Beach Wedding-North Shore of Oahu

The North Shore of Oahu is an absolutely spectacular location for an intimate Hawaiian beach wedding. Although it's a bit of a distance from Waikiki, the laid back feeling, the stretches of beach accented by dramatic lava rock and the jaw-dropping sunsets, make the travel time worthwhile. The ocean and rock make a perfect romantic backdrop and there's nothing quite as delicious as sinking your toes in the sand.

Gorgeous Corinne and Aaron Gold. Photography by Brooke Dombroski.

A perfect Hawaiian sunset for a perfect Hawaiian wedding.

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Candy Buffet-DIY

Candy buffets are all the rage at parties and weddings as a fun favor alternative. There are several great companies in Hawaii that can provide a candy buffet for you, bringing jars, containers, candy and even providing a buffet attendant. For the DIY diva, a scaled down version of the candy buffet is quite doable and actually really fun to setup. I recently created this candy buffet.
Top 3 photos by Corinne Gold.

1. Start with a theme, in this case, lemons and limes. You can choose color combinations that match the decor of your celebration or go with a theme such as nostalgic candies.
2. Explore your cupboards, borrow vases and dishes or check out your local second hand store. I scored the great green pedestal glass bowl for only $4.00!
3. Find candy in your color scheme. Many people asked if it was hard to find green and yellow candies. Not at all! In fact I could have gone crazy choosing all kinds of candies.
4. I found acrylic scoopers in various sizes from Complete Kitchen and all under $2.00.
5. Provide small plastic bags with labels (optional), twist ties or ribbons and a small sign inviting your guest to select their favorite sweets to take home.

Beautiful linens by Les Saisons.

Can you guess which candy was the most popular? The sour green apples by far!
Be a sugary sweet DIY Diva!

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Portraits with a Purpose-David Murphey

Here's an opportunity to help children with cancer. Photographer, David Murphey, shared this information..."On April 25 & 26, you can have a professional portrait taken of you and your family. The portrait sitting fee is $30.00.100% of the fee goes directly to the HCCF and is a tax deductible donation.You'll get a professional portrait session and 1 - 5X7" print from the event.

"Who can participate in the project?
Anyone who would like a professional portrait is welcome.This time of year is perfect for school or senior portraits for your keiki.If your business headshot needs to be updated for your company brochure or website, it's a great chance to do it now.And, don't forget a portrait with your whole family! "

For more information and to sign-up visit here.

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Emi Ink- Divine Damask Print Invitations

You don't have to look too hard lately to see that Damask patterns are showing up everywhere. Somehow the various designs of flowers, fruit, animals, paisley and swirls evoke both an old world charm and a modern vibe. It's not surprising that design conscious couples are incorporating the luxurious print into the theme and decor of their wedding. Stacey of Emi Ink recently shared some of her lovely damask invitation designs with me. "As you begin your selection process, remember that your invitations are the first glimpse that your guests will have of your special day. The design you select will not only help to set the mood of this once-in-a-lifetime event, but reflect your personal style and individuality."

Most Emi Ink invitations are priced between $6.00-$9.00 each depending on the complexity of the design. Prices include full printing and assembly of the invitation, response card, response envelope and outer envelope (with printed return address). Additional insert cards (map/directions, reception, etc.) can be designed for an additional fee. Emi Ink can help you bring luxury and sophistication into your invitation suite design.

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Great Giveaway-Trio of Totes

Style Me Pretty announced a great giveaway from Ivan & Mary designs, and it's so simple to enter. From Mindy, "Let us know which would work best for your wedding … and it could be yours! ". Here are some of my favorites.You've have to love a cute tote!
Three winners will be choosen and the winner will be announced next Thursday so hurry and enter here.

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Real Weddings-Steven and Jessica

One of my philosophies when it comes to weddings is that no two weddings should be alike just like no two couples are alike. Steven and Jessica's wedding decor is the epitome of a wedding that truly reflects the bride and groom. They are a bubbly and outgoing couple with a keen sense of style. Their wedding decor with its lime, cantaloupe and fuchsia color scheme along with a splash of butterflies, beautifully captures this.

They created a custom banquettte for their absolutely charming sweetheart table. The banquette now has a place in their home!

Adorable!

Steven and Jessica and their ultra chic butterfly martini bar.

Ahhh... gorgeous! I love how the flowers cascade with just the perfect amount of elegance and whimsy.

Don't you just love watching a butterfly gently flutter along and then gracefully settle-but only for a moment. The butterflies on their cake are so carefully placed as if they found a momentary resting place.
Steven and Jessica found creative and fun ways to bring their personal style as a couple into the theme and decor of their wedding.
Don't be afraid of exposing a little of yourself at your wedding. Your personality that is!

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Nini's Boutique-Classy Consignment

I have a great little secret that I have to share with you. While strolling through Kaimuki I stumbled upon a little treasure chest called Nini's. Located on Kokohead Avenue right around the corner from Waialae Avenue, Nini's is bursting with, oh so amazing, clothing and accessory fun! The best part of this little boutique is that it's a consignment store that only accepts items with the tags still attached and from major labels. I snatched up a delicious J Crew blouse-and you know that I love J Crew. When I got home, I found the same blouse in the current catalog and I saved enough for at least 10 tall lattes.

So many accessories...so little time!

Belt Anyone?I love the green shoes with the pink flowers. Look at all the dresses beckoning you to browse.

She even sends you on your way with beautiful little packages!

Owner Nini, makes sure all of the goodies in her store are current, organized and tastefully displayed. Stop by Nini's M-S 11:00-6:30 for some chic retail therapy!

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Cakes-One for the Bride & One for the Groom

Hey brides- With visions of flowers, linens and invitations swirling though your head you may not have thought of this special way that you can honor your groom on your wedding day. Why not surprise him with his very own cake! This southern tradition has seen a reappearance recently. Couples are departing from the chocolate cakes of the past and are instead choosing to showcase the grooms interests in a sweet confection.

Inside joke?

A man and his car is much like a woman and her shoes. An acceptable love affair...

Annie O Creations

So, I bet you can guess what this groom will be doing on the weekends. Find this here.

I don’t know what the pig says about the groom, maybe not the statement that was intended ,but in any case, isn’t it cute? Find this here.

Groom's cakes don't have to be over the top and reserved for the wedding reception only. Many brides, like Nicole, choose to surprise their groom at their rehearsal dinner.

A decadent peanut butter cheesecake....Go Ohio Buckeyes! True love coming from a USC Trojan bride!

Honor your groom with sweetness.

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Wedding Inspiration-Vintage,Rustic,Shabby-Chic and Preppy?

Another wedding blog recently posed a wedding design delima from a reader. She was having a vineyard wedding in May. Her chosen colors were raspberry and white, she was open to additional colors, liked vintage, rustic and shabby-chic decor and described herself as "preppy". Impossible you say? Nothing is impossible when it comes to a bride and her vision. Here are two of my suggestions. {Car-Wonderful Wedding Graffiti/Flowers-Fleurish Floral/Cake Topper-Brides.com/Milk Bottles-Alyssa Ettinger on Etsy/Boy and Girl-Bride and Bloom}
The little flower girl and ring bearer are so adorable in their raspberry and grey attire. Look at his cute little grin :) They tie in perfectly with the vintage/shabby-chic/kind of preppy feel the bride is going for.The grey would play up beautifully with the raspberry and white colors the bride has chosen while the peony and ranunculus arrangement would be the perfect flower combo for a May wedding offering a relaxed not stuffy vibe, so natural and free flowing. The white milk bottles overflowing with with the same blooms would continue the carefree feeling. How fun and whimsical is the vintage bride and groom cake topper? It is a fun, unexpected detail that would make everyone smile.
I couldn't stop there because my next inspiration came from the fun shabby-chic fabric covering the pillows below.{Pillows-Desire to Inspire/Dress-J CrewSign/Cookies-Martha Stewart/Bowls-Etsy/Pinwheel-Crossroads Cottage for Etsy/Signs of the Tymes for Etsy}

The pillows are what first caught my eye and the green bench sets the stage for this color combo. Raspberry and white act as little punches of color while light pink and celery green take center stage. The bowl reminds me of grandma's house and everything that reminds me of grandma makes me happy. The J Crew dress with the little pouf on the shoulder says, "Vintage meets Now" and who can resist blowing on a pinwheel especially when it's personalized as an escort card. It IS a wonderful life isn't it!

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Lounge Furniture for the Ultra Chic Couple

When it comes to wedding decor, chiavari chairs are elegant, satin chair covers are beautiful and lounge couches, well they are down right swanky. You can create your own lounge area at your reception thanks to Vignette’s lounge furniture rentals. Picture this…white modern couches with beautiful pillows, nesting tables to set your drinks down on and luxurious capiz shell chandeliers dangling overheard.

It’s not the latest, hippest new night club, it’s your reception and aren’t you the coolest couple in town!
Photo by Chris Labang, On3Photography

With a variety of furniture and accessories to choose from Cari at Vignette makes it easy to set-up your own personal lounge area. For added drama, Naomi at Les Saisons, in addition to her beautiful selection of linens, can design a backdrop and lighting concept that will wow your guests and create sophistication and ultimate drama (the kind you want) at your wedding reception.

Their website is currently under constructon but contact me and I'll put you in touch with Cari to get your party started.

1 part chic + 1 part swank = A 2 cool wedding reception!

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More Flower Girl Dresses -J Crew

A reader mentioned fabulous J Crew dresses for little girls and as a fan of everything-J Crew, I had to highlight a few of their perfect little party dresses. If you haven't checked out J Crew's wonderful selection of bridesmaid dresses yet, you must. But back to the little ones...

A little princess dress in ivory silk taffeta with tulle underlay and cap sleeves...

Every girl needs a little bling. Also available in sophisticated silver...

My favorites! How cute is this silk taffeta dress and organdy cotton dress with ultra chic rosettes!

J Crew offers discounts for students and teachers and if you order your dress from the store, you'll save on shipping.

The fun doesn't stop at dresses. Check out these adorable shoes.

Perfect party attire for perfectly adorable little girls.

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Rock Your Ruffles-Adorable Flower Girl Dresses

I couldn't resist sharing these absolutely adorable flower girl dresses with you. Nothing says,“Girlie” like ruffles and these dresses are about as girlie as they get. They are both Us Angels designs with retail store locations across the nation.

Available in Blush Pink, Lettuce, & Fuchsia

Available in Blush Pink, Lettuce, & Ivory

You've gotta love being a girl !!!

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