Weddings by Grace and Mona

Featured wedding: Loni and Ryan, October 8, 2011

2012-02-09T17:04:00.011-10:00

Written by your faithful planner, Carly Wilson

Photos by Kai-Photo

When Loni jokingly asked a friend’s husband if he had any attractive single coworkers, the last thing she expected was to meet the man who would become her husband – but that’s exactly what happened! And nearly five years later, on Christmas morning, Ryan gave Loni a present she would never forget…not mistletoe, but a sparkling diamond and the offer of a lifetime together.

After contemplating a small celebration on the island of Moloka`i, where Loni was born and raised, the couple decided instead to hold their event on their home island of Oahu so all their local friends and family could attend. On the wedding day, in her suite at the Hawaii Prince hotel, Loni prepared to walk down the aisle. For accessories, she donned an earring and necklace set made of valuable Ni`ihau shells. These coveted natural wonders are gathered from the Hawaiian island also named Ni`ihau. This land is surrounded by an allure of mystery, as its shores are closed to outsiders – hence the nickname of “The Forbidden Island.” The intricate and costly shells on its beaches are believed to be spiritual due to the lengthy process it takes to find just the right ones. “I felt it was special jewelry to treasure,” Loni explains.

Prominent designer Maggie Sottero, widely known in the fashion industry for her luxurious and innovative looks, created the bride’s stunning gown. The dress featured clean lines and expert draping, while the corset-style back added the subtlest hint of flirtation to the classic shape.

The groom was the picture of island sophistication in a light-colored suit, and Loni presented him with a fresh maile lei to complete his look. A longstanding fixture at weddings, the maile lei was once used by ancient kahuna, or Hawaiian priests, to tie the hands of the bride and groom together as a symbol of their bond. Fortunately, the photo shoot before the ceremony at Tenrikyo Church didn’t involve that part of the tradition – just a lot of romance.

Loni’s bridesmaids wore strapless attire from Fighting Eel, a fashionable Hawaiian clothing line enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. The juicy cherry shade of the dresses brought a light-hearted mood, while the daisy bouquets from Elegant and Tropical Flowers felt equally fresh. Though everyone was a bit nervous for the big day, this playful pose was all about fun…

Back at the Hawaii Prince, working crews busily transformed the ballroom. The head table arrangement could have come straight from the windowsill of a sunlit house with a white picket fence. From the very beginning, “I knew that I wanted a red and yellow wedding with gerber daisies,” Loni explains. Thanks to the cheerful theme and attention to detail, the décor resembled an alfresco garden party that was both carefree and coordinated.

As per local Japanese tradition, Loni had worked together with family to carefully fold no less than 1001 cranes out of origami paper, each one an intricate of symbol of the patience and cooperation that would be present in their marriage. Classic Cranes, a respected design company, then mounted the origami on plush black velvet, using each tiny bird in the formation of the Japanese kanji character “love.”

The reputation of the Hawaii Prince’s food was a leading factor in Loni and Ryan’s selection of the venue, so it’s no surprise they wanted their guests to appreciate the fare as well. The menu cards, composed on cream cardstock with a subtle sheen and accented with a pale gold ribbon, let guests know of the delicious foods to enjoy.

After the meal, Loni slipped into a halter gown by Calista of Cotton Cargo. The flowing material allowed freedom of movement for one of the evening’s highlights: The surprise hula she learned for her new groom. Since she wanted to be sure to express the perfect message, Loni had thought long and hard about the song to which she wanted to dance. In the end, her kumu, or teacher, had a dream about a woman dancing for her husband during their wedding. “The song she heard in the dream was about my favorite flower, the puakenikeni,” Loni relates. “When my kumu shared this with me I felt that the right song had been chosen for me by the right person.” It was only fitting that Loni also donned graduated strands of leis made with this same flower for the performance. Like the bloom itself, her movements were exquisite and graceful. When the music ended, she lovingly presented her leis to Ryan. Many guests teared up when they saw the look of awe in his face.

This unforgettable moment was not the only surprise. All of a sudden, A Touch of Gold, an island-famous band known for both their covers and R&B originals, entered the ballroom and treated the guests to several impromptu songs.

Kapena, a sought-after Hawaiian group which has released no less than 20 best-selling albums, also bestowed their music upon the evening, singing the harmonic, feel-good melodies that have earned them a permanent place in our land’s musical culture.

As the hour grew later, AudioZone DJ kept the party beat pulsing with a mix of dance favorites.

Tired yet happy, the couple reminisced on their events at the evening’s conclusion. “We have had lots of comments from guests saying that we had a ‘first-class’ wedding,” the bride reflects. That’s exactly the word we too would use to describe these newlyweds’ love.

Congratulations, Loni and Ryan!

Featured Wedding: Ashlyn + Aaron on September 17th, 2011

2011-12-20T13:03:00.035-10:00

Written by your faithful planner, Carly Wilson

Photos by Kai-Photo

To start their new life together, Ashlyn and Aaron knew they wanted to make a splash with their event. And from the sparkling bling on the cake to the custom after-party lounge area, everything about this celebration was designed to impress!

Ashlyn’s unique bouquet was created by Spinning WEB Florist. In the days of ancient Hawaiian royalty, feathers were used to indicate high status and nobility, so it’s no surprise that they were also included in the arrangement for this spirited bride. Combined with crystals and white orchids, the plumes created a dramatic and luxurious effect.

The bridesmaids were also dressed to be noticed. The shimmering azure hue of their gowns was reminiscent of the ocean on a sunny Hawaiian afternoon. The lustrous fabric and long length created a formal and glamorous look. To keep the mood light, brightly-hued orchids in their tresses and bouquets supplied a fun surprise of color. Properly attired, the ladies set out for a fun-filled photo shoot on the grounds of the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Inside the Ocean Crystal Chapel, where the ceremony was held, classy signs welcomed the VIPs to their seats.

The chapel’s interior has a mood of airy lightness.

Donned in softly shimmering fabric which was exquisitely draped and folded across her frame, Ashlyn exemplified the very picture of beauty. Her father, sporting both a classic maile and punchy orchid lei, proudly escorted her to her new groom.

After the ceremony, Hawaii’s newest husband and wife stole away for a dramatic sunset rendezvous.

Meanwhile, guests took their seats in the Hilton’s Coral Ballroom. White satin chair covers from REA Events added an elegant and modern touch. The centerpieces, designed by Aaron’s sister, consisted of slender branches strung with sparkling crystals whose faceted sides brilliantly captured the candlelight.

Although the dinner buffet was sumptuous, everyone’s favorite part was the dessert. A glass stand from Les Saisons set off the cake to its full advantage. Decked out with sparkling ribbon, a pearldot design, vibrant cascading orchids, and a custom monogrammed topper, the confection made a stylish statement. Equally pleasing was the lemon and lilikoi filling, a zingy combination of tart and sweet flavors that kept guests coming back for more.

While they indulged, the couple’s friends and family also enjoyed an exciting program filled with surprises that included trivia games, “Name that Tune,” and prize giveaways. The Hilton’s tempting display of sweets was also a highlight.

After dinner, a hidden panel opened to surprise guests with a chic lounge area, designed by Naomi Lee of Vignette. Sofas and modular benches upholstered in all white, along with white cube tables, provided an unmistakably modern effect. The white dance floor from Catering Connection also held contemporary appeal. The charmeuse backdrop and candlelight made the area inviting, while accent pillows and uplighting in alluring shades of deep blue and violet added special custom touches.

Already blown away by the transformation of the space, the guests were then treated to the newlywed’s first dance. The golden monogram, provided by Showtime DJs, also enhanced the mood. Ashlyn surprised her guests and new husband by performing a Samoan dance called a "taualuga". The sacred movements, which require elegance and subtle grace, have long been used in Polynesian culture as a grand finale to celebrate the completion of a milestone event, such as a wedding. With all eyes focused on her, Ashlyn remained poised through each intricate step, demonstrating her dedication to the art. The many hours she had spent secretly practicing clearly paid off, her success evidenced by both her proud smile and the admiration in Aaron’s eyes at the conclusion of her performance.

To finish the night on a high note, Teley Brandon of Showtime DJs began the open dancing with energetic rock tunes. The glowstick favors he provided to each guest added colorful bursts of lighting to the dance floor, increasing the celebratory mood!

From the bling on the bridal gown, the bouquets, and décor, this was an event filled with sparkle and light. But what shone brightest of all was the bride’s radiant smile, which reflected all the joy of the day.

Congratulations, Ashlyn and Aaron!

yours, Carly Wilson

Featured Wedding: Jodi + Travis on August 13, 2011

2011-11-15T18:10:00.013-10:00

Written by your faithful planner, Carly Wilson

Photos by One Wedding Photography

“Everything grows with love.” This heartwarming statement, printed on the wedding favors, was a fitting theme for Jodi and Travis Sayegusa’s celebration. Their event, held at the elegant Halekulani, combined the groom’s love of gardening with the bride’s preference for an outdoor feel that was sophisticated and cheerful at the same time.

An athletic surfer, Jodi chose a gown that was feminine without being too frilly. Made of shimmering dupioni silk, with a lace-up corset in the back and subtle ruching in the front, her dress integrated both glamour and simplicity. Flowing beautifully in all the right places, with a perfect touch of sparkle in the bustle, it made her look every inch the bride while still staying true to her personality. Her bouquet was a textural delight of creamy hues, and the bleached linen wrapped around the stems gave the look the organic effect she sought. To finish the ensemble, a cascading veil and a pure white cymbidium orchid were the perfect accents for her dark tresses.

The bridesmaids carried a cheerful collection of yellow blooms, including sun-colored round billy balls that made everyone smile. The exuberant bouquets made a gorgeous contrast against the jeweled cerulean tone of their strapless gowns. A playful butter-hued hair flower completed the look. As you can see, this palette seemed to bring out the ladies’ saucy side…

As for the men, their suits had been expertly tailored by the team at Black Tie Affair. While the traditional black may be have been too solemn for the nature-loving couple, the charcoal hue they selected was a fresh take that was just as impeccable. As you can see, donning formalwear didn’t keep the boys from having a good time...

As guests arrived at the Halekulani’s sunny Garden Courtyard, they were greeted by Joanna Morrison’s melodious cello playing, with a custom twist – Joanna had learned Jodi and Travis’ favorite Beatles songs especially for the event. Family and friends hummed along to the familiar tunes while soaking in the Courtyard’s charming atmosphere. Two altar arrangements at the front of the aisle formed the focal point. Their volume attracted all the right attention, while the natural greens and sunny hues prevented them from being overly showy. Suspended with satin ribbon, cones filled with a coordinating variety marked the aisle’s edge.

A sweet moment came at the beginning of the ceremony as Jodi and her father reached the front of the aisle. “I know you’ll take good care of her,” Jodi’s father said to Travis. Joyful emotions also ran high as the just-married couple walked back down the aisle to the tune of “All You Need is Love.” They were also treated to an impromptu shower of rose petals and bubbles!

The fete continued in the Halekulani Ballroom, decorated to fit the event’s fun-loving garden décor. White chair covers from REA Events held classic appeal, while their kiwi sashes lent a playful air. As for the centerpieces, mirrored bases reflected the joyous arrangements in the couple’s colors. Table numbers, created by the talented team at Something Blue stationery, were a clever way to welcome guests to their seats.

The program was filled with entertainment and good times. A friend of the couple led the group in a rousing photo scavenger hunt that had everyone racing to beat the clock. The Same-Day Edit video show from 10^th Letter Media videography was also a hit. When the video showed an especially alluring glance from Jodi aimed directly at the camera, someone in the ballroom literally gasped at how beautiful she was! The formal program having ended, Jodi and Travis, along with their parents, kicked off the dancing for the remainder of the evening.

Guests were sent home with a token that would endure even after the last song had been played – succulents planted in adorable mini terracotta pots. The best part was the personal touch, as they were lovingly grown and planted by one of our former brides, owner of Natural Elements Landscaping, and painted by Jodi’s mother. The message on the back of the cards, “Everything Grows With Love,” reminded guests that nurturing and care always create new happiness.

Congratulations, Jodi and Travis!

Invitation Suites: Nancy and Lance's "Twinkle" Ensemble

2010-12-07T15:42:00.003-10:00

One of the personal touches I love for weddings is coordinating stationery items. The ensemble, in its entirety, creates a cohesive look and serves as a unifying element of the wedding, from the very first impression that guests receive, starting with the save-the-date or invitation, to the very last one, which would be the thank you card following the wedding. Stationers who specialize in customized orders can create unique and wonderful pieces for such occasions. To illustrate, here are pieces from Nancy and Lance's August 13, 2010 wedding stationery suite designed by Emi Ink.

Nancy and Lance's invitations, adorned by hand with tiny, tangerine colored Swarovski crystals, featured the autumn hues that Nancy loves.

Petal cones with the matching "Twinkle" flower design on the outside of each cone, contained fresh rose petals in ivory for guests to toss as Nancy and Lance exited the church.

Bronze toned frames featured table numbers with the list of guests seated at each table. Emi Ink printed the "Twinkle" design across the top, and added crystals to the centers of each printed flower as well.

(Not shown: custom-designed guest book pages, escort card pockets with programs, and coordinating thank you cards.)

Photos by Eclat Photo

WGM Style Tip #1: napkin rings; little details with huge impact

2010-11-12T21:13:00.015-10:00

Want to really spruce up your wedding in a way that most do not even consider? Try adding napkin rings to really embellish the look of your table top. They demonstrate the extra thought put in to the overall look of your wedding, and often times, add a little punch of color. Here are some examples from real weddings and events we planned, to give you an idea of the possibilities.

In the photo above, a rich bronze-toned cuff was created in the same hue as the card stock matting used in the invitations and contrasted brilliantly against the soft gold napkin.

In the next two photos, elegant, gold beaded napkin rings adorned deep violet napkins creating a regal look.

Here, a contemporary black napkin ring adds a special touch to this ultra modern, red and black wedding.

This jeweled napkin ring, gorgeous enough to be worn as jewelry, functions as a pretty enhancement on this purple and lavender table top.

Black napkin rings keep these lamour napkins in neat rolls, completing the "urban chic" look for this rehearsal dinner.

Napkin rings may be purchased or rented, or to coordinate with the entire invitation suite, can be made of a heavy paper stock. These gold filigreed napkin rings were crafted from the exact same fabric-like paper used to embellish not only the invitations, but which also served as inspiration for the wedding cake.

Photo credits (top to bottom):
photo #1: Perfekt Photo
photos #2 and 3: Sieber Studio
photos #4 and 5: Chrissy Lambert Photography
photos #6 and 7: Kris Labang Photography
photo #8: Dylan Dawson Photography

What I Have Learned about Myself after 10 Years in Business; reflections inspired by an interview with President Obama

2010-11-07T21:52:00.027-10:00

In an interview with President Obama this evening on "60 Minutes," the interviewer asked, "What have you learned about yourself in these last two years [of your presidency]?" I then paused to reflect and ask myself the same question, what have I learned about myself in these last ten years of being in business? I have learned...

that I am truly passionate about weddings, and that while some people spend a lifetime bouncing from one position to the next in search of their "dream job," I am fortunate to have already found (or created) mine;

that unlike other business people whose decisions are driven by numbers and growth, I am instead motivated by how to better service and satisfy our clients;

that through the most daunting of challenges and hardships, I will always be able to put one foot in front of the other, and to grow from tough experiences;

that in spite of white hairs and a few more wrinkles - we'll call them "smile lines" - than I would care to admit having, I tend to forget my age and feel immortalized in my twenties (which is probably how I find it easy to relate to brides and grooms, whose average age ranges from mid-twenties to thirties);

that I am only where I am today because of the support of our staff, fellow vendors, friends, and my mom, coupled with the faith and trust placed in us by our brides and grooms. Indeed, these last ten years have been a journey I have not made alone, and I am forever indebted to so many.

While my answers add up to quite a list, one of the things I wish to highlight is that I have learned...that the gratification I find from having a business comes not only from establishing a company based on hard work, but also from sharing my knowledge with my team, interns, and students, and seeing them grow as individuals. This post is dedicated to the many people whom I have had the pleasure of working with at Weddings by Grace and Mona and who have touched my life in so many ways. Here are a few photos of the often times behind-the-scenes team members who have helped to ensure the success of countless weddings.

Photo credits (in order of photo appearance):
1st photo: Images by Kellie Ann
4th, 5th, 6th photos: Hokuli'i Images
7th, 8th photos: Kris Labang Photography
10th photo: Bianca Photography
11th, 12th photos: Perfekt Photo
14th, 15th, 16th, 17th photos: Love Story Weddings

Military Weddings II Jessica and Cody Vandegriff

2010-05-10T16:08:00.031-10:00

Jessica and Cody's destination wedding in Honolulu, Hawaii took place at the historic Bayer Estate.

Photo by Chrissy Lambert Photograph y

Jessica and her mom Julie called our office, from Alaska, in June 2009 inquiring about our wedding coordination services. Talking with both of them for a total of about 20 minutes and hearing their ideas for a small and intimate wedding in January 2010 at a private estate with the groomsmen in military uniforms endeared them to me right off the bat. The perfect location for their wedding could be none other than the historical and beautiful Bayer Estate.

Jessica and her fiance Cody sent us a picture of the two of them so we could put faces to the names we were talking with long distance.

Moving forward with our vendor recommendations, Jessica and her mom booked Fong Tagawa from Floral Inspirations for their flowers and decor. Fong incorporated Mini Callas, Cymbidium Orchids, Freesia, Lisianthus, in keeping with the Lapis and cream color combination Jessica was using for her bridesmaid dresses.

Beautiful bouquet of blooms in lapis and violet tones.
Photo by Chrissy Lambert Photography

The floral arch provided by Bayer Estate was draped with tulle and decorated with more of the beautiful lapis and cream flowers, as well as crystals to catch the beautiful light coming off the ocean as the sun went down.

Placed beneath the arch, were the vessels of colored sand for Jessica and Cody's unity sand ceremony.
Photo by Chrissy Lambert Photography

The cake from Cakeworks also included the Lapis color scheme and was adorned with cascading sugar flowers with the square tiers filled with the flavors of strawberry, chocolate, and Lilikoi with Macadamia nuts.

Catering Connection provided all the wonderful food with a custom menu designed around Jessica and Cody's taste for Hawaiian food.

Ben Vegas and Maila Gibson set the romantic tone with a special request selection of songs: Bridesmaids/Groomsmen enter- "You and Me" by Lifehouse
Bride/Dad enter- "When you say nothing at all" by Allison Kraus
Unity Sand:
"I could not ask for more" by Sarah Evans
Recessional:
"Love somebody like you" by Keith Urban
"I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz
"Game of Love" by Michelle Branch and Santana
"Everything" by Michael Buble

Tony So from The DJ Professional Entertainment Services, kept the music going throughout the night with Jessica and Cody's grand entrance song of "Bittersweet Symphony". Throughout the program, more special request songs flowed right along with the program: "I Shot the Sheriff" by Eric Clapton, "Grow Old with You" by Adam Sandler, "Single Ladies" by Beyonce, "Bad Boys" by Inner Circle, "Let's Get it on" by Marvin Gaye, "Another One Bites the Dust."

A softly-lit sky with Koko Head in the background

Photo by Chrissy Lambert Photography

How true!

Photo by Chrissy Lambert Photography

Jen Ramsey and Mona L. Hirata

Military Weddings

2010-05-10T15:16:00.007-10:00

I have a soft spot for our military weddings. Maybe because I have family history with the military, maybe because my own wedding included my husband in his white Navy dress uniform, maybe it's because they are usually so polite with their "Yes Ma'am", or maybe because the guys always just look so darn great in their uniforms!! Whatever the case, whenever we have couples who want to include the military in their wedding, my heart swells a little more because I know there is already the dedication the soldiers have for their country and for their families and fellow humanity---how could they not be dedicated to their soon to be wives?

One of our couples who chose to include the military in their wedding was Carly Mailhot and Matthew Liebhardt who were married August 7, 2008 at the Hale Koa Hotel. The ceremony was held in the Maile Garden and the weather was beautiful and sunny- just like our wonderful bride Carly. She never stopped smiling the entire day through.

The beautiful brides bouquet was a mix of blush pink mini Callas, bridal white rose, and Lilly of the Valley with the handle wrapped with French pearl pins. (Debbie Hemmingway Florals)

Bridesmaid bouquets included pink Cymbidium orchids, Tuberose, white mini Callas, Song of India, with pale pink Anthuriums.

The gorgeous yummy cake was designed by Rick Reichart from cakelava with flavors of Guava lava & hot fudge sundae.

Apple Green and Pink Bubblegum colors were carried throughout the design of the reception with the guest table linens and napkins. Bengaline chair sashes doubled as table runners as well as the chair sash ties over the white chair covers all from Royal Party Rentals (formerly A'a Party Rentals).

The two adorable flower girls made the ceremony all the more precious!

Jen

All pictures courtesy of Dave Miyamoto Photography.

TWC Workshop!

2010-03-02T14:19:00.010-10:00

The Wedding Cafe has started up their Wednesday Night Workshops again, and on February 17th it was coordinators night!

Photo courtesy of Kris Labang

WGM had rentals and linen from China Anderson of REA Events who did an amazing job of making our vision come to life!! China and Justin set up an elaborate canopy booth with purple velour draping. They also added uplighting and beautiful white table linen to tie everything in together!

We also enlisted the help of florist Joseph Barrientos, who was open to our ideas and was so gracious in helping to complete the look of our booth! He tediously put together arrangement after arrangement and we were so happy to have him help us :)

Mona spoke on behalf of WGM, and her topic was Vendor Selection. For a list of tips and questions to ask when meeting with vendors email us at info@mgweddingshawaii.com!!

The Wedding Cafe workshops are still going on so make sure you RSVP to attend these informative and awesome classes! They are always packed with brides (and grooms) eager to learn how to plan their dream wedding!!

Photo courtesy of Kris Labang

Keep up with us on Facebook to see our recent weddings!! Happy Planning!

Kim and Chris at Kahalu'u Fish Ponds-Part 1

2009-11-25T10:59:00.029-10:00

Pictures have arrived from another fabulous WGM wedding! And I'm sure after reading this blog post and seeing all the pictures that I'm posting you will find yourself thinking, "I want to see more!" Trust me, we have a LOT more to show you from this wonderful wedding of Kimberly Lau and Christopher Lee! There were too many photos from amazing photographer, Geralyn Camarillo of Hokuli'i Photography, to choose from so I'll post more when we return from Thanksgiving Holiday.

Kim and Chris were one of the greatest couples I have had the pleasure to work with, and it truly was a pleasure as Kim and Chris became more than just clients to us here at WGM, they also became our friends.

With family here in Oahu, the choice for where to hold their wedding was easy. And after seeing Kahalu'u Fish Ponds, Kim and Chris knew they had their location for their wedding ceremony and reception. The 42 acre Kahaluu Fishpond is on the National Register of Historic Sites and was the set for Columbia Pictures' Karate Kid II. It also is secluded and lush, perfect for Kim and Chris' 300 guest count. Choices seemed to fall easily into place for vendors with the many family connections all over the island. Their design was to be casual but elegant, incorporating the Hawaiian style into the small details.

Wendy Balidoy of Spinning WEB Florist, kept with the simple beach theme in designing centerpieces around the coconut plants Kim and Chris wanted for each of the guest tables by using starfish and shells and sand. Chris was kept busy with the wedding planning in designing the table number cards with pictures of local Hawaii fish, a different one for each table.

Kim and Chris purchased glass fishing floats in Japan to add to their table decor which Wendy gracefully positioned on table tops amidst all the lush floral arrangements in the soft blue and green hues.

The fish ponds made a beautiful backdrop for the ceremony arch which was draped with fabric, glass fishing floats, fishing nets and an orchid petal path.

Fishing floats lined the orchid petal path.

Floral arrangements adorned the rows of guest chairs which were tied with chair sashes in light green, from Naomi Lee of Les Saison, to accentuate the dark blue flowers.

While set up was taking place at the Fishponds, Chris was anxiously waiting for his bride to be to show herself at the getting ready house located at the west end of the property.

Beautiful bride Kim didn't disappoint!

Chris admires the Anne Namba gown custom made for his wife to be!

Kim had another surprise for her hubby to be---

Because Chris is a deep sea fisherman, Kim had a Gyotaku custom made for her wedding present to Chris of his favorite, a papio fish.

On to the ceremony..............

I swear, I don't think I have ever seen a couple laugh or smile as much as Kim and Chris did the entire time we worked with them----and especially on their beautiful wedding day!

Even their personally written vows included private "talk" which cracked them both up!

Judge Masato Doi, who also married Chris' parents 34 years prior, briefly stepped out of retirement and was a special addition to the day.

Tune in for more pictures of the reception and entertainment next week!

Jen

Guest Blogger

2009-11-04T15:00:00.004-10:00

Mona has another "hat" to wear----She has been asked to be one of the very first guest bloggers for The Knot's Hawaii Wedding Website!! http://hawaii.weddings.com
Make sure you tune in and keep up to date with all that Mona writes about!

New Boutonniere ideas

2009-10-27T11:52:00.005-10:00

Always looking for new and fresh ideas in wedding design, I was searching theknot.com and I came across a picture of boutonniere's with cars on them which completely puzzled me. I had to find out who was making these unique bout's and what other ideas they had in store. Following the link to the website rosenowfloral.com I then followed the blog to another addition of their website: http://www.rosenowfloral.com/frittsrosenow and came across more amazing images!

Not for the faint of heart mind you! These bouts are all about expressing your creative side. And many other publications have advertised their creations: men.style.com- What's on Your lapel? November 5, 2008; Brides.com- Finally! Boyish Boutonnieres September 9, 2008; fellow magazine, page 47 September 2008; decor fellow: DECOR FILE: Fabulous! October 28, 2008; daily candy: Wed, White and Blue, Fall 2008 Wedding Guide.

There are football boutonnieres, car boutonnieres, game boutonnieres, guitar boutonnieres, just about every design imaginable! Take a peek at their website and decide for yourself if this is something you would want to use for your wedding or if you know just the right couple these would work for! It will make you smile. :D

Thanks for reading! Jen

Wedding Expo XXIII

2009-10-22T16:32:00.006-10:00

As an intern for Weddings by Grace and Mona, Mona recommended that I check out the Wedding Expo at the convention center this past weekend. It was a great experience to see the different types of vendors available to make a bride’s wedding day perfect! There was a wide range of vendors—bridal attire, photographers, florists, cake designers, caterers and even skin care! My favorite booth was by Emi Ink, which is a stationery company that does beautiful invitations, programs, escort cards and more! I absolutely adored the invitations with the personal touches of rhinestones and cut outs to make each one unique.

Mona also attended the wedding expo and met up with a few of her current clients to visit the booths to see if there were any new ideas or vendors that caught their attention. In addition, as a part of Mona’s wedding certification class at Kapiolani Community College (Wedding Planning Institute), she had a field trip with her students to attend the expo and introduced them to the various vendors for future contacts.

Mona with students from her wedding certification class at the Wedding Expo's Screen Booth Hawaii booth.

janelle & alex 6.13.09

2009-10-20T11:47:00.000-10:00

Janelle & Alex's wedding on June 13, 2009 was definitely one to remember! First off, they are an ADORABLE couple and just so fun!! They were married on the beach in front of close family and friends at Lanikuhonua and then enjoyed a fun reception that included mini foods, a photobooth, scrapbooking table, memory tent, a unique cake, tissue balls, signature drinks, giant cupcake centerpieces, pinatas, a candy bar plus more!!
Janelle is an amazing baker and we were always filled with her yummy goodies (which we miss!!).

Enjoy the pictures below, courtesy of the fabulous Stephen Ludwig, and hope it sparks some creativity for any event you may be planning!!

Beautiful morning sun for a beautiful wedding day!!

Janelle had the most amaaaaazing shoes - manolo blahnik of course!!!

Pre-ceremony pics = ADORABLE:

Their ceremony on the beach was small and intimate, and you could feel the joy as Janelle jumped up and kissed Alex after their "I Do's"!!

After that the rest of their guests arrived, Janelle changed into her cute reception dress, and the party really started!

Everyone enjoyed their impressive first dance,

and then a fun skit done by their wedding party!

Guests were then able to mingle around and eat the deeeelish mini foods by Ginniberries,

help themselves to the candy bar as their favors,

enjoy a turtle cake & huge cupcakes for dessert, made by Rick & Sasha of Cake Lava

take pictures in the photobooth,

and participate in their pinata game, in lieu of a traditional bouquet & garter toss!

It was such a great day and we were so grateful to be a part of this happy, fun, sweet-as-can-be couple's wedding! Thank you Janelle & Alex, and we all wish you two the yummiest life together!!

Please enjoy the rest of the pictures below!!!!

And of course...one last one of Janelle's beautiful shoes!!

Many thanks to all the vendors who helped make this event possible:
Venue at Lanikuhonua. Photography by Stephen Ludwig of Stephen Ludwig Wedding Photography. Cake by Cake Lava. Florals by Wendy Balidoy of Spinning WEB. All stationary items by Stacey Shiroma of Emi Ink. Videography by Moku of Moku Photo & Designs. Rentals by Catering Connection. Linens by Naomi Lee of Les Saisons. Photo Booth from Photobooth Services. Ceremony entertainment by Barry Kimokeo. Emcee & Reception Entertainment by Teley Brandon of Show Time DJs. Hair & Makeup by CJ Bae of Naturally You.

The Wedding Cafe 8th Anniversary Party!

2009-10-20T07:41:00.003-10:00

Don't be tardy for the party!

Happy 8th Anniversary to The Wedding Cafe! Owners Tanna and Bryson Dang threw their yearly amazing bash on Monday, October 19th, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel Ballroom to celebrate 8 fantastic years of business! Mona and Jen were grateful to be a part of the lavish celebration and enjoyed the dinner buffet and sushi stations--as well as the signature drink of basil infused mojitos!

We were even lucky enough to grab a quick picture with Tanna and Bryson before the evening ended.

Also in attendance, great friend Merri Ford from Kahala Caterers and Kris Labang from On 3 Photography!

A wonderful time was had by all as we enjoyed the "outdoors inside" with crickets chirping in the background as you walked down a beautiful stone and candle lined path that led into the main party area which held a luxurious lounge area created by Naomi Lee of Les Saison and Vignette. A treat for everyone was the Wedding Cafe video montage put together by Kai Media's very own Keone and Keli'i Grace as we looked back on the previous year of activity and fun.

We look forward to the next year and many more years to come of friendship and collaboration with Tanna and Bryson!

Mona to speak at Entrepreneurship Class at Shidler Business College

2009-10-13T14:03:00.001-10:00

Another public speaking opportunity has come Mona Hirata's way! Mona was just recently invited by Jim Richardson, professor for Shidler Business College and Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship MGT 320 class, on Wednesday, October 21 at 3:00pm. Mona has been asked to speak as a successful alumni regarding the aspects of Weddings by Grace and Mona's business model, how she fits in between customers (we like to call them brides and grooms) and all of the service providers (or more commonly known as vendors) coordinating to ensure that value is created. Mona is extremely excited and very grateful for these opportunities to showcase WGM's recent and future success and hopes to inspire those who are wanting to start their own businesses. Yay Mona!

Wedding Planning Class at Kapiolani Community College

2009-10-01T12:05:00.007-10:00

Wedding planners take on many roles, wear many hats, diversify themselves so many times you could almost swear they clone themselves! And now Mona has taken on another new role-- that of a teacher! Mona has taught students before, the first time being much younger students, in Japan, where Mona taught them English skills. This time however, the students vary in age, some originally from the mainland and now live in Hawaii, others from Japan and now live in Hawaii, while others have lived in Hawaii all their lives.

Mona was approached by Keri Zittnan, from Kapiolani Community College Not for Profit Project Manager, to teach a first-time-ever-offered-wedding planning class through a company called Lovegevity. The paperwork was signed and the class launched on Thursday,September 24 with 19 students, one following along in Maui via internet.

The first guest speaker for the class was photographer extraordinaire, Dave Miyamoto.

Dave spoke with the students about different styles of photography showing his work in various album styles. Dave also spoke about his role as President in the Oahu Wedding Association and how members of OWA can benefit from networking with various vendors throughout Hawaii.

Big Mahalo to Dave for taking time out of his extremely busy schedule to come speak with the future Hawaii Wedding Planners!!

An amazing opportunity, and an option for the wedding planning students, since the event occurred on a non-class night, Tanna Dang of The Wedding Cafe, was gracious enough to let the students attend the Wedding Cafe' Cake and Wine tasting workshop, the grand finale' to all the other fantastic workshops put on for brides and grooms twice a year. This wonderfully sweet event takes place at the famous Bayer Estate and the cake vendors didn't disappoint!

Stay tuned for further updates of the first ever wedding planning certificate course!!

WGM Welcomes our new Intern- Joy Yanazaki

2009-09-11T12:35:00.006-10:00

Weddings by Grace and Mona has a new intern! Joy Yanazaki has started working in our office as of Monday, September 7th. Joy will be helping with correspondence between vendors and clients for our upcoming weddings in the next couple of months. She will also have the opportunity to be on site at a wedding coming up this month where the ceremony will take place at Byodo Inn Temple with a reception following at the Kahala Hotel.

When Joy was asked to write about herself, here is what she said, " I was born and raised in Honolulu. Although I grew up near Waikiki Beach, I would rather go shopping, dance, eat at nice restaurants and watch movies. Event plannign has been a passion of mine since high school, where I participated in plannign a variety of fundraiser, assemblies, proms/banquets and luaus. After graduation from Kalani High School, I knew I wanted to be an event planner for weddings and corporate events. I like the idea of working with other people and helping make their lives more simple. To further my education in the business aspects of event planning, I decided to attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa, were I am currently finishing my last year in studying Marketing and Management. I am so excited to work with the team at Weddings by Grace and Mona this semester!"

We are also very excited for Joy to work with us! It's always great to have another pair of eyes to stay on top of details and new viewpoints to help keep ideas fresh, fun, and filled with meaning. Our couples will receive Joy's acute attention to their needs as she learns the workings of the wedding coordinating business.

Waialae Country Club Wedding

2009-09-08T17:02:00.005-10:00

Our wedding ceremony on Saturday, this Labor Day weekend, was held outdoors in their residential neighborhood common area which was literally the size of a football field! With the fantastic ocean view and the beautiful sunshine, the afternoon was perfect for wedded bliss.

Prepping for the ceremony, Mona got to show off her bow-tying skills.

The Waialae Country Club was the chosen venue for the wedding reception that evening with linen and lighting set up personally from REA by China Anderson. :Pink lighting and linen bathed the room in a soft glow.

The yummy wedding cake was provided by Cake Creations with flowers from Watanabe Florals.

The brides mother was the driving force behind the design of each of the centerpieces. She even purchased the LED lights to help with the glow of the room.

As you can tell pink was the color of choice for this couple's decor style.

Vendors who helped to pull this event together-

Kay Mattos at Waialae Country Club, http://www.waialaecc.com/ http://www.cakecreationshawaii.com/

China Anderson, REA Events http://reaeventshawaii.com/

Jaymie Shoda gives budget tips at The Wedding Cafe Workshop

2009-09-03T12:29:00.006-10:00

Weddings By Grace and Mona participated in the Wedding Cafe Wednesday night Workshop on August 12, 2009. At this event we were fortunate to have Shilhi Seibel, owner and designer of the beautiful passion roots floral and event design services. Jen Tanabe, from 1013 (formerly known as Lewis & Montgomery) helped to design the WGM sign seen hanging above the flowers.

The WGM team, Jaymie Shoda, Mona Hirata, with Shilhi Seibel, our grand floral designer, WGM intern Leslie Fujita, and team member Jen Ramsey. The beautiful dark purple linen was courtesy of Naomi Lee at Les Saison, and the pipe and drape with the white linen behind the table is courtesy of Randy Gillespie at Royal Party Rentals (formerly known as A'a Party Rentals) Thanks to Kris Labang of On 3 Photography for taking this picture for us!

Bryson Dang, co-owner of Wedding Cafe with wife Tanna Dang, was ready to get in on the "modeling" action with a wonderful black tux from Black Tie Affair.

A very nervous, but well prepared, Jaymie stands and waits for her turn to speak to the packed audience of over 150 people.

Jaymie took the lead in preparing tips and suggestions for brides and grooms as they start to prepare a budget.

As you can see, this was another successfully attended workshop so the room was packed with brides and grooms- helping Jaymie to feel even more nervous! But she did a beautiful job of speaking and offering facts and figures to help all the couples start determining how much they want to spend (and can actually afford!) on their dream weddings.

Kudos to Jaymie!!

alexis & david pt. 2

2009-08-31T12:23:00.006-10:00

I also forgot to mention that Pacific Edge Magazine chose Alexis & David as the lucky couple to be featured in their "Our Wedding in Paradise" article in the annual wedding issue!!
They looked super adorable, as usual!
Check out the pictures below!

-Jaymie

alexis & david 5.25.09

2009-08-27T10:25:00.020-10:00

Alexis & David are very special to me because it was the first wedding that I took over and finalized planning. It amazed me how everything came together just as it was supposed to! I guess that's what you get when you work with reliable vendors, a fabulous couple and a supportive team at WGM!!

A huge thanks to Kris Labang from On3Photography for the amazing photos and for just being so darn cool!

Dorys Foltin and her amazing team started out the day with ultra-fab hair & makeup for Alexis, bridesmaids and family. Everyone looked gorgeous and Dorys even added a little special touch to Alexis' hair to make it all come together.

After a few getting ready shots the girls were off to Sacred Heart
Church in the limo from Alex Lam of La Especial.

The parish was beautiful and the ceremony was unforgettable.

Kris got some great shots at the church then Alexis, David, and all the guests headed over to the Moana Surfrider in a TROLLEY from Roberts Hawaii!!!!

The couple carried on their hawaii-themed invitations with soaps wrapped like spam musubis and escort cards to look like the McLovin license from the movie Super Bad with each guest's picture!! ADORABLE!!!
The BEAUTIFUL Peacock Essence Shantung linens are from Naomi of Les Saison.

Jae Yoo and Katelynn of My Florist did such a great job with all the florals, bouquets, hakus and centerpieces!!! He totally captured the mood of the wedding; I mean c'mon, those centerpieces are pretty awesome!! They even went above any beyond by helping lay down the runner in the church and placing the flowers on the cake! AWESOME I tell you! Cake was provided by Kristy Masada of Satura Cakes! Yum yum!!

With Teley Brandon from ShowTime DJ's as their emcee and DJ, you know everyone had a great time!! He even uplighted the walls with pink lighting and provided his own projector when the couple's wasn't working! Such a great guy to work with!!

The Moana was such a nice place. Toni Takata really helped bring everything together and the staff was so helpful. It also provided a beautiful backdrop for some amazing photos. I'd like to close out the blog with the remaining pictures for you to oooh and aahhh over.

Congratulations again to Alexis & David!!

-Jaymie

2009-08-26T11:33:00.013-10:00

Here it is! The rest of the gorgeous pictures shot by David Murphey of Perfekt Photo of Michelle & Colin's wedding in March! Sorry for the wait, but it's definitely worth it!! Enjoy!

Michelle was such a beautiful glowing bride!! Maleana Cosmetics always does such a great job!

Beautiful archway and all florals by Wendy Balidoy of Spinning WEB. She always goes the extra mile to make sure it's always extra special.

This is probably my favorite picture. David captured this moment and you can just see the happiness and love exuding from her. Just PERFECT!!

The gorgeous moss green linen was provided by Naomi Lee of Les Saison. Gold chivari chairs and goldware are from Catering Connection.

The couple gave individual bottles of olive oil and one of their favorite recipes as favors to reflect their love of food! All stationary items courtesy of Stacey Shiroma of Emi Ink.

The Halekulani always has yummy food and the BEST service!!

Congratulations Michelle & Colin!!

A special thanks to Digital Expressions for their awesome videography service, David Asing of Akahi Production for always providing amazing entertainment, and Devin Nekoba for being such a gracious emcee!

Jaymie

Kelly and Don at Lanikuhonua 5.24.09

2009-07-06T15:40:00.012-10:00

Kelly and Don first contacted Weddings by Grace and Mona in May 2008. One of the first things Kelly told Jen in an e-mail was "I am confident that you will make my wedding as awesome and as fun as I want it, and I LOVE the idea of passing off some of the headache to you!" And so the wedding planning ball started rolling. Kelly, an event planner in her own day-to-day life, was organized and clear about how she wanted her wedding to look: elegant, simple, and tropical. Kelly and Don picked their venue at the beautiful Lanikuhonua with the ceremony to be in Phase 2 and the reception in Phase 1 so they could use the entire outdoor location for all their mainland guests to enjoy.

Then Kelly and Don hired Yvonne Chapman of Yvonne's Florals to help make that dream look come true. With Yvonne's design expertise the color scheme of orange and green showed through from the tent draping to the florals and can only best be shown through the beautiful pictures taken by Christie Pham of Christie Pham Photography

To help complete the relaxing feel of the event, Kelly and Don also had Yvonne set up her lounge furniture for their guests to enjoy.

Kelly's mom, Julie, also got in on the decorating act with making shell necklaces with extra beads in the orange and green colors to help accentuate the table settings.

And lest we forget the groom, Don also got in on the fun with making all the Koa wood frames for the tables.

This delicious creation is from Stephanie Van Loon, Love at First Bite, with more florals from Yvonne's Florals to tie it all together!

Kelly and Don were lucky to have Kahu Wendell Silva perform their ceremony for them in true Hawaiian style and tradition!

Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Don and Kelly Broida! It truly was a pleasure working with them and their family to bring this wonderful wedding all together.

Other vendors included at this event were: Christie Nelms for her hair styling services; Tyna Millaci of Tyna's Catering - superb food; Ellsworth Simeona- a terrific musician; Teley Brandon of ShowTime DJ's and Grand Finale Events-our ever exuberant emcee; and Catering Connection and Accel Party Rentals for all their rentals; and of course the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa and Lanikuhonua Cultural Center for the breathtaking venue.

A New Addition to the WGM Team!

2009-06-08T17:38:00.006-10:00

Weddings by Grace and Mona welcomes its newest intern, Leslie Fujii, who is a student at the University of Hawaii , Shidler College of Business. Leslie is currently in her third year of study working towards a Marketing and Management degree in Business Administration. She also works part-time at the Pacific Asian Management Institute, an international business office in the Shidler College of Business.

Leslie has been interested in event planning since her days in high school and dreams of becoming a wedding planner one day. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking the family beagle, and watching Grey’s Anatomy and reality television. Leslie's bright personality, flexibility, and attention-to-detail will make her a great addition to the WGM team.

Kelly & Don's wedding at Lanikuhonua on May 24, 2009 was Leslie's first "wedding experience."
Yvonne Design's florals were gorgeous!

Photos by Christie Pham Photography

More photos from Kelly & Don's wedding coming soon!

Elegantly Antique

2009-04-08T09:41:00.009-10:00

Michelle and Colin's wedding was absolutely gorgeous. The lovely colors (olive green, cream, and gold) and subtle elegance drew this event together beautifully. No matter where you looked, there were so many tiny details; everyone gazed in awe at the way this couple was able to draw their love of food and beautiful antiques together to celebrate their love for one another.

This event was on March 28th (less than 2 weeks ago!), so we don't have many photos yet. However, we were able to sneak in a few and hope you enjoy this small teaser of this beautiful event.

- AJ

photos by David Murphey Photography

A Fond Farewell...

2009-03-27T15:09:00.007-10:00

I have to admit, working with Weddings by Grace and Mona has been the best job I’ve ever had. Not only have I met tons of great people, but I’ve learned so much about this business and will always look back on my time here with pleasure. I hope someday to be able to continue my career as a wedding planner!

Nevertheless, I must sadly announce that April 8th, 2009 will be my last day here at WGM. My husband and I are expecting our very first baby in July and are so very excited about it! I look forward to spending my time with baby and being a mom, even though I can’t even begin to imagine the kinds of changes my life will soon go through!

We happily welcome Jaymie Shoda on board to assume my responsibilities; her professionalism, attention to detail, and positive attitude have already made her an asset to the WGM team. Jaymie is an absolute pleasure and joy to work with and I hope you have the opportunity to meet her!

Everyone knows that children and babies take the most amusing, most beautiful, and most inspiring pictures. I leave you, as always, with a picture of a child.

- AJ

Raining gold

2009-02-25T12:47:00.017-10:00

Kindy and Will's wedding on December 20th was very elegant and oh-so-romantic. The bride and groom brought so many personal touches into all the decor it was hard to look around and NOT see how happy they were about their special day.

Here they are making their triumphant "Grand Entrance" and it was definitly grand! Yvonne Floral Design completely blew everyone away with the beautiful gold, pink and crystal entryway. One person was even heard to say it was so elegant it looked like raining gold.

In keeping with the color scheme, Kindy and Will decided to bring in gold chiavari chairs, gold dish and glass ware for the head table, and gold linen shipped in from the mainland. They also had a gobo floating on the dancefloor in a lovely raspberry color matching the rest of the decor.

Cakelava designed a beautiful and elegant creation around the bride and groom's invitation, making the kind of cake you almost don't want to ruin by eating!

The dancefloor was very popular during this event; at one point the groom even did a little break dancing!

I don't know why but my favorite photos are always of the kids and I love to use them for the final photo. They are often caught in the most adorable and... well... random poses imaginable!

- AJ

photos by Dylan Dawson Photography

A new and unique venue!

2009-02-04T17:44:00.012-10:00

If you’ve ever been to Oahu, you’ve probably seen the Aloha Tower at the beginning of the Waikiki shoreline. The Waterfront at Aloha Tower, located at the Aloha Tower Marketplace, boasts this historic landmark as its centerpiece, and just recently entered the market as a premier outdoor venue for weddings. To kick off their efforts to appeal to brides and grooms, they enlisted the creative expertise of our very own Mona Hirata to help design mock weddings on January 12, 2009, highlighting this new space.

Four locations were transformed to showcase the Waterfront at its most spectacular: the Marquis Room, the Lounge, the Pod, and the tower-front.

In the Marquis Room, Mona created a “Z” shaped table, set for a small dinner party with red lit "living room" area in the corner, meant for a cozy and intimate gathering. Her concept? a home outside of home.

Pink lighting, white carpet, and pink flowers converted the covered, concrete square into a hip Lounge, bordered with real grass brought in just for the occasion.

The upstairs ceremony area, aka “the Pod”

The Tower-front ceremony site

Hope you enjoyed!

- AJ

Photos by Kris Labang (On3 Photography).

Special kudos to Aa Party Supply, Chai’s Island Bistro, Exquisite Sounds, Hokuli’i Images, Kahala Caterers, Leslie Fair, My Florist, Phil’s Tux, Showtime DJs, The Wedding Café, and Vignette, who all contributed their talents and resources to Waterfront’s showcase.

Platinum Weddings

2009-01-21T16:23:00.039-10:00

I definitely remember one of our most extravagant weddings. The planning for this one was oh so hectic and there were days when it felt like I was living and breathing this event. It had so many small details, last minute changes and additions... so many things could have gone wrong!

In the end, it all came down to extra-diligence, many MANY long hour days, and the help of some of the best vendors in the industry. We were all thrilled to be a part of this event and when we were finally able to sit back and look at what we had all pulled together, the final result was breathtaking.

It all began with the entrance. In keeping with the Platinum Racecar theme of this event, guests were immediately greeted by a huge banner declaring to everyone what the happy day was all about. The banner was followed by huge billboards scattered around the event space with glamorous, life-size photos of the bride and groom sporting flashy racecar jumpsuits.

Among many of the small details were custom linens sewn to fit tables seating up to 20 people each as well as hundreds of natural AND black chiavari chairs. The 500 guests were seated in 3 huge tents joined together, with a 4th added on for the dance floor, lounge furniture, and TWO bands!

Thousands of flowers from Yvonne Floral Design accented by glitter balls and dripping with crystals were scattered all over the event, in many different arrangements. Other décor provided by Yvonne included fabric draping, crystal chandeliers, an adorable candy bar, LED candlelight, and custom crystal napkin rings.

We even had ice sculptures shipped in from Canada. Not just your typical swan, either. There were ice trophies on ice pedestals, a gigantic ice luge, and a working ice bar!

And of course, what is a wedding without a wedding cake? Cakelava's design seemed simple, except for the fact that it was five full tiers graduating from deep to pale purple, plus that ever present checkerboard ribbon. There were actually two different flavors: scrumptious hot fudge sundae and to-die-for strawberry chantilly. The bride also chose to suprise her new hubby with a groom's cake designed like a scale model of his own Sprint Car!

The event was extravagantly beautiful and practically seamless. I don’t know how to continue to describe it, so I shall simply let the remaining pictures speak for themselves.

Enjoy!

- AJ

*photos by Chrissy Lambert Photography

Choosing your Maid of Honor

2008-12-26T11:48:00.009-10:00

A bride selects her Maid of Honor based on various reasons; family, a feeling of obligation, guilt, friendship. Whatever the reason, we urge prospective brides to consider a little more than these things when selecting their Maid of Honor. We have seen so many brides wish they had chosen someone else, someone who was there for them throughout the entire phase of planning and execution; instead, the Maid of Honor showed up on the big day and simply accepted the applause as their due.

Your Maid of Honor should be someone who will help you as your “right hand” through the wedding process. Consider your friends and family. Is there one person that you know will be there for you no matter what? Someone who will remind you of meetings to attend and decisions yet to be made, remember things that you don’t, get along with the families, and be there to smooth things over if (heaven forbid) arguments break out?

The Maid of Honor should be someone you can rely on to bolster your confidence if you have doubts, or if you just have a bad day. She (or he) should be someone who is just as excited about your wedding as you are, someone who is eager to help you choose colors and flowers, someone who will be there to help make your custom invitations or favors. Your Maid of Honor should be the one who is there when your fiancé can’t be.

We know how trying the planning process is. We want each and every one of you to have a support system, so that you can take a step back and breathe, and know that everything will turn out okay because you have people who love and support you. Your fiancé can’t be there all the time. Your parents have lives, too. Choose a Maid of Honor who wants to help make your day just as special as we all know it can be.

-AJ

photographers in order of photo appearance: Shawn Starr, Dave Miyamoto, David Murphey Photography, Bianca Photography

Why Should the Wedding Ring Be Worn on the Fourth Finger?

2008-12-22T10:56:00.015-10:00

Photo by David Murphy

Why should the wedding ring be worn on the fourth finger?

Photo By Kris Labang

There is a beautiful and convincing explanation given by the Chinese.....

Your Right Hand represents your family.

Your Left Hand represents your partners Family.

The Thumb represents your Parents

The Second (Index) finger represents your Siblings
The Middle finger represents your-Self

The Fourth (Ring) finger represents your Life Partner

And the Last (Little) finger represents your children

Firstly, open your palms (face to face) allowing both your families to meet.

Next, bend the middle fingers and hold them together - back to back

Now open and hold the remaining three fingers and the thumb - tip to tip
Now, try to separate your thumbs (representing the parents)..., they will open, because your parents are not destined to live with you lifelong, and have to leave you sooner or later.

Please join your thumbs as before and separate your Index fingers (representing siblings)...., they will also open, because your brothers and sisters will have their own families and will have to lead their own separate lives.

Now join the Index fingers and separate your Little fingers (representing your children)...., they will open too, because the children also will get married and settle down on their own some day.

Finally, join your Little fingers, and try to separate your Ring fingers (representing your spouse). You will be surprised to see that you just CANNOT....., because Husband & Wife have to remain together all their lives - through thick and thin!! Please try this out............. ISN'T THIS A GREAT THEORY?

Photo by Bianca Photography

- Jen

This came from several sources so I'm not sure who the actual author is; however the most recent site I found the information was at: http://forum.quoteland.com/1/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=586192041&f=2911947895&m=7991008351

OWA 2009

2008-12-09T15:49:00.006-10:00

Merry Christmas!

We now have an inside scoop on all the buzzings about the Oahu Wedding Association. I have been selected to be Membership Director and I am so excited for this!! So watch out all you vendors who have only thought about joining OWA, my hope is to double OWA's membership by 50% in the year of 2009. What are the benefits you ask? Besides hanging out with some of the greatest people in Oahu you mean? Being part of OWA entitles you to networking relationships you might not have had the opportunity for if you weren't a member. Each month there is a meeting where members get together to preview different venues and discuss the industry and how we can all help each other out. Brainstorming goes on in all directions. And you can win cool prizes sometimes! OWA is growing and we would love to have everyone who is not a member to come to a meeting and check us out! Tuesday, December 30 at Wedding Cafe in Ward Warehouse at 6pm. See you there!

- Jen

Butterflies

2008-12-03T11:09:00.009-10:00

If you've never seen one before, you may be concerned about having a butterfly release at your wedding ceremony. I have to admit there were a few worries going on in my mind the first time I saw this seemingly simple display of affection.

My biggest concern was the refrigeration. The butterflies are stored in cold temperatures to keep them in a hibernation state. This makes sense, since nobody wants to hold a box full of fluttering butterflies for hours while moving from the hotel site to the ceremony site!

At the same time, I had this horrible fear that the butterflies wouldn’t wake up in time! I could just picture it: the bride and groom would open the box, full of joy at their just married state… and the sleeping butterflies would go tumbling to the ground as horrified gasps were heard throughout the rows of guests.

Fortunately, the release went off without a hitch and was absolutely breathtaking.

As the bride and groom lovingly sent the butterflies into the sky while the minister spoke of their start into a new life together, I have to admit that I felt myself get a little teary-eyed. One of the butterflies even stuck around for a beautiful photo!

- AJ

Photos by On3 Photography

It IS easy being green!

2008-12-01T10:24:00.002-10:00

Green-it’s the color of eco-friendly, environment safe, and planet healthy. Green- it’s also the color of money; spending it, as well as saving it. The word green originated from the Middle English grene, from Old English grēne; akin to Old English grōwan to grow.

There are different choices you can make in the wedding industry to be green. Most of what is used to decorate a wedding for it be aesthetically pleasing for the bride and groom, comes from the flowers they choose and the different items they select as favors, linens, dinnerware, etc. There is an ever growing need and desire for more planet friendly options, to leave less of a carbon footprint while still having the wedding you want your friends and family to remember and talk about long after it is over. There are many ideas that couples can use for different aspects of the big day; these are just a few that I would like to share.

Water-soluble, biodegradeable confetti is available in a variety of colors, usually priced around $10 per each six-cup bag, that can be divided into many smaller bags for easy handout and tossing.

Invitations, save-the-dates, place cards, menu cards, even a guest book can all made from handmade 100% recycled, dye-free paper, made in an eco-friendly facility using recycled water.

People often throw away whatever favors they pick up at a wedding, unless they are edible favors. Double the use of having a special desert, such as: mochi, specialty chocolate, locally made cookies, and place them at each setting as the guest favors. Edible favors don’t go to waste as these somehow manage to always get eaten!

- Jen

My hope is that each person reading this will feel that twinge inside of themselves about their social responsibility and want to do whatever small part they can to help make a small part of the world just a little more green than they found it.

The blog is up and running!

2008-11-26T08:05:00.002-10:00

It’s been a long, treacherous road – okay, okay, maybe just a few weeks and a lot of emails – and the official Weddings by Grace and Mona blog is finally up and running! We’re so thrilled to have a “voice,” an opportunity to share some of our creative inspirations, tips and trend updates, warm-and-fuzzy moments, and just general musings. Please check back frequently to view some of our posts, and feel free to leave your own messages and feedback!

Warmest aloha,

The gals at WGM