A Hawai‘i Wedding Wish List for 2020

I have been thinking about what I'd like to see this year in weddings.

More 

Individuality -"paint by number" weddings lack personality. I want to continue to encourage couples to use this opportunity to express their unique hosting style.
Signature Drinks - remember that the goal is to create a enjoyable experience. Let's explore the myriad of tasty & creative options that will enhance your menu and theme. A full bar is not the only choice.
Aloha.

Less

Waste - being a good host/hostess does not require having an excess. While you never want to run out of food or drinks - too much is simply too much. For example: bottled water costs $6++ (not including the environmental expense) wouldn't serving from water pitchers be a better choice?
Competition - when couples attend a circuit of weddings it often makes them wonder if they are "keeping up". My goal is to keep them on track and remind them that everything but the kitchen sink does not make for a better time.

Do this one thing for a better wedding ceremony

The best ceremonies are brief but thoughtful. So if you have left this portion of your wedding to the officiant - don't. There's no need to reinvent the vows - just take this opportunity to add an original element.

Write each other a paragraph, called "words of affirmation", and read/exchange them before your vows.  They reflect your love, journey and unique reason/s for committing to your partner. "Words of affirmation" can be funny, romantic, soulful or a mixed bag. This sharing is heartfelt and organic and will be the portion of the ceremony that you, your spouse, and your guests will most fondly recall.

Unique Wedding Designs

No two of my events look alike which makes sense because no two clients are alike.

While each client intuitively knows what colors and styles appeal to them. They often don't know how to pull the myriad of elements together for an overall cohesive, coordinated and complementary look. Being able to help them visualize the entire effect is a very important part of my service.

It was way back in 2002 that I realized not every "sees" all the pieces together the way I can. It's
rewarding to collaborate with couples on their event design and there's nothing better than to hear - "It was just what we wanted... but better!".

New Beginnings 2020 in Paradise

I thought a lot about my blog in 2019 and why I do it... or in my case have not been doing it.

Starting fresh this year means to share who I am and to share my perspective as a local, a wedding planner and a woman with lots of Aloha.  Life is deep, challenging and interesting. I want my social media to document that. So here's to 2020 and being me.



My husband captured the beauty of our island and the promise of the day in this picture. Fresh starts, new beginnings - what a welcome to 2020!

Introducing Aloha Holoholo

I have a big passion for life in Hawai‘i and love exploring the best places to workout, swim, eat, drink and be merry.

This zest for discovering and experiencing Hawai‘i is additive to my career as a wedding planner especially when working with destination clients. They often want to experience the islands as an insider and enjoy a local experience.

Enter Aloha Holoholo, a Hawai‘i Lifestyle Blog, created by my friend and business partner Chrissy Lambert and me. Chrissy takes the pictures and I am the writer. What started as a dream in January of 2017 became reality this November when we went live. Together we are posting all the things we find, whether new or under- discovered that we like and we're having a blast! 

We still are both enjoying successful and fulfilling careers - me as an event planner and her as a professional photographer.  With that said, we both have a lot of energy and Aloha - our blog is a creative outlet and a way of expressing our happiness with life here in the islands.

If you are reading this - you're invited to holoholo with us - 

join us at alohaholoholo.com

Paradise to Paris

Aloha Heather & Michael - Molii Gardens

Congratulations Heather & Michael!  It was my absolute pleasure to be your partner in planning! So glad you did your cake cutting in natural light:)