Saturday, August 29, 2009

Ceremony Decor-A Fresh Look

When designing wedding ceremony decor often the automatic default is to place rows of chairs on each side of an aisle. Here are some variations of ceremony setups that utilize the surroundings, bring in personality and evoke various emotions.

Found here
Pure simplicity is all that is needed with a stunning backdrop like this.

Found
here
Colorful wisps of fabric and hanging lanterns create a magical destination.

Found here
Individual butterfly chairs welcome your guests to come and relax and enjoy the moment. Some of your older guests may need an alternate seating arrangement.

Found
here
By draping flowing fabric from bamboo canopies, guests are enveloped in a little oasis to enjoy your ceremony.



love.joy.laughter

Friday, August 28, 2009

Hawaii Sunset

I've collected my fair share of sunset pictures over the years. There's something about a beautiful sunset that brings about peace, reflection and appreciation for the dramatic close of another day. I don't claim to be a photographer and my point and shoot camera doesn't claim to play with the big boys but here is a sunset from me to you.... enjoy.



love.joy.laughter

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Masterful Cakes

If you're like me, I am hooked when I come across a cake show on television. It amazes me how cake artists can sculpt, mold, roll, paint and create masterpieces that are not only gorgeous to look at but delicious to eat. Here's a few beautiful cakes for you to enjoy.

Found here

Found
here

And Hawaii's own
Cake Lava.

Found
here

love.joy.laughter

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Luxz-Glowing Skin For Your Wedding Day

You will most likely enlist the services of a professional makeup artist for your wedding day. After all, the investment you will make for wedding photography and videography and the years you will spend looking at your special day memories calls for a little extra help from an expert. While makeup artists work wonders with their makeup pallet, almost all will agree that the true foundation for a flawless look is healthy and radiant skin. Roxanne at Luxz to the rescue.
Found here


Roxanne's gentle and friendly personality sets the stage for a treatment that indulges the skin with extra hydration promoting natural collagen and elastin production and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.


At Luxz you have the option of several facial treatments that will have your face party ready. I had the privilege to relax one afternoon at the Luxz studio and to experience the DiamondSkin Microdermabrasion and Intraceuticals Oxygen Treatment. Taking a moment out of a busy schedule is a treat in itself but having smooth and glowing skin as a result, is delightful. These safe treatments will shed dead skin cells and indulge your skin with oxygen rich interaceuticals serum giving you skin immediate results. In fact, Madonna has an Interaceutical skin treatment before her concerts and to help hydrate her skin from frequent traveling. You can watch a video about Madonna and the treatments here.

When you book your makeup artist for your upcoming wedding or special event, don't forget about the importance of healthy skin. Luxz studio is conveniently located in Honolulu and can also be brought to you and your bridesmaids in the Waikiki or Kahala area. Contact Roxanne at Luxz for more details.


love.joy.laughter

Saturday, August 15, 2009

The Wedding Planning Process FAQ

I hear quite often from prospective clients that they just don't know how the wedding planning process works. My answer is that they aren't expected to know how it works unless they have already planned a wedding. Weddings come with their own lingo, acronyms, protocol and etiquette. While all weddings are unique, there are a few common denominators when it comes to wedding planning. I hope to answer a few commonly asked questions asked during the wedding planning process so couples know what they are getting into, don't feel intimidated in hiring a wedding planner and most of all so they can enjoy the planning process.

FAQ-What are your rates?
Answer-There are a lot of factors that come into play when providing a quote or proposal for wedding coordination and design services. These include the location of your wedding, if you are having your ceremony and reception in different locations, guest count and any extra services needed. I love when I receive emails from couples that describe the vision of their wedding in
great detail.

FAQ-I don't live in Hawaii and I can't get there before my wedding. How does this work?
Answer- With email, phone, Skype and Facebook, planning a destination wedding is very easy. If you would like to make a scouting trip, that can certainly be accommodated, but again it is not necessary. Almost all vendors have websites so you can review their services. We can email you images and samples to reassure you of the services and products that you are securing are professional and of high quality.

Planning a wedding would be impossible without my pink laptop!

FAQ
-I have no time to plan a wedding. Can you help me?
Answer- A lot of couples tell me that they are too busy to think about contacting vendors, researching and thinking about all of the details of a wedding. This is where full coordination services come into play. Starting with a wedding questionnaire and a consultation (either in person or by phone) we'll get the wedding planning ball rolling. By recommending vendors that meet your budget and style needs, offering decor and design suggestions and by taking care of all of the numerous details you can relax and enjoy your celebration.


Final meeting with Justin, Jennifer and photographer Joseph Esser. Finalizing the "Must Have" shot list, reviewing the timeline and having fun doing so! Look for pictures of their September wedding next month.

FAQ-Why do I need a wedding coordinator when I'm organized, detailed and good at planning.
Answer-By all means, if you have the time and the desire to plan your wedding then you should do it. When it comes to your wedding day that's when you'll want to trade in your coordinator hat for a wedding veil. The last thing you should be worrying about on your wedding day is if the reception is being setup correctly,and if the caterer, band, DJ, florist,linens and cake have arrived and are ready to go. Your timeline is a great organizational tool but as the honored guests you shouldn't have to be the keeper of the time and orchestrator of your ceremony and reception. Many couples designate their mom, aunt or friend as coordinator but they really won't be able to fully enjoy your wedding if they're running around all night. That is why I highly suggest a "Day Of" coordinator that is there to make sure your ceremony and reception runs smoothly and is not there to be a guest.

Reviewing a floor plan and deciding where to put the band, DJ, Head Table, Cake and more.

A few kind words from Kelsey (planning her July 2010 wedding) " Evan and I have been very happy with your services. I am a very detailed person, and appreciate your work ethic. From your suggestions, to working with my ideas, you have been great. For my fiance to say that you are "the best money we spent our money on" is huge!"

FAQ-My fiance (groom) isn't helping, what can I do?
Answer-Not picking on grooms, because I have encountered a rare breed of grooms that do get pretty involved in the planning process, but girls relax,your fiance is not being lazy, uninterested and uncaring. He's not trying to make you do all the work and frankly he may be at a loss at to what he can do. After all, when you go to the bookstore you don't see very many men perusing the bridal magazine section. Give him a task and let him run with it without questioning his decision. He may jump on the wedding planning bandwagon after all. As part of my full wedding coordination I provide a groom's checklist assigning tasks that he is more then equipped to handle should he choose to be a part of the planning process.

FAQ-I want my ceremony and reception to be...(fun, romantic, laid-back, you fill in the blank) but how do I make it happen?
Answer-Every wedding should reflect you as a couple, your likes, your personalities and your style. A wedding coordinator and designer can help by suggesting decor, ambiance, and layout ideas as well as put together a ceremony and reception program that all work together to create the mood you are are desiring. We will guide you through the vast options, changing trends and traditions and help you to create a wedding that has your guests leaving knowing that they didn't just go to another wedding, they went to YOUR wedding and it was a special wedding in-deed!

There is much more to cover but I will leave that for Wedding Planning FAQ Part II.

One thing I forgot to add, wedding planning should be fun. Sure there are a lot of little pieces much like a puzzle, but isn't it fun when you find a piece and it fits? I hope you enjoy planning your wedding whether you leave most of it up to a wedding planner or if you plan it yourself. You may spend months or even years planning for one special day so why not enjoy the process and have fun.

love.joy.laughter

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Chic Party-Comfy Sofas and Lounge Furniture

One of the fun aspects of event coordination and design is coming up with ideas that reflect the couple that is hosting the party. I fell in love with this ultra chic rehersal dinner on Style Me Pretty that screams "Come, relax and have a good time."
This image reminds me of a ride at an amusement park. You know when the gate is opened and everyone scrambles to choose the car or animal that they like the most. Which one would you choose?
The zebra rugs are over-the-top,fabulous and hopefully imitations.
I would choose the white lounge chair to kick up my feet and enjoy the party. It's as if the desingers took a grand living room/spa/resort lobby and placed it all on the lawn. This is a party that will not be forgotten. You can see more on Style Me Pretty.
love.joy.laughter

Monday, August 10, 2009

Stunning Wedding Photography

I absolutely love these shots taken by my friend and talented photographer Steven of StevenRyne Photography.
Isn't this absolutely stunning? I can't even figure out how the water is swirling by their heads but I am enthralled.
The rock backdrop is such an amazing contrast to the brides white dress. Leave it to Steve to bring his fashion editorial style into wedding photography. Talented!
No these are not models but they might as well be.

It's almost as we shouldn't be looking at this private moment but it's so touching, so intimate and so filled with love.

Check out more from Steven on his blog.
love.joy.laughter

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Chalkboard Containers

I stumbled across these great selections of chalkboard cups and containers while breezing through the latest Pier One catalog. The jars would make great containers for a candy or popcorn buffet (see previous postings here and here).

When the party is over you will have practical storage containers for your flour, pasta and cereal.
I'm all for re-purposing items!

For a smaller scale candy buffet, these cups and carafe would be perfect.
A decor trend in wedding design is using a chalkboard/bistro theme. These chalkboard mugs at only $3.00 each can double as a place card and a favor. Have you ever been to a party and the host has given you a glass charm only to forget which charm was yours? if you are like me and a party with plastic cups and a permanent marker are essential in reducing waste and after-party cup pickup, then a stack of these stemless glasses and some colored chalk would be the perfect investment. I'm sold!
love.joy.laughter