A Marriage of Food-Kahala Caterers

Earlier this year The Wedding Cafe hosted a fun soiree in conjunction with the unveiling of the new wedding ceremony and reception locations at Aloha Tower. Guests were treated to scrumptious and generous samples from Kahala Caterers and Chai's Island Bistro. I tried my first Oyster. Don't get me wrong, I've had numerous opportunities to sample the crustacean but something about the beautiful sunset, gentle guitar sounds floating through the venue and breath taking decor, convinced me to indulge. I have no regrets and it was absolutely delicious. I'm sold! Kahala Caterers also presented an informative lesson on how to select a menu for your reception. Merri had wonderful tips to make the most of your catering experience. One point she made that I thought was interesting and solved a common dilemma...the blending of multiple ethnicity's and the delicious food offerings that a couple has to choose from. An easy solution...one type of food for the cocktail hour and another type of food for the main meal-a marriage of food. Think Sushi appetizer and Shrimp Paella , Dim Sum and Prawns Porta Vallarta...the options are limitless.







Images not from Kahala Caterers. Check for their website gallery page in the near future.
A popular trend for wedding and party receptions are food stations. Kahala Caterers can put together food stations that will have your guests giddy with food choices. Have you considered a breakfast reception? They can do it! How about a fruit and berry flambe? Oh yeah they've got it covered! Guava Lilikoi Buffalo Wings? Are you deliriously hungry yet? Contact Merri at Kahala Caterers. She help you put together a reception menu that will start of your marriage on a delicious note.

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The Bayer Estate-A Historic Venue

Tucked away on the east side of Honolulu, is the charming and historic Bayer Estate. This oceanfront property is on the Hawaii Register of Historic Homes and the original charm of the craftsman home is enveloped in well-maintained gardens and an expansive oceanfront lawn. The home makes a perfect location for intimate weddings and events.

A view of the back of the house.

The Bride's dressing room is a charming sunlit location for wedding preparation.

The lush lawn and surrounding garden meet the Pacific Ocean.

The second floor lanai offers another gathering place with beautiful scenery.

Cosy spots on both sides of the lawn have endless potential for cocktail, lounge and dining areas.

Guest can relax and watch the sunset.

Ceremonies can take place in front of the property, in the parlor or on the lawn with the ocean in the background. Three time slots are available: 9:30 am - 11:00 am, 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm or 3:30 pm - 6:00 pm. Multiple time slots can be reserved and and hourly rate applies for parties that want to extend into the evening. The Bayer Estate is only a short drive from Waikiki but allows for a sweet escape into old Hawaii.

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Grey and Blue Wedding Design

Previously I posted about grey, yellow and white wedding design. Today I'm featuring a cool color palette of grey, blue and white. The look is slick and sophisticated.

LinensWildflower Linens /Cake The Knot/Centerpiece Bride & Bloom/ Escort cards: The Knot

I love the elegant white calligraphy on the escort cards and the abundace of blooms on the orchid stems. Opulance without being overdone.

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Grey and Yellow Wedding Design

Grey has really taken off as a color option for wedding decor. I've been wanting to create design boards that bring in pops of color using grey as a neutral background. Here are a couple using yellow, grey and white.


Top to Bottom: Headband: Telsa via Etsy/ Flowergirl: Martha Stewart /Invitation: Passaipaperie via Etsy/Cake Topper: Red Light Studio via Etsy
This yellow, grey and white design board takes a whimsical look at this color palette. Birds are everywhere in wedding design and they can be subtly incorporated into the theme of your wedding. If you choose to embrace the bird trend, there are many options that I will post about later. Flower girls are just so cute and isn't this flower girl adorable!

Favors: Beaucoup/Necklace: J Crew /Invitation: Social Circles via Etsy/Bouquet: Brides
This yellow, grey and white palette takes on a more sophisticated and elegant feel perfect for an evening ceremony and reception. Bright pops of yellow are toned down with the coolness of grey.

More color palettes incorporating grey to come....

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The Royal Hawaiian Hotel-Gracious Luxury

I recently had the privilege of touring the newly remodeled, historic Royal Hawaiian Hotel located along the famous Waikiki Beach. Known as the "Pink Palace", this luxurious hotel was originally built in 1927 and while it maintains its historic charm, recent renovations have created a haven for sophisticated travellers and wedding couples looking for a dazzling venue.
The "Pink Lady" from the Coconut Grove garden.
A romantic setting for a wedding ceremony underneath the statuesque palm trees.

All of the landscaping of the Royal Hawaiian has been replanted exclusively with native Hawaiian plants.

The colonnades running along Coconut Grove offers a picturesque photo backdrop and leads to this....

The well manicured Ocean Lawn stretches to the beach making it a sought after wedding ceremony location.

My point and shoot camera doesn't even begin to do this magnificent space justice. The Monarch Room overlooks the Pacific Ocean and oozes with sophistication. Seating is available for 300 guests. You must checkout the Royal Hawaiian Hotel website to really see the splendor of this room.

Imagine a cocktail reception on the Monarch Room lanai as your guests meander over to the lawn.

With the remodel complete, the hotel now offers many open air spaces to allow the island trade winds to cool you off and welcome you to Hawaii. I stumbled across these chess tables that overlook the Ocean Lawn.

I'll take a poolside bungalow please.

I was in awe of pot after pot of beautiful cymbidium orchids.

Beautifully furnished sitting areas run thoroughout the hotel from cozy couches to stately rocking chairs. The Regency Ballroom is also a much desired reception location offering the perfect space for 180 guests. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel is a much welcomed oasis from the business of Waikiki. Walking along the garden, I came across a group of lovely ladies working on a Hawaiian quilt as guests joined in to learn a new skill. Ahhhhh slowdown, relax and welcome to Hawaii.

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Happy Monday

The magestic Diamond Head Crater and Waikiki Beach. Stunning!

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Let the Honeymoon Begin-Wedding "Send Off" ideas

I like completeness. It must be my love of checking off to-do lists, finishing a task at one sitting and completing a sentence that has been interrupted several times around the dinner table. When it comes to wedding receptions, there's something concrete about a special send-off. The celebration starts with a ceremony and ends with a ceremony. I understand that many couples choose to close down the party and leave after their guests but if you are like me and you prefer to leave with a little pomp and circumstance, here are some suggestions.
Find this here
Who doesn't like the glisten of a sparkler? Perfect for a nighttime departure but watch your head and all that wedding day hairspray.


Photo by Sarah Q
Now, how often do you blow bubbles? Not very often unless you work or live with young children. It's fun to see guests pucker up and blow.


Image from here
Eco-friendly confetti will make you feel like you've won the World Series. I always thought it would be cool to be in a ticker-tape parade.

Find this here

An easy DIY project, ribbon wands will make you feel like a queen and king. There's nothing to get on your clothes, in your hair or stuck to your lip gloss. An added bonus, guests can wave them at your reception to request a public display of affection (smooch) from you and your new spouse.

Lavender makes a fragrant send-off toss and with properties that induce a sense of calm, any newlywed jitters don't stand a chance.Fresh and freeze dried rose petals are always a favorite-so lovely.

Some considerations when choosing your send-off options:

-Check with your ceremony or reception venue about restrictions.

-Consider the "messiness" factor and choose what you're comfortable with.

-Ask your photographer for suggestions if capturing the moment is important to you.

If you are a wild and crazy wedding couple, you can't beat silly string. You may have stains on your wedding attire but schedule a "trash the dress" photo-op and spray away. Classy-questionable, fun and unexpected-definitely!

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Made My Day

After a particularly hectic day, productive yet tiring none the less, I came home to the most delightful surprise. My ever so thoughtful hubby had come home before me, delved into our cabinets for a vase and put together a flower arrangement complete with a little piece of notepaper with a hand drawn red heart. Ahhhh......so sweet! There's something about an arrangement of flowers that just makes me smile. I've attempted to grow my own, ready for the picking at anytime, but it seems that this season of my life is not conducive to remembering to water the plants. Here's a few arrangements to put a smile on your face.

Find this here

Are these not the most stunning and somewhat peculiar blooms?

Find this here

I feel like drinking an afternoon cup of tea and perhaps speaking with an English accent when I look at these.

Find this here

Pretty, pretty peonies. They are one of my favorite flowers.

Find this here

This is actually one arrangement broken into smaller groupings. I like to do this placing a vase in the bathroom, bedroom, dining room....you get the idea. Share the love.

A friend and neighbor recently brought over a gift for watching her adorable pooch. It was a cactus plant. A subtle hint about my gardening skills?

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Giveaway-Crate and Barrel

When I hear of a good deal, I have to spread the word. Style Me Pretty, the ultimate wedding blog of all blogs, has announced a partnership with Crate and Barrel, the ultimate store to fill you home with decor goodness. When you sign-up for a Crate and Barrel bridal registry on SMP you are automatically entered to win a whopping four thousand dollar Crate and Barrel gift card.
Here are a few Crate and Barrel goodies to get you dreaming.















Can you imagine a $4,000 shopping spree just for signing up to receive wedding gifts!
Happy shopping.

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