Lanikuhonua Event and Wedding Expo TOMORROW

Lanikuhonua, one of O'ahu's most popular venues for weddings and events, is hosting a highly anticipated Event and Wedding Expo tomorrow at the venue itself, situated in the beautiful Ko'Olina area.  Anyone looking for an outdoor, oceanfront site for a special event will surely benefit by attending.  It is an opportunity to see Lanikuhonua all dressed up, and will feature drawing for great prizes, food, beverage, entertainment, and an array of vendors who can help make an outdoor wedding or event come to fruition.  Participating vendors include caterers, rental companies, entertainment providers, planners, floral designers, decor companies, and more!  To attend this event, which is open to the public, purchase tickets purchase in advance at tix.com or or pay at the door.  Admission is $25 for adults, $12.50 for children 6-12 years old, and it is free for kids under six.  For more information, e-mail or call 808-674-3360.

We love weddings at Lanikuhonua.  It offers stunning views of the ocean and coastline, some of the best sunsets to be found in Hawai'i, an abundance of free parking, and vast open spaces, representing a blank canvas for designing unique and special events.  Here are a few photos from events we have planned there over the years, to provide a sense for how the space can come to life and be transformed for weddings.

Photo by Chrissy Lambert Photography

Photo by Dave Miyamoto & Company

Photo by Stephen Ludwig Fotographi + Art

Photo by Christie Pham Photography

Photo by Marcia Campbell

Photo by Chrissy Lambert Photography

Photo by Eugene Kam Photography

Happy Planning!

Mona

neu events

(formerly known as "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)

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!

Tips and Advice: picking a veil with the right comb

Photo by Chrissy Lambert Photography

I just attended a hair and make-up trial session at the Naturally You studio with our bride who will be getting married this week, and hair and make-up artist extraordinaire, CJ Bae of Naturally You, shared with me a fantastic tip that I thought merited a blog entry of its own. With regard to veils, often times, they come attached to combs to secure to the bride's hair. Not all veils need to be secured with a comb, and some simply require a few bobby pins for keeping the veil in place, but if selecting one with a comb, opt for the metal combs as opposed to the plastic varieties.

Photo by Dave Miyamoto and Company

Often times, brides will don their veil for the wedding ceremony and formal picture taking, then will remove their veil, which may be a bit cumbersome to wear with guests giving the bride many hugs, and with it being less easy to move around with, for the reception. The plastic comb on a veil, however, will leave dents or marks in the bride's beautiful hair style, whereas the metal combs do not. Today's tip: if selecting the type of veil that has a comb attached to it, pick the "dent-free" option and go for one with a metal comb.

Kana with her veil for the formal picture taking, and without it following the ceremony. Photo by Visionari.

Tuxedo Rentals for Weddings in Hawaii

Photo by Dave Miyamoto and Company

For many of our destination weddings, couples frequently wonder if it makes more sense for the groom and groomsmen to rent tuxedos or suits in their home area, where they can get fitted and try on the items there. However, bringing the men's formal wear here means having to rent the garments for several days, additional luggage, and the possible need for pressing once the items are brought here. Instead, I always suggest renting here in Hawaii, where the gentlemen can not only avoid some of the difficulties associated with bringing the rental items here, but where they can affordably and simply get tuxedos for their special occasion. To facilitate the process, obtain everyone's measurements ahead of time and submit them to the tux shop to ensure that the appropriate sizes are reserved, and once on island, go in for a proper fitting.

Tips and Advice: back up boutonniere

Photo by Dave Miyamoto & Company

For some reason, boutonnieres, particularly those on grooms, never seem to make it through a whole wedding day. One more than one occasion, I've had to "rig" a boutonniere to fix it, or to "MacGyver" a new one in a pinch. After several hardy hugs and chummy chest bumps, the delicate petals that once formed a full blossom somehow wind up anywhere but on the boutonniere. The end result: a beautifully wrapped stem, and a partial flower, if you're lucky.

If planning for a wedding, the pre-emptive measure is an easy one: order a second boutonniere. The floral designer can create a replica of the first boutonniere, or can design an entirely different look, while still incorporating the flower(s) of the wedding. When the first one starts to appear a bit shabby, simply swap the worn one for the fresh new one. Always keep your best lapel forward!

Grooming for the Groom

Photo by Dave Miyamoto and Company

As standard practice, brides schedule manicures into their wedding preparation regimen. Grooms, however, seldom give thought to their own nails as it relates to their wedding. Little do they realize that wedding day photos often include close-up shots of the groom's hand...holding the bride's hand, exchanging rings, and signing the marriage license.

To put your best foot (er, hand) forward, I suggest that all grooms invest in a manicure for themselves a day or two prior to their wedding. We all want to see pampered fingertips in photos, with clean and evenly trimmed nails, pushed back cuticles, and no hangnails! Even the most macho of grooms can appreciate the pampering treatment of the hand massage that comes with the experience, so gentlemen, mark your calendars, and be sure to treat yourselves to a pre-wedding mani, too!

Origami Cranes for Weddings

Photos by Dave Miyamoto & Company

The tradition of folding 1,000 paper (origami) cranes commenced in Japan, and originally, the intent of folding these cranes was for healing in time of sickness, particularly when one is hospitalized. The crane, in Japan, is considered an auspicious bird, symbolizing longevity, and thus, the connection to well wishes for someone ailing from an illness.

Others in Japan say that if you fold 1,000 of these cranes, your wish will come true. It therefore stands to reason that thousands of paper cranes can be found at peace parks and memorials in Japan, and as gifts for dear friends and family.

This tradition has since transformed in Hawaii, and many today, particularly those of Japanese descent, choose to fold 1,000 origami cranes for their wedding. According to Hawai'i's local Japanese tradition, the bride folds 1,000 cranes, requiring dedication and perseverance, found to be desirable traits in a marriage. These cranes can then be mounted and framed, thus serving as a beautiful art piece to be enjoyed for years to come.

In the photos above, Dayna and Billy chose local crane artist, It's About Time, to mount their cranes. Note the individual cranes, carefully and strategically placed behind the plexiglass, with the negative space in the design revealing the cranes. For this particular piece, modern day couple, Dayna and Billy both had a hand in the creation of their cranes, with Dayna meticulously folding the paper, and Billy painstakingly gluing each one, in order to be flat enough for Christine and Brian of It's About Time to mount.

If planning to fold cranes for your wedding, start early! The folding itself can be a daunting task. Allow your crane mounter ample time for the mounting process, and give yourself a week at the minimum to get the mounted cranes framed. Happy folding!