More of Loulu Palm wedding

My favorite Ukulele and who saved the day with the fire dancer Art Kalahiki. The cherished peoni bouquet during November. The simple arch, shepherd hooks and pears added perfect & elegant details to this wedding.

Mason Jars, Loulu Palm and Fire Dancer

Three time keiki world champion and one time world champion fire dancer. This 10 year old stole the show at an intimate Polynesian Show for a destination wedding at Loulu Palm. I fell in love with this bride. It's not everyday you connect with your bride so much you wish you lived closer because you know the two of you would be friends. The photo of her & her dad gives me tears, like it would if your best friend was taking the dance floor with their dad. Stefanie & Anna Riedel captured these moments, not just for me but the bride & entire family. All the way from Rhode Island on Thanksgiving weekend the two declared their love for each other on the North Shore of Oahu at the grand spot of Loulu Palm. I will forever be grateful for Romy Takahashi of Star Creations because she went above & beyond. She substituted all green dendrobiums orchids for CYMBIDIUMS as a surprise to the bride!!! Who does that? Romy does! The brides all peoni bouquet and the bridesmaids all roses bouquet (check it out, they look like peonies!). The lavish table top with exclusive home made jelly from the bride looked like a table out of Pottery Barn, I'm not gonna lie. The bride also surprised her groom with the mascot of his favorite team Florida Gators by Shawna Kalahiki. Shawna knocked it out of the park! When asked to kiss her, the groom kissed the gator!

Grace Ormonde Magazine & Ihilani Resort to include a grooms cake & gobos!

Even though this wedding was in 2008, it's timeless! My incredible assistant, Christina Johnson took the reigns & planned this wedding with the lovely bride. It was an all white dress destination wedding. The groom surprised the bride with the drape that was "too expensive" but was "always something" she "dreamed of". Her face was priceless! Stefanie Riedel took all the wonderful photos & blogged them. Thanks to her we got published. Michelle Maeda of Flower Girls gave the tall, ocean blue, Hawaiian centerpiece some bling for the bride which was perfect for her custom made jewels on her cake.

Simple Hawaiian Style Centerpiece

We had a lot of fun creating this inexpensive table centerpiece. Photography by Eugene Kam. We rented monkey pod compartment plates from Accel Party Rentals. The bride & groom chose these fun fabrics that have a special meaning in Taiwan for each guest to take home (and use at their napkin in the meantime). Then we added a simple pineapple (that was cut up & added to the dessert table later), a 6" cake centerpiece by Agnes Bakery for each table and a bud vase with a loud pop of yellow flowers by Romy Takahashi of Star Creations. The ends of the tables carried 2 votive candles and above the tables were orange, yellow & green lanterns purchased at www.justartifacts.com.

My Sister's Wedding in Lanikai, Hawaii at Mid Pacific Country Club

I never get sick of this video by Shannon at Avery Productions. It was her first and work trip and she's been back by popular demand! enjoy...try to figure out which one is me:-)

Rebekah and Jared - Oahu, Hawaii: Cinematic Edit from Shannon Avery on Vimeo.

Wedding Rings and Raffle Tickets

Instead of dancing, how about a raffle?

Hello Kitty Wedding & a little side of Ninja Turtle

Photography by www.ludwighawaii.com

Fire Knife Dance, Always a HOT way to surprise your guests

Hello Kitty Wedding

By popular demand!!! I'm not gonna lie, I didn't know how this would turn out. It would either be really cheesy or SUPER FUN!!! It was SUPER FUN!!! This couple stopped at nothing and took their event to another level! No dancing, no problem, they are toy makers so they did raffle prizes with new toys! The centerpieces were Hello Kitty dolls and they went FAST! Fun erasers like donuts, ice cream, cupcakes filled each setting, grab bags and customized totes designed by cartoonist, the groom himself!

Stephen & Litton Ludwig captured it to the TEE! Well done my friends, well done...I don't have to say anything, the photos speak for themselves! More to come...

Lanikuhonua is the place, Ludwig is the photography and FUN is the theme!

Ok the photos won't upload so please visist our fb:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=239573&id=119093246244&saved#!/album.php?aid=239573&id=119093246244

Mid Pacific Country Club, Lanikai, HI

These table names maybe my favorite so far. Airline couple used airport codes with a description of where they were and what they did. It still gives me goosebumps writing this. I love Mid Pac, one of my favorite venues on the east side of Oahu, Kailua, Lanikai. The only venue with view of the Mokulua's and Koolau Mountain Range. You can party till 11 pm, valet and yummy food. It's a private club and they only book one event per day so you can be the ONLY bride you see on your wedding day. Their buffets start at $35+++ or how about a wonderful mimosa & bloody mary reception after a sunrise wedding on Lanikai Beach?

Check out this fantastic video by Avery Productions. They travel to Hawaii!!! It's worth it!

Maily and Brian Wedding Highlights: Cinematic Edit from Shannon Avery on Vimeo.

Teaser for Eric and Kara Calamigos Ranch

Avery Productions blogged a beautiful story & sent a wonderful teaser for wedding held at Calamigos Ranch, Malibu

Thank you!

Villa Del Sol d'Oro

Angie and Phil Wedding Highlights: Cinematic Edit from Shannon Avery on Vimeo.

You must view this to see these photos. The photographer hasn't sent me any but this video is awesome!!! Avery Productions does it again & again! Held at the beautiful Villa Del Sol d'Oro

Thank you!

HI Melissa,

A very big (and very belated!) thank you for all of your help on the wedding. It was a great success and as you could see, I had the best time. My feet were killing me for days with all the dancing. I had house guests and family in town all week with never less than 12 at dinner. Most of my family left yesterday and my final family member, brother from Guatemala, is leaving tomorrow. I will sleep for a week. It was all a ton of fun and would not have been so without your help.

All the best

Vivi
(mother of the bride August 14, 2010)

Thank you!

Whew, finally back in Portland after a whirlwind. Was so much fun and our wedding was incredible - it far surpassed what we might have hoped for and everyone had a great time. Had so many compliments on food, dancing, setting, and so many other details. Thanks so much for all your hard work and suggestions that tied this event together and made it work. We had many people comment that we seemed too calm on the day of the wedding and that is largely due to you...we were confident after talking through the event with you and knew that you were on hand keeping things going on time. I can look back and say that finding you and working with you was one of the best decisions we made in planning our wedding.

Sophie & Kirk
August 30, 2010

Thank you!

hi melissa,

thank you so much for making our day spectacular!† you really took the stress off my shoulders and created a great environment for us and our guests.† i really was impressed with our drinks waiting for us after the ceremony.† FANTASTIC!† you are the best.† i referred you to two friends†of mine; they were at the wedding too.

Again ALOHA,
lora

North Shore Wedding on Ke Iki Beach

Dulce and Nichole Shin Wedding

I just had to post this beautiful picture. I had the honor of assisting the amazing Nichole Weddings
Dulce by Visionari

2011 Rates

Book your wedding in 2010 for 2011 and receive a $100 off any package (mention "blogger")!

$750-895 “Day of Coordination” HOTEL & CLUB RATES ONLY (interns avail $650)

• Meet once all vendors have been booked & dialed in 2 hour meeting: at this meeting client will turn over all contracts, timeline, to do list and what needs to be accomplished at set up.
• Facilitate Rehearsal / Coordinate Wedding Day Set up, Ceremony, Reception & Tear Down

$895-1095 “Day of Coordination” depends on number of guests and locations

• Meet once all vendors have been booked & dialed in 2 hour meeting: at this meeting client will turn over all contracts, timeline, to do list and what needs to be accomplished at set up.
• Facilitate Rehearsal
• Coordinate Wedding Day Set up, Ceremony, Reception & Tear Down

$1250-1800 to include “Week of Coordination” or “2 Weeks out Coordination”

• Meet 2 weeks before wedding & turn over all contracts & vendors to Coordinator
• Design Timeline
• Last minute management
• Coordinator will be made available to you via phone &/or email 2 weeks prior to wedding date

FULL SERVICE WEDDING PLANNER – Flat Rate or Percentage you choose:-)

~Flat Rate ranges $3,500-$5,000 AVAILABLE! Inquire for custom package

~10-15% of total wedding expenditure (minimum $5,000) to include the above & the following:

• Negotiate ALL contracts, fees, menus, and rates with all vendors

(note: we are blessed with a 10% off with most vendors that we do not keep but pass on to our clients)

• Attend & Facilitate ALL meetings with client & vendors
• Unlimited Etiquette & Advise for all wedding needs, invitations, wording,
• Unlimited Crisis Management
• Unlimited Consultations
• Design & Recommend unique options to specialize your wedding
• Incorporate traditions, culture & ambience into your wedding day
• Assist with invitations, seating plans, hotel accommodations, transportation for bridal party & family members, bridal showers, bachelor & bachelorette party, web sites, bridal attire, accessories, gifts, etc.
• Coordinate Rehearsal Dinner
• Oversee & Manage set up & tear down of rehearsal, ceremony & reception
• 2 Assistants for ceremony & reception
• Wedding Day Coordination to include but not limited to:

Meeting each vendor, being a point of contact for vendors, guests & family members, assisting bridal party & family, last minute needs and errands, crisis management, communicating and upholding all requests made prior to wedding day by client(s).

• BUDGET ANALYSIS – to stay on budget & keep client apprised

Ke Iki Beach Bungalows

Wine Rep Wedding

This bride did a MAGnificent job of planning & designing her wedding. We provided email consultation throughout her planning process and then came in the day of to ensure a smooth sailing wedding day.

You will love the simplicity of the white design and how elegant the rustic wine barrels, small, succulence and stark starfish add to this beauty held at Ke Iki Beach Bungalows.

Stefanie & Anna Riedel of Absolutely Loved did the photography so it's ABSOLUTELY flawless.

Romy Takahashi of Star Creations created the desirable bouquet with a splash of purple and set up all florals.

Beaches & Backyards Catering provided a yummy spread but my favorite was the ice cream parlor!

Pacific Party Rentals provided NEW, CLEAN & fresh equipment, thank you to the staff at Beaches & Backyards for setting it all up even in the rain!

At the end of the day, the rain did not stop the dance floor. If you could see the pretty girls in pretty dresses dancing in the rain you would get chicken skin like I'm getting right now.

Kahaluu Fish Pond Wedding

All Photos by Radiant Photography.

This couple was & is the most generous, you can see how well they are blessed and what a blessing they truly are. They took care of each vendor, making sure they were thanked, appreciated and grateful for their part in their wedding. I'll blog more shortly, but these pictures are too beautiful to sit on my computer, they need to be shared along with the love between boy & girl.

Wedding at Lanikuhonua and Paradise Chapel

Stephen Ludwig Photography did another fantastic job capturing the beauty of Lanikuhonua, the simple tall centerpieces by Picket Fence and yummy cake by pastry chef J&W Marriott Ihilani.

Epic Imagery Photography and Calamigos Ranch

Epic Imagery's stunning work of art!

Hawaii State Art Museum Wedding

Downtown catered and staffed a fabulous evening under the stars at the Hawaii Art Museum

Joseph Esser Photography shared his photos with me.