Wednesday, November 30, 2011

A Big Island Backyard Wedding: Daryl ♥ Ricky


Daryl, a savvy chic Graphic Designer from Portland, Oregon married golf enthusiast Ricky on Sat. Nov. 26th at the beautiful Sleeping Turtle Sanctuary in the quaint Kohala Coast town of Puako, Hawaii on the Big Island. The ceremony took place on the tree covered green lawn right on the ocean shore with soft sea breezes and dappled sunlight filtering through. Friends and family gathered at the house at 3pm for Hawaiian martinis and mingling while acoustic guitarist, Lucas Clebsch, played a variety of Hawaiian instrumental music on the lanai. Martinis were poured by a handsome bartender from Vintage Pitchers available for rent from Vintage&Lace. The groom, aided by the tiny flower girl and ring bearer, placed plumeria and orchid leis around each guests neck with a hug symbolizing the love and gratitude of the bride and groom for the support and efforts of their 24 guests in traveling to Hawaii for their marriage.


















 Side by side, the flower girl sprinkled rose petals and white orchids in the aisle and the ring bearer carried Daryl's Tiffany diamond wedding band and Rick's two toned titanium wedding band on a handmade lace pillow filled with lavender. 

                             

 


The beautiful bride walked barefoot down the aisle at 4pm to "Falling Slowly" from the movie Once, a song of special meaning to both the bride and groom that was played instrumentally by Lucas. Her gown was a soft ivory with silk and organza fabric purchased in Portland. She wore a lace-lined veil and tiny golden crystal tiara in her softly, loose curled hair. Rick wore a khaki linen suit with a tucked in light blue shirt so his style matched the elegance of her gown. 


The couple exchanged their vows oceanside. Rick read his with emotion from a hand written note and Daryl, true to her personality and love of technology, had hers passed up by a friend on her hot pink iPad to the laughter of her guests who know this was delightfully "so Daryl". 

 

The couple then exchanged traditional Hawaiian wedding leis. Daryl's was gorgeously fragrant all white tuberose and Rick's the traditional all green Maile Groom's lei. Watching in the back, I knew this was a marriage that would last as each spoke deeply from the heart, gazing into each other's eyes with a love that lasts beyond time. 

 

Daryl sneaked in a sweet kiss for her darling flower girl shown above - which is one of my very favorite photos in this small "sneak peak" bunch! There are many more to come from the new Kona photographer Karen Loudon and I will be sure to add more when they are edited and ready to go.





Because of the trade winds, the West Hawaii sunset was particularly fantastic - only getting better and better with time. The couple was able to spend some time with Karen getting these great shots just below the lawn on the Puako property before heading over to the Fairmont Orchid for their seaside reception.




I hope you enjoyed these photos of Daryl and Rick's lovely backyard wedding ceremony that was so filled with the beauty that family, friends, and unconditional love create.

Wedding Planning: Vintage&Lace Wedding Specialists; Photography: Karen Loudon; Makeup: Jackie Zimmerman; Music: Lucas Clebsch; Ceremony Venue: Sleeping Turtle Sanctuary, Puako, HI; Reception Venue: The Knoll, The Fairmont Orchid Resort; Other Rentals: Vintage&Lace Wedding Specialists; Reception and Ceremony Decor Flowers: Vintage&Lace Wedding Specialists; Hair: Bride's Cousin, Lauren; Officiant: John, Special Guest of the Bride












Saturday, November 26, 2011

Big Island Tips on Invites: Destination Wedding Etiquette

Destination wedding invitation etiquette varies slightly from traditional etiquette because the distance and costs associated with travel can be a challenge for many potential guests.  We recommend sending out save-the-dates for a destination wedding at least 6 months prior to the wedding date and then, send your invitations at least 10-12 weeks prior to the wedding. 


www.weddingwire.com



When you and your fiance are planning your guest list for your Big Island or any other destination wedding, it is important to not invite everyone you know thinking that the majority of those invited will not attend.  According to Project Wedding, nearly 70% of those invited to a destination wedding will plan to attend.  Therefore, if you are planning to host a small, intimate wedding of 20 guests, don't invite 100 thinking 80 will decline.  Many of your guests will use your beautiful wedding in a fantastic location to be their family vacation.
from flickr.com
It is becoming a popular trend for couples saying their vows in a destination location to host a welcome home party or reception for extended family and friends.  This is a great opportunity to invite those that didn't make the ceremony guest list but are still important people in your lives.
from theknot.com
Choosing to not invite children to your destination wedding follow the same etiquette as any wedding.  Address the invite to just the parents and do not include 'and family.'  For a destination wedding, this could cause the parents to also not attend due to the travel required.
photo by Toby Hoogs Photography, shown on pacificweddings.com
Contact us at V&L to get more tips and etiquette information for destination weddings!
email: info@vintageandlace.com
web: www.vintageandlace.com
Have a beautiful day!
Heather

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

The Islands of Hawaii: Where to go?

Taken in Kona, Hawaii 

Choosing amongst the major Hawaiian Islands is one of the most difficult decisions you will make in the process of planning your Hawaiian Family Vacation, Hawaiian Honeymoon or Hawaii Destination Wedding. Each island is so uniquely different that to really understand Hawaii, you'd have to see them all! If you are like most people though, you can't fit all the islands into your itinerary! This post gives you a brief overview of four of the most popular islands to help you decide which ones should be on the top of your priority list.

bestplaceshawaii.com


Oahu is the most populated of all the Hawaiian Islands with just over 900,000 residents. As such, it has the greatest amount of development and offers many modern luxuries and amenities in Honolulu to make you feel at home. The world famous Waikiki is lined with high rise hotels, restaurants, and shops. With this, however, comes the draw backs of a big city as well. Oahu has a great deal of traffic and you will have much more difficulty finding secluded spots than you would on some of the other islands. The North Shore is a much more quaint part of the island and does offer some nice beaches and excellent surfing in the winter months. Other noteworthy activities are a visit to the infamous Pearl Harbor and if you are up for the challenge, the hike Diamond Head which has a spectacular view of the island. If modern amenities, abundant night life, long sandy beaches, and world-class shopping are what you are looking for as part of your Hawaiian vacation than Oahu is probably the island for you!

Maui is called "The Magic Isle". As the second largest Hawaiian Island, it has a surprisingly small permanent population. It offers breathtaking views of Haleakala volcano and if you can handle the curvy and steep Road to Hana, you will be rewarded with lush tropical and waterfall views. Maui has many incredible beaches as well that are a major attraction amongst tourists.  It is also one of the best places in the world to view the whales during the winter months. However, Maui can be quite expensive and lodging here is generally high. Restaurant dining also seems to run a bit higher in Maui so be conscious of this if you are on a budget. Some people also complain that Maui feels a little too much like a "miniature Los Angeles" in terms of its culture because many young, wealthy Californian social lights often dominate the night life and resorts. Don't let this stop you though, Maui is a great choice, evident by its immense popularity and it offers so much natural beauty to outweigh the drawbacks.

Kauai, called "The Garden Isle",  doesn't disappoint with its emerald green cliffs and lush tropical canyons! Of all the Hawaiian Islands, Kauai is the most lush and perhaps the most dramatically beautiful. The Napali Coast is truly breathtaking and seeing it by air, boat, or foot gives a completely unique perspective of this natural wonder. In addition to its famous cliffs, Kauai also has the beautiful Waimea Canyon which is often called "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific" because of its size and array of colors reminiscent of the Southwestern United States. And, Kauai's beaches won't disappoint either. Hanalei Bay is just one of these beauties where the green cliffs meet the white sands. However, as close as it does come, Kauai isn't perfect. As the smallest of the main Hawaiian Islands, there isn't quite as much to do in terms of night life, shopping, and modern amenities outside the resorts. Also, because the roads are narrow and haven't been adjusted to accommodate its growing population and visitors, traffic jams often occur making it slow going to just about anywhere at certain times of day.  It also can rain quite a bit on Kauai: how else would it get so green, right? But the beauty of Kauai is a sight to see and missing an opportunity to visit this island at least once in one's lifetime would be a tragedy.

The Island of Hawaii is commonly referred to as "The Big Island" so as not to be confused with reference to the entire state since they share the same name. Hawaii Island also gets its nickname because it is truly the biggest of all the Hawaiian Islands. In fact, all the other islands combined would fit inside the Big Island alone, with room to spare! And, the Big Island with its very active Kilauea Volcano is actually still growing! The Big Island is one of the few places on earth that you can view live lava flows, sometimes directly into the ocean via boat or helicopter. However, the Big Island is not all lava. In fact, the landscape of the Big Island is incredibly diverse as it offers incredible sandy beaches, beautiful waterfalls, and lush green valleys. The beaches of the Big Island tend to be tucked away; they aren't as long and expansive as those found on the older islands, but they are just as beautiful and much less crowded! Additionally, the waters of the Kona side of the Big Island are normally warm and gentle making it an ideal location for those that aren't extremely comfortable with swimming in the ocean. The North Eastern side of the island, near the cowboy town of Waimea, offers the waterfalls and lush rainforest of the Hamakua Coast. You can also find several black sand beaches and a green sand beach on the Big Island! In many ways, the Big Island is the adventurers island and the romantics island all at once because there are many interesting activities but it is also easy to find oneself alone on a beach at sunset. Additionally, though the Big Island is not heavily populated it does have some of the most luxurious resorts and communities found in the Hawaiian Islands and it offers some fantastic dining and fun night life options too. However, just like all the others, the Big Island isn't perfect either. Unfortunately, the power of the live volcano also causes "vog" aka volcanic-fog to hover over Kona from time to time giving the sky a slightly hazy look. Additionally, parts of the Big Island are not as lush and green as Kauai or Oahu and visitors are sometimes surprised by the lava fields that cover the Western Shores. However, there is no place quite like the Big Island, which is said to have the greatest spirit of Aloha of all the Hawaiian Islands. Its secluded beauty and unique natural wonders make for a truly powerful vacation experience.

The Hawaiian Islands also include the beautiful and mostly untouched Moloka'i and Lanai both of which are possible to visit and offer a true escape from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the world. We didn't go into detail about these two gems here because they aren't visited as frequently as the others, but you can read more about them both at www.gohawaii.com.



If you are planning a honeymoon, any of the islands would be a great choice and it completely depends on your personality as a couple. For example, if you love to party and like to be around more of a crowd, then I would suggest Oahu. However, if you are looking for more tranquility, adventure, and romanic seclusion, I think the Big Island or Kauai would be the best option. If you want to sit in the lap of luxury and budget isn't a concern, than I might suggest Maui. So, it's up to you to decide based on your preferences and expectations for your honeymoon.

www.tobyhoogs.com
Kona Sunset, Taken at Old A's, The Big Island

Hilo Hawaii Waterfall, The Big Island

When planning a Hawaii Destination Wedding, it is hard to go wrong! However, naturally I am a bit biased to the Big Island. Here's why: I chose the Big Island as my home and for my business because of its incredible beauty, which only becomes more inspiring as you discover her many hidden gems.  I also chose the Big Island because there is a huge amount of diversity of wedding venues - from top-of-the-line luxurious beach resorts to quaint Bed & Breakfasts and historic buildings to beautiful gardens and ocean front private homes to public beaches perfect for intimate beach ceremonies - the list goes on. (See our previous blog post on Big Island Wedding Venues for more details!). Additionally, the Big Island has two small, easily accessible airports for your wedding guests to travel in and out of and NONE of the traffic you'd find on other islands. It is also really easy to navigate so no one really ever gets lost and there are so many activities here that can accommodate large groups, an important consideration when planning a destination wedding. The Big Island's spirit of adventure also has a way of bringing people closer together and I really feel that families and friends leave here with stronger relationships because of their experiences and because of the strong Aloha found here. So, in my humble opinion, the Big Island is a perfect Destination Wedding spot, though you won't be disappointed with any of the Hawaiian Islands.

I hope you found this post helpful in planning your Hawaiian Destination Wedding, Hawaiian Honeymoon or Hawaiian Vacation. The good thing about having to decide between the many beautiful Hawaiian Islands is that any choice is a good one!

Aloha,

Vintage&Lace

Friday, November 11, 2011

Big Island Wedding Venues

Together, the Big Island of Hawaii's natural beauty and tranquility create one of the world's most majestic wedding destinations. Whatever setting you desire for your wedding, the Big Island offers many locations that are true gems and are sure to meet your standards and awe your guests. It is home to world-class resorts, top-rated beaches, quaint island churches, and lush tropical gardens that all make great locations for a dream Hawaii Wedding.

Photo: Toby Hoogs Photography

The resorts along the sunny Kona-Kohala Coast are plentiful and luxurious, each with its own island flair. Perhaps the most upscale is the exquisite Four Seasons Resort Hualalai which is always an excellent choice because of its secluded beach that is frequented by the protected Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles. The Fairmont Orchid is also a great choice because it too offers a beach ceremony option, as is the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel or Mauna Kea Beach Hotel which have the famed Hapuna Beach nearby. The Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort or Hilton Waikoloa are also nice choices, especially for those with large families because of their many family-friendly activities and amenities. Keep in mind that most of these resorts are about 20-50 minutes North of Kona. The Sheraton, much closer to Kona, is the exception, however, it doesn't offer a sandy beach on sight.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Photo: Toby Hoogs Photography
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Photo: Toby Hoogs Photography
Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Photo: Toby Hoogs Photography
Hilton Waikoloa Village, Photo: Toby Hoogs Photography
Hilton Waikoloa Village, Photo: Toby Hoogs Photography

Mauna Kea Beach Resort Photo: Toby Hoogs Photography
The Fairmont Orchid, Photo: Toby Hoogs Photography

If you prefer a more intimate Big Island setting, there are also many great Bed & Breakfasts on the Island of Hawaii. Our favorite in this category is the Holualoa Inn tucked up on the slopes of Hualalai Volcano just above Kona. We also like Honu Kai for a lush garden wedding but with both locations, rain is always more of a possibility than along the coast so be sure to plan accordingly.

Holualoa Inn, Photo: www.holualoainn.com
Honu Kai Bed and Breakfast, Photo: www.honukai.com/weddings

There are also several interesting alternatives and historic buildings available for weddings and receptions like the beautiful  Holuakoa Cafe and Gardens which also makes a lovely rehearsal dinner location. Additionally, we love Waimea's country-garden setting at Anna Ranch.

Holuakoa Cafe and Gardens, Photo: holuakoacafe.com
Anna Ranch, Photo: Toby Hoogs Photography

Another option is to rent one of the many beautiful rental properties and homes on the Big Island that allow smaller weddings (be sure to check with the owners or property manager first!). These range from ocean and beach front homes to those perched on lava fields amongst the slopes of one of the Island's many volcanos. Two rental properties we like for a small intimate ceremony are The Sleeping Turtle Sanctuary located in Puako or Villa Quattro which is closer to Kona. Please inquire for many more options!

Sleeping Turtle Sanctuary, photo: www.40puako.com
Villa Quattro, photo: http://www.vrbo.com/278437

Outside of resort properties and home rentals, there are also several options for beach ceremony locations but be aware that most require a Beach Wedding Permit and some have special restrictions regarding the use of equipment.  For more information on choosing a beach wedding location, it is best to contact us for help. We will be happy to help you choose the right spot and arrange all the details.

Photo: Toby Hoogs Photography

There are also several very unique Big Island Church Wedding locations. One of the most famous is "The Little Blue Church" or St. Peter's Catholic Church which is located right along the ocean on Alli Drive in Kona town.  St. Benedict's Catholic Church in Captain Cook (about 45 minutes south of Kona) is also a great choice with its truly unique and colorful murals. And, many many more of course!

"Little Blue Church", Photo: Hawaiiweb.com
St. Benedict's Church, Photo: Toby Hoogs Photography

We have only scratched the surface with these few options! Most of these suggestions are strictly on the West Side of the Hawaii Island where the weather is usually more favorable to outdoor weddings. However, there are also many other beautiful options around the island and especially in lush Hilo and along the Hamakua Coast with it's many waterfalls.

Amongst locals, the Big Island is said to have the greatest amount of Aloha -a spirit of love, goodwill, and acceptance. This is evident in the peaceful pace of life that tends to relax Big Island visitors almost immediately upon their arrival -a feeling that is only exemplified as guests discover the Big Island's many secluded and romantic spots.

Contact us for more information on finding the perfect location for your Big Island Wedding. With so many options and many of those that are hard to find, it is highly advisable to seek professional help. At Vintage&Lace, we offer affordable Wedding Packages and Services to help you plan your Big Island Wedding.

Visit our website www.vintageandlace.com for more information! Or, contact us today at info@vintageandlace.com!

Aloha and we look forward to meeting you on the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii! Congratulations!


Copyright: Vintage&Lace