Love the squares...

Lately, I have been getting a lot of requests for square tables instead of round ones for wedding receptions. I don't know what it is, but square tables seem to offer a cleaner and more modern look with the rest of the tablescapes and decor, even though they still seat 8 guests comfortably. Square tables definitely facilitate conversations better than long, rectangular tables although that's one of my favorites too.

When you start thinking about your table arrangements, make sure you consider the square tables as well. There are tons of possibilities! =)

Photo Credit: Justine Ungaro

Photo Credit: Wildflower Linen

Dessert towels

Looking for something unique as your wedding favors or table decor? How about these cute dessert towels? They actually look good enough to eat! Not only are they elegant and "sweet", but they are also very functional and I am sure your guests will be ecstatic to receive one of these towels at the end of your wedding reception.

Please visit Le Viette to see more of their lovely creations.

San Francisco, here I come!

My hubby and I will be in San Francisco for 2-1/2 days from December 6th through the 8th to visit my MIL. Augie and Stacie... and any other industry professionals, if you have time I'd like to meet up with you guys either Saturday or Sunday evening after dinner for dessert or a night cap. Please leave me a comment and let me know your availability. Diane, I will see you on the 4th here on Mau`i!

YAY... I am very excited to visit my 2nd home! =)

Photo Credit: "The ever-so-talented Becker"

Beautiful tents... on Mau`i soon!

I am very excited to hear that one of our key wedding vendors, a boutique rental company located on the island of Mau`i, is acquiring some truly unique tents. They are due to arrive on Mau`i early February 2009 and will be available for rent immediately upon arrival. These tents are unique and innovative. Designed with the timeless tradition of skilled craftsmen working with the finest materials. Contact me directly to find out more about these tents and what color combinations will work best for you.

These romantic and beautiful tents are ideal for the lawn, poolside or landscaped area, the regal "Mele Ena (Honeyglow)" tent conveys an aura of the Hawaiian majesty of days gone by and is perfect for a refined, romantic setting. For a larger gathering, multiple tents can be fitted together to create a continuous space, or several individual tents can be set up to form an ‘encampment’.


Each tent is 20 ft. by 34 ft. and made from traditional bamboo frames. With separate interiors, exteriors, scalloping and drapes, the "Mele Ena (Honeyglow)" tent can be adapted to fit your event. Accentuate your theme with lighting and accessories. Each tent will accommodate up to 60 guests comfortably for a sit-down dinner or 100 guests for a cocktail reception. For larger weddings or events, you can put two of these tents together running side by side or length wise to form one long dining canopy or one large tent which will seat 120 for dining or 200 for cocktails.

These beautiful tents have been featured in many notable wedding publications and television shows such as Los Angeles Weddings, Bride & Bloom, Vogue, Martha Stewart Weddings, Elegant Brides, The Today Show, Town & Country Weddings, Modern Bride, Grace Ormonde Wedding Style Magazine & so many more.


The tent package includes the tent ceiling liner, pole draperies with tassels, 2 crystal chandeliers, tables, Chivari chairs, matte satin linens and chair ties (6 popular color schemes available), flatware, stemware, glassware...etc. Linen subsitutions can be made for an additional rental fee. For my clients who are interested in booking the beautiful "Mele Ena (Honey Glow)" tent as a stand alone product or the entire promotional package, please send me an email.

Michelle and Henry's scouting trip

I am having a lot of fun with Michelle and Henry this week, going to vendors' meetings, food tastings as well as checking out all of the venues with them. They are such a sweet and laid back couple and I know their wedding next year is going to be awesome. I sure can't wait.

Here are the estates that we are checking out this week... it will be interesting to see which one they end up selecting!

Pua Le'a Estate (aka Haiku Mill)

Olowalu Plantation House

Kahana Estate

Sugarman Estate

Makena Estate

Wishpot

I am very delighted that Wishpot contacted me and asked me to guest blog on their site as well as to become one of their wedding experts.

Check out their wonderful wedding blog and hopefully you will see a post of mine on there soon!

Thanks so much, Christine ("gift girl") for inviting me!

Outdoor weddings

At the moment, I am working on a few items as well as the floral decor with all of my 2009 brides. I thought this would be a good place and time for me to share what works and what doesn't here on the islands.

1) Tall centerpieces such as the one below will work in a ballroom wedding, but not outdoors when we have to deal with the wind factor:

Photo Credit: Jessica Skog Photography

2) Low centerpieces will be perfect for both indoor and outdoor receptions, but tealight candles will only work under a tent or indoor:

Photo Credit: Yvonne Event Floral & Decor

3) Floating candles such as this one might work outdoor if the flame is completely inside the vase:

Photo Credit: Designs by Hemingway

4) Large hurricane vases ALWAYS work for outdoor events, as well as indoors but tables, chairs, lounge furnitures...etc. are not allowed on the public beaches in Hawai`i:

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Messina

5) Menus and single flowers should be tucked into each napkin for all outdoor receptions:


6) Place cards / escort cards such as these one will work better at indoor receptions. For outdoor events, it's best to place them below the napkin (please see photo #5 above):

Photo Credit: Amity Mason Photography

7) Stilettos such as this pair of blue Manolo Blahniks that was worn by Carrie Bradshaw in "Sex and the City" will be tough to walk in at any outdoor lawn weddings:

Photo Credit: Jessica Strickland Photography

8) Most brides usually change into their bridal flip-flops after the ceremony:

Photo Credit: Visionari

9) Petals on the table only work for indoor events:

Photo Credit: Augie Chang Photography

Thank you for your birthday wishes!

I had a wonderful birthday weekend full of great food and great friends... Thank you for all of your birthday wishes.

CLICK HERE for pictures of the delicious food! =)

Birthday dinner with wonderful friends at Flatbread, Paia

Birthday lunch with hubby at Umalu, Hyatt Regency Mau`i

Birthday dinner with hubby at DUO, Four Seasons Mau`i

Hanging out at Big Beach with hubby and Michael Buble on my iPhone!

Kahana Estate

This afternoon, I did a site tour of a private estate in Kahana for a possible wedding location. They happened to be setting up for a wedding, so it was perfect timing. It can hold up to 100 guests for both ceremony and reception. It has a gorgeous view as you can see from the photos, and it also has a small, beach area for beach photos afterward.

If you are interested in booking this location for your wedding or event, please visit Events by Evonne, LLC or send me an email.

Photo Credit: Events by Evonne

50 years - what has changed?

I just received "Dialogue" the bi-monthly magazine issued by the Association of Bridal Consultants (in which I am a member of). Inside, there is an article comparing weddings from 50 years ago with today. Here are some of the statistics:

1958 Wedding

2008 Wedding (Mike Sidney Photography)

NUMBER OF WEDDINGS:
1958 - 1.5 million
2008 - 2.4 million

ANNUAL BRIDE'S INCOME:
1958 - $1,572
2008 - $30,719

GOWN COST:
1958 - $135
2008 - $1,317

BRIDE'S LIFE EXPECTANCY:
1958 - 65
2008 - 78

BRIDE'S AGE:
1958 - 20
2008 - 26

ANNUAL GROOM'S INCOME:
1958 - $2,396
2008 - $34,167

TUXEDO RENTAL:
1958 - $5.50
2008 - $69.95

GROOM'S LIFE EXPECTANCY:
1958 - 57
2008 - 70

GROOM'S AGE:
1958 - 22
2008 - 28

POSTAGE:
1958 - $0.03
2008 - $0.42

SLICE OF CAKE:
1958 - $0.35
2008 - $4.52

GALLON OF GAS:
1958 - $0.30
2008 - $3.80

HONEYMOON COST:
1958 - $237
2008 - $3.680

PROJECTED DIVORCE RATE:
1958 - 33%
2008 - 50%

PROJECTED NUMBER OF CHILDREN:
1958 - 3.6
2008 - 2.1

In addition to the statistics, there were some other interesting notes:

• In 1958, Winston and Clementine CHurchill celebrated their 50th anniversary; in 2008, it was Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward
• The most popular 1958 honeymoon destination was Niagara Falls; 50 years later, it is Hawai`i
• IN 1958, the couple was likely to get away in a Chevy Impala convertible, costing $2,700; this year, it is a Toyota Camry, costing $18,570
• The most trendy gift in 1958 was a $12.95 Corning Ware casserole; the 2008 gift of choice is a $399 Nintendo Wii game console
• FIfty years ago, the hottest music was the Everly Brothers' "All I Have to Do Is Dream" and Danny and the Juniors' "At the Hop". This year, it's Alicia Key's' "No One" and Madonna/Justin Timberlake's "4 Minutes"
  

Pretty interesting, huh?

Sneak Peek of Lesley & Kristopher's wedding

Here is a sneak peek of Lesley and Kristopher's wedding today at the Saint Theresa's Catholic Church and the Five Palms Beach Grill. More photos to come, so stay tuned!

Photo Credit: Events by Evonne

Please don't drink and drive!

As a planner, I want everyone to have a great time at the wedding... but I also need to ensure that everyone is safe as well. If you or your guests are planning to have more than one or two drinks during the entire evening, please either have a few designated drivers in the party, or as a host/hostess of the wedding, provide shuttle transportation for your guests. That way, we can be sure that everyone will have a good time without endangering their lives or other people's.

DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated), depending on which state you are from, is a very serious offense even here in paradise, and especially when you are an out-of-state driver. This is a good website to familiarize yourself with the Hawai`i DUI laws. We don't want anyone to get into trouble, so please be safe!

Sneak Peek of Ivy & Howard's wedding

Here is a sneak peek of Ivy and Howard's wedding today at the Olowalu Plantation House. More photos to come, so stay tuned!

P.S. Hopefully the pupus and sushi photos are not making you TOO hungry! =) Yes, they had a sushi bar and it was a huge hit!

Photo Credit: Events by Evonne