Featured Wedding #13: Stacey and Dan

Photos by Mark Nomura

What happens when a wedding vendor gets married? Why, the result is nothing short of fabulous! We had the distinct honor and pleasure of coordinating the wedding of wedding industry colleague, Stacey, aka "Emi," of the famed, Hawaii-based stationer and graphic designer, Emi Ink. In just a few days, Stacey and her hubby, Dan, will be celebrating their anniversary, and while their wedding took place almost four years ago, the details that Stacey planned for her wedding were so ahead of their time, that they'd be considered trendy today. I wanted to share some of the unique and original ideas that Stacey implemented into her own wedding.

With Stacey being the designer of fine stationery, I affectionately dubbed Stacey and Dan's wedding the "paper wedding." Ever considered incorporating a complete stationery suite for your wedding? Well Stacey and Dan had it all.

Naturally, one of the very first impressions that guests receive of a wedding is the invitation, which sets the tone for the celebration to come. Stacey designed an invitation nothing short of original, incorporating multiple layers of card stock, including a modern printed one, and chose to off-set it, lining the edges of each layer on the right for a chic and contemporary look. The six Swarovski crystals, also right-justified, added the perfect touch of elegance.

Upon arrival at one of my favorite venues, the Hau Terrace at the Halekulani, guests stopped by the reception table to drop off gifts. In lieu of the traditional envelope box to hold monetary gifts, Stacey's dad, an artist himself whose medium of choice is metal, lovingly welded individual pieces of washers and rings into a one-of-a-kind, fashionable and edgy, receptacle for Stacey and Dan's cards. To tie into the paper theme, Stacey added a cameo piece, matching the invitations, complete with another six Swarovski crystals and printed card stock. (Note the pretty paper flowers in the foreground, also created by Stacey.)

In order to ensure that special guests would enjoy VIP seating at the ceremony, Stacey designed pretty "reserved" cards, which we affixed to designated chairs. These, too, shared the same font and paper selections used in the invitations and the gift card receptacle cameo.

During the ceremony, guests followed along with Stacey and Dan's beautiful printed program, delicately adorned with more Swarovski crystals.


Proceeding the outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour on the terrace, guests then moved inside for the reception, where they were treated to more of Stacey's artistry.

Favor boxes, flowers, and printed "ribbon" made of paper...

Centerpiece vases made of paper...

Paper flowers at the base of the cake...



And place cards, too!

Congratulations, Stacey and Dan! Here's to many more years of blissful marriage, and continued success with Emi Ink!

Featured Wedding #12: Lynn and Damien

Photos by Frank Amodo

Lynn and Damien's over-the-top, glamorous wedding struck a beautiful balance of elegance and style, which naturally blended with their own down-to-earth modesty, lovely to encounter at such a luxurious wedding. Guests were showered with lavish treats, starting with a fun-filled and relaxed rehearsal dinner at the Halekulani's Hau Terrace, and two days later at the wedding reception held in the Royal Hawaiian Hotel's Monarch Ballroom, they enjoyed a spectacular four-course dinner with a candy buffet that included delicate French macaroons in colors to match the wedding. Throughout dinner, wine flowed freely and dishes of delicacies kept appearing, leaving guests fully satiated and ready to enjoy the dance floor.

I especially loved Lynn and Damien's color palette, which included soft, muted tones of pale blush pink, champagne, and ivory: very understated, and oh-so-chic! The colors were reflected in everything from the stationery items, Lynn's pretty sandals, the bridesmaids' dresses, the linen, flowers, and even the lighting. (Decor, flowers, and lighting were designed by Yvonne of Yvonne Design and Mood Event.)

I have to admit that I am especially fond of choreographed first dances, and Lynn and Damien executed theirs with pizzazz! Photographer Frank Amodo, and the videography team of Kai Media, caught glimpses of the two of them spending a quiet moment before the reception to practice, and when it came time for the real thing, it couldn't have been any more beautiful!

Much of the planning took place against the backdrop of Damien's parents facing some health issues, and the celebration of Lynn and Damien's marriage was made complete by the presence of their families. Damien's parents who are both doing well, celebrated in style, as did Lynn's parents! Not only did I get to enjoy planning with Lynn and Damien, but over the course of preparing for their wedding, I had the pleasure of meeting their families. It is thanks to Damien's mother, who found us, that we were able to take part in such a memorable wedding. Here is to Damien's mom, Christy, without whom, none of us would have been there, and thanks to whom, the result was the marriage of a wonderful couple and the unfolding of a beautiful wedding.

Congratulations, Lynn and Damien! We're so thrilled to have seen you tie the knot!!!

Featured Wedding: Celia and Albert

Photos by Kai Photo

Celia and Albert found us all the way from Japan.

Their vision of their wedding was an elegant turquoise and peach vision that was pulled together with beaut

iful C

asablanca Lilies, white Cymbidium Orchids, and roses in the beautiful peach and pink accents.

The ceremony took place at the pristine Central Union Sanctuary Chapel with the reception to follow at the Halekulani Hau Terrace.

Light rain started falling at the beginning of the cocktail hour and soon the guests were “blessed” with a beautiful rainbow to accentuate the backdrop of the photos.

Local lauhala boxes each filled with 3 pineapple and 2 mango cookies served as favors for each of the guests. Each box was wrapped with a turquoise ribbon and topped with a white Dendrobium Orchid.

In keeping with the color scheme, Tuquoise napkins, Coral table linen, and Buttercup Shimmer Sheer overlays were brought in to dress up the guest tables which were positioned to fit around the perimeter of the room so the beautiful bride and handsome groom could be seen by one and all throughout the evening.

To the delight of the guests, especially the young children, added to the menu was a chocolate fountain for dipping fresh fruit and marshmallows.