Seasons of Life

10 Destination Weddings Myths Busted

2012-01-23T09:18:00.000-08:00

As many of our clients are destination brides, I was more than thrilled to help contribute to an article for Destination Weddings and Honeymoons Magazine clearing up some destination wedding facts and myths. The magazine is currently on newsstands, as well as available to download online. The article itself can also be read online: 10 Destination Weddings Myths Busted

love.joy.laughter

A Baby Shower for Alison

2011-12-19T09:14:00.000-08:00

Cute little toes, a toothless grin and a room filled with pink! Alison was welcomed into the world with a chic baby shower suitable for a little girlie-girl. Passion Roots, A Cake Life, Taryn Reid Photography and Seasons of Life Events all came together to create a beautiful party to celebrate the birth of this little one.

love.joy.laughter

Real Weddings-Sayaka and Grant

2011-11-28T11:28:00.000-08:00

Sayaka and Grant's wedding was right out of a fairytale, including the carriage ride that Grant surprised Sayaka with. Cake Lava as always created an impressive whimsical cake and the couple's cake cutting knife was...get this...a Samurai sword! How fun is that?! Sayaka and Grant changed into traditional Japanese attire and Taiko drums livened up their reception held at the Moana Surfrider Hotel. All images courtesy of David Murphy from Perfekt Photo.

For more from their wedding day, check out this amazing Same-Day-Edit video from Fisheye.

grant + sayaka from fisheyestudio on Vimeo.

love.joy.laughter

A Barbie Dream Wedding-Via Rock n Roll Bride

2011-11-26T14:51:00.000-08:00

I admit it! I was a little girl that dressed up Barbie in a wedding dress and veil and orchestrated a beautiful fantasy wedding to her forever love, Ken. When I first saw this "wedding" on Rock n Roll Bride I knew that I wasn't alone in my childhood obsession. I can't help but giggle when I look at these images of Barbie and Ken's wedding.

Even if you're not a Barbie fan you have to admit that the photographer did an amazing job capturing Barbie and Ken's special day :) See more on Rock n Roll Bride.

love.joy.laughter

Passion Roots Open House

2011-11-21T09:22:00.000-08:00

What fun it was to work with Passion Roots to create a whimsical and decadent open house for their new floral design studio. We wanted guests to relax and enjoy the gorgeous island surroundings while indulging with sweet temptations in a gorgeous tent, provided by Raj Polynesia, filled to the brim with yummy delights. We choose a fun color pallet of turquoise and coral and Shilhi of Passion Roots added her own chic flair with creative arrangements. I dare you not to run to the pantry to look for something sweet after perusing through the photos below! Photos courtesy of Taryn Reid Photography.

love.joy.laughter

The Descendants Movie-Filming Kick-off Party

2011-11-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

George Clooney....need I say more? The world's most eligible bachelor is staring in a new movie The Descendants and we were there to coordinate the filming kick-off party! We worked with the director, Alexander Payne's assistant, to create a relaxed and intimate party that would kick off the filming of the movie. Timane Gardner entertained actors and directors with her ukulele virtuoso talent and cast and crew members gathered in a circle to be blessed by Kahu Kekoa. We weren't allowed to take photos once the party began but let me just say....he's gorgeous, the cast and crew were warm and friendly and the whole night was amazing.

Found here

Photo provided by A Cake Life

Photography: Kricia Morris Photography / Venue: Oceanfront Oasis Flowers: Passion Roots
Cupcakes: A Cake Life / Linens and Lighting: REA /Catering:Kahala Catering
Design and Coordination: Seasons of Life Events

The Knot - 20 Ways to Transform Your Reception Space

2011-11-14T15:12:00.000-08:00

We recently helped contribute to this article on The Knot, "20 Ways to Transform Your Reception Space". Check it out for helpful ideas on using lighting, flowers and more to dress up a room.

love.joy.laughter

Real Weddings-Kelsi and Allen

2011-10-17T12:43:00.000-07:00

A beautiful old church, elegant black and red, and an anemone cake. Drama in the making! We loved assisting Kelsi and Allen with their wedding. Their MC, Dave Lewis of Dynamic Sounds kept the fun going during their reception. And the cake, what can I say...simply gorgeous and oh so yummy! Photos courtesy of Adam Palmer Photography.

love.joy.laughter

Bridal Fashion and Wedding Trends

2011-09-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

Clothing designer Deena Tearney invited me to join her for her latest podcast as she shared a little of her bridal clothing line. We talked about destination bridal clothing and about trends I've seen in the weddings. You can see more of her line on the Umee Honolulu website.

love.joy.laughter

Real Weddings-Akiko and George

2011-09-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Many of the weddings we coordinate are for couples who live in all parts of the United States and all around the world. Akiko and George currently live in Vietnam so all of our planning was done by Skype and e-mail. Our first task was venue research. Being that they wanted an elegant country look and feel, they chose beautiful Sunset Ranch for their venue. Their ceremony was held next to a pond overlooking the Pacific Ocean vista and their reception under a tent next to a giant Eucalyptus tree on the venues sprawling property.

Guest enjoyed the laid back atmosphere and played lawn games during the cocktail hour. Mason jars filled with green and white flowers by Easley Designs sat atop burlap table runners created by the Seasons of Life Events team. Dinner, served by Beaches and Backyards Catering, was all about comfort food with a Pacific Island twist – among many delicious offerings there were mini Kalua pork sliders and sweet potato fries served in paper cones. A Cake Life created a beautiful and delicious cupcake tower that we placed in the center of a table full of brown and yellow candy. Many thanks for Kaua Wedding Photography for these gorgeous photos.

Below is a more in-depth slideshow of Akiko and George's wedding from Kaua Wedding Photography.

Isabelle and Adam-Same Day Edit

2011-08-09T15:46:00.000-07:00

I love watching Same Day Edits. In the blur of a busy wedding day it's fun to stop for a few minutes and look back at what took place. Isabelle and Adam hired California videographer Lumitone to capture their wedding day that took place at Oceanfront Oasis. More pictures to come! Enjoy!

Isabelle & Adam - SDE (Destination Wedding) from Lumitone on Vimeo.

Eco-Beautiful Weddings Magazine Shoot

2011-08-01T20:02:00.000-07:00

This photo shoot was a collaboration with Brenda of Best Wedding Sites and Brenda's Wedding Blog, now an online e-zine. We started with the idea of using the color lime and were challenged to come up with an eco-friendly bridal luncheon table.

I came up with the idea of a garden-to-table theme. Lemon leaves, succulents, limes and potted plants created not only an eco-friendly, but a cost-effective, budget-friendly table top design. Potted herbs wrapped in unbleached cotton muslin and tied with twine also doubled as guest favors. I found the yellow retro dishes at a thrift store, and the napkin holders were made out of pages of old bridal magazines. Photographer Kricia Morris not only took some amazing photos, but as a former caterer, created a delicious spread – perfect for a lunch party

We had a wonderful time designing this event, and are excited to share that this shoot was featured in the premier issue of Eco-Beautiful Weddings magazine.

Real Weddings-Cheryl and David

2011-07-25T18:52:00.000-07:00

David and Cheryl chose 10.10.10 for their wedding date – a very memorable day, that’s for sure. I love their bold color scheme of black, white and red. Cheryl incorporated a lot of special do-it-yourself projects and was wonderful to work with as she was one of the most organized brides we’ve worked with. Their intimate ceremony was followed by a cocktail reception at Oceanfront Oasis. Guest took home personalized wine glasses and a treat bag of black and white M&M’s. These beautiful images are courtesy of Christie Pham Photography.

Real Weddings-Sharon and Eugene

2011-07-18T13:38:00.000-07:00

We absolutely loved working with Sharon and Eugene to plan their wedding. They are such a fun couple, and it showed all throughout their wedding. Case in point, their grand entrance song was “Jump-Jump”. Eugene served our country in Iraq as an Army officer so they incorporated many Army touches. I love when couples do things like this to help personalize their wedding - it makes it all that more memorable.

Guests were transported to "Secret Island" and back to Moli'i Gardens for cocktail hour and the reception. Guests dined on food provided by Catering Connection, and for dessert enjoyed an amazing cupcake tree created by A Cake Life, and shave ice – a classic Hawaiian treat. Su-V Expression created a floralscape of green succulents and purple flowers with deep purple satin linens. Family and friends danced all night with DJ Troy Michael.

Much sought after California based photographer, Caroline Tran provided these beautiful images. We’re excited to share that Sharon and Eugene’s wedding is being featured in the July issue of Destination Wedding's and Honeymoons Magazine.

love.joy.laughter

Real Wedding-Miwako and Craig

2011-07-12T13:58:00.000-07:00

A few showers wouldn't dampen Miwako and Craig’s wedding day. We truly loved working with this amazing couple to create an understated, gorgeous wedding at the Oceanfront Oasis in Kahala. Miwako hired us for full service coordination so we sent her various inspiration photos which started the process. From there we helped with color selection, mood, lighting, linens, printed items and more. Miwako selected blush tones for her color palate and Shilhi of Passion Roots did an amazing job incorporating those colors into her lush florals. I am always amazed with the gorgeous bouquets she creates.

Craig Matsumoto of Streams Hawaii provided live music for the ceremony as well as soothing dinner music while guests dined on a plated meal from Kahala Caterers. In addition to the beautiful, round, hexagon and square tiered cake created by Kristin of A Cake Life, because Craig's company owns Beards Papa, guests were treated to a delectable cream puff tower for dessert. And Stefanie of Absolutely Loved Photography did an awesome job photographing Miwako and Craig’s special day.

Real Weddings-Kitchie and Tommy

2011-07-05T11:32:00.000-07:00

Working with Kitchie and Tommy to plan their Lanikuhonua wedding was an absolute delight. They had a beautiful ceremony complete with Filipino traditions which the Reverend Mike Nelson officiated over. Kitchie’s wedding dress was made by a designer in the Philippines, and her aunt hand-beaded different patterns on the buri fans – we love all these little details. And the flowers girls were simply adorable.

Kitchie and Tommy wanted an Al Fresco dining experience so they incorporated lanterns and cafe lights strung from the trees. Guests enjoyed a delicious dining experience from Chai's Island Bistro and a well-run bar and self-service beverage station including an island favorite, plantation ice tea, from Aloha on the Rocks. Anderson Image Photography, friends of the couple from Arizona, photographed their special day.

And a big thanks to our Seasons of Life Events team for all their hard work. Surrounded by family and friends, Kitchie and Tommy were truly able to relax and enjoy their wedding day. Congratulations - we wish you a lifetime of happiness!

love.joy.laughter

Real Wedding-Janel and John

2011-06-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

I loved worked with Janel and John months prior to their wedding to come up with the perfect design. After considering tent, lining, and lighting options they opted to take advantage of the Lanikuhonua’s natural surroundings and had a beautiful, outdoor, under-the-stars experience. Some of my favorite details included the striking tangerine linens, leaf patterned gobo lights and custom monogram for the programs, wine glasses and dance floor.

Music does wonders to set the mood of an event and they did just that with a live saxophone and keyboardists for their ceremony, guitarists for cocktail hour, a live band for dinner and a DJ for dancing. Guests were treated to food stations from Indigo’s, and dined on tables laden with beautiful arrangements and abundant candlelight. Their 5-tiered cake from Cake Works was stunning and had guests oohing and awing. Aloha on the Rocks whipped up the couple's carefully chosen specialty drinks all night. Thank you to Aaron Bernard of Liquid Light Images for capturing these amazing images of their wedding.

Sunset Ranch- Rustic Elegance Unbridled

2011-06-19T01:20:00.000-07:00

I was asked to design and coordinate the launch of Sunset Ranch as an event venue. My first task was to come up with a theme, and from there the overall layout, design and color scape for the event. After drafting several options I came up with the theme of “Rustic Elegance Unbridled”.

Based on the inspiration of a photo of a flower I found online, I choose an ivory, soft blush and plum color palette. I wanted to embrace that fact that the venue is a ranch, but showcase it in an elegant way.

Cocktail tables were draped with luxurious plum satin linens and unexpectedly sashed with rope. The barn is an amazing space and I wanted to show how an elegant and sophisticated reception could coexist with the rough bones of the barn. It's the unexpected that catches guests in an "awe" moment and leaves an impression on them.

Working with extraordinary professionals like Shilhi of Passion Roots and Kristin of A Cake Life, was a pleasure as we married our thoughts and ideas for a truly inspirational design. I love how Shilhi thought that adding the frothy chair covers would mimic a horse tail that grazed in the pasture below, and how she honored the hard work that goes into farming, and the “fruits of their labor” by using grapes and plums in the centerpieces.

The privately owned ranch has recently opened the property up for weddings and other events. I especially love that there are so many different venues (both outdoor and indoor) and there are gorgeous views everywhere.

Vendors:

Venue: Sunset Ranch

Floral and Event Styling: Passion Roots

Cake: A Cake Life

Rentals: REA

Pacific Party Rentals

Tent: Hawaii Tents and Events

Photography: What a Day Photography

Thank You Note

2011-05-13T19:20:00.001-07:00

I came across this Thank You note idea on Style Me Pretty. I love the wording and I can imagine how special each guest would feel finding this at their place setting.

love.joy.laughter

Vintage Window

2011-03-12T21:28:00.000-08:00

On a recent trip to a salvage yard I came across a fabulous old window and I had to have it. It's a long story but in the process of claiming my new prized possession I broke my big toe resulting in weeks of not being able to fit my swollen toe into cute shoes. Thankfully I live in Hawaii and sandals are acceptable year round. I used the window as a fun prop for an engagement shoot below.

Anna Kim PhotographyI came across this creative way to use the same type of window for table assignments.

Found here

I think I might take a chance and head back to the salvage yard for more treasures but this time I'll wear work boots and a hard hat!

love.joy.laughter

Vaiana and Drew-Post Wedding Photo Session

2011-02-13T23:30:00.000-08:00

I think post-wedding photo sessions are a wonderful idea. It's during these shoots that couples can relax and have a little fun without worrying about the "must have" shots that they need to get or the time constraints of their wedding day. Here are a few shots from Vaiana and Drew's post wedding photo session that I had the privilege of propping. With a car full of balloons and a trunk full of fun items, I headed to Sunset Ranch to share the afternoon with a fun couple and the team of Fisheye Studio.

Photography by Rafael of Fisheye Studio.

love.joy.laughter

Brides Choice Award 2011

2011-02-02T13:22:00.000-08:00

Honolulu,Hawaii – February 2, 2011 - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce Seasons of Life Wedding and Event Planning LLC has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for Wedding Coordination!

Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.

Seasons of Life Wedding and Event Planning LLC stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud Seasons of Life Wedding and Event Planning LLC for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”

We are happy to announce that Seasons of Life Wedding and Event Planning LLC is among the very best wedding coordination companies within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.

MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), ProjectWedding.com and Weddingbee.com (both part of eHarmony), and Celebrations.com (part of the 1-800-Flowers family of brands, NASDAQ: FLWS).

Bekki and David-SDE

2011-01-21T22:33:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we had the privilege of coordinating Bekki and David's absolutely beautiful wedding. Our whole team was touched by the gentleness and sweetens of the love that these two share. Here's a glimpse of their wedding day with a SDE (Same Day Edit) by Fisheye Studio.

david + bekki | SDE | butterfly kisses . have mercy! from Fisheye Studio on Vimeo.

love.joy.laughter

Real Weddings-Esther and Al

2010-12-26T08:00:00.000-08:00

Esther and Al and an intimate group of their family and friends gathered at the Kathy Ireland Beachfront Oasis for a beautiful yellow and pink inspired wedding. I absolutely love Esther's asymmetrical dress with organza flower details. Their ceremony was so sweet with 6 flower girls making their entrance before Esther walked down the aisle. Their reception included a live action sushi station, grilled to order steak, a sugar flower adorned scrumptious cake by Cake Lava and a fire dancer. Thank you to Brad Uyehara of Blu Foto for capturing the beauty of their wedding.

love.joy.laughter

From our Family.....

2010-12-24T17:30:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

Leaping for joy into the New Year!

Thank you to Taryn Reid Photography and Pinky Photography for blessing us with family photos. Thank you also to Faith and Beauty and Sarah la GLAM for glamorizing us :)

love.joy.laughter

Gift Tag Downloads

2010-12-18T11:24:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas gift wrapping day! I came across this free downloadable gift tag template courtesy of Eat Drink Chic blog via Green Wedding Shoes and I love the design and message. You can find more free templates on their blog. Merry Christmas!

love.joy.laughter

Isabelle and Adam-Save The Date

2010-12-16T23:59:00.000-08:00

I've had such a great time working with Isabelle and Adam as I help them plan their summer 2011 wedding. They made a trip to Hawaii a few months ago and I scheduled several days of vendor meetings for them. We are now fine tuning the design and the details of their wedding and I can't wait to see it all come together. It's going to be a fun, beautiful and very special wedding. They are sending their guests a DVD with this Save The Date video filmed at UC Berkeley where they both went to college. Here's a sneak peek.....

Isabelle & Adam Save The Date Concept from Lumitone on Vimeo.

love.joy.laughter

Pacific Weddings- Fall 2010 Launch Party

2010-12-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

Twice a year the most amazing wedding magazine hits bookstore shelves and lands in my mailbox and I insist on stopping everything I'm doing to devour page after page of pure beauty. Since it's beginning in 1999 I've been a big fan of Pacific Weddings Magazine. It's ranked the number one Regional Wedding Magazine in the nation and with a national and international distribution it sets trends in wedding design and inspiration. What a honor it was to attend the launch party of the Fall 2010 issue held at the beautiful Bayer Estate. Thank you to Kai Media for providing a glimpse into all of the fun. You'll see that I'm trying to convince Aaron Bernard to try a delicious appetizer :)

Pacific Weddings Magazine from KAI MEDIA on Vimeo.

It's always fun to play dress up! Photo by Dave Miyamoto and Company.

We're honored to be included in THE LIST of Pacific Wedding's Preferred Vendors.

love.joy.laughter

Picture Perfect-Guest Blog Post

2010-12-03T19:19:00.000-08:00

I’ve been waiting for the day to guest blog for Karine for a while, but the day that opportunity came, I kind of sat there spacing out at my computer screen thinking, “where do I start?” The first thing that popped into my mind was the post-wedding shoot we designed at Sunset Ranch a few weeks back. This led me to think, “I wonder how brides and grooms instantly turn on their inner models when doing a photo shoot” – I only thought about this because I could not imagine my future husband-to-be standing next to me playfully posing and smiling for hours. I also say this because I’m deathly terrified that I will have a chubby angle, a silly face, a lingering guest (not smiling) in the background…basically a flaw in my otherwise gorgeous photos. Yes, I’ve been worrying about this for a long time. Therefore, I have made a vow to practice, practice, practice! Of course I will not be able to change outside factors – the lingering guest – but I can practice my ‘must have poses’, the angles that I stand, and the “perfect smile”.
So without further a due, here is a design board I put together (and placed on my refrigerator) to ensure my one-day (hopefully) beautiful engagement and wedding photos come out picture perfect. Feel free to practice along with me.

♥
{xoxo},
Alyssa.

the first kiss ♥ the first look ♥ the first hug ♥ the sparkling exit ♥ the sealing kiss

Sunset Terrace-Tres Chic Fete Video

2010-11-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

If you missed my previous post on the unveiling of the Sunset Terrace at the Honolulu Design Center then you must view all of the eye candy here. The dynamic husband and wife team of Ambiance Photographic and Cinem a
captured the allure and beauty of the photo shoot and party and you can see it all right now.

Honolulu Design Center from Ambiance Photographic on Vimeo.

love.joy.laughter

Sunset Terrace-Tres Chic Fete

2010-11-13T16:03:00.000-08:00

Some events are just so amazingly cool that the sights, sounds and experiences linger. The Honolulu Design Center’s Sunset Terrace unveiling was one of these events. Not only was the evening a great gathering of Hawaii’s event specialists and notable guests but it was an opportunity to show how the space can be used for an ultra modern urban venue. I was given the privilege of perusing through the Design Center’s three stories of amazing furniture and accessories to pick out items to use for the party. I could hardly contain my giddiness. Shilhi Seibel of Passion Roots created a ceremony and reception experience that was creative, edgy and absolutely gorgeous! Hold on because there were too many stunning images captured by the very talented Corinne Gold of What a Day Photography that I just couldn't pass up.

Hair and Makeup-Gemina Chong of Faith and Beauty
Models- Dallas Nagata White and Austin Kiho
Dress-Jules Bly exclusive to Casablanca Bridals and Formals
Suit-Black Tie Affair
Flowers and Design-Passion Roots
Reception Table Linens-Les Saison
Cocktail Tables, linens and lights-Accel Party Rentals
Photography-What a Day Photography
Overall layout and Design-Seasons of Life Event s

love.joy.laughter

Michelle and Britton-Real Wedding

2010-11-09T20:51:00.001-08:00

I owe the beauty of this wedding to one of the most creative and organized brides that I've had the privilege of working with. I knew from the moment I met Michelle and Brit that this was going to be an unforgettable wedding. Right away Michelle had a vision and she ran with it.

Don't you just love Michelle's gorgeous green shoes!Woven boxes were filled with bolu pretu and stacked on a fun cupcake stand. Guests were given fans with the ceremony program attached.

Michelle created the Save the Date "tickets" and on each table setting we placed a mini soda bottle filled with macadamia nuts. Guests were given flower cones accented with hand-tied raffia and star fish.I love the look on Brit's face as he looks at his bride to be on the arm of her father.

Oh daddy, watch out for your little girl because those big blue eyes are going to melt hearts!

Michelle sent me pictures of the color options for the bridesmaids dresses. She hit it on the mark with these beautiful dresses! What a stunning bridal party.

Are they not gorgeous or what! I think this is such a timeless picture.

The newly married couple enjoyed a private moment during their first dance before the party got going. For more pictures of this beautiful wedding held at Oceanfront Oasis visit photographer Andre Niesing 's blog.
Thank you to Michelle for sharing her wedding pictures already formatted. Love it!

love.joy.laughter

Wedding Highlights Video-Kelsey and Evan

2010-10-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

I love sharing wedding videos. They have a special way of capturing moments that quickly pass by but are treasured forever on video. Thanks to the cinematography of Fisheye Studio for sharing Kelsey and Evan's wedding day. For pictures of their wedding visit my previous post here.

evan + kelsey | today is forever from Fisheye Studio on Vimeo.

love.joy.laughter

Nicole and Michael-Bold Pinks and Oranges

2010-10-27T11:26:00.000-07:00

After a whirlwind summer and early fall it's time to come up for air. It's so fun to look back at pictures and videos of weddings we coordinated and reminisce about the couples that we worked with and the beauty of their wedding day. Nicole and Michael had an absolutely gorgeous wedding reception at the Oceanfront Oasis. Thanks to the floral and decor artistry of Shilhi of Passion Roots, their wedding day was simply stunning. Fisheye Studio captured their day exquisitely. An intimate gathering of family and friends dined under a lavishly dressed tent. Crystal chandeliers adorned with strands and strands of white orchids hung throughout the tent. Kristin of A Cake Life created edible shells and flowers for their three tier delicious wedding cake. Mr. and Mrs. Potter enjoying time together at a nearby beach park during the cocktail hour. The bride and groom's chairs were embellished with drapes of shells and flowers. Escort cards with hand calligraphy were created out of shell "purses". A scroll placed inside each shell thanked guests for attending.Guests gathered to send the newlyweds off under a tunnel of sparklers.

Nicole and Micheal has such a fun bridal party and Nicole and her father had the best father/daughter dance I've ever scene. I'm hoping it will make it's way to U Tube.

Here is a beautifully edited highlight video of Nicole and Michael's wedding day and day after shoot created by the cinematographers of Fisheye Studio. Enjoy!

nicole + mike | the best decision(he) ever made . oahu, hawaii from Fisheye Studio on Vimeo.

Love.joy.laughter

Sunset Ranch Open House

2010-09-26T21:50:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited to be coordinating a OPEN HOUSE of an amazing event venue on the North Shore of Oahu. Sunset Ranch is a 30 acre property that has so much to offer including an incredible barn! I've been busy meeting with our vendors making plans for vignettes around the property that will show how the different event spaces can be used. I can't wait to see the design come together and hope that everyone interested will join us for a fun afternoon. Short horseback rides will be available as well as light refreshements and entertainemtn. Bocci ball, horse shoes or cricket anyone?Contact me for more details at hello@seasonsoflifeevents.com

Kelsey and Evan-Loulu Palm Estate

2010-09-07T18:54:00.000-07:00

I started working with Kelsey and Evan almost a year before their wedding. Because they live on the East Coast most of our planning took place by email and phone other then a brief trip to Oahu by Kelsey. It was so rewarding to see everything come together on their wedding day. Rachel Robertson captured their wedding beautifully.

Gorgeous flowers by Passion Roots.A brief afternoon shower is normal on the North Shore. It somehow always seems to drizzle when dinner has begun and everyone is safe and dry under the tent. My team was prepared with towels to dry off the dance floor just in time for Kelsey and Evan to have their first dance.
The benefits of a little drizzle is quite often a stunning rainbow!The party continued into the night. Guests were treated to a whole suckling pig, Polynesian dancers and every sweet tooth was satisfied with cupcakes, shave ice and a chocolate fountain.

A few sweet words from Kelsey... "Karine was enthusiastic, organized and supportive from the day I hired her. She always made me feel like my wedding was just as important to her as it was to me.
From a styling background, I can honestly say that Karine has an eye for design. She was able to assist me with additional details, resources and new ideas of inspiration.
I can truly say that my wedding day was PERFECT! Everything from the tent design, to the table settings, and the coordination of events, were perfect."

love.joy.laughter

Vintage Engagement Shoot

2010-08-22T21:21:00.000-07:00

Oh how much fun I had styling and propping this vintage inspired engagement photoshoot. The amazingly talented Corinne Gold of What A Day Photography captured the images beautifully. This shoot was especially fun because I had creative freedom to pick out all of the clothing, accessories and props. It doesn't hurt that Charissa and Austin are gorgeous! For more information about my styling and propping services please take a peek at my blog, Yellow Bird Styling.

Photography by Corinne Gold of What A Day Photography

A special thanks to Sunset Ranch for a stunning location and to production assistants Taryn Nakashima and Shae Otsuka.

love.joy.laughter

Country Wedding Inspiration

2010-07-31T20:05:00.000-07:00

Being a city girl, when I get a chance to take a trip to the country, it's a treat! Yesterday I took some time out and headed up to a ranch on the North Shore of Oahu. I was scouting for an upcoming photoshoot and possible event venue. Inspired by a big tree on the property, the wide open space and of course the horses and chickens, I found these photos that got my creative juices flowing.

Green Wedding Shoes /Wedding Chicks / Green Wedding Shoes / Wedding Chicks

love.joy.laughter

Day After Shoot-Christian and Jenny

2010-07-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

I can't wait to share the photos of this unbelievable cool "Day After" photoshoot of Christian and Jenny. Studio Red was there to capture the behind the scenes action as Hawaii's very talented photographer, Frank Amodo, took a risk to get the perfect shot.

vintage sneak peek from STUDIO:RED on Vimeo.

love.joy.laughter

Lanikuhonua-Christian and Jenny

2010-07-13T08:00:00.001-07:00

Oh how I loved working with Christian and Jenny. They are beautiful people inside and out and their wedding was full of beauty, fun and lots of love. Studio Red did an amazing job with their SDE (Same Day Edit) that was shown at their wedding reception. Check it out!

A touch of yellow and rock n' roll | Christian & Jenny from STUDIO:RED on Vimeo.

love.joy.laughter

2010-07-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

We're on a roll with Christian and Jenny's wedding celebration thanks to the wonderful talent of Studio Red. They were there to capture all of the fun including the couple's Welcome Dinner held at Secret Island at Kualoa Ranch. Behind the scenes coverage of their 'Day After" photoshoot coming up!

Secret Island | Wedding BBQ feature from STUDIO:RED on Vimeo.

love.joy.laughter

Published-Military Spouse Magazine

2010-07-08T20:58:00.001-07:00

Can you imagine baking and decorating cupcakes in your beautiful tea length dress, pearl necklace and delicate pumps? I can't either but somehow if you add an apron to the mix, it works. I had the privilege of coordinating, styling and propping for a photoshoot for the 50th issue of Military Spouse Magaziine. The theme was Cupcakes and Aprons and oh what fun we had. After a trip to Catherine's Closet to round up vintage dresses and aprons and scouring second hand stores and our own cupboards, we were able to come up with what I call a Martha Stewart inspired, vintage-meets-modern photoshoot. The fun thing about photoshoots is that a set can be created anywhere. In this case in my own house. Oh how I wish my kitchen could have remained that clean. Thank you to photographer, Athena Plichta for bringing me on board and to all of the wonderful women who took part in this photoshoot. The July issue of Military Spouse Magazine is in bookstores now.

Styling: Karine France-Matsumoto of Seasons of Life Wedding and Event Planning /Photography: Athena Plichta /Cupcakes: Kristin Kato for A Cake Life /Vintage Clothing: Catherine's Closet Vintage Boutique /Makeup-Corvette De La Cruz / Hair-Monae Watkins / Assistants, Pinky Yoshimoto, Kim Chau, and Alisa Greig /Models: Adria Libby, Jessica Cortezpena, and Amanda Ogletree.

The Kahala Hotel and Resort-Vivi and Qiao

2010-06-28T16:07:00.000-07:00

The Kahala Hotel and Resort is a beautiful location for a Hawaii oceanfront wedding. Vivi and Qiao were married at the Diamond Head gazebo followed by an outdoor reception. Thank you to Fisheye Studio for providing us a glimpse at their wedding. Check back for pictures of their day.

qiao + vivi // two hearts are better than one from Joshua Fair on Vimeo.

love.joy.laughter

Stress Free Wedding Day-Getting Ready Tips

2010-06-06T23:31:00.000-07:00

Even the most laid-back brides can feel a little anxious as they get ready on their wedding day. I’ve put together a few simple tips to help you stay calm as you prepare to walk down the aisle.

Don’t be the last to have your hair styled and makeup applied. You might think that being the bride you should be the last in line to get into the beauty seat so you are fresh for your walk down the aisle. Rather then going last, I suggest you place yourself higher up on the list. By going, say next to last, you’ll have time to relax with your bridal party and leisurely make your way into your wedding dress. When the stylist is done with the last bridesmaid, you can have your hair touched up and your lipstick applied without feeling rushed.

Photo by SarahQ

Schedule a massage for your wedding day. I don’t recommend an oil-filled full body massage because as much as they are absolutely delightful, having oily hair on your wedding day is not. Instead consider reflexology or better yet, have a masseuse come to the location where you’ll be getting ready. For one wedding I brought in a massage therapist to massage the bride’s hands and feet while she sat in a comfortable chair with her makeup applied and her hair done. It was a relaxing and rejuvenating experience for the bride and the perfect way to calm any nerves.

Bring along a scented candle. The power of aromatherapy is amazing. Certain smells can evoke memories and provide relaxation. Pick your favorite scent in a travel size (lavender is especially calming), don’t forget a lighter and smell your way to a stress-free day.

Turn up the music. Create a playlist on your IPod that will put you in your happy place. For some brides it may be classical music for others it may be Madonna classics. You know what you like best so whatever puts a smile on your face, turn it on and turn it up.

Eat, drink and get married. Plan ahead and either have food delivered to you or arrange to have someone pick-up a nutritious breakfast or lunch. Healthy food will keep your blood sugars level and water will help you to stay hydrated, a good combination for a happy and relaxed bride.

Photo by Pinky Photography

Hire a wedding planner. I had to put that in there but really, when someone else is running around with the timeline and checklist, you can mentally relax. Turning over the responsibility to a professional planner will be a priceless gift of peace of mind you give yourself.

Be flexible and stay positive. We all know that we make our own choices. What better choice on your wedding day then to choose to remain positive and be flexible. You’ve done all of the hard work and now is your time to enjoy the day.

Photo by SarahQ

love.joy.laughter

Fuschia and Teal Wedding Details

2010-05-21T16:41:00.001-07:00

A while back I posted about a special Valentine's wedding that you can read about here. More pictures have come in thanks to Ashely Smith of Taryn Reid Photography and I wanted to share all of the beautiful details that surrounded this gorgeous wedding.

love.joy.laughter

Tsunami Wedding 2010

2010-05-05T11:25:00.000-07:00

I often get asked by prospective brides or others curious about wedding planning, what is the most unusual or challenging situation I have experienced as a wedding planner. I have to say that all of my previous "challenging" experiences pale in comparison to the wedding I recently coordinated on a day that will forever be remembered as Tsunami Wedding 2010. I had heard about the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile the night before but I wasn't aware of the pending Tsunami alert for the Hawaiian Islands until I heard the civil defense warning sirens at 6am Saturday morning. After years of training as a child and after living through hurricanes, the first thing I did was turn on the news and fire up my computer. Sure enough Hawaii was in preparation mode for a Tsunami and I had a bride staying at a beach house, her groom and guests in hotels in Waikiki and their beach wedding followed by a beach front estate reception scheduled to begin at 3pm. A quick phone call confirmed that all beaches were closed. A call to the caterer confirmed that they were shutting down and everyone was headed home. I wasn't able to get in touch with the bride and groom because of high call volume but we were able to text. The first thing I did was find an evacuation center for the bride and her family and reassure her that everyone staying in Waikiki would be taken care of by the hotels management. Then I got on the phone and by 7am all of the vendors scheduled to take part in the wedding had been rescheduled for the next day. Just to back up a bit. Normally tent and rental delivery occurs on the day of the wedding but this was an unusual situation and the tent had been put up and all of the tables and linens delivered and were waiting for us. Thankfully the venue was available for Sunday so I went about my day with a watchful eye on the news and a saddened heart for the couple that would have to postpone their wedding. As the time came and went for the first tsunami surge to impact the island without the anticipated 6ft wave, my bride text messaged me and asked if there was anyway that the wedding could still occur.I let her know that the beaches were closed, the warning was still in effect and the roads were closed making it impossible. I did suggest a morning wedding so her guests that had scheduled to leave the island on Sunday could be there. By 3pm it was apparent that Hawaii was spared from a destructive tsunami and the roads opened up just in time for me to head to the airport to pick up my daughter who was flying back home for a spring break visit. As I approached the baggage claim, I received a call from the groom letting me know that the bride was understandable distraught and was there anyway that we could still have the wedding. I hung up the phone and knew that I had to find a way to make this wedding happen. As soon as my daughter got into the car, I handed her my phone and she became by assistant dialing vendors and putting them on speaker phone. The first vendor I contacted was the officiant. The only way they were getting married was if we could make sure that the officiant or any officiant was available. I left a message and called a backup just in case. A return phone call confirmed that we had an officiant. Then I called the transportation company that had been scheduled to transport all 60 guests to the wedding ceremony. After leaving a message I called a valet service and after still another message I called the ceremony musician and the DJ. Twenty minutes later I was at the grocery store buying a cake and flowers while my daughter scooped up paper plates , cups and napkins. A quick trip to order food from a local restaurant, more final phone calls and a quick trip home to change and load up my car and we were off.

It's one thing to show up and be there to oversee a wedding but that's not what we do nor what we had planned on doing. For this wedding I had originally scheduled a staff of four to oversee the setup which included setting up our rental vases all along the 8' tables with various heights of candles and a sprinkling of orchids.
We also were scheduled to setup a dessert buffet, tie name cards on napkins and numerous other tasks. With lightning speed we dashed about, propped, folded, arranged and 1-1/2 hours after the call from the groom came in, we had a beautiful wedding ceremony and reception.

These pictures were taken while the water was still slowly surging on shore. You never know when you'll need a surfboard.A beautiful ending to an amazing wedding. I have deep gratitude for all of the amazing wedding vendors that came together to make Erik and Megan's wedding memorable. That's what we do in Hawaii!

DJ-Tony So
Musician-Doug Fitch
Officiant-Nalani Productions
Venue-Justin and Tommy at the Oceanfront Oasis
Photography-Andrew Zelinko
And my wonderful family that jumped in and became my staff for the day.

love.joy.laughter

Jennifer and Luke-Engaged

2010-04-22T13:48:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite parts of being a wedding planner is developing a relationship with the couples I'm working with. I started working with Jennifer and Luke over 6 months ago. Because they live in California we did all of their planning over the phone and through emails. It was so nice to finally meet them in person upon their arrival to Hawaii. Jennifer worked hard on a lot of clever DIY favors and we're adding some special decor touches which I'll share when the photos come in. In just a couple of days Jennifer and Luke will be married and I am truly looking forward to their special day!

love. joy. laughter

Candice and Todd-Moana Surfrider

2010-04-01T20:38:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to share these pictures of a wedding that took place on the most romantic day of the year, Valentine's Day! I think it's so special when couples choose February 14th to celebrate their union. Candice and Todd are one of the sweetest couples you'll ever meet. There story of committed love could be a novel, yet on this special day they choose to focus on the celebration of their love and not the challenges that they met along the way. A close group of family and friends joined them on a sunny afternoon at the Moana Surfrider Hotel to share this very special day with them.

A beautiful dark wood arbor draped in luxurious chiffon and curly willow was created by Shilhi Seibel of Passion Roots. Various sizes of teal and fuchsia lanterns crisscrossed the lawn creating a dramatic and fantasy feel both during the day and in the evening when the sun set.

I love the ruffle detail on the brides bouquet.

Guests were treated to a delicious Satura cake and cake pop favors.

All of the beautiful linens were provided my REA designs including a romantic backdrop with blue uplighting.
Best wishes to Candice and Todd!

Photography: Kai Photo
Floral and Ambiance Design-Shilhi Seibel of Passion Roots
Linens-REA Events
Cake-Satura Cakes
Venue-Moana Surfrider
Coordination-Seasons of Life Events

love.joy.laughter

Kesha and Thomas-Ko'olau Glass Ballroom

2010-03-19T21:37:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun helping Kesha and Thomas plan their wedding. Kesha and I worked for nine months designing, creating, meeting vendors, securing contracts and occasionally including Thomas in on the fun! Their wedding was absolutely beautiful and reflected the love they share for each other.

This was the moment when the wedding planner takes a big sigh of relief. Let me explain...the groom's bestman, his brother, informed us that he didn't have the rings as he was walking to the aisle. This of course sent my assistant and I into a flurry of activity as we searched high and low for the missing rings all the while orchestrating the processional. After hand signals to the groom to borrow his parents rings the bestman confessed to everyone that he indeed had the rings. You can see that the bride, knowing the bestman's humorous side, enjoyed the comic relief. I love this picture because it shows how great a sense of humor Kesha and Thomas share.

A memory table was setup at the entrance to the reception for a moment of reflection and honor for loved ones that had passed away.

The head table and cake table were luxuriously draped and uplighting accented the room.

Photography: Perfekt Photo
Specialty Linens: Les Saison
Flowers: Always Flowers
Coordination: Seasons of Life Events

love.joy.laughter

Blog Love-Bridal Photo Shoot

2010-03-10T17:31:00.000-08:00

Last month I had the privilege of helping to coordinate another beautiful bridal photoshoot at the Oceanfront Oasis World Estate. I'm having a hard time narrowing down pictures to post but in the meantime I want to thank Susanne Pridoehl for her blog mention below.

More to come.....

love.joy.laughter

Chelsey and Jordan... Engaged!

2010-03-07T18:45:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Chelsey and Jordan on their upcoming wedding! I had the privilege of helping Jordan arrange a beautiful surprise proposal in the stunning Ka'a'awa Valley. I'll have pictures to share in a future post. Chelsey, Jordan and I spent the day looking at outdoor venues and this is a picture of them at Loulu Palm Estate, the location they selected for their June 2011 wedding.

Congratulations and I look forward to helping you plan your wedding!

love.joy.laughter

Blog Love

2010-02-13T12:58:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Ashley Smith of Taryn Reid Photography for the recent shout on on her blog. She's extremely talented and one of the nicest people you'll meet. Check out her website and blog!

love.joy.laughter

Chalkboards

2010-02-10T23:14:00.001-08:00

I had the most amazing 6th grade math teacher. She had mastered the art of writing on the chalkboard backwards while facing the class making sure all eyes were attentive to her instruction. Years later I can't figure out how she did it but I am still impressed! Chalkboards are just plain fun and add colored chalk to the mix and wow it's a party! I love the way each of these chalkboards were uniquely used from an outdoor wedding to a classy loft affair.

find here

find here

find here

find here

find here

find here

find here

love.joy.laughter

Get Fit For Your Wedding

2010-02-01T19:34:00.000-08:00

I have a friend that is so inspiring. While I'm working on my goal of 30 minutes of walking everyday (o.k. every other day) she's working out to exercise videos called Cardio X and Bodyrock Burn Fat. Just take a peek at her before and after picture below and read her story on her website and you too might become an Insane Asylum junkie ! If you are a bride or groom, she has these words to share.

"Whether you only have six weeks or six months before your special day, you have time to be a buff bride or groom! As an Independent Beachbody Coach, I can offer guidance on choosing the right home workout dvd program for both the bride and the groom. The beauty of a home workout dvd program is that you are already busy enough, and spending enough money on the wedding, that you don't need to also stress out about getting to the gym or paying a personal trainer. Using our proven workout programs, you can look and feel your absolute best for your special day. Beachbody has created programs like P90X®, Turbo Jam®, Hip Hop Abs®, Slim in 6® and Insanity®, so there is something for every fitness level. We also have a breakthrough nutritional shake that can supplement or even replace a meal to help you lose weight and have more energy. It's called Shakeology®, and it tastes delicious! To learn more or to order a workout or Shakeology®, go to www.ilovetosweat.com."

Fran Before and After

Dallas Before and After

Go ahead and sweat!

love.joy.laughter

Shout Out-Star Bulletin

2010-01-23T17:53:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Nadine Kam, writer and blogger of Fashion Tribe for the Star Bulletin. She attended our special brunch with Kathy Ireland and captured these images.

I'm the short one on the right and that's Kathy Ireland on the left.
You can see the full blog entry here.

love.joy.laughter

Wedding Beach Adventure

2010-01-17T20:13:00.000-08:00

I spent the afternoon with the sweetest couple. They came to me because after many years together they decided that they would travel to Oahu for their Christmas vacation and get married. They wanted to get married on the beach but wanted to make it a little extra special. I proposed a "Wedding Beach Adventure" for them. Because their family would not be able to share in their wedding, they wanted to make sure that they had a lot of special photographs to document their day. I arranged for a limousine to pick them up from their hotel and their selected photographer, Rafael Swit for Fisheye Studio Inc., and I met them at their first location, Makapuu Beach. With the lighthouse and rabbit island in the background this was a beautiful location for their last pictures together before they became husband and wife. From there we all traveled to Waiminalo Beach Park where we were met with their officiant. The beach is uncrowded, goes on for miles and is absolutely beautiful.

After their intimate ceremony they walked along the beach and were met with applause from beach goers. It was quite special.

After their ceremony we headed back to Waikiki and the Natatorium memorial where the architecture
at sunset offers a beautiful backdrop.

Timing is everything and as they headed toward the ocean, Rafael captured this amazing shot of the sunset and the newlyweds. After a full afternoon of beaches, photography and a wedding the limousine drove them to a scenic view restaurant where reservations and a window seat were waiting for them and they enjoyed their first meal as husband and wife.

love.joy.laughter

Beachfront Oasis and Oceanfront Oasis Video

2010-01-07T23:40:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited to share this video with you created by the very talented Joshua Fair of Fisheye Studio Inc. What an amazing event it was! We not only had a beautiful wedding with a gorgeous couple but also a fantastic party complete with a red carpet entry, swanky lounge,a fashion show, live band, fire dancers, belly dancers, video DJ and bananas flambe! It was quiet a feat to pull off but all of the hard work was worth it and I'm pleased to share a glimpse with you. Featured are the Beachfront Oasis and the Oceanfront Oasis Estates in beautiful Aina Haina, Oahu. Enjoy!

oasis world estates // weddings and events venue // oahu, hi from Fisheye Studio on Vimeo.

Morrocan Decor IV

2010-01-02T14:39:00.000-08:00

Today's post continues with the Moroccan theme design and features an absolutely beautiful couple.

Flowers by Passion Roots
Photos by Shawn Starr

Photos by Taryn Reid Photography

Cake by A Cake Life
Photos by Taryn Reid Photography

love.joy.laughter

Moroccan Decor III

2009-12-29T23:44:00.000-08:00

If you've been following along, you know that this week is all about Moroccan event decor. We've moved from the interior of the beautiful Beachfront Oasis and now we dive in to all of the beautiful details of the party. Layering linens,flowers,vessels and unexpected elements create depth, character and intrigue into design.

Photos by Taryn Reid Photography
The creativity of Shilhi of Passion Roots amazes me. Who knew that placing an artichoke in a smoke colored cup could be so intriguing. When I went for a last minute grocery store run for an orange colored fruit and grapes, I didn't know how perfect a tangerine could be in a lotus shaped vase accented by a beautiful orchid. Genius!

Photos by Taryn Reid Photography
Texture is everywhere!

Photos by Rafael Swit for Fisheye Studio Inc.
Luscious floral arrangements were everywhere. I love the different elements used from moss and twigs to crystals.

Photo by Daryl Watanabe
Look at all of the amazing elements in just this one shot!

We're just getting warmed up because there's more Moroccan decor to come. It's is all about a beautiful couple and a stunning cake!

love.joy.laughter

Moroccan Decor II

2009-12-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

Today I continue with the Moroccan inspired decor of a recent event. We move from the pool to the interior of the house. The Beachfront Oasis estate is a unique venue space allowing for endless options for adding accents throughout the house. In order to provide guests with an authentic Moroccan experience, I brought in loads of pillows and arranged them on the two lounge couches in the living room. Shilhi from Passion Roots created a large low arrangement for the over-sized coffee table while flowers were arranged in a swirl pattern on each of the three beds.

Top photos by Rafael Switt for Fisheye Studio Inc. / Bottom picture by Taryn Reid Photography.

We swagged orange and pink fabric over all of the interior sliding glass doors accented by hanging flowers. The swags set the stage for the what guests would find outside.

Photo by Taryn Reid Photography

Tomorrow is all about amazing details.

love.joy.laughter