Hawaii Furloughs & Marriage Licenses

If you are planning a wedding in Hawaii and will be applying for a Hawaii Marriage Application be aware that the Department of Health is now closed two (2) Fridays per month as part of the Statewide Furloughs.

The current Furlough calendar can be found online and shows the following Furlough Days through June 2010.


CLOSED January 15 & 29, 2010
CLOSED February 5 & 12, 2010
CLOSED March 5 & 12, 2010
CLOSED April 23 & 30, 2010
CLOSED May 7 & 14, 2010
CLOSED June 18 & 25, 2010

For more information
www.hawaii.gov/health/vital-records/vital-records/marriage/index.html

For a twist on musical entertainment

At Parasol Events, we seek out talent that can bump entertainment up a notch. When clients are looking for something with a little more pizazz we turn to DeShannon Higa.

Creating a playlist, setting a swank vibe and then playing his trumpet along with tracks adds a level of performance that blows the guests away (no pun intended). He is an AWESOME trumpet player and is so musically diverse that clients really do reach another level musically having him weave the mood.

Read more about DeShannon here -www.facebook.com/deshannon.higa

December Wedding in Honolulu - Run for It!

The 37th Annual Honolulu Marathon was held this past weekend. I strolled down to Kapiolani Park to watch the race and do some people watching with my husband, our dog and a hot beverage (dark chocolate with peppermint from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf) in hand.

Last Sunday's weather was superb! The air was so cool & crisp (only a whisper of wind) with temperatures in the 70's - absolutely perfect running conditions. All the happy smiles, good cheer, and positive energy launched my wedding planner's brain to work and I thought, "How awesome would it be to have a December wedding (amazing weather) and include the marathon festivites into the event calendar!"

Sunday, December 12, 2010 is the date for next year's Honolulu Marathon. We can get started now and plan a fantastic Friday night wedding (include the fireworks from the Hilton Hawaiian Village), a Saturday chill day at the Beach, and spend Sunday running or walking or cheering!

image/William Beck

For more information check out www.honolulumarathon.org

cakelava -Oahu's Own Celebrity Baker

I have a outrageous sweet tooth that is thankfully very selective and I LOVE cakelava!

Here is a fun news flash -----cakelava's Rick Reichart is presently preparing to compete in a Food Network Challenge. This prestigious cake competition is by invitation only and extended to the nation's best cake artists and pastry chefs. This will be Rick's first Food Network Challenge and he is hoping to bring home the Gold medal!

When you want your cake to make a statement you MUST go to cakelava.Do yourself a favor and surf their website and gallery for a virtual treat at www.cakelava.com

All Inclusive Packages are a hit on Oahu!

In 2009, Parasol Events began offering all-inclusive packages designed for couples who want to keep arrangements to a minimum but want top notch professionals and elegant designs.

By using our relationships in the industry and by offering our packages on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays - we are able to provide super talented vendors in a package format. An all inclusive package might be right for you if...,

*you have less than 25 guests
*your ceremony is the most important element of your wedding day
*you are considering a restaurant or hotel venue for the reception
*you don't want to manage the micro elements or logistics

Sam & Sopheary were married in August and opted for a private estate location. As you can see, they left the details to us and had a spectacular day!

Photos by Chrissy Lambert Photography (yes that is right- she is one of the companies we use for our all inclusive packages!)

Hawaii is more than just beautiful beaches!

No doubt, Hawaii has some of the most exquisite beaches and coastline in the world. But as a subtropical climate, parts of the islands also boast a very lush plant life.

Oahu alone has 5 beautiful botanical gardens, with over 650 acres of tropical landscape. These botanical gardens are open to the public and focus on the preservation of endangered plants.

If you're a couple looking to experience a different part of Hawaii, consider one of these gardens for an intimate ceremony or for a romantic photo shoot. An outing or picnic with your friends and family would be a great experience too.

by Alia Kennedy
Consultant/Parasol Events

Visit the link below for more information on garden hours and hosting events.
http://www.honolulu.gov/parks/hbg/

Launch into the celebration by cutting the cake!

The cutting of the wedding cake symbolizes your commitment to provide for & nourish each other and it is also one of your first joint tasks at the wedding. Cutting the cake right after the ceremony is a great way to get the party started and transition from the formality of the ceremony into the lightheartedness of the cocktail hour.

Aside from the fun factor, there is another huge bonus..., the pictures look fantastic! Photographers get to work in natural light instead of having to use flash (which is necessary once the sun goes down). Just check out Monica & Jeff's image captured in the Coconut Grove at the Royal Hawaiian, Oahu.

Photography by Visionari
www.visionari.com

Hawaii Sunset Wedding Shots are a Must!

Sunset wedding shots are a must have with an island celebration! You have the dress, the venue, the mood and that perfect golden Hawaiian light.

As a professional wedding planner, one of the many valuable assets we share with our clients is our sense of timing. Knowing not only when the sunset occurs on your wedding day, but developing a reception timeline that allows you both to easily slip away with your photographer is just one more way Parasol Events brings value to your day.

Be sure your schedule takes advantage of that spectacular ambiance that occurs once at day at sunset!

Photo courtesy of Absolutely Loved.

"New" Glamorous Honolulu Wedding Venue

For those brides and grooms searching for a private estate for their wedding on Oahu - I have good news! There is an incredibly elegant new property being offered for events and it is conveniently located 20 minutes outside of Waikiki.

Yes..., it is oceanfront, dreamy and best yet can host up to 100 guests. Couples have the option to rent the location for the day of their event or really pamper themselves by adding additional nights and luxuriating in the well appointed 7 bedroom property.

For more details call Parasol Events directly at 1-866-923-3969.

Gorgeous Tropical Guest Book by Uncommon Envelope

Bright, cheerful & classy! Maggie, the owner of Uncommon Envelope, can customize and create a guest book for your wedding that sends a personal statement!

" I care that you came & want to have a visible reminder of everyone who shared our wedding day!"

After years of experience in the Hawaiian wedding industry as an event designer, Maggie possesses an intimacy with the islands that results in a unique perspective & design for destination brides & grooms.

Log onto www.uncommonenvelope.com to view more guest books. While you are there, check out the stunning wedding invitation suites such as "Tropical Modern", "Old Hawaiiana" & "Luxe Orchid" to experience luxurious stationary.

Destination Wedding for Hawaii in 2010!

If you want a destination Hawaii wedding - the good news is that the islands are an incredible value right now! Accommodations are at their lowest rates in years and while airfares are holding steady, there are great deals available if you book early!

For your inner circle of family & friends (who would not dream of missing your wedding) this is welcome news! An additional bonus is that on the days surrounding your ceremony & reception, there are so many activities that are priceless but FREE!

Here is a one day sample itinerary, hosted on our lovely island of Oahu, that is completely "gratis".

*Go for a morning Hike- I love going up Kuliouou!
*Get Wet in the afternoon- Play at beach at Magic Island.
*Spend sunset with the local talent - Catch the Kuhio Beach Park Hula Show.

What a blast!

Champagne & Malasdas to get the party started in Hawaii!

Standing ocean side after a intimate heartfelt ceremony.., now imagine sipping a bubbly champagne and nibbling on light sugary confection! Even better right!

Maladas are very popular in Hawaii. Couples lean towards serving petit fours, chocolate covered strawberries, or their own wedding cake but this concept has a distinct island flair. Serving malasadas offers you a subtle & unique way to infuse the local culture into your celebration. This pairing is particularly well balanced with an extra dry champagne.

The guests just love them! I have even seen them surround the sugar dusted empty platter to reminisce about how tasty there were! Of course..., they also want to know where they can find them again too. We tell them to go to Leonards:)

Aloha & Welcome to Hawaii Gift Bags!

Custom water bottles are a practical, attractive and thoughtful addition to your welcome bags for a Hawaii destination wedding. The flourish bottles have an elegant feel while the design that includes a photo image has unlimited creative options. Think about all the fun, quirky, tropical or romantic themes a custom selected image could embrace.

You can find these labels at Carlson Craft!

Parasol Events goes to the Big Island - Hawaii!

Last week Alia & I flew to the Big Island for 3 days of site visits and meetings with wedding professionals.

What a blast! We met some of the kindest folks who share our passion for quality, fun & professionalism.

The vastness of the island is so impressive but what really got us excited was the beach wedding & reception options. You have seen those photos of sandy beach dinner receptions..., well they can be done on the Big Island!

This is a photo is from a past event at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott.

More options for our clients - love that!

Twin Ravens Press gets the Hawaii invitation suite right!

Kristin Walker of Twin Raven Press did it again! Our clients, Allison & Matt, worked along with our consultant Alia Kennedy and Kristin to develop this suite of Hawaii inspired wedding invitations for their destination celebration.

For more details check out Twin Raven's blog at

http://twinravenspress.blogspot.com/2009/10/allison-matt-are-married.html

Find us at the Kahala Hotel & Resort on 10/23/09!

We are honored to be a Preferred Vendor at such a Premiere Venue!

Come browse the locations and vendors that the Kahala is proud to call their best!

Be sure to stop at Parasol Events and visit with Laura & Alia. They can share their insights on any wedding topics that matter to you.

Hotel Renew is a surprising value!

Recommending accommodations in Waikiki has just gotten easier! I toured this property and found the zen like design to be very soothing. The price per night was super reasonable for all the luxury and the location.

“Setting a new standard for comfort and style in Honolulu, Hotel Renew, is the first true designer boutique hotel to arrive to the Hawaiian Islands. Located in the vibrant center of Waikiki, steps to Waikiki Beach, Hotel Renew promises an experience of luxury and ease from the moment you arrive.”

The Westin Moana Beach House

Last Wednesday, I lunched as a guest of the Moana's catering department at the Beach House Restaurant. This was the previous site of the Grand Salon (remodeled as part of the Westin management change) where many happy couples celebrated their weddings.

To my delight, I learned that the space is now available for wedding receptions! The view remains as stunning as it always has been while the furnishings and decor have a modern casual beach feeling. One more wonderful option available to my clients:)

Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Bar

Recently, we had a self serve candy bar that included macadamia nuts in a variety of flavors. What a success!
The nuts can be savory or sweet. During cocktails guests moved between the salty Maui onion/garlic & the honey glazed flavors. By the end of the evening, everyone was all about the chocolate toffee & the Kona coffee glazed flavors. Irresistible!!!!

Radiant Bride by Luxz!

Roxanne, the owner & licensed esthetician of Luxz, graciously offered me a complimentary microdermabrasion Intraceutical hyperbaric oxygen therapy facial. FYI- these are the treatments that are keeping the Hollywood crowd looking so incredibly youthful.

I was pleased with immediate results of the treatment, but what I am finding so completely astonishing is that at 5 weeks out -I am continuing to see improvements. Fine lines & hyper-pigmentation have been minimized and my skin has a glow & suppleness that is new! Yup! I am hooked and am planning on booking myself for the series!!!!!! These results are better than any other single thing that I have done recently to improve my appearance.

For my brides who want to look fresh and radiant on their wedding day this is a really worthwhile treatment. The boost is so completely visible! Do consider your moms for this treatment too because the longer one has LIVED in her skin the more dramatic the results!

LUXZ.ORG

Theo Chocolate

Celebrate. Love. Chocolate.

Located in Seattle, Washington is the only organic, fair trade, bean to bar, chocolate factory in the United States. I did not fully understand what that meant until after taking a tour of their factory today.

Please do check out their website at www.theochocolate.com to learn more.

How does this apply to wedding planning?
They offer gorgeous wedding favors!

What I like to see..., a confident bride

A few days ago I pulled some images from a past wedding at the Paul Mitchell Estate. I loved the spirit of this picture. Our bride was having a blast, relaxed and feeling sassy. As a wedding planner alot of our work is intangible. I think this image captures the playfulness and ease that we achieve for our clients through professional planning and coordination.

Malia's wedding favor tip -Etsy.com

Neat wedding favor idea sent in from Malia who was married in February 2008. 100 tubes of lip balm in your choice of flavor, and with your message added to the labels. They will even work with you to develop a custom flavor and match the labels to your wedding colors!

Superb view of Waikiki

The Hau Tree Lanai boasts the most romantic outdoor venue with an unparalleled view of the Waikiki coastline. 

Sitting under the twinkling Hau Tree, enjoying the plumeria and ocean infused trade winds, while dining on a fine meal is an experience that any couple, not just the newlywed, would enjoy. 

Tips..., try the pork chops ..., make reservations for a Friday night and catch the Hilton Hawaiian's weekly firework show!

Destination grooms & what they are asking for

Frequently I am asked,  "What is the appropriate attire for the groom and groomsmen for a Hawaii wedding celebration?" 

While the standard black tux remains a safe bet it can be too formal and  hot for an outdoor occasion. Tommy Bahama shirts on the other hand may be cool but too casual for a ceremony.

This taupe ceremonial tux hits the mark perfectly.

Elegant, fresh and modern with clean lines and minimal fuss this is a look I hope to see more of. 

Wedding Cocktail Fun

This is going to be a blast! We selected a martini recipe already and named the drink "Something Blue" but thought that having a custom ice carved martini luge would add a little entertainment to the cocktail hour. Imagine the fun the guests will have with this one.

Alia's Happy Event!!!!

Although Alia planned many events last year - this one was her most personal . Taj Kekaihalai (the calm ocean) Kennedy was eagerly anticipated and arrived on November 21, 2008. Naturally I think he is absolutely gorgeous!

As of today, he enjoys sleeping, sucking on his hand and watching his mobile. Alia is already back in the swing of things and working virtually from home while adjusting to her new role as a mom. Taj's dad  is busy making plans to teach him how to surf and ride dirt bikes.

Me..., I get to be the Auntie:)

Parasol's first "Hottie Knottie" winner!!!

Malia is fun, vivacious, and intelligent. In addition, she is a voracious researcher and prolific writer as well. It was no surprise that the Brides on the Hawaii Knot Board acknowledged her in their annual "Hottie Knottie" awards. Her online name is  "Myday1708". Check her out:) 

Kooalu Wedding Rehearsal at the 18th hole

Yesterdays rehearsal for Rusti and Jordon's wedding was a blast. Their ceremony is being held against the gorgeous and lush Koolau mountain range in Kaneohe at the 18th hole. Everyone was shuttled via golf cart to the green and when golfers came to tee off we would stop the rehearsal and become their gallery. We applauded them after they drove their balls down the fairway which amused us and delighted them. Smiles all around:)