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