Honoring the Maid or Matron of Honor

To distinguish the maid of honor from the bridesmaids, the bride chose a floor length dress.  Photo by L'amour Photography.

What differentiates a maid of honor from the bridesmaids, aside from her additional duties as being the main lady in waiting?  More and more, brides are choosing to highlight their maids of honor with special touches, such as a larger or different bouquet, hair flowers just for her, or in the case of the photo above, a slightly different dress.  Say she's extra special with a thoughtful touch or detail that really emphasizes her important role as maid or matron of honor.

Happy Planning, and Happy New Year!
Mona
Weddings by Grace and Mona

Shave Ice for Weddings

Pretty assortment of shave ice flavors, courtesy of Ginniberries, at our outdoor wedding at Oceanfront Oasis.  Photo by L'amour Photography.

Shave ice, a well-known and much loved local treat here in Hawaii, has become a recent hit at weddings in our island state, both for local and destination weddings alike.

A young guest enjoys a fruity shave ice concoction from Ginniberries.  Photo by L'amour Photography.

Cool and refreshing, it's great for a warm wedding day and allows guests, particularly those from out of town, to experience a bit of Hawaii.

Cool and frosty shave ice from Ginniberries in an elegant, stemless, martini glass.  Photo by L'amour Photography.

What's even better, is that they can be made into shave ice "cocktails" when adding a bit of alcohol for some adult fun.

A drizzle of "adult beverage" atop this shave ice at the renowned Waialae Country Club makes this shave ice that much more fun!  Photo by HelmutWalker Photography.

For some of our recent weddings, we've had a shave ice truck parked outside of a church for post-ceremony refreshment, served during cocktail hour at outdoor weddings, and on one extra special occasion, the couple was even honored by Kelvin Shimazu himself, the owner of Shimazu Store, serving up his famous gourmet-flavored shave ice to the guests.

A highlight of this wedding reception was having Calvin Shimazu himself (owner of Shimazu Store), serving his famous shave ice to wedding guests at this Royal Hawaiian Hotel wedding we coordinated in April.  Photo by L'amour Photography.

Kyle and Sheryl, our super sweet couple who tied the knot in April, enjoy their favorite treat, Shimazu's shave ice, at their wedding reception at the Royal Hawaiian hotel.  Photo by L'amour Photography.

Sheryl and Kyle shared such a love for Shimazu's shave ice, that they wanted to share it with their guests.  We arranged with Calvin Shimazu to accept custom printed gift cards presented by Sheryl and Kyle's guests for shave ice at his shop, compliments of the bride and groom.  Photo by L'amour Photography.  Gift cards designed and created by Something Blue.

Sheryl and Kyle's all-time favorite Shimazu's shave ice flavors:  orange cream and strawberry cream!  Photo by L'amour Photography.

Consider this island treat for your wedding or special event!

The ever-so-popular, rainbow shave ice!  Featured is Shimazu's version, served at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel for Sheryl and Kyle's wedding.  Photo by L'amour Photography.

Happy Planning!
Mona
Weddings by Grace and Mona

Proper Stance for the Groomsmen

A couple of weeks ago, I had written about the proper bouquet hold for the ladies, but perhaps a quick suggestion for the groomsmen might be helpful as well.  To achieve a nice, uniform look during the ceremony, we typically suggest that the groomsmen stand with feet shoulder-width apart and one hand held over the other, either all with left hand over right, or vice versa.  It looks great in photos.  A quick practice of this during the rehearsal makes everything look and feel that much more natural on the wedding day.

A nice, uniform look with hands poised left over right, and feet shoulder-width apart.  Photo by L'amour Photography.

Bridesmaids and groomsmen look terrific when standing uniformly, with bouquets at "belly button level" for the ladies and hands left over right for the gentlemen.  Photo by L'amour Photography.

Happy Planning!

Mona

Weddings by Grace and Mona

Wedding Planning Tip: remember to get your ring cleaned

Gorgeous ring shot by L'amour Photography.

In preparation for your big day, remember to get your engagement ring cleaned for maximum sparkle (and even better photos) on your wedding day.  The jeweler from whom the ring was purchased is a great place to inquire about ring cleaning, and if in Hawaii, trust your ring to a reputable jeweler.  However, if running short on time, sometimes, hotel jewelry shops can do a quick clean.

Happy Planning!
Mona
Weddings by Grace and Mona

Proper Bouquet Hold

Too often, ladies hold their bouquets as one would with a baseball bat, with one hand on top of the other.  Instead, the proper hold would be with fingers interlaced - a much gentler and less athletic look.  Give it a try!

The Value of Mock-ups Before the Wedding

Picture this:  the ballroom below set with alternating centerpieces, some tall and some low.  The taller centerpieces would feature beautiful shades of purple while the lower ones would showcase shades of white and yellow, in keeping with the violet and yellow color theme.

Halekulani Ballroom.  Photo by Kris Labang Photography.

At least, this was our original plan when discussing designs with the floral designer for this wedding.  Before solidifying the designs, however, I like to suggest a mock-up, or a sample design to be created so that the happy couple can see what is in store for their big day, and also, so that they have the opportunity to modify things to suit their liking.  For the mock-up for this particular wedding, the designer brought a long, slender glass pilsner vase, a squat glass vase, a purple floral arrangement to sit atop the pilsner, and a softer white and yellow arrangement to place atop the lower vase.

What we found at the mock-up, however, which took place in the venue where the wedding reception was to be held, was that the rich purple flowers, while stunning and show-stopping, seemed to lose its impact when placed atop of the pilsner, due to the darker shade of the ballroom walls.  When looking across the room, the purple flowers seemed less striking since visually, there was very little contrast.  Conversely, the white and yellow flowers placed on the low vase, seemed to blend into the table, since the table cloth was white.  Certainly, this would all be fine if the intention was to go for an understated look, but having two different centerpiece styles, of two different heights, with two different color schemes, was intentionally meant to play on contrast.

As such, we tried switching the floral pieces, placing the purple flowers on the low vase and the white and yellow flowers on the pilsner, and the result was a look with higher impact than originally planned, and a couple pleased with the outcome.

White and yellow floral arrangement placed atop the tall, pilsner vase to contrast against the dark colors of the wood-paneled ballroom walls.  Photo by Kris Labang Photography.

Purple flowers set on the low, squat vase, to contrast against the white table linen.  Photo by Kris Labang Photography.

 

See how noticeable the white and yellow flowers are, when contrasted against the dark walls, while the purple flowers on the table in the background seem to "pop" against the white table.  Contrast lends a high visual impact.  Photo by Kris Labang Photography.

Photo by Kris Labang Photography.

I cannot underscore the value of a mock-up prior to the wedding.  Having done so for our clients has impacted everything from specifics regarding the floral design, choice in linen, and decisions such as where to place the favor and whether to use chargers or napkin rings.  It also affords greater peace of mind on the wedding day, having a concrete idea of what the look of the wedding will be.  (I also happen to really enjoy the creative process that accompanies planning, preparing for, and executing the mock-up, and perhaps you will, too!)

Happy planning!

Giving Thanks

Anna and Zen, our couple who got married in August, came equipped with mini chalkboard in hand on their wedding day.  Photo by Stephen Ludwig Photography.

In honor of our Thanksgiving holiday, which we just celebrated, I thought I'd write a brief note about expressing gratitude to those who have demonstrated their love and support as you embark on your new lives in marriage.  While not particularly new, I love the idea of preparing a sign that says "thank you" to pose with on the wedding day.  The photos make for great enclosures in thank you notes and are a sweet way of conveying your appreciation.  You can even work with your stationer to custom design a sign that coordinates with the rest of your wedding stationery.

Maisy and Aaron had their guests gather round for their sweet "Mahalo" shot.  ("mahalo" means "thank you" in Hawaiian.)  Photo by Visionari.

Remember that thank you notes may be sent as soon as a gift is received, even if it is before your wedding even takes place.

Thank YOU for reading my blog, and I wish you and yours a Happy Holiday Season!

Destination wedding tip: don't forget to press or steam your veil!

Photo by L'amour Photography

Here's a quick tip for destination brides to Hawaii.  Naturally, we think about getting the wedding gown professionally steamed or pressed upon bringing it to Hawaii, but remember that the veil should also get professionally treated before the wedding.  As an important part of the bridal ensemble, it should receive the best care so that you look in tip top shape, from head to toe.  Some of our local bridal salons will professionally press or steam gowns AND veils before weddings, so be sure to drop off your veil when also leaving your gown.

Happy Planning!

Fab Bridal Product: Veil Weights!

In the past, I would caution brides against extra long veils if getting married outdoors since veils and wind just do not seem to get along.  We have even had a veil fly off a bride's head as she made her way down her beachfront aisle.  At certain oceanfront locations where the wind consistently blows from the left to the right (when facing the bride and groom as a guest), we have suggested switching the orientation of the bridal party, having the groom and his men instead on the left, and the bride and her maids on the right so that her veil blows away from her face, and not into her groom's.

 

Fortunately, these ways of addressing wind and veils can now be a problem of the past with the recent invention of veil weights!  It comes as no surprise that a wedding planner devised this brilliant solution to the animosity formerly found between wind and veil, and her company Save the Veil, offers a pretty assortment of decorative magnetic weights to save the day.  The weights come in sets of six and can easily be placed and removed from the veil so that you can have them on just when you need them.

 

 Mahalo to Jill Watson of The Pampered Bride in California for creating a wonderful and unique solution for veils on windy days!

 

Alfred Angelo Trunk Show at the Bridal Boutique

 

Here in Hawaii, rarely do we get treated to a trunk show featuring bridal attire, which is why this news is particularly exciting.  For those brides who will be on the island of Oahu next week, the Bridal Boutique (627 South Street, Suite 101, Honolulu, HI) is hosting an Alfred Angelo Trunk Show from Monday, October 15 to Sunday, October 21.  Try own gowns from this season and from the upcoming 2013 collection.  Those who order their gown during the trunk show will even receive as much as $400 off - a phenomenal offer!  Be sure to make an appointment ahead of time by calling 808-597-8893.

 

Happy Planning!

Tailored Weddings: "Surfboards and Muscle Cars"

One of the things I enjoy when it comes to planning weddings with couples, is gaining a better understanding of what makes them unique as a couple.  What do they enjoy doing together?  Is there something that they identify with that really defines who they are as individuals or as a couple?  This background info ofter serves as fantastic fodder for customizing their wedding.

For Anna and Zen, who tied the knot on August 5, they share a love of surfing.  Hence was born a vintage surf-themed wedding, and since Anna had not only built race cars, but raced them, too, it was only fitting to incorporate muscle cars in mint condition into their special day.  There were many more elements which made their wedding truly unique and memorable, too, but we'll capture them in another blog post on the Weddings by Grace and Mona blog.  For now, I leave you with just a few photos that tug at my heartstrings and depict this spirited and fun couple with some of their unique wedding touches.

A bouquet for one hand, and surfboard for the other!

What a classic!  Anna and Zen pose for a sweet kiss in front of the convertible Mustang "muscle car" with the historic Aloha Tower in the background.

A twist on the thumb print guest book - thanks to Emi Ink, Anna and Zen got a custom designed vintage surfboard poster for guests to mark with their thumb print and signature, a wonderful keepsake and memory of their special day.

Mahalo to Stephen Ludwig for providing these amazing photos!

To Do: mani/pedi before the wedding

photo courtesy of Nail Salon Ai

Just about all of the brides we work with plan on a manicure and pedicure for their wedding. For those planning on "natural nails," meaning a traditional manicure with polish, I suggest scheduling the manicure and pedicure for the day prior, so as to have a fresh look for the wedding day, minimizing the possibility of polish chipping. While it is possible to plan on a nail appointment for the morning of the wedding, it tends to make the day feel even busier than it needs to be, and it also allows for the possibility of smudging.

My biggest recommendation when it comes to nails for the bride, is to choose calgel.  It is long wearing, odorless, and much gentler non the nails than is acrylic, and because it easily lasts for three weeks without losing its luster, I suggest scheduling the calgel nail appointment for the week of the wedding, making that precious day prior to and day of the wedding less hectic.  Calgel is also very durable, and there is no worry about smudging, chipping, or very seldom do people experience nail breakage with calgel.  For nail art, it also holds the design and any 3-dimensional add-ons such as crystals, decals, and gems, much longer than with traditional polish.

Calgel design samples from Nail Salon Ai

I admit, I used to get my nails done in the name of "wedding-related research," but somehow along the way, I have become a nail junkie.  I love calgel, and nail art to the Nth degree!  Don't worry, brides; I've got you covered on the nail scene!

 

Pink gradation with crystals on the left and a modern twist on the classic French manicure on the right.  Photo courtesy of Nail Salon Ai.

The most recent manicure and pedicure I received was from Nail Salon Ai. What makes this nail salon unique, is the fact that they can style your nails with actual diamonds!  While diamonds may not be an everyday indulgence, it is certainly fit for a bride on her wedding day.

 

Nail Salon Ai

Happy Planning!

Bouquet Toss Bouquet

In Hawai'i, some brides will add some money into their bouquet before tossing it to give the single ladies extra incentive to jump even higher for that bouquet. We love this unique option which our bride, Nancy, requested as a separate bouquet just for tossing. Nancy asked floral designer, Jae Yoo of My Florist, to create a toss bouquet of paper roses. Without seeing it, this bouquet may sound, well, ordinary, but the kind of paper Nancy wanted was in the form of dollar bills! You can be sure that there was lots of "audience participation" for this particular bouquet toss!

The Value of Video

Often times, videography for a wedding is considered a luxury, a "nice to have, if the budget permits..."  True, professional services such as videography for a wedding can cost a pretty penny, but far too often have I coordinated weddings where I thought to myself, "I wish this couple had chosen to document their wedding with video; that speech (performance, dance, moment, etc.) was so brilliant, it warrants reliving over and over again!"

Emcee, Gregg Hammer, getting "verklempt."

Often, in debriefings with couples following their wedding, I ask if they wish they had done anything differently.  For those who had opted for a professional videographer, I have never heard any regrets.  For those who had not, couples often remark after the wedding that they are glad that they had a friend or family member capture things on video for them, and many times, couples do express a bit of remorse at not having gotten videography.  For those with exceptional videographers, some couples have even said that they watch their wedding video highlights on a daily basis!

The point is, I would hate for any couple to regret not having video documentation of their special day.  It is the quiver in the sound of one's voice when exchanging vows, or the funny anecdotes shared in speeches, or the choreographed first dance, which can only be revisited in memory and in video.  It is also the best way to share these memories with those who could not be there, including future generations.  (I wish I could view video of my parents' or even grandparents' wedding!)  If financially, hiring a professional videographer is not an option, ask friends or family to help document these precious moments with their personal recording devices.  If unhappy with the footage, there is always the "delete" button, but you can never go back after the fact and record what had happened.  Hope this serves as great food for thought if preparing for a wedding or special event.

A family member helps to record all the festivities during the wedding reception.

Happy Planning!

Mahalo to L'Amour Photography for the beautiful photos!

Wedding Trend: Step-and-Repeat

On their wedding day, brides and grooms feel like celebrities, often times, with multiple cameras flashing away, documenting the celebration and festivities.  One of the newest trends to hit weddings is the step-and-repeat, where guests, too, feel like celebs on the red carpet, with a photographer to pop flashes and capture show-stopping images of each guest or group.  A large, custom-designed banner, usually at least eight (8) feet high or more, creates the perfect backdrop for staging such photos.

I was recently learned of A Red Carpet Affair, a company here on O'ahu (808-228-2520, jc@aredcarpetaffair.com), now offering step-and-repeats.  Their banners are usually 8x8ft in size, are always customized for the client, and are perfect for weddings as well as other special events.  Step and repeats represent yet another element to contribute to the overall theme of the wedding, matching the bride and groom's custom monogram from their invitations, save the dates, and escort cards, and incorporating their wedding colors, or even their wedding date. Not only are step and repeat banners a great way to add to a couple's wedding theme, they also add an extra level of excitement to any wedding, because they come complete with a red carpet, stanchions, ropes, and professional lighting, so guests can enter the wedding in style!

Step and repeats are not limited to just weddings- they would fit in nicely at a school prom, with the prom's theme, logo, or date of event, at a corporate event, or step and repeat banners could be used for a birthday party, with the guest of honor's name or birthdate listed.  The possibilities are endless!

Some things to consider when using step and repeat banners at your event are to notify your photographer, so that he can be prepared to snap lots of photos of your guests posing in front of your custom banner. Another important aspect to address is whether your venue will allow the banner and photography, and also to make sure you have enough room for the set-up (a 10x6ft space is recommended).  Thoughtful planning should also be exercised when placing a step-and-repeat outdoors, as windy conditions can make it difficult to keep the step-and-repeat from staying taught, or even from blowing over.

Happy Planning!

Wedding Day Gifts for Your Soon-to-Be-Spouse

I always find it so touching when couples choose to present their soon to be wife or husband with a thoughtful gift on the morning of their wedding.  Over the years, I've seen some truly heartfelt gifts, with gestures such as a sweet note written on a greeting card to truly say it all, to an arrangement of roses delivered to the bride's room, and of course, gifts such as jewelry or a purse or pair of shoes from the bride's favorite designer are always big hits.

For her gift to Paul on the day of their wedding, Julie selected a stunning timepiece, which was delivered to his room prior to them seeing each other that day.  Photo by Dylan Dawson Photography.

This year alone, I've seen some of the most creative and unique gifts from grooms to their brides.  Paul, pictured above, accompanied his gift with a sweet message which he took the time to record on video for his bride, Julie.  The message was "delivered" to her the morning of their wedding in her bridal suite, where she got to hear from his own lips, his words of devotion and sentiments for their future.

Julie's bridesmaids look on as she views the special message recorded for her by Paul.  Photo by Dylan Dawson Photography.

The video clip included some of their engagement photos and of course, very sweet words spoken by Paul for his bride.  Photo by Dylan Dawson Photography.

Then about two and a half months ago, Kyle surprised his bride, Sheryl, with what he knew she would truly appreciate as a wedding day gift.  Rather than sending a physical gift to her room that morning, he instead prepared in secret with us and their videographer, Kai Media, a same-day-edit of their ceremony shown at their wedding reception.  Knowing that she would love a lasting gift which she could appreciate on their wedding day, and in years to come by having this video clip, was according to her, she revealed to me after the wedding, the best gift he could have possibly gotten for her.

If in the process of planning your wedding, consider the possibility of preparing a gift for your bride or groom.  It is a wonderful way to surprise him or her on the day of your wedding, and to express the many emotions you wish to convey.  Remember that the value of the gift or message need not be measured in dollars and cents, as it is often times the thought and effort which are worth so much more.

Happy Planning!

Preparing for the ultimate bridal bod and Zerona

It seems there is no "inspiration" for getting in shape quite like a wedding.  I'm always impressed with the commitment both brides and grooms make, not just to one another, but also, to improving their physique in preparation for their wedding.  I often wished I shared their level of dedication to hitting the gym and being conscientious about their diets.

For those looking to modify their appearance, particularly in preparation for an event like a wedding, I thought I'd pass along some info about another option in addition to healthy diets and exercise.  The Center for Natural Healing at 5283 Kimokeo Street in Aina Haina (on O'ahu) offers a non-invasive, laser body contouring treatment.  They utilize the FDA approved Zerona laser, which has been touted on programs such as "Nightline," "Rachel Ray," "The Doctors," "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" and others.  A recent bride who underwent a session three weeks before her wedding enjoyed a loss of seven inches!  Sculpting can be visible in the wrists, waist, hips, and thighs, and the difference can literally be in inches.

Of course, there's no substitute for healthy living than a balanced diet and regular exercise, but sometimes, a little help never hurt, particularly, if it literally doesn't hurt!  The treatments are pain-free and require no down time nor any recovery time.  For questions about Zerona, or about the treatments, contact Brittany at admin@naturalhealinghawaii.com or call 808-373-9966.

Happy planning (and healthy living)!