Destination Weddings in Waikiki - A Look at Pros and Cons

Gorgeous view of Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach from the Sheraton Waikiki.  Photo by Eclat Photography.

As a wedding planner, part of my job is to help couples weigh pros and cons regarding the numerous decisions they need to make regarding their wedding.  I recently had a bride ask for my thoughts about holding a wedding in Waikiki.  Here are some things I shared with her...

While Waikiki can feel a bit hurried at times, with traffic being a bit of a bear, it offers so many advantages.

Proximity to the beach.  If at an ocean-front property, the views of the water and of the iconic Diamond Head are spectacular, but anyplace in Waikiki is no more than a block or two from the beach, so photographers can easily take couples out for photos with their toes in the sand.

Nearby accommodations.  Waikiki boasts a slew of options for accommodations, ranging from budget to luxury, and includes resorts, hotels, boutique hotels, condo-tels, and rental units.  Guests can choose a place to stay in walking distance, at a price point comfortable for them.

This means that the wedding can probably be planned without regard for providing transportation to and from the wedding site for guests, since the assumption is that most guests will stay nearby.

Moments before the wedding in one of the beautiful guest rooms of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

Mild(er) weather.  Believe it or not, it can rain in one part of the island, and yet be perfectly dry in another.  Seldom do we find ourselves making a "rain call" to move a wedding ceremony indoors.

Overall, if looking for a wide, expansive space of country-side, Waikiki is not for you.  Overall, however, the benefits far outweigh the small disadvantages to holding a wedding in Waikiki.  That said, a wedding is one of those lifetime events where the decision on where to celebrate that special occasion is a very personal one.  Fortunately, we have numerous venues here in Hawai 'i, and there is sure to be someplace to please just about any couple.  Hiring a wedding planner can help a couple to seek out the best, and sometimes, little known venues.  I encourage couples to enjoy the venue search and to remember, it should not feel like work, but rather, part of the exciting time in life of being engaged, and a part of the journey in preparing for a wedding.

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)

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.

Flower Showers, Bubble Showers, and Feather Showers...oh my!

Photo by Amodo Photo

It appears the tradition of throwing rice, symbolizing the bestowing of prosperity on the bride and groom, has become "untraditionalized," evidenced by the fact that in 12 years of planning weddings, we have not once witnessed a wedding where rice was thrown. It is said that the uncooked grains of rice pose health risks to the birds who might eat them. However, several pretty alternatives exist, and make for great photos, too.

Photo by Kai Photo

One of the most popular in Hawaii, would be the tossing of rose petals. They seem to drift upon the couple, truly highlighting them as the stars of the day.

For guests' ease, petals may be inserted into petal cones like these, designed by Emi Ink, to match with the rest of the couple's wedding stationery.

Photo by Kai Photo

These petals cones, sweetly affixed to the backs of the chairs, and feature petals in the form of the original rose blooms.

Bubbles make for beautiful photos as well...

Photo by Kai Photo

As do a mixture of petals, bubbles, and feathers...

Photo by Eclat Photography

Consider the look you would prefer your wedding and choose accordingly. Happy Planning!

Wedding Style Tip #6: Notice Your Napkins

Photos by Dave Miyamoto & Company

One element that can make a simple and thoughtful statement in the overall look of your wedding decor is the napkins on your table tops. Get creative with the napkin fold; ask the hotel, caterer, linen provider, or wedding planner/designer if they would be able to get creative with the napkin fold. With the napkins shown above, we incorporated the bride's gold, braided cord and folded the napkins around the menu cards for a perfect fit, cuffing one edge of the napkin to reveal the other side of the napkin, which was a more tangerine shade.

Photo by Chrissy Lambert Photography

One of my favorite ways to add a "wow" factor to the napkins is by placing a fresh blossom on each napkin. In the photo below, a force-bloomed, fresh rose on each napkin looks fantastic; the size of the rose is significant enough to balance with the size of the charger. Any smaller blossom would have appeared dwarfed by the large scale of the napkin, folded as a wide vertical band over the charger.

Photo by Eclat Photograhy

On a side note, we have finally arrived at 2011 and I look forward to sharing more thoughts, ideas, tips, and featured weddings with you this year. Happy New Year, and may 2011 bring you and your loved ones much happiness, prosperity, and love!

Tips and Advice: fresh flowers for the bride's hair

photo by Kris Labang Photography

Nothing says "wedding in Hawai'i" like fresh flowers adorning the bride's hair. While beautiful blooms make a pretty statement, consider the following when preparing for the big day:

• flower type - consult with the floral designer when choosing what kind(s) of flower to wear in your hair. Certain flowers may be more delicate or fragile, and may not be conducive to wearing in your hair for several hours.
• flower prep - ask your hair and make-up artist if having the blooms wired and taped is preferred. The floral designer can wire the flowers and tape them, making them sturdier and less likely to break off, but in some instances, this may make it more difficult to secure the blossom to your hair. Your hair and make-up artist would be able to indicate what will work best with your do, given the type of flower(s).
• back-ups - Guests always want to greet and hug the bride, so often times, hair flowers become subject to jostling, bumping, and bruising. Request extra hair flowers from your floral designer and have your on-site wedding coordinator or bridesmaid switch out the "old" blossoms for fresh ones.
• tiaras, veils, AND hair flowers, oh my! - For those who want it all, you can "have your cake, and eat it, too!" Donning a tiara, headband, or other ornate hair accessories and hair flowers at the same time looks busy, and the two adornments compete with each other for attention. Instead of wearing both at the same time, enjoy two looks in the same day. Start with the one look with the veil for the ceremony and switch looks for the reception for a fresh look.

photos by Eclat Photography

• delivery time - Often times, floral designers will deliver bridal party flowers in time for picture taking. However, by the time these flowers arrive, the hair and make-up artist, who would be best at inserting the hair flowers, may have already left. Make specific arrangements to either have the flowers delivered before the hair and make-up artist leaves, or to pick up the hair flowers from the floral designer early, so that the flowers are ready for the hair and make-up artist.
  

Engagement photos: Nancy and Lance

I have the great fortune and privilege of planning weddings for couples who sometimes touch my heart at its very core and make me feel so thankful to have what I consider to be the best job in the world. Nancy and Lance are one such couple. Their thoughtfulness and generosity make me feel like I am the one who is being taken care of, when it is really my responsibility to be looking after them.

Their recent engagement photos shot at the Hilton Hawaiian Village by George Wang of Eclat Photography capture some of their personalities, and definitely, their fun side!

I absolutely love this photo of Nancy - a portrait of style and grace.We are just a few weeks out before Nancy and Lance finally tie the knot. It will definitely be a stunning wedding and the guests are in for a treat! Looking forward to it!

To Nancy and Lance ~ I wish you lots of love and a lifetime of happiness!