The Plaza Club: A City-Chic Venue Option in Honolulu

Still searching for your wedding venue in Hawai'i?  I wanted to let you in on a little known fact; The Plaza Club in Downtown, Honolulu is currently available for special events to members and non-members alike!  (In fact, non-Hawaii residents are also welcome to hold events here.)  This private club plays host to some of Hawai'i's top business leaders and the social elite, and serves as a hub for networking and business luncheons by day, but the casually elegant club space can transform into a magical venue for a romantic celebration such as a wedding.

The club's lounge area makes for a perfect cocktail space with views of the Pacific Ocean by day.

Large picture windows offer sweeping city and water views, and the recent renovations mean fresh decor and furniture, along with state of the art equipment.

20' high floor to ceiling windows offer dramatic views of Honolulu's twinkling city lights by night.

While here in Hawaii, we boast some of the most beautiful beaches and balmy weather making outdoor weddings quite popular, I do happen to have a soft spot for indoor spaces, especially as a wedding planner.  Air conditioning and climate control play a huge part in guests' comfort, and eliminates any trouble shooting that sometimes arises from wind, bugs, uneven grounds,etc. when out in a natural setting.  If you are more of the city-chic type who appreciates urban comforts and an amazing view at the same time, you might find the stylish Plaza Club to be quite appealing.  (Side note:  outdoor functions usually come with a 10:00pm end time, but being indoors at The Plaza Club means staying as late as 11:00pm, or even later for a small fee, if arranged in advance.)

Space for up to 200 guests

The club can hold up to 200 for a seated affair, and their menu features some delightful options such as Foie Gras Mousse Puffs, Prosciutto Wrapped Papaya, a poke station, made-to-order sushi, and an array of other tempting items.  ("Poke" is a delicacy made famous here in Hawai'i, consisting primarily of raw tuna or octopus, seasoned with sea salt, chopped onions, soy sauce, and other "secret" ingredients.)  They are also very open to customizing menus, if so desired.

To find out more about The Plaza Club, or to inquire about availability, contact Donna Arena, 808-534-1066, darena@theplazaclub.com.

Happy Planning!

Mona

neu events

(formerly known as Weddings by Grace and Mona)

Paradise Bay Resort

We recently did a site visit at Paradise Bay Resort, tucked away on the Windward coast of Oahu.   This hidden gem makes for a beautiful, intimate spot for small weddings or retreats, located away from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu, surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful views of the mountains and the ocean.   Paradise Bay Resort houses 46 rooms, from studios to two bedroom suites, is a pet friendly location, and is great for couples and families looking for peace and tranquility.  Limited parking is available.

For a very intimate wedding ceremony with close families and friends, Paradise Bay Resort can accommodate small intimate celebrations up to 25 people.  We loved the fact that you can host a ceremony on their floating dock overlooking the beautiful ocean, mountains, and china man’s hat as well.  How unique it would be to enjoy delicious pupu and champagne after a ceremony , literally floating on water!

Another option is to go for a quick ride on their flat deck pontoon, which can take you out on the water.   Guests could also get their feet wet, and enjoy the famous Kaneohe sandbar.  You can have your ceremony on the pontoon or you can even organize it to have it right on the sand bar. 

Although not conducive for receptions, consult your wedding planner on options for a ceremony at Paradise Bay Resort, followed by a reception elsewhere, perhaps even in a locale nearby.

Happy Planning!

Photos courtesy of Paradise Bay Resort.

Contact:

Paradise Bay Resort

47-039 Lihikai Drive

Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744

Toll Free: 1-800-735-5711

Local: 808-239-5711

Fax: 808-239-6658

Email: info@paradisebayresort.com

http://www.paradisebayresort.com

Aloha!  When thinking about Hawaii  thoughts of warm weather and sunny skies immediately come to mind.  Most days, we experience great weather; that said, there are not so good days on occasion.  As you may have heard, we are expecting tropical storm Ana to pay us a visit this weekend.  Here are some tips on how you can prepare, should unexpected weather conditions surface on your wedding day in Hawaii.

Communication

When experiencing severe weather conditions, communication becomes very important.  Be in touch with your wedding coordinator, venue, and vendors.  They will best know what to do and can provide guidance as to what should be done and what to expect.  This can be very helpful and will create as stress free an experience as possible.

Photo by Kai Photo

Know your options/ Plan B

When it comes to situation where a decision has to be made quickly, having a “plan B” and knowing what your options are makes it a simpler transition for everyone.   This is helpful especially when having an outdoor wedding.  Many venues will have an alternative location that you may use in case of inclement weather.  It also important to discuss this with the venue contact and they can provide you with scenarios and what to expect it certain situations.  If at an outdoor venue where an indoor, back-up location is not offered, rely on your wedding planner to devise a workable solution.

 

Photo by Dulce 

Adapting and Adjusting

The bottom line is that we have no control over the weather.  Here in Hawaii, we might experience showers one minute and clear blue skies the next.  It is a matter of adapting and adjusting to the situation.  With extremely severe weather situations, whether in Hawaii or elsewhere, things we find ourselves considering as wedding planners are flooding, electrical outages, impact on traffic and travel, etc.  Although we would never wish this on any couple’s wedding day, it helps to know what to do in the off-chance of unforeseen weather circumstances. 

 

Photo by Visionari

With indoor venues, the staff there will be your best friends, helping you make any necessary adjustments.  For outdoor weddings, it may be a bit more of a challenge.  With most outdoor events, many more things are being outsourced, such as rentals, lighting, catering, staffing, etc., which can make it a bit harder to adjust because it often requires much more coordination.  The key is to remain calm, make rational decisions in the face of the unexpected, and maintain a positive attitude about everything, as truly, nothing should ever put a damper on a celebration as special as a wedding.

Happy Planning! 

Mona 

Planning a Wedding in Hawai'i: Step 2

Aloha and welcome back to my blog!  In a previous post, I wrote about the first step in planning a wedding in Hawai'i, which was to determine approximate budget, guest count, wedding date, and wedding planner.  Ready for the next step?

Ocean Crystal Chapel at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.  Photo by Mike Pham Photography.

Once you have taken care of step one, the next step is to choose your wedding venue.  Some questions to consider when contemplating wedding venues:

• Is it important to get married in a place of worship, such as a church or temple, or are you preferring to be in an outdoor location or other, non-religious, indoor spot?

• Would you like your ceremony and reception to take place in the same location, such as at a hotel, resort, or private estate?

• Would you like your reception to be indoors or outdoors?

 

Erin and Matt's Evening Cocktail Reception at the Honolulu Design Center.  Photo by Derek Wong Photography.

Ceremony and reception in the same location - Having a ceremony and reception in the same spot comes with many advantages.  For guests, there is no need to navigate getting from the ceremony and reception.  From a cost perspective, you maximize your spend on photography and videography, as these vendors usually have packages which include a number of consecutive hours, so staying in one location means that time is not wasted getting from the ceremony to the reception.

Photo by L'amour Photography.

Outdoor receptions - Often times, outdoor reception venues offer a great deal of flexibility, since you are not limited to the confines of four walls.  You can get creative with the floor plan and really personalize the space.  That said, bear in mind that most outdoor venues insist that the reception end around 10:00pm due to noise ordinances.  (If celebrating past 10:00pm is a priority, you can "have your cake and eat it, too" by planning an after party.)  Something else to note:  if the space is a blank slate, where everything must be brought in, such as tables, chairs, catering, etc., it often times becomes more costly to host a wedding at these locations than at a hotel.

Places of worship - Many times, churches will have fixed times at which wedding ceremonies can take place, and often times, these are mid-day, leaving a gap of time between the ceremony and reception.  If planning a destination wedding in Hawai'i, consider what your guests will do during that "break."  If the space of time is rather short, and if providing transportation for guests, you can have your transportation company take your guests on a brief, scenic tour between the ceremony and reception to fill the time.  If the gap of time is lengthy, then consider whether to offer transportation to the ceremony, then back to their accommodations, and then from their accommodations to the reception.

Sacred Heart Church.  Photo by Kris Labang Photography.

There is much to think about when choosing your wedding venue, and working with a wedding planner can certainly lend more insight tailored to your unique needs.  Hopefully, exploring the options is part of the fun and anticipation in imagining what is to come!

View of Waikiki's "Gold Coast."  Photo by Dave Miyamoto & Co. Photography.

Happy planning!

Mona

neu events

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

New Decor Pieces Now Available from Curate Decor + Design

When it comes to weddings, we thirst for "the latest and greatest" in rentals to make a show-stopping and stunning statement.  It is the thoughtful touches and unique pieces, expertly put together, that can really give a wedding or event pizzazz.  Fortunately, forward-thinking rental and design companies like CURATE decor + design make having uniquely crafted weddings a possibility here in Hawai'i.

CURATE décor + design has just released a new limited edition collection which includes the Black Louis Ghost Chairs, the Globe Light Collection, and the Tuxedo Backdrop.

The Black Louis Ghost Chair plays a nice contrast to their iconic Louis Ghost Chair with its chic, modern appeal. The Globe Light Collection provides a stylish, dynamic option for lighting. Lastly, the Tuxedo Backdrop, inspired by the classic tuxedo, provides an aesthetic background with its sharp lines and monochromatic colors.

The sleek, contemporary, clean lines of this collection are perfect for those wanting to create an air of sophistication at their event.  To learn more about the new collection, contact the Curators at Curate, 808-455-9190.

Happy Planning!
Mona
neu events
(formerly known as "Weddings by Grace and Mona")