loved about Marebel and Chris' wedding was the beautiful stationery suite designed and created by Marebel's friends/graphic designers, Darling Dumlao and Robert Mangaoang of Paperland Studio. They created all things paper and more for the wedding, from the invitation to coordinating ceremony program fans, guest book sign in sheets, gift card box, labels for the candy buffet, table numbers, reception programs, and even favor boxes.

During our initial meetings, I would be curious about this "Chris," who had captured Marebel's heart, but on one of his visits in Hawai'i, Chris attended a planning meeting, and I could see from his genuine and gentle disposition, how he made the perfect match for Marebel, an equally kind-hearted and caring person. Since the early stages of wedding planning, Chris has moved permanently to Hawaii and the best news yet...the two will soon be proud parents again are expecting a little one!

Congratulations, Marebel and Chris!!!

Gown-inspired wedding cakes

I love to weave together as many details of the wedding as possible, providing for a more cohesive, and much more personalized look. One way of doing so, is to have the design of the bride's wedding gown reflected in the design of the cake. The result is usually gorgeous - a very subtle, but meaningful way to pull the wedding look together. Here are some examples.

To create this beautiful (and since, oft replicated cake), Katrina of Cake Gallery went to the bride's gown salon to take a photo of her wedding dress. The trim of her gown and embroidery details are reflected in the design of the cake.

Photos by David Murphey

For this next beauty of a cake, we sent cakelava the link for the bride's wedding gown, which then became the design of the cake. Notice the delicate lace and the scalloped v-neck area, along with the gorgeous bow, complete with silver brooch accent. This cake, too, has since been duplicated a number of times, and with a cake as beautiful as this, it is easy to see why.

Photos by Mark Nomura

For this particular wedding cake from Cake Works, the poor groom was kept in the dark as to what his wedding cake would look like, for fear that it might giveaway the design of the bride's wedding gown, which was to be a surprise for him. The pretty ruffles and buttons on the cake mimicked the gown perfectly! Clearly, beautiful gowns inspire some of the most beautiful cakes!

Photos by Eugene Kam Photography

"May Day is Lei Day in Hawai'i"

The phrase, "May Day is Lei Day in Hawai'i" was coined by Grace Tower Warren, who is credited along with poet, Don Blanding, for establishing Lei Day as a holiday held on May 1. It celebrates the Hawaiian lei-making and lei-wearing custom and many local governments and schools in Hawaii celebrate May Day. At the schools, May Day features a "royal" court, where students elected as princes and princesses don leis representing each of the eight Hawaiian islands. Now how does this relate to weddings, you ask?

If looking ahead to a wedding in early May, keep in mind that the demand for leis increases, thus driving up their cost. Today, for example, a Micronesian ginger lei, which normally sells for $10 at Lin's Lei Shop, is now $18, and prices should remain high 'til Mother's Day, which is when lei prices traditionally hit their all-time-high. Be prepared to spend a little more for your leis, or choose alternatives, such as boutonnieres and corsages, if wanting to avoid the inflated lei prices. Happy Lei Day!

Groom and groomsmen wearing maile-pikake leis. Groomsmen in middle carrying Micronesian ginger leis wrapped with ilima. Groomsmen on right carrying multi-colored cigar leis. Photo by Visionari.

Mother of the bride wearing a Maunaloa lei. Photo by Eugene Kam Photography

Vendor Highlight: Eugene Kam Photography

I thought it might be helpful to start introducing Hawaii's vendors to readers, and giving them a bit of my "insider insight," as many of you may be in need of their services. For my first feature, I've selected one of the veterans in the wedding industry, Eugene Kam Photography.

Eugene is one of the photographers who have successfully transitioned from the film to digital age of photography, and because of this, he brings with him a solid foundation in technique. What I admire most about Eugene's work, is his ability to capture couples at their best, through direction and an understanding of how to minimize physical traits that couples may find less flattering (such as significant height differences, "fluffy" areas) while accentuating their best features.

He also offers couples a full range of products, including albums, thank you cards, and now, he even sends couples a mini, lightweight, paperback album with photos from their wedding. Special touches like this, and his calendar Valentine's card with the wedding date marked with a heart, make his truly a complete and comprehensive service.

Tips and Advice: veil length for an outdoor wedding

Photo by Eugene Kam Photography

When it comes to veils, I love the drama and elegance of a cathedral length veil, but for outdoor weddings, I always suggest fingertip length or shorter. The elements can wreak havoc on a long veil, causing it to get dirty while walking down a grassy aisle, and more importantly, the beauty of the long veil gets lost when wind picks it up and tugs ungracefully at a beautiful hair style. At a dear friend's oceanfront wedding, the wind blew so strongly that her veil actually flew off before she had a chance to reach her groom at the "altar" area of the ceremony.

Note to grooms: if heading to windy locales with your bride on your wedding day, help to prevent the flying veil situation from occurring by placing your arm around her back, gently holding the veil in place, particularly while walking around, or even while taking pictures in windy areas. Be careful not to pull on the veil, as it could potentially undo a pretty hair style. A veil in place is a good veil indeed!

elbow-length veil illuminated by light from the window
Photo by Visionari