Things to Know about Wedding Flowers

When it comes to the aesthetic of a wedding, much of it can be defined by the use of flowers, and for many, flowers rank high on their list of wedding-related priorities.  Often, brides have their heart set on a certain flower type(s) to help achieve their wedding vision, but it is worthwhile to bear in mind certain realities when it comes to flowers, particularly here in Hawai'i.

Ceremony flowers by Flowers by Jane.  Photo by Dylan Dawson Photography.

Being an island state comes with many obvious advantages, and along with it, challenges as well; we do not have the luxury of flower markets similar to SF where cut flowers are abundant and readily available.  In fact, lots of popular wedding flowers, even some of the tropical ones are shipped in (including orchids!).   Many floral designers' policies or contracts will specifically note that they will do their best to meet flower requests, but will also reserve the right to substitute flowers if need be.

Here are some scenarios where flower substitutions may occur.

• damages occurring during shipping
• shipments held up in customs
• flowers out of season
• flowers were different (i.e. smaller than/varying in color) from what was ordered
• weather hardships prevent growers from fulfilling their orders
• most recently, we were even learned that some suppliers of red flowers were refraining from taking orders now in anticipation of Valentine's!

Bridal bouquet by Spinning WEB Florist.  Photo by Chrissy Lambert Photography.

We, as wedding planners, want to see every couple's wedding wishes come true.  With regard to flowers, we encourage couples to gather inspiration images that help convey their desired style, and we work closely with reputable floral designers to help ensure this, too.  While there are indeed challenges with flowers, understanding this and working with a great designer will best put you on your way to being a happy bride or groom on your wedding day.

Bridal bouquet and boutonniere by Spinning WEB Florist.  Photo by Chrissy Lambert Photography.

Happy planning!

Mona

neu events

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

Culture Note: the "Banzai" Toast at Weddings

Photo by Mike Pham Photography

Ask a local in Hawai'i if they know about "banzai" and two things might readily come to his or her mind:  the Banzai Pipeline surf spot on O'ahu's fabled North Shore, and the banzai toast at weddings.  Particularly popular with those of Japanese descent, the banzai toast is often reserved a spot in many wedding reception programs in Hawai'i.

"banzai"

The literal translation of banzai is 10,000 years (of life), but a closer parallel to English would be "long live."  Traditionally, the banzai toast is actually comprised of two toasts, led by two separate people, the first being from the guests to the bride and groom, and the second one being from the family to the guests.  The first toast giver, on behalf of the guests, asks everyone to rise, and shouts, with gusto, "Shinro shimpu, banzai," imparting well wishes to bride and groom.  The guests then respond in resounding unison by shouting back, "banzai."  The toast giver repeats "banzai" two more times, each time followed by the guests responding with a loud, "banzai!"  The toast is concluded with with a sip of drink.

This process is repeated with the second toast in honor of the guests.  The second toast giver/leader, on behalf of the family, shouts, "raihin shokun, banzai" three times, each time followed by the audience shouting back, "banzai!"  As with the first toast, a sip of beverage concludes the toast.

A note about verbiage for the second toast:  the word shokun in Japanese, meaning "ladies/gentlemen," suggests that the people who are being addressed are of a junior status.  For this reason, a more modern or honorific version would be raihin no minasama, which would be loosely translated as "all of you, our esteemed guests."

Also worth noting:  the word banzai is often associated with World War II, as Japanese soldiers would shout tennouheika, banzai or "long live the emperor" as they were dying.  Because of this association, it is becoming increasingly popular to replace banzai with the word kampai, which is more like saying "cheers!"  (In fact, at one wedding we coordinated, an entire table of guests chose not to participate in the banzai toast, and I suspect that this is because their ancestors were subject to the rule of imperial Japan.)

Being Japanese-American, born and raised in Hawai'i, and finding the banzai toast quite commonplace at weddings and key birthday celebrations, I was surprised to learn that is a tradition unique to Hawaii.  You will never hear banzai shouted at weddings in Japan and guests from Japan who attend weddings in Hawaii always find the banzai toast a bit of an oddity.  I suppose this attests to how the culture of a immigrant group evolves over time.

To recap, if planning to incorporate the banzai toast into your own wedding reception, here are the verbiage options:

Toast #1:  from the guests to the bride and groom:

• shinro, shimpu, BANZAI
• shinro, shimpu, KAMPAI

Toast #2:  from the family to the guests

• raihin shokun, BANZAI
• raihin shokun, KAMPAI
• raihin no minasama, BANZAI
• raihin no minasama, KAMPAI

Happy planning!

Mona

neu events

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

Wedding Photography: deciding on the photography package that is right for you

For many couples, photography tops the list of wedding-related priorities.  Choosing the right photographer can be a difficult decision, but even if you find the perfect photographer for you, how do you determine which photography package to select?

Often times, photographers base their packages on the number of hours of coverage to be provided on the wedding day.  Bear in mind that these are almost always consecutive hours.  Be sure to factor in travel time (i.e. going to the ceremony site and then to the reception site) as part of those consecutive hours of time.

If wanting to cover the "getting ready" portion of the day through 'til the end of the reception program, consult the photographer for his/her recommendation of how to allocate time for formal picture taking.  S/he can also help to determine what time hair and make-up styling services should wrap up, and this styling end-time serves as a rough starting time for photography.  Create a wedding day timeline, and a wedding planner can assist you with this.  Determine what time the reception program will end, and this represents a general end-time for photography, adding a bit of extra time, in case things run long.  The number of hours from the end of hair and make-up styling to the end of the program represents the general number of hours you would want to secure from your photographer, again, assuming you would like coverage of everything from the getting ready portion of the day until the end of the program.

Once determining the number of hours of photography coverage needed, it then becomes a matter of deciding whether to include any of the photographer's additional products and services.

Happy planning!
Mona

Photo courtesy of L'amour Photography

Tips and Advice: proper care for your gown

Photo by Chrissy Lambert Photography

We tote in our wedding day emergency kit just about everything for attending to spills and stains:  Shout wipes, Tide pens, baby powder, chalk,... but before we apply any products to a wedding gown, we prefer to know how your gown salon recommends treating your special garment.  While many assume that a detergent wipe can fix anything, certain fabrics just don't seem to get along with even the least bit of moisture.  In fact, delicate fabrics can be ruined with an application of just plain water.

Photo by Chrissy Lambert Photography

Before your big day, inquire with your bridal salon about the proper care of your wedding gown.  Ask about how to treat a possible lipstick stain from a well-wishing guest, or a grass stain from walking across an outdoor courtyard, or a soiled spot from a bit of spilled cocktail.  It never hurts to be prepared for those "just in case" moments, especially with an article of clothing as precious as a wedding gown.

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

Hawaiian Fantasy Yacht Parties

As a wedding planner, I feel fortunate to be privy to what I would consider some of the newest and/or lesser known, highly desirable options for putting together great events.  I recently received a private tour of the beautiful Moe Ipo, a brand new, luxury option now available for private parties and even small weddings of 10-20 people.  This gorgeous, Classic 1937, 70 foot yacht is a hidden gem located in Honolulu, and she features wonderful amenities coupled with warm hospitality.

Reserving a special event aboard the Moe Ipo means enjoying the ultimate in indulgences.  Start by being transported there in a chauffeured 1957 Bentley for the happy couple or guests of honor, and the rest of the guests also receive transportation via a chartered mini bus, ensuring everyone's timely arrival (and safe departure).

Once on board, the libations begin flowing, and a gourmet, five-course dinner is served, and the menu is completely customizable.  Dining can be enjoyed around a large dining table in the cabin, or on-deck, beneath the stars.  If choosing a Tuesday or Friday evening, the regularly scheduled fireworks from the Hilton Hawaiian Village sets the sky aglow and can only make for an even more enchanted evening.

On my visit, I was greeted by the handsome Romeo, a people-loving and very charming Golden Retriever, who comes as optional "security" for private events.  His wagging tail and gentle disposition makes him practically irresistible, but he will only remain a part of the party if you wish.

For those desiring something extraordinary to celebrate a wedding or to commemorate a special occasion, the Moe Ipo is sure to be that unique option that is sure to impress, but be careful!  Once on board, you may find yourself like me, so taken by her beauty and kind hosts, Rebecca and Stephen, that you may find it hard to leave!

For more information, contact Rebecca Overfield at 808-354-2901.

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

Photos courtesy of Hawaii Fantasy Yacht Parties

Hot new vendor to watch: CURATE!

Here's one new vendor that I have been so excited to blog about; introducing...CURATE decor + design, Honolulu's newest provider of specialty rentals and event design!  While the company may be new, having formally launched operations earlier this year at the January Bridal Expo, the talented team consisting of Abner Aquino, Chris Salazar, and Jayson Antonio in fact represents more than 40 years of combined experience in design, creative installations, and client service.

Having seen a sampling of this group's work, I am confident that they will be helping to raise the bar when it comes to event design and decor in Hawai'i.  Their unique and noteworthy statement pieces along with their clean, impactful style and professional, carefully crafted presentation makes them one to watch.

Dome Chairs, featuring natural burlap, solid mahogany, and nail head trim

Some of the incredible statement pieces that the "curators" have hand-selected include the Dome Chair, Louis Ghost Chair, and Custom Boxwood which dress up a space, lending a certain air of distinction and fashion-forward sophistication.

Photo by Nick Pugay Photography

the iconic Louis Ghost Chair

Their approach to design is best stated by the team, "We believe the devil is in the details and we're obsessed with getting it perfect...we keep this in mind from our initial conceptualization to execution."

I can't wait to see more from this exciting and dynamic decor and design agency, and am looking forward to watching them take our industry to the next level!

Best wishes to the Curators, and happy planning!

Mona

neu events

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

Wedding planning tip: prepare props for your engagement shoot

Bubbles convey a playful and light-hearted spirit...  Photo by amodophoto.

Engagement photos make a terrific way to commemorate a couple's engagement period prior to their wedding.  Traditional engagement shoots in Hawai'i take place in beautiful, outdoor settings.  Many couples will put special thought into their outfits for their shoot, but rather than just paying attention to the location and the attire, why not take it a step further?

Those that know this couple will easily recognize the popcorn as the groom's favorite snack.  Photo by Dylan Dawson Photography.

To personalize your engagement shoot, consider props which add action and/or personality to the photos.  Think about what makes you unique as a couple, and play upon that.  Some will even bring their favorite pet (aka "child") to the shoot.  It'll lend more character to the photos and provide a very contemporary feel to the images.

Red, helium-filled balloons add a splash of color and lend a cheery feel.  Photo by amodophoto.

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

Clear umbrellas make for cute props while leaving the focus on the couple.  Photo by Dylan Dawson Photography.

This Sunday: Gown Sale at the Bridal Boutique!

It is hard to believe how quickly costs mount when preparing for a wedding.  It seems there are just too many "must haves" and "cannot do withouts" for that special day.

Breaking news!  Here is a refreshing change - the chance to SAVE money on a wedding-related purchase!  This Sunday, The Bridal Boutique, located in Honolulu (O'ahu), Hawai'i, will host their Mid-Year Sale, featuring a whopping 40% off dresses!

In previous years, the salon was practically bursting at the seams on this one-day-only event, and this year promises to be another huge hit!  To be able to take advantage of the sale, the key is to pre-order the dresses and get slotted for a time on sale day, so that come Sunday, you are simply in to pay, and out thereafter to experience the satisfaction of having procured the dress - the holy grail of wedding trousseaus.

Charisse chose a stunning lace gown from The Bridal Boutique for her special day.  Photo by L'amour Photography.

Of critical importance is scheduling appointments, for the pre-sale consultation, and for payment on sale day, so be sure to call (808) 597-8893 to reserve your time slots.  The Bridal Boutique is open Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 10:00am - 6:00pm; and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00am - 4:00pm and is located at 627 South Street, Suite 101 in Honolulu.

Happy Dress Shopping!

Mona

neu events

formerly known as Weddings by Grace and Mona

Escort Cards and Plated Meals for Weddings

Nothing says elegance quite like a formal, plated meal for a wedding reception.  Many couples opting for this often wish to offer a choice of entree to best cater to their guests' varied tastes and the best way to go about doing so, is to identify each guest's entree selection in advance.  For most seamless service on-site, many hotels and caterers will require some sort of indicator to cue their servers in to the guests' choices.

Here is an easy and effective way to do so: 

Banquet servers knew whether a guest had requested fish or beef by the color of the border on the escort card.  Escort cards by Emi Ink.  Photo by Visionari.

create color coded escort cards or place cards.  It serves as a quick way to inform the server of the guest's entree choice, and is equally decorative and functional, too.  Incorporate the wedding colors to make these cards coordinate with the rest of the stationery and the look of the wedding.

Here, the flower color identified the guests' choice in entree.  Escort cards by Something Blue.  Photo by Dylan Dawson Photography.

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

Wedding Planning Tip: points to consider for your wedding cake topper

When our parents and grandparents tied the knot, wedding bells, plastic brides and grooms, or artificial doves adorned the tops of their wedding cakes.  Modern day weddings, however, feature a wide selection of unique cake toppers, enabling couples to personalize the look of their cake.  Before purchasing or special ordering that "must-have" topper, be sure to consider:

Photo by HelmutWalker Photography

• diameter of the topper - make sure that the top of the cake is wide enough to fit the topper or vice versa, that the cake topper you are ordering is of a size proportional for the top tier of the cake.
• weight of the topper - with toppers available now in all kinds of materials, check with your cake maker (prior to your wedding day) to see whether the cake can support the weight of the topper.  If not, the cake maker may need to reinforce the cake with dowels or supports, or he/she may suggest not placing the topper on the cake at all.
• material of the topper - couples sometimes get creative by choosing something out of the ordinary to serve as a cake topper.  If doing so, be sure to check whether it is made of non-toxic materials if planning to actually consume the top tier of cake.

Happy Planning!

Mona

neu events

(formerly known as Weddings by Grace and Mona)

Photo by Kai Photo

Wedding Planning Tip: rehearsing with your shoes

Here's a quick and easy planning tip for preparing for your big day; bring your wedding day shoes to your rehearsal and wear them throughout the rehearsal.  That way, you will feel accustomed to taking those steps down the aisle (and back) in whatever surface is at your ceremony site.  Sometimes, church and chapel floors can be slippery, so a dry run in your shoes will help to identify any potential slips before they happen on the big day.  For outdoor ceremonies, bring clear cello tape to wrap your heel in, thereby preventing it from getting soiled in the grass, dirt, sand, etc..

Photo by Amodo Photo

Now here's a secret that we'll just keep between us.  If worried about slipping or tripping or discomfort from wearing heels that say "ooh-la-la" when your feet are really saying "ooh-my-poor-toes," get a second pair of comfortable shoes of the same height as your main shoes to wear down the aisle.  No one really sees the bride's shoes during the ceremony so you can wear the comfortable pair for the ceremony and then pull a switcheroo on the shoes after.  Note:  you may want to skip this if your ceremony involves kneeling, as your shoes will certainly show, here.

Photo by Visionari

Happy Planning!
Mona
neu events
formerly Weddings by Grace and Mona

Wedding planning tip: cake timing

Towering square tiered cake featuring black and white checks for a racing themed wedding, designed by Rick of cakelava.  Rick was truly ahead of his time, as he was designing ombre hued cakes before ombre even became a wedding trend!  Photo by Chrissy Lambert Photography.

Here's a simple piece of advice related to your wedding cake, particularly if planning your wedding on your own.

Chocolate ribbons stream down the sides of this four-tiered wedding cake designed by the Halekulani.  Photo by Visionari.

Ask your cake baker or designer about the number of hours that the cake can be left out of refrigeration.

Yet another stunning creation by Rick Reichart of cakelava.  This towering cake combines a modern and whimsical look, with varying shapes and heights.  Photo by Sieber Studio.

Make sure then that the time between having your cake delivered and the time of your cake cutting and serving is less than the maximum number of hours that the cake can be unrefrigerated.

Another fabulous cake!  This show-stopping cake was created by Cake Works for a wedding we planned at the Sheraton Waikiki.  Photo by Eclat Photography.

Note that in Hawaii, particularly with outdoor weddings, we have some particularly warm and sunny days, and the length of time for a cake to be left outdoors thus shortens.

Pretty in Pink - cascading fresh flowers in shades of pink adorn this simply elegant cake.  Photo by Dave Miyamoto and Company.

The last thing anyone wants to see is a beautiful wedding cake that starts to slide, collapse, or melt so again, be sure to consult your cake provider to ensure that your cake looks its best throughout its time on display.

cakelava designed this one of a kind cake for our couple, Deb and Keola, who chose shades of purple and yellow for their wedding.  Photo by AmodoPhoto.

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

I'll Have a Cone, Please! (petal cones for your flower shower)

What could be more romantic than rose petals fluttering over you as you recess down the aisle or exit the church?  It certainly makes for a picture-perfect moment, and enhances the sentiments of joy and celebration.  Without a doubt, the flower shower serves as the perfect ending to a heartfelt and momentous wedding ceremony.

Photo by Visonari at the Halekulani Hau Terrace in Waikiki.

However, what the photos do not reveal is the logistics behind the creation of that picture-perfect moment.  Particularly for outdoor ceremonies, when the flower shower takes places immediately after the kiss and announcement of the newlyweds, how do the guests get the petals for tossing?  Do they hold a handful of petals throughout the entire ceremony until that moment that the couple passes?

Photo by L'amour Photography

We suggest providing guests with a cone or receptacle for the petals.  While purely functional, they can be made to coordinate with the colors and style of the wedding, and we like it best when they tie in with the "day-of" wedding stationery!  Often times, local stationers will string a ribbon through the cone, so that the guests may easily take one, or so that they can be hung from the ceremony chair.  

Photo by Visionari.

Here are a few examples of some custom designed cones.  Perhaps they will provide you with inspiration for cones of your own!

Happy Planning!

Mona

neu events

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

Cones by Emi Emi Ink.  Photo by Visionari.

Cones by Something Blue.  Photo by L'amour Photography.

Cones by Emi Ink.  Photo by Kai Photo.

Petal cones by Emi Ink.  Photo by Eclat Photography.

Sand Ceremony

photo by Jim Creed Photography

While certainly no longer a novelty, the sand ceremony is relatively new to wedding "traditions," and may very well deserve to become a long standing one.  In many senses, the sand ceremony resembles the unity candle custom, where the simultaneous lighting of a central candle by the couple each using a separate candle, symbolizes the joining of two separate individuals and their families.  With the sand ceremony, the beauty of the mixing of two separate vessels of sand is that once the sand has been mixed, it is inextricably mixed forever and can never be separated, just as the couple's two lives and families will be.

photo by Kris Labang Photography

photo by Kris Labang Photography

The sand ceremony works exceptionally well in lieu of the unity candles when it comes to outdoor wedding ceremonies.  Particularly here in Hawaii, where our balmy weather entices many couples to celebrate their union in the open-air, the unity candle can be tricky to execute, where even a subtle gust of wind could blow out the candle (and what would the symbolism be behind that?!).  For couples wishing to incorporate the unity candle into their outdoor wedding ceremonies, I usually suggest the sand ceremony instead, which is impervious to the elements.

Photo by Chrissy Lambert Photography

The mixed sand also makes a beautiful keepsake following the ceremony.  Some couples will even get the vessel engraved with their names and wedding date.  A slew of beautiful sand ceremony kits are available on-line and even picture frames that can be filled with sand serve as a beautiful alternative to a glass container.

 

photo by L'amour Photo

photo by L'amour Photo

photo by L'amour Photo

If planning your own wedding, consider how you'd like to personalize your ceremony.  The sand ceremony might be a wonderful way to do so, but be sure to consult with your officiant first.  Happy planning!

Mona

Weddings by Grace and Mona

neu events

Brand new for weddings on Oahu: mini donuts made fresh on-site!

Pop Pop Donuts with a yuzu (Japanese citrus) glaze

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting with Jerron, a nice, budding, entrepreneur who is nuts about donuts.  His business, Pop Pop Donuts, draws crowds from a one block radius when they smell his delicious mini donuts being made fresh and piping hot.  Jerron's mini delicacies can most often be found at "Eat the Street" in Kaka'ako, Honolulu, and is planning on a couple of tantalizing sweet-meets-savory donuts for the next "Eat the Street" food truck event on Friday, April 26, for this month's theme featuring bacon.

The really exciting part of Pop Pop Donuts is that they are now available for weddings and events on Oahu!  As a wedding planner, I always look for new and innovative options for our couples, and this one was too good to keep a secret!  After trying one (and then another half-dozen after that!) I could easily imagine these tasty treats for a fun, cocktail hour snack, as dessert following dinner, or even as a late-night munchie-food!

Espresso Sugar Pop Pop Donuts

And with the range of gourmet flavors available, even the most discerning foodies might find it difficult to stop at just one silver-dollar sized confection.  Imagine savoring an espresso sugar, yuzu glazed, or azuki topped mini donut.  Blissful!

Powdered Pop Pop Donuts with an azuki drizzle

To add to the novelty of just enjoying mini donuts at an event as special as a wedding, the machine itself attracts a number of curious on-lookers.  Kids and adults alike stand by to admire the machine in all its glory, making beautifully perfect donuts with efficiency and precision, one after another.  I, myself, found it fascinating to watch a video of the donut machine pop out numerous donuts - such a clever invention!

Popped Hot!

To learn more about having mini donuts at your wedding or event, contact Jerron at (917) 446-5317.