Add some fun to your Wedding Reception with a Groom's Cake

For most of the people out there, their wedding day is one of the most luxurious and ceremonial days of their lives. And yet, these should be joyous moments as well and they should be sprinkled with a lot of fun. The music, the dances, the delicious food, the toasts – these are all forms of entertainment meant to make your guests feel very good at your wedding reception. 

The bride is always the center of attention at a wedding. Even the full word for “groom” is bridegroom! If you are among those who love a good laugh though, you may want to offer your spouse-to-be to have a good say in your wedding as well. Having a Groom's Cake instead of a Bride’s Cake can be one of the funniest and most original decisions you could make in that respect. 

There is really a limitless number of possibilities when it comes to Groom's Cakes. They can be funny, they can be a declaration of love (from the bride to the groom, for example) and they can definitely add a bit of spice even to the most formal of the weddings out there. Here are some great ideas for a cake dedicated to the groom: 

• A cake shaped as pizza, hamburger or any other fast-food item you know your future spouse loves

• A cake with a “pun” related to a hobby your future husband has (fishing, for example) 

• A cake with your husband’s favorite sports team colors 

• A cake based on your husband’s wedding suit 

• A half-white (feminine) half-black (masculine) cake 

• A cake with a music-related theme (if your husband-to-be is the kind that absolutely loves music, for example)

If you are worried that you will not be able to handle all the organizational bits on your own, make sure to call Wedding Planner 808 for a movie-worthy wedding! 

Tips on How to Organize a Bridal Party Aisle Walk

A wedding coordinator refers to an individual who possesses experience when it comes to the process of organizing and scheduling a wedding ceremony and reception. The main goal of this person is to ensure that the wedding goes off without a hitch. Many details can be overlooked when you don't hire a wedding planner and one of those details is who will walk with who down the aisle? Another is which music will each one walk to and in what order? With so much to think about you can forget an important part…When does everyone walk?

Below you will find a traditional wedding processional etiquette on how to plan for this important element of your wedding ceremony:

• The guests are seated.
• The groom, best man and Officiant enter by using a side door. They all stand facing the guests.
• An usher escorts the grandmother(s) of the B to their seats.
• An usher escorts the grandmother(s) of the G to their seats.
• An usher escorts the mother and father of the G to their seats.
• An usher escorts the mother of the bride to her seat. Her father is also seated, if he is not walking her down the aisle.
• Processional music begins.
• The bride's mother (and father) stand(s).
• All the guests stand.
• The ushers walk down the aisle (or escort the bridesmaids) and stand next to the groom and best man and then face the guests.
• The bridesmaids walk down the aisle.
• The maid and/or matron of honor walk(s) down the aisle.
• The ring bearer walks down the aisle.
• The flower girl walks down the aisle or the flower girl and ring bearer walk down together.
• Processional music changes and/or the volume increases.
• The father of the bride escorts the bride down

Of course there are many factors that goes into whether you follow this system exactly. You might be more modern or want to start a new tradition. What if you have a biological and step father? Perhaps your best friend and maid of honor is your brother’s ex-wife? How will that be handled? There are other traditions or I can help you with all of these details. Why not give me a call and schedule a consultation.

Wedding Dress Styles for a Hawaii Wedding

When it comes to dressing for any occasion many things need to be taken into consideration right?  For example, when attending an informal BBQ on the beach you'll obviously wear shorts and a t-shirt.  But if you're attending a company meeting with clients you'll dress in more professional attire.  Well a wedding is the same way.  Where your wedding is taking place, who your guests are and what type of surroundings you're in will dictate what you wear.

Despite popular belief, not every Hawaii wedding is on the beach.  We have some beautiful wedding venues in Hawaii with ballrooms and intimate gardens that are also popular.  So below we've provided a very basic breakdown of the most popular wedding dress styles for different types of Hawaii weddings.  Hopefully this article will help you choose the best style for your particular Hawaii wedding:

·         Beach wedding - Most brides getting married on the beach will wear a wedding dress with airy fabrics, delicate laces and shimmering sequins, perfect for a ceremony in the sand.  A popular beach wedding dress typically has a shorter train than a ball gown but can still be very elegant.  Strapless, spaghetti straps or halter top styles are seen often at a Hawaii beach wedding whereas dresses with long sleeves and heavy fabrics are scarce.

·         Hawaii ballroom wedding - With venues like the St. Regis Princeville in Princeville Hawaii or the Royal Hawaiian in Honolulu brides typically wear gowns that are little more formal.  Longer trains and more detail oriented gowns are seen more often than simple, knee length gowns.

·         Hawaii garden or park wedding - The Hawaiian islands have parks and gardens on nearly every street corner so the type of garden or park you choose will determine the type of gown you should wear.  If it's a public park I wouldn't suggest wearing a Vera Wang or Ralph Lauren wedding gown.  However, if it's a private garden setting like you see at the Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa - Hawaii then Vera Wang would be appropriate.

With that said, this is your wedding and you can wear any time of wedding gown you want.  I just wanted to give you a very brief overview of what is typical because it's a question that many brides getting married in Hawaii have.

I would love to help you plan the Hawaii wedding of your dream so please give me a call and schedule a consultation.  I'm here to help turn your Hawaii wedding fantasy into reality.

When Should You Hire a Hawaii Wedding Planner?

Hiring a wedding planner can be a tricky business when it comes to how much time and work you have got left. Wedding planners are not just people who will clear all the mess you make. Instead, they are professional consultants who will make sure everything goes according to plan. If your wedding is local, then a wedding planner may not get too involved with the proceedings and you can do most of the work yourself.

On the other hand, a wedding planner will have more influence when it comes to destination weddings. But that doesn’t mean hiring a wedding planner will limit your control over the wedding. Instead, with a wedding planner, you get professional assistance on what and what not to do. 

Before discussing the best time to hire a wedding planner, let us overview the three types of people that hire us:

1. Couples that know they need a wedding planner before planning.
2. Couples that make some phone calls with no luck, and then decide to get professional help.
3. Couples that tried planning their wedding on their own only to realize that the pressure is getting to them and decide to get professional assistance.

The chances of messing things up increase significantly as you go from type 1 to type 3. But that’s what wedding planners are for; to clear the mess and make everything right.

Ideally, you should hire a wedding planner from six months to 18 months before the wedding to make all the process smooth. A wedding planner will bring something new to the table, like what shipments you need, what type of theme your wedding should have, the decorations, and all the small details that can complete the biggest day of your life. This will also give you ample time to discuss your needs and wants for the wedding and see where ends meet.

That is not to say that hiring a wedding planner just six weeks before the wedding is a bad idea. However, doing so will only result in a wedding that is held to meet the formalities, and not your aspirations. 

Why don't we talk about your Hawaii wedding planning dream and see how to make it a reality.  Give us a call for a consultation.

Dream Hawaii Honeymoon

The big island of Hawaii offers breathtaking scenery, waterfalls, sunshine, beaches, luxurious rain forests, and adventurous activities. As one of the most popular honeymoon destinations, newlyweds are sure to have an unforgettable honeymoon in Hawaii.

Hawaii offers a variety of accommodation, ranging from luxurious, where you can enjoy lush comfort, a concierge service, complimentary food, ocean-view suites. You can even book a massage for two in your room. If your budget does not stretch this far, there are affordable condominiums, and B&B dotting the island.

Hawaii dining options are also variety, ranging from small cafés to restaurants at hotels and resorts, where you can watch the sunset while you sip signature drinks and enjoy appetizers. If you are looking for a more local experience, there are plenty of spots where you can sample local Hawaiian dishes.

Newlyweds have plenty to occupy their time together while on the Big Island. You can take a two-hour helicopter tour across the entire island, looking over mountains, waterfalls, a rain forest, and the Kilauea volcano. In addition to the helicopter tour, 120 miles of trails wind upward from sea level to the 14,000-foot summit of Mauna Loa at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

If you are looking for something more secluded, Kauai is a smaller island, but there is still plenty to offer newlyweds. Kauai hosts a favorite resort of celebrities with glorious views of the glistening ocean, unspoiled beach, and the famous Bali Hai peak. Kauai also offers dining at a popular resort and spa with a classic Polynesian feel.

Kauai also has sea tour excursions and snorkel trips, where you can see majestic sea turtles, dolphins and other sea life. You can also take a romantic sunset dinner cruise along the NaPali coast.

For help planning your dream Hawaii wedding, call us today!

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When to Send Wedding Invitations

The etiquette of wedding planning is often tricky. When it comes to invitations, it can be a huge challenge. Here are some of our top tips for inviting people to your Hawaii wedding.

If all of your guests live nearby, send your invitations no earlier than 8 weeks before your wedding date. This helps keep guests from double booking.

If you are planning a destination wedding or many of your guests will be travelling, send your invitation between 8 and 10 weeks before your wedding. This gives guests a bit of extra time to plan their travel.

A save the date doesn’t have a set time to be sent, but should only be sent when you have a date firmly in place. This is usually after you have booked your venue and some of your vendors.

Your RSVP deadline should be approximately 4 weeks before your Hawaii wedding. This is generally determined by when your vendors, such as caterers, need a final count.

When you send out your invitations, it is a formal way of asking people to be a part of your big day. If you would like help planning your Hawaii wedding, give us a call!

Photo: Flickr/Adrianne Curran

How Much Should the Bride Pay for Bridesmaids’ Expenses?

When you plan a Hawaii wedding, it’s a thrill to choose your bridesmaids. Your attendants are the closest women in your life, be they friends or family. They will want to help you have the wedding of your dreams, but they may be concerned about the cost of being a bridesmaid.

The biggest expense for any bridesmaid will be the dress. This is something each attendant should pay for herself. It’s the bride’s responsibility to be considerate of the financial situation of the ladies in her bridal party. This could mean choosing a budget-friendly dress for them, or helping to pay a portion of the cost of the dresses.

The bride should always pay for any extras, such as matching accessories or professional hair and make up. The bride should also pay for the bouquets, as these are part of the overall wedding flowers.
Maids should pay for their transportation to Hawaii, if they do not live here, but the bride should pay for transportation on the wedding day. For out-of-town attendants, the bride should also provide accommodation.

Overall, the cost for each bridesmaid should be split between the bride and the maid. This should allow each attendant to be a part of your special day without it being a financial strain.

Planning everything for your bridesmaids is part of planning the perfect wedding. If you want help planning your dream Hawaii wedding, give us a call today!