Amazing New Venue in Honolulu!

It is not too often that I am bowled over by a new property but the Waikiki Edition did just that on my site visit last Saturday.
While there are so many details that set the Waikiki Edition into a class of its' own, what I found most striking was the pure understated class & luxury.

Beginning with the doormen in their fresh white shirts & shorts, cotton grey sweater vests and pristine white converse sneakers to the intimate zen lobby with a splash of whimsy ala the surf board sculpture behind the reception area it felt welcoming. Oh, and let me mention that the restaurant on site is Morimoto's - as in the famous Iron Chef! YUM!

There are several options for clients wanting to host a celebration here. Delightful, zen & tropical settings are available for small groups up to hundreds. Please do visit the property or the website for more images and information.

http://www.editionhotels.com/en-us/

Lighting with a Tropical Flair

I found this clever installation of lights online and immediately added it to my list of decor and lighting options. Finding concepts that are first functional and then visually pleasing is not as common as you would think.

These clusters of shoji lanterns have an casual feel and reference the look of low palm trees. Bringing the structural element of this scale adds drama while the soft lighting adds intimacy & warmth.

Stunning Right?!!!

The Gift Box - Customize for a Hawaiian Wedding

Details don't have to be fussy to have impact. Having a gift box to hold wedding cards keeps things organized and with some thoughtful adjustments can completely support your color scheme.

This simple stack of boxes with a gorgeous ribbon could be any color combination. Add a pattern for more bang or even consider using a textured box made of anything you can imagine. Lauhala & Bamboo are very Hawaiian.

Just another fun idea to enhance your Tropical Wedding.

Refreshing Beverages for the Tropical Setting

One of the things that Alia & I love about planning events is the amount of creativity & the spirit of individualism we help clients infuse into even the simplest details - for instance beverages.

The ice tea/lemonade station is such a fun way to mix- it up. But take that a step further with flavored teas and you can just imagine the interest and fun that guests will have tasting the variety and creating their own concoctions.

Here are the pros....
*environmentally friendly - no plastic bottles
*great value - both visually interesting and functional (quenching thirst)
*interactive - guests invent their own drinks and share their inspiration (Arnold Palmers - a mix of unsweetened tea and lemonade happen to be one of my favorite drinks.)

FUN, FUN, FUN

Paradise Whimsy-Pin Wheel Escort Cards:)

Customizing the wedding celebration is key to a great event. For our do-it-yourself brides - try these pin wheel escort cards which are whimsical and practical. .

While the image above is very sweet, clients wanting a more tropical feel just need to select their materials to suit their theme. I can image a monochromatic palate with shades of the popular hot/intense colors (dark paper on one side and light on the other). Examples ; Buttercup/Sunflower, Lavender/Deep Purple, Orange Sherbet/Tangerine, Sage/Emerald - they would be stunning!

For step by step instructions follow this link to Project Wedding -
http://www.projectwedding.com/wedding-ideas/pinwheel-escort-cards/5

Complimentary help from the Kahala Hotel - Wedding 101

Here is a tip for the do-it-yourself bride! The Kahala Hotel & Resort, one of our preferred venues, is offering a complimentary planning session. If you are on island then mark your calendar for Sunday, September 26, 2010!



To register...follow this link.
http://www.thekahalaresort.com/wedding_101/

Your Hawaii Ceremony

When it comes to wedding planning today, the possibilities are endless. Most of these possibilities are geared towards the reception (location, food, décor, entertainment, etc.), and they can sometimes make the ceremony feel like an afterthought. We’d like to encourage you to bring your attention back to the reason why you are gathering your friends and family together in the first place. You’re getting married, and your ceremony is the heart BEAT of your wedding day.

Melissa and Polar were married on a beautiful July day. A light sea breeze rustled the palm trees, a bright Hawaiian sun glinted off the ocean, and a special surprise hid waiting on the upstairs balcony at the Ocean Front Oasis. Melissa wanted to give her groom a gift on their wedding day, but hers would not be the type you purchase in a store. She had told me “one of Polar’s passions in life is drumming.” Polar has been playing the drums for 18 years. Not just playing though, but teaching others how to play as well. Playing and teaching specifically “marching style percussion”, he was an instructor at his Alma Matter(Schurr High School in Montebello California) from 2005-2008, and now gives private lessons. So, when the marriage ceremony ended with a kiss, and they were pronounced them man and wife, drumbeats erupted from the Mililani High School Tenor Line. They had been practicing for weeks and were waiting to help make this moment happen. The student’s wonderfully wide smiles were nothing to match the look on the groom’s face, as he recognized that they were playing a song he himself had composed. His beautiful bride had hired the tenor line to learn this special song just for him!
It is this type of love and energy that when put into your ceremony, will make your day even more memorable. Have fun and make it YOURS.

written by Alia Kennedy, wedding consultant, Parasol Events