Planning a Wedding in Hawai'i: Step 2

Aloha and welcome back to my blog!  In a previous post, I wrote about the first step in planning a wedding in Hawai'i, which was to determine approximate budget, guest count, wedding date, and wedding planner.  Ready for the next step?

Ocean Crystal Chapel at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.  Photo by Mike Pham Photography.

Once you have taken care of step one, the next step is to choose your wedding venue.  Some questions to consider when contemplating wedding venues:

• Is it important to get married in a place of worship, such as a church or temple, or are you preferring to be in an outdoor location or other, non-religious, indoor spot?

• Would you like your ceremony and reception to take place in the same location, such as at a hotel, resort, or private estate?

• Would you like your reception to be indoors or outdoors?

 

Erin and Matt's Evening Cocktail Reception at the Honolulu Design Center.  Photo by Derek Wong Photography.

Ceremony and reception in the same location - Having a ceremony and reception in the same spot comes with many advantages.  For guests, there is no need to navigate getting from the ceremony and reception.  From a cost perspective, you maximize your spend on photography and videography, as these vendors usually have packages which include a number of consecutive hours, so staying in one location means that time is not wasted getting from the ceremony to the reception.

Photo by L'amour Photography.

Outdoor receptions - Often times, outdoor reception venues offer a great deal of flexibility, since you are not limited to the confines of four walls.  You can get creative with the floor plan and really personalize the space.  That said, bear in mind that most outdoor venues insist that the reception end around 10:00pm due to noise ordinances.  (If celebrating past 10:00pm is a priority, you can "have your cake and eat it, too" by planning an after party.)  Something else to note:  if the space is a blank slate, where everything must be brought in, such as tables, chairs, catering, etc., it often times becomes more costly to host a wedding at these locations than at a hotel.

Places of worship - Many times, churches will have fixed times at which wedding ceremonies can take place, and often times, these are mid-day, leaving a gap of time between the ceremony and reception.  If planning a destination wedding in Hawai'i, consider what your guests will do during that "break."  If the space of time is rather short, and if providing transportation for guests, you can have your transportation company take your guests on a brief, scenic tour between the ceremony and reception to fill the time.  If the gap of time is lengthy, then consider whether to offer transportation to the ceremony, then back to their accommodations, and then from their accommodations to the reception.

Sacred Heart Church.  Photo by Kris Labang Photography.

There is much to think about when choosing your wedding venue, and working with a wedding planner can certainly lend more insight tailored to your unique needs.  Hopefully, exploring the options is part of the fun and anticipation in imagining what is to come!

View of Waikiki's "Gold Coast."  Photo by Dave Miyamoto & Co. Photography.

Happy planning!

Mona

neu events

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

Why Do I Need You; a question frequently asked of wedding planners

A question frequently posed to me when meeting with couples for the first time, is "why do I need you, if I already have a wedding planner provided by the hotel [or venue where my wedding will take place]?"  In reality, many couples mistake their catering or event manager as being a hotel/venue-supplied wedding planner.  Catering or event managers, however, differ greatly from wedding planners, particularly when it comes to roles and responsibilities.

The catering/event manager's primary responsibility is to ensure the proper and smooth function of the catering operations of the facility.  This means clearly defining the meal and beverage specifics for each event, ensuring a positive customer experience, communicating internally amongst the related departments as to what to expect and execute for each event, and sometimes, can even involve helping clients to find other services providers, such as entertainers, floral designers, linen/rental providers, and yes, even wedding planners!

Catering managers work with the chef and with the couple on menu selection as well as options.  Photo by Perfekt Photo.

The wedding planner, on the other hand, really takes into account a couple's wedding as a whole, and can be involved with all aspects of the wedding.  Wedding planners connect couples with vendors and service providers , coordinate with these different professionals, advise and guide the couple, represent them when dealing with their venue/vendors, and oversee things on the wedding day.  Typical areas of a wedding that a wedding planner might cover, and a venue's catering manager might not, are attire, emcee, favors, hair and make-up, invitations/stationery, limousines/transportation, and extras like photo booths.

Although the specifics of what each planner offers may vary, one thing that we (and other wedding planners) can assist with is gown shopping or the scheduling of appointments at bridal salons.  Photo by Mike Pham Photography.

There are many "grey" areas where there is potential for overlap (such as entertainment. flowers, specialty rentals, audio-visual, officiants, wedding cakes, photography, and videography), particularly if the venue offers these services in-house, but the wedding planner will often delve deeper into discussing the specifics of each area and customizing it to the couple's unique needs and wishes.  For example, a hotel or venue may be able to contract the photographer on behalf of a couple, but a wedding planner will discuss things like preparing a photo shot list, considering attire and hair and make-up that work well for something like an engagement shoot, or even helping the photographer to identify key family members on the wedding day for picture-taking.

As wedding planners, we ask musicians for their repertoire and encourage couples to consider their specific song choices, not just for the ceremony, but for key moments during the reception as well.  Photo by L'amour Photography.

The truth is, wedding planners and venue catering/event managers work hand-in-hand with the same goal of providing quality service to a couple to make sure that their event is as special and memorable as possible.  Entrust us, as your team, to make your wedding day wishes a reality.

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

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

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

Wedding Trend: party dress!

While definitely not a new or novel concept, the plan for the bride to wear a different dress for dancing the night away has definitely increased in popularity as of late.  Especially in Hawaii where warm days and full, heavy gowns do not always mix, the idea of slipping into a more casual dress is appealing to more and more brides.

Photo by Visionari

Photo by Visionari

They also find a shorter or less formal garment much easier to dance in, and besides, who wouldn't want a reason to shop for another fabulous dress?

The bride donned a flirty and fun dress for her first dance after wearing her formal wedding gown for the ceremony and most of the reception.  Photo by L'amour Photography.

Do you plan to wear a second (or third or fourth) dress for the dancing portion of your wedding?  We'd love to hear more!

Photo by Eugene Kam Photography

Photo by Eugene Kam Photography

Happy dress shopping!


Mona
Weddings by Grace and Mona

Tuxedo Rentals for Ring Bearers

Thinking about suiting up your little guy in a rental tuxedo?  Remember that unlike the groom and groomsmen who can get fitted for their attire at anytime, kids are usually growing, and sometimes, rapidly at that.  The best time to get a ring bearer fitted, according to Mike Chong of Black Tie Affair here on Oahu, Hawaii, is three to four weeks prior to the wedding date to ensure the best possible fit.

If planning a destination wedding here in Hawaii, your ring bearer can still obtain a rental tuxedo here.  The local tux shops here would simply need to receive the measurements (ideally taken three to four weeks prior to the wedding) in advance.  That way, by renting the tux locally, there is no worry about the number of days needing to rent the tux, nor is there any concern about wrinkling or creasing caused by packing and traveling with the garment.

These ring bearers look dapper in their little tuxedos.  Photo by L'amour Photography.

Happy Planning!
Mona
Weddings by Grace and Mona

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

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!

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!

Tips and Advice: Cry "Pretty"

Once a wedding has taken place, I like to schedule a debriefing with the newlyweds to ask for their feedback on our wedding planning services and to gain their thoughts in general with regard to their wedding.  At a recent debriefing session, and in fact, at this evening's debriefing as well, the couples commented how their loved ones appeared to be upset or in fact, angry, during the ceremony.  The serious expressions were captured by their photographers, but in fact, when asking the subjects why the long face, they revealed that they were in fact shedding tears of joy.

The groom carefully dabs a tear away after the happy couple experiences their "first encounter," the time during which they see each other for the first time on their wedding day.  Photo by L'Amour Photography.

The truth of the matter is, most of us do not smile when we cry, even if our souls are at that moment filled with love and happiness.  So here is the tip that one couple asked me to pass along to other couples:  on the wedding day, try to "cry pretty."  Remember to try to smile, even if crying, and tell close friends and family who may feel extra moved on that day to do the same.  It looks so much better in photos and video, and that way, no one will misinterpret happy tears as unhappy moments.

Happy Planning!

Boutonniere or lei?

Photo by L'amour Photography

I frequently get asked whether it would make sense to wear a boutonniere or a lei. Remember that a boutonniere requires a lapel, so if going for a more casual affair with perhaps an aloha shirt or sans jacket, a lei would be appropriate. Assuming a suit or tuxedo, then either would work well for a formal event in Hawaii.

Photo by Visionari

Photo by Visionari

I like to suggest a boutonniere for the ceremony and formal picture taking. Because videographers typically pin a lavaliere (pin-on) microphone, a lei could potentially pick up any rustling noise from the lei, so a boutonniere presents an easy solution there. Following the ceremony, and for a subtle change of look, a lei could then be worn for the reception.

Photo by Eugene Kam Photography

A bit of advice: with all the hugging that takes place, a poor boutonniere could take a beating. Consider ordering a second boutonniere to switch to should the first one start looking a little shabby.