Since we’re all freezing in Seattle right now, I thought I’d warm us up with a destination wedding blog entry. A BIG congratulations to my dear friend and assistant Miss Channy Sea and her fun-loving husband Taz Sivisay who tied the knot with the help of VOWS on August 26, 2011. We were honored to be able to travel with them to my most favorite place on earth: the island of Maui, Hawaii.

The setting of the Honoa Kai Lani (a.k.a. Sugarman Estate), on the south end of the island in Makena, couldn’t have been more pristine and picturesque. On a beautifully manicured lawn between two palm trees, Channy & Taz stood at the edge of the ocean to become husband and wife.

The wedding theme was tropical with a twist. The stylish combo of lucky red and aqua were seen in their shell cake design, exotic floral centerpieces and bouquets, welcoming paper items, and more. Taz even completed the island bridal party look with Kakui Nut Leis for his guys.

The food and photography were the true stars of the evening. Cafe O’ Lei Catering knocked it out of the park with their food and service. (Which wasn’t a surprise since their restaurant in Kihei is a local favorite and packed no matter what day of the week. Take note: the Macadamia Crusted Mahimahi is to die for!)

Next, Kim Aihara and her assistant were a talented and patient photography team that made the clients’ experience that much more special. I can’t thank Kim enough for working with such grace and flexibility on the day and for the stunning images that I know Channy and Taz will cherish for years to come.

The dazzling Maui sunset served as a back-drop for their white reception tent where dinner, toasts, games, dancing and much fun was had!

Regardless of the details of the event, it’s always about the people. Channy & Taz were lucky to be surrounded by 50 wonderful family and friends who flew all the way from Seattle just for them. Their wedding was a wonderful family reunion, vacation and celebration all wrapped up into one…and they couldn’t have been more appreciative!

So my freezing Northwest friends, enjoy these images and get inspired for a trip, or dare I say a wedding of your own, on the magical island of Maui.

Vendors who helped Channy and Taz realize their Hawaii Wedding Dream:

Venue: Honua Kai lani Estate ( Sugarman Estate)

Lead photographer: Kim Aihara

2nd Photographer: Sasha Prince

Flowers: Maui Blooms

Officiant: Pia Aluli

Videographer: Jordan, Hi Focused Videography

DJ: Del Sol

Cocktails: Maui Bars are Us

Caterer: Cafe O’Lei

Cake: Cake Fanatics!

Rental Company: Pacific Isle Rentals

Transportation: Akina Tours

Tray pass the first drink at cocktail hour – after a long or even short ceremony, guests (especially emotionally charged family) are looking for relief and something for their hands for comfort while mingling.  This classy welcome to the party portion of the evening also alleviates the inevitably long bar line.  Tray passing wine, cocktails and non-alcoholic refreshments is customary….beer should be kept at the bar.  Sorry guys.

Two-side your buffet – if you dare to have a buffet where a line is necessary, at least make it go quickly for guests.  Make sure the food options are doubled on either side of the table, so people can walk down both sides.  Also make sure you have planned a rout for guests to get back to their seats without having to double back through the line.

Have an obvious welcome with clear directions for guests – guests are always looking for what’s next, what to do. They don’t want to make a mistake during this emotional event. To ease their anxiety, have a welcoming committee at the front door to: actually say “welcome to the wedding”, take their coat, take their gift or card, offer them a program and give them a preview of what’s to come: “Feel free to be seated for the ceremony, cocktails and dinner will be on the lawn after.”

Make sure lighting is adequate. No, actually awesome - over head lighting should be used at a minimum (still love you chandeliers,  lanterns and strung lights!). Floor lighting creates a cozy mood, flattering hues on everyone’s skin, and crescendos the energy of the night.  Uplighting should be a staple item.  You need to have it on the walls of your venue (white or amber if you’re conservative or in the color of your wedding, if you dare).  I’ve done uplighting at both Pravda Studios and the Seattle Tennis Club.  It’s not just for the clubbing crowd anymore.  Pin-lighting on what’s going on is extra fun and then Gobo stencils of everything from your monogram to themed designs…don’t even get me started!  The creativity is limitless and gives that “wow” factor every client is looking for.

Book transportation for the bridal party – spend the extra dough to make your day stress free.  Yes, I mean you.  Not the bridal party.  If everyone is together, not having to navigate or park, everyone will be on time and ready to go for the photos and ceremony start time you want.

Serve hard liquor only during the first hour of your event - you will save yourself $$ and DUI liability by only offering your guests hard liquor during the first hour of your celebration.  It’s a great kick-off to the night, but beer and wine are just fine for the remainder.  Hard liquor drinks will be chosen first and are the most expensive.  You will cut down on the pass-out crew (or worse) and ultimately, you are responsible for your guests’ behavior after they leave as you were the host of the event.  Food for thought.

Have a water and coffee station available all night - I have now made this a requirement for all of my weddings.  See above.

Make a family groupings photo list reviewed by the key players before the big day - this is so key for making this part of the day painless.  Whether its big families or political ones, having a list of names for your coordinator or photographer to rattle off will get you to your party quickly and with fewer battle scars.

Start toasts before the meal is over – toasters are nervous, guests get bored, get it over with.  I always suggest once everyone has their entrée served (or have gone through the buffet line) that we start the toasts.  The guests have something to do and the toasters don’t feel so put on the spot.  You will also get on the dance floor to show off your moves a lot sooner.

VOWS:  Get your college degree in communication…this is a people business!

STUDENT:  What is your greatest achievement so far from your career?

VOWS:  Building a successful business is my greatest achievement.

STUDENT:  What kind of benefits (emotionally and literally) do you receive from your job?

VOWS:  Owning your own biz allows you to say who, when and how much…freedom to make your own schedule, etc. It also gives me a sense of accomplishment when I take an event from a coffee shop discussion to the full-blown event. Emotional satisfaction comes from knowing I have helped a couple and their families truly enjoy this special and massive step in their lives. The thanks I get, and often tears, is hugely rewarding.

STUDENT:  What is your daily work routine like? 

VOWS:  Lots of emailing, phone calls, research on the Internet, driving around the city to meetings, tours, and interviews.  Also do a lot of fun stuff with design at studios and tastings of food and drink at caterers and venues.

STUDENT:   How tough is it to become well-known in the industry? 

VOWS:  Takes time, tons of marketing (advertising, social marketing, etc), a squeaky clean customer service and quality of service record (word travels fast in a small industry), and constant networking with vendors and venue reps.

STUDENT:  What is the best thing about your job? 

VOWS:  I get to be creative and involved in all the areas I love:  photography, fashion, interior design, food & wine, music and much more!

STUDENT:  If you had the chance, would you have done anything differently to get where you are today?

VOWS:  I would have started growing the business with employees earlier. 

STUDENT:  Are there any opportunities for advancement? 

VOWS:  The harder I work, the more I work, the more $$ I will make.  I’m already the boss.

STUDENT: Is there anything about your job that you would change?

VOWS:  Wish it didn’t take up most of my weekends in the summer, but as you get more experienced you can pick and choose leaving yourself time for a Sat BBQ or two with friends.

STUDENT:  What education did you receive in the process of becoming a wedding coordinator? 

VOWS:  BA in Journalism and Sociology from Gonzaga University (worked for a PR, Marketing and Corporate Events firm for 6 years before starting my biz)

STUDENT:  Describe your job in one word?

VOWS:  Exhilarating

Photo by Alders Photography

Glass, oh glass, so many wonderful uses here. Glass is a fabulous element with it’s translucent nature that creates a presence without stopping the eye, and of course it reflects light beautifully. Tapered candles with exposed flame (make sure this is permitted at your venue) allow the candlelight to work it’s romantic magic. Glass votive holders with a band of frost draw your eye deeper into the table and highlight the varied heights used.

Anemones (in season for Jan-May and Aug-Dec celebrations) and Ranuculus (February-May), my two favorite flowers, are stars in the centerpieces. Simple dome arrangements, they ooze elegance and style as not a typical mix of both varieties, but strategic placement of groupings of the same flower. 

Oh, yes, feathers can be fun, but in moderation. This is the perfect touch to highlight the tall arrangment behind the table, but I wouldn’t advise this dramatic element in every centerpiece as it could take on a Mardi Gras look…unless that’s what you’re going for! 

Color, let’s talk color here. The white on white on white look (i.e. family of neutrals) is so big right now. Sophisticated and timeless. They’ve done it right here with chocolate brown as the anchor shade, then getting lighter in the layers and topping off with just a hint of pale pink in the Anemones that in their own right could be considered a neutral.  

The darker ghost chairs (another growing trend) round out the overall open and inviting look and give a shout-out to the contemporary.

I predict Nothing Bundt Cakes, based in Vegas and quickly spreading throughout the country, has started a hot, new wedding trend.  Look out cupcakes, wedding pie, candy buffets, and the traditional wedding cake…the bundt is nothing “bundt” precious and delicious!

For the reception cake table - and for the ceremonial cut - this bride chose a two-tier bundt with pretty icing detail and a fresh flower topper.  Then cute as can be, single bite bundts in decorative paper cups were served to guests in our choice of flavors….chocolate, chocolate chip with cream cheese frosting was my fave!

PROS of having kids at your wedding

1) It’s tradition! Weddings have always been a family affair. Flower Girls and Ring Bearers are a staple in the official procession line-up.

2) They are darn cute! Precious dresses, little man suits, great photo opps and good laughs.

3) Makes the parents and grandparents happy to have them around and in the wedding photos.  

4) More of the parents on your guest list will attend if they don’t have to find a sitter.

CONS of having kids at your wedding

1) Interruptions. They may cry, scream, or throw food at the most inappropriate times. During the vows, during toasts, on your gown…you get the picture.   

2) They may take their parents home early. If you’re hoping to party into the wee hours with friends that are parents, not gonna happen. They will have the car pulled up immediately after cake cutting or when their child has a melt-down. Whichever comes first.

3) Trendy venues in urban areas can actually be dangerous for kids. Large staircases, exposed wood and brick, and sketchy neighborhoods aren’t a good recipe for little ones. Also, places to feed or change diapers at these venues are almost non-existent.

4) Parents often don’t watch their kids and they can get into trouble. I’ve seen many guest books/photo mats ruined by a mad scribbler, cakes knocked over or licked, and centerpieces on fire!

5) AND the reason no one wants to say out loud:  Kids get a lot of attention. Friends, it’s ok to want to be the center of attention on your wedding day! Newborns in the family, and especially cute or charming kids, definitely distract from the focus on the bride & groom. 

How to tactfully communicate that you’d like your wedding to be “Kid-Free” 

1) Say it directly on an insert card within your invitation and reinforce it on your website. Good phrases to use:

• “No kids please” (a no brainer)
• “Formal affair, not for little ones.”
• “Adults only, sweet dreams to those under 21 please” (just saw this on a fellow wedding planner’s personal invitation – humor goes a long way!)

2) Subtle, but also effective options:

• Arrange babysitting in a separate room at the venue or at a nearby hotel. Put the details on your website, on an insert card within your invitation, and send a group email to the parents on your guest list. You taking a specific interest in this subject will give parents the hint. 
• Make your invitations and wedding reception more formal. Tuxedos and sequins are natural kid-repellers.
• Start the ceremony late; at or after 7:00pm should do it (kiddos go to bed early!)
• Have a cocktail reception vs. sit down or buffet meal (with no assigned place to plop the diaper bag and carrier, parents will think twice about bringing them).

Happy planning!

Natalie & Jared’s wedding day was VOWS biggest undertaking in 7 years in the biz! It was a day that exemplified that ”anything is possible” with the right plan, the right vendors, and some creativity.  Over 20 ambitious vendors made Natalie’s dream come true that started from a playground meeting in 4th grade.  Yes, the couple met in the 4th grade and became man and wife 15 years later.  Cut to a mild and (luckily) dry evening over Labor Day weekend 2010…

A beautiful Catholic ceremony with a 10-piece ensemble, including two opera singers, kicked-off this dream wedding.  The bride was serenaded with the romantic Pavarotti classic, Nessun Dorma, upon her entrance as she waded through a lush carpet of rose petals.  Post-ceremony, the newly married couple enjoyed some alone time while trotting by horse & carriage down the road to Natalie’s childhood home.

The property of this private home in Kirkland was transformed to a 5-star wedding venue equipped to host over 300 guests. (No small feat!) Working with Avalanche Concert Lighting & Stage (who was also on point for the Bumbershoot festival that weekend), we drained the family pool, inserted scaffolding, and staged the entire back patio…including a 20-foot high extension over a ravine!  We achieved our goal of  a surface area needed for a 50×80 Gable Tent which was successfully erected by the hardworking crew at ABC Rentals.

Running with the Italian Royal theme, the team at Aria Style surpassed their usual talent to create a custom tent liner in a regal red, drapery and linens, as well as chair pad covers that blended tasteful and elegant patterns. Dramatic height was achieved with opulent floral centerpieces, traditional chandeliers, and a cake that wowed guests in taste and appearance. (Thanks to Bonnie at New Renaissance!)

The bride’s custom  gown from Luly Yang was the ultimate sight with the fitted bodice encrusted in crystal to the billowing skirt of what seemed like never ending cream.  The maids’ dresses were also works of art from Luly Yang’s team.  Two bands, a videographer, incredible 5-course meal from Tom Douglas Catering, an espresso cart, a photo booth, valet, vintage cars, babysitting, security, and VIP porta potties were among the zillions of top-notch details that left the guests saying: “Wow, is this L.A.?” 

Most importantly, the bride & groom felt special, so in love, and had a blast from photos with farm animals on the property to their magical send-off to the honeymoon suite.  Congrats to Natalie & Jared and their loving families!

And a massive “Thank You” to Jim Garner for these legendary photos and for making the day fun and stress-free for the client. (For the full photo gallery from this wedding see:  www.vowswedding.com under ”1st Weddings”.)

In traditional Chinese style, bright red and cherry blossom designs were the theme of the day.  They also showed off their humor with their dogs Peanut & Willie as ring bearers and an  “Eye & Tooth” Groom’s Cake from Mike’s Amazing Cakes.  (The bride is a dentist and the groom is an opthomologist, so they thought it would be funny if the two characters were super heros and duking it out!  The unveiling was the “Kodak Moment” of the night!)

Thanks to Sandra Coan for the beautiful images.  We got so lucky with the light that night.  Stunning!

VOWS:  Sewing kit and Shout Wipe to the rescue!

Bride:  I HATE my hair and can’t get married looking like this! 

VOWS:  A few pins, a fresh flower, food and a BIG drink.  Problem solved.

Groom:  I forgot to pick up Poco the Chihuahua Ring Bearer! OMG, Poco, the one thing she wanted today!

VOWS:  Key please and the VOWS assisant is off to the client’s apartment to retrieve said dog.  Bride is none the wiser.

Groomsman:  I can’t roll joints on the cake table and eat the cake during the ceremony?

VOWS:  Cake rotates 180 degrees, “mess” cleaned from table, and cab for one for the other “mess” (with the client’s permission, of course).

Bride:  No! It’s raining and I’m about to walk down the aisle outside!

VOWS:  Cut to VOWS assistant running to Target to get umbrellas for all the guests and bridal party.

Groomsmen: We’re supposed to have this space reserved in this park, but there are a bunch of squatters that won’t move their blankets.

VOWS:  Parks department call and some individual “requests” solve the problem…eventually.

Mother of the Bride: The church lady is having a meltdown and is making the bride cry, won’t let the photographer shoot in the sanctuary, etc.

VOWS:  Negotiation with said church lady about it being the bride’s day and offering “help” (i.e. lining everyone up and working directly with the officiant.) I told the photographer just to do “what he has to do” to get the shots the client wants.  They have a beautiful album today.

Bride:  I forgot my dance dress for our ballroom number!  (10PM night-of wedding)

VOWS:  Cut to busting into the bride’s parents’ home in Laurelhurst, digging through a closet, and racing back to the reception in Capitol Hill.

Caterer:  200 people in line at the bar for their first drink (2^nd bartender flaked last minute).

VOWS:  Red or white? 

Bride:  My grandma is upset she doesn’t have a corsage.  Crap! I should have splurged more on the flowers!

VOWS:  Hello hotel lobby centerpiece!  You won’t miss one flower will you?  Some tape and a pin means one happy granny!