Attention newly-engaged couples!  If you happen to be searching for a venue for your wedding, you are in luck!  The JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko 'Olina on O'ahu is hosting "Wedding Experience," a special event just for couples who will soon tie-the-knot.  This Sunday, April 6, from 4:00pm to 8:30pm, guests will be able to view wedding locations, try some of the cuisine, meet wedding vendors, and even see a fashion show!

For more information, contact Kim Gallagher (e-mail:  kim.gallagher@marriott.com, phone:  808-679-3357) to inquire about weddings at the Ihilani. Space is very limited, so be sure to act quickly.

We are also happy to extend complimentary admission to the first five couples who inquire with us, as we have space for up to five couples as part of our list.  Simply e-mail info@neuevents.com and mention the Ihilani's "Wedding Experience."  Hope to see you there!

Happy Planning!

Mona

neu events

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

When Is the Best Time of Year to Get Married in Hawaii?

I have to chuckle whenever a destination bride or groom asks me what the weather is like during a certain time of the year in Hawai'i.  My answer is usually something like, "it is probably going to be pretty much like today, warm - in the 80s."  As the saying goes, "lucky we live Hawaii," where our tropical climate varies very little from month to month, and where there's never a need for a trench coat or heavy jacket (unless, of course, it is to make a fashion statement).

Photo by Jim Creed

In all honesty, we do have some variation in weather.  We get a little more rain here between the months of November and March, and at nights, temperatures drop by around 10 degrees.  During the summers, we usually see temperature highs in the upper 80s and during the winters, low 80s.  Easy-peasy.

Photo by Chrissy Lambert Photography

There are other factors to think about when planning for a wedding month or date.  Consider the following:

May - this is a great month for peonies, an extremely popular bloom for weddings, and since this is the height of their growing season, floral designers can most easily obtain these flowers in the month of May.  Remember, however, that in May, we have many proms, graduations, and Mothers Day, which make the demand for flowers and leis higher, and thus, we tend to see higher pricing during this month.

Summer - this is a great time of year for pikake (jasmine flowers) and for pakalana, small, fragrant flowers that are exquisite in leis.  These local blossoms are particularly abundant in the summer.  It is also when we experience a peak in travel to Hawaii, with many families spending their vacation here in our islands.  This translates to higher demand for hotel rooms, so room rates are pricier and rooms do book quickly, so early planning for a summer wedding is always advisable.

Holidays - many couples are drawn to the holidays and three day weekends for a wedding.  Because the demand for wedding venues and services is higher during holidays, the couple that plans with a short lead time will find slim pickings for a long weekend.  For the "bigger" holidays in Hawaii:  Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's, vendors and venues may also charge a premium, as they themselves incur increased labor costs for holiday pay, and it also means time away from their loved ones on what is traditionally considered time spent with family.

To best address timing specific to your wedding, speak with a wedding planner.  He or she can provide any pros and cons regarding a certain date and can even advise as to best day of the week for you.

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)

Bridal Party Gifts

It is always nice to recognize and acknowledge the members of the bridal party:  the maid of honor, best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, and ring bearers, for their support during a wedding (and those months, weeks, and days leading up to it).  A thoughtful gesture is to thank them during the thank you speech during the wedding reception, or to highlight them during the reception program by providing a little insight into who they are and why they were chosen.  However, the most common way of thanking them is by sharing a token of gratitude, also known as bridal party gifts.

A quick search on-line will reveal a number of clever and special ideas for gifts.  In addition to the more conventional gifts such as jewelry for the ladies and flasks for the guys, we have seen a number of original bridal party gifts, such as a baseball bat to each groomsman, remote control race cars to be raced together in lieu of a traditional bachelor party, a bottle of the bridal party members' favorite libation, or even noise canceling headphones.

For a great photo opportunity, give the bridal party members their gifts on the wedding day.  Everyone looks their best, dressed up and often times, with hair and make-up, and the photographer can be there to document it all.  Here are a few photos shot by Dulce from Karen and Jordan's gift-giving sessions on their wedding day.

Happy Planning!

Mona

Venue Spotlight: JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa at Ko 'Olina

Of the many beautiful locations for weddings in Hawai'i, the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa at Ko'Olina has got to be one of our favorites.  Their stunning Lagoon Lawn makes for an amazing, oceanfront ceremony location, and the resort offers many fine options for receptions such as their Ocean Ballroom, Malolo Room, Lurline Room, Hokulani Ballroom, and the Lagoon Lawn, for those wanting open-air dining with a view of the water.  From a planning perspective, we love weddings at the Ihilani due to the flexibility with decor possiblities and the great staff that makes events there come together.

Here are a few photos of weddings we have planned there over the years...

Happy Planning!
Mona

The bride and her 'maids make their way over to the "first look" location.  Photo by Mike Pham Photography.

A romantic kiss by the water at the Ihilani.  Photo by Eugene Kam Photography.

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")

Trunk Show this Weekend at The Bridal Boutique

Attention all brides who will be on O'ahu this weekend!  The Bridal Boutique, located in Honolulu, Hawai'i, is kicking off the New Year with a bridal trunk show featuring one of their best-selling designers, Casablanca.  Known for their elegant and timeless styles, Casablanca’s bridal styles are sure to complement every bride and their desired look.

“New Year, New Styles,” will be held at the boutique’s store at 627 South Street, Suite 101 in Kaka'ako.  Gorgeous Casablanca styles will be shown and will be available at the boutique only for a limited time.

“We want to kick off the New Year by offering brides a trunk show with one of our award-winning designers,” said Cecilia Domingo, co-owner of The Bridal Boutique. “Casablanca is known for their original design and superb quality, which never disappoints.”

Now here's a bonus:  a 10% discount will be given on all pre-orders taken during the event!  Brides will also receive up to two free customizations and free shipping on their orders.  To make an appointment, call The Bridal Boutique at 808-597-8893 or email info@bridalboutiquehonolulu.com.

The Bridal Boutique also offers an array of bridal accessories, bridesmaid, flower girl, and mother dresses in a welcoming and intimate environment.  Be sure to take a look at these while gown shopping!

Remember that many bridal salons here on O'ahu suggest ordering a wedding gown six to eight months prior to the wedding, in order to ensure the gown's timely arrival on-island, and to allow ample time for alterations.  In other words, if your wedding is in June or later, now is the time to be shopping for and purchasing your gown (and if it is sooner than that, then it is time to hurry!)

Happy Planning, and Happy New Year!

Mona

neu events

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