Mark Your Calendars: Wedding Cafe workshops start in January

Brides, grooms, and anyone interested in weddings, get ready for The Wedding Cafe's next installment of educational and fun workshops designed to connect engaged couples with vendors for their big day. Here is the list of upcoming workshops, held in the conference room above of The Wedding Cafe, located in the Ward Warehouse in Honolulu, Hawai'i. To sign up for a workshop, complete the online form.

January 27, 2010
"The Beautiful Bride: Hair & makeup, fashion, and beauty"

February 3, 2010
"The Perfect Wedding Reception: Stylish ideas for every season"

February 10, 2010
"Bridal Trunk Show" at The Bridal Boutique

February 17, 2010
"Budget, Planning, and Timeline

February 24, 2010
"Floral, Tabletop and Decor Showcase"

March 3, 2010
"Picture Perfect Photography Showcase"

March 10, 2010
"Invitations, Favors, and Special Touches"

March 17, 2010
"Videography Showcase"

March 24, 2010
"Wedding Music and Entertainment"

March 31, 2010
"DIY: Do it yourself projects"

April 7, 2010
"Cake and Wine Sampling and Catering Trends" at The Bayer Estate

April 14, 2010
"Groom's Workshop"
April 21, 2010
"Timeline Workshop"

Wedding Style Tip #2: customizing your bouquet

Walk down the aisle with a distinctive and original bouquet by asking your gown designer or bridal salon
for snippets of fabric from your wedding dress to incorporate into the bouquet handle. A subtle detail such as this makes all the difference between a generic bouquet and one created specifically for you.

Here, Fong Tagawa of Floral Inspirations deftly "lifted" the lace detail from the remnants saved from Jen's gown hem and positioned them artfully onto the handle of her bouquet.

Photo by Eugene Kam.

Wedding Style Tip #1: Shop Creatively for Your Wedding

Michelle and Colin share a love for dining, so naturally, a food-themed wedding made absolute sense for this pair. Over the holiday season last year, Michelle spotted these fantastic wreaths at Pier 1 made of faux olive branches, complete with clusters of olives. We suggested a quick check with Wendy (Spinning W.E.B. Florist), Michelle's wedding floral designer, who immediately gave the "thumbs up" on the wreaths which could be disassembled and fashioned into what became the beautiful touches on the wedding arch months later.

You never know when or where you might come across the perfect accent for your wedding. Keep your eyes open and think creatively; it is the those unexpected finds that add the subtle touches to really personalize your wedding.

Photos by David Murphey

Candy Buffet Birthday

Happy Birthday to Aubrey and Eric of Na Mea Maikai, Sweet Treats Buffets, who just celebrated a phenomenal first year in business! Their wonderful candy buffets have graced the landscapes of several wedding receptions where the buffets not only serve as elegant, show-stopping presentations, but also as conversation pieces, and an interactive way to involve guests.

Many couples consider designing their own buffet, but in reality, most brides and grooms find themselves busy with work and other aspects of wedding planning, making it a challenge to shop for the goodies, containers, packaging, and scoops. The logistical nightmare of transporting the items, setting them up, breaking them down, and then determining what to do with all the containers thereafter eventually lead most to toss out the idea of making their own. Enter Aubrey and Eric to save the day with their full service buffets, completely customizable, with a wide array of fine glass receptacles and beautifully adorned display pieces. Tip: make sure to request the homemade merengues - simply heavenly!

Photos by Kris Labang Photography

One-of-a-Kind Wedding Gown

Naturally, every bride wishes for her wedding to be unique, and what better way of doing so than by choosing a stunning gown? For Kimberly Lau, who grew up in Hawaii and now lives in Japan, our one visit to the salon of Hawaii's highly acclaimed couture designer, Anne Namba, was all it took to find an option that would make the perfect statement of individuality and elegance. The uchikake (Japanese silk wedding kimono) from which Kim's gown was fashioned, glimmered with gold embroidery and red accents, a nod to Kim's Chinese heritage. Congratulations, Kim and Chris, who celebrated their nuptials at the breathtaking Kahaluu Fish Pond!

Photo by Hokulii Images

Hawaii's Professional Wedding Associations

For those in search of reputable wedding vendors or general information about weddings, check out any of the island-specific wedding industry organizations, including the Kauai Wedding Professionals Association, Maui Wedding Association, and the Oahu Wedding Association. The websites to these associations not only provide access to established wedding professionals, but also offer useful info and answers to frequently asked questions about getting married in Hawaii.

Congratulations to the new leadership for 2010 of OWA, elected Tuesday night at the Mid-Pacific Country Club:
(L-R) Jeanne-Marie Viggiano of Jeanmarie photography-Web master, Emi Hanamizu of Emi’s Flowers and Gifts-Treasurer, Christine Gardner of Flaunt make up-Community Service, Cecilia Domingo of The Bridal Boutique-Secretary, Joshua Fair of Fisheye Studio-Vice President, Eugene Kam of Eugene Kam Photography-President, Michelle Garibay of Blue Sky Productions-Marketing, Jill Allen of Terrie Easley Design-Special Events

Mahalo and farewell to the outgoing officers of the OWA:

(L-R) Susan O'Donnell of Aloha Wedding Planners-Immediate Past President, Eugene Kam of Eugene Kam Photography-2010 President, Jen Ramsey of Weddings by Grace and Mona-Membership Director, Merri Ford of Kahala Caterers-Marketing Director, Michelle Garibay of Blue Sky Productions-2010 Marketing Director, Emi Hanamizu of Emi's Flowers and Gifts-Treasurer, Connie Omo of Hawaiian Pix Photography-Secretary, Dave Miyamoto of Dave Miyamoto and Co.-President, Marino Regalado of Ninja Entertainment-Vice President

Mini Foods; more than a mini meal

Janelle and Alex’s wishes for miniature foods at their June 13, 2009 wedding came true with the stellar culinary creations by Ginniberries. Imagine, satisfying the hearty lunchtime appetites of hungry guests with mini foods? Several morsels of these delectable, diminutive dishes made for an absolutely unforgettable (and satisfying!) meal.

Tuscan BLTs with tomato, pancetta, arugula and basil aioli, Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, and Mini Crab Salad Rolls

Sweet Potato and Regular French Fry Cones with Truffle Salt or Cajun Salt

Ume Noodle Spoons

Mini Quesadillas

papaya, Chinese black bean, cilantro & feta

roast duck, smoked gouda & raspberry chipotle sauce

chorizo, kabocha, and pepper jack

Launch of the Hawaii Blog for The Knot

Aloha! I am excited to be blogging for The Knot, and I look forward to sharing some insights into all the spectacular things we have to offer here in Hawaii for weddings. The amazing talent of our vendors; the temperate climate; the unique melding of so many cultures; and above all, the wonderful brides, grooms, and people in the wedding community continue to inspire me and remind me time and again of why I consider myself fortunate to be planning weddings.

Stay tuned for some updates on the latest and greatest with Hawaii weddings! In the meantime, here's a photo shot by Absolutely Loved of my dear friends, whose June 20, 2009 wedding we helped to plan. Congratulations Cindy and Duff!

~ Mona