Sweetheart table

A lot of my clients, especially those with slightly larger weddings, usually opt for the sweetheart table at the dinner reception. If you read the etiquette books out there, they generally do not recommend it because it seems like you are "ignoring" your guests. Nowadays, however, the logistics of seating divorced parents together or married attendants with their spouses and children have made it very challenging.

When I got married 3 years ago, I had a sweetheart table and I loved it. I was able to eat and have some time to sink it all in with my hubby. Friends and family came by to say hello and to congratulate us, and we also "worked the room" after dinner by visiting every guest table. If a sweetheart table is what you want for your reception, then go for it!

P.S. A special shout out to Augie Chang (another one of my favorite photographers in the SF bay area) for this beautiful photo of a sweetheart table.

Photo Credit: Augie Chang

Sneak Peek of Ketty & Shaun's wedding

Here is a sneak peek of Ketty and Shaun's wedding today at the Poli Makai Estate in Haiku. I had the honor and privilege of working with a few of my favorite photographers and videographer from my hometown (San Francisco) at this wedding:

Ann Hamilton
Gene Higa
Anton Lorimer

Can't wait to see their photos and their videos! So stay tuned...

Photo Credit: Events by Evonne

Sneak Peek of Lena & Noel's wedding

Here is a sneak peek of Lena and Noel's wedding today at the Sugarman Estate. I never thought I'd like red linens and decor, but I changed my mind after today's wedding.

More photos to come soon, so stay tuned!

Photo Credit: Events by Evonne

Wedding benches are here!

For those of you who want something "different" other than the regular chivari chairs or the padded folding chairs, we have a wonderful alternative for you. These beautiful benches are finally available here on Mau`i! Each bench can seat up to 3 guests comfortably and you can use them for your reception afterward as well.

For my clients who are interested in renting them for your wedding on Mau`i, please send me an email.

Photo Credit: Beloved Weddings Photography

Featured Wedding - Ivy and Howard

Ivy and Howard was such a fun-loving couple. I felt like I have known them forever. I started planning the wedding with Ivy exactly 12 months prior to the big day. Even though I didn't get a chance to meet them before like I did with a lot of my other clients, when I saw them it was like old friends seeing each other again.

ARCH: Pacific Isle Rentals. FLORALS: Maui Floral. LINENS/TABLES/CHAIRS: Island Rents . PHOTOS: Rachel Robertson Photography.

Ivy is super organized and that made my job so much easier throughout the planning process. We had such a great time planning it together, and everything looked beautiful on the day of from the flowers to the colored linens to the decor. Rachel Robertson flew in from O`ahu and took all of these wonderful photos; she was such a great gal to work with and her assistant Greg was great. We all had so much fun!

On the day of the wedding, Ivy gave me this bag. I thought it was additional items and decor that she wanted me to set up, but she said: "No, that's for you!" I opened the bag and it was full of my Trader Joe's treats with a note saying: "Here's a lil' something for you from home!" I think one time when we were talking on the phone or exchanging emails, I told her that I miss Trader Joe's in the San Francisco bay area (that's where Ivy and Howard are from too).

So a week before the wedding, she called up my hubby at work (I mentioned to her before where he works) and tried to find out what I like from TJ. She also told my hubby not to tell me about her phone call! They kept it a secret from me for a week! That was so thoughtful of her.

Well, congratulations, Ivy and Howard! All the best to you both, and hope to see you again when we go back to the bay area to visit! Again, thanks for the treats! I am savoring every bite! =)

I've Been Blog Tagged - Compliments of Diane Phillips of DK Designs

Ahhh... I have just been blog tagged by my good friend Diane of DK Designs. I wonder how many of these will show up in blogs in the next few days. It will be interesting to see all of them!

So here goes...


4 THINGS I DID TODAY:
1. Booked a flight to Honolulu for next week to pick up my new kitty, Sheldon (photo above). The breeder is shipping him from Nashville, TN to Honolulu, HI via Atlanta, GA. Why Honolulu you may ask... all animals flying in to Hawai`i have to pass through the Quarantine Station in Honolulu. Unfortunately, Delta Airlines do not participate in the "Outer Island Airport Direct Release" program! =( Sheldon is a long hair Scottish Fold cat (look at those cute folded ears). He will be joining our other Scottish Fold, Stanley.
2. Did my lap-swim at the Kihei Aquatic Center.
3. Confirmed all the vendors for my Sunday, October 12th wedding.
4. Sent out proposals to a few potential clients.

-----------------------------------------------------------------


4 THINGS ON MY TO-DO LIST:
1. Work on my website update.
2. Brainstorm for my February photo shoot.
3. Put together a list of photos of weddings that I plan for my interview on The Wedding Planning Audiocast.
4. Continue to grow my company and hopefully have a few staff to help me with everything!

-----------------------------------------------------------------


4 OF MY GUILTIEST PLEASURES:
1. Desserts!
2. Desserts!
3. Desserts!
4. Desserts!

-----------------------------------------------------------------


4 RANDOM FACTS ABOUT ME:
1. I am not a very domesticated person, but I do love to bake ('cuz I love desserts)! =)
2. I was on the swim team since 5th grade, and I still try to swim 3 times a week.
3. I LOVE to travel and hope I can visit all of the continents before I turn 50!
4. I used to show my cats at regional cat shows! =p I love dogs too, but my current lifestyle doesn't allow me to have one right now... maybe someday!

-----------------------------------------------------------------

I AM NOW TAGGING:
1. Augie Chang of Augie Chang Photography
2. Melissa Bumstead of Melissa's Smitten
3. Critsey Rowe of Critsey Rowe Photography
4. Rebekah and Ami of Elizabeth Anne Designs

Laura Hooper Calligraphy

Laura - thank you so much for sending me your lovely invitation album that showcases your amazing work (love that Tiffany blue color)! I can't wait to show them to my clients when they fly out here to do their scouting trip.

If you are looking for letterpress invitations and cute maps, logos and monograms for your destination wedding, make sure you check out Laura Hooper Calligraphy. She also does calligraphy.

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!