I recently received these beautiful gown images from California wedding publicist, Leila Khalil, the guru of Inspired By This who happens to have great taste and the inside scoop on all things wedding. I am happy to share the romantic new gown designs of Alisa Benay, along with a fairy tale story board of her inspiration for the collection. Vintage, soft and very feminine—love at first sight!
Today we welcome one of our Preferred Vendors, Hawaii event designer Sandra Williams of Finishing Touch. Sandra has exquisite taste and a unique sense of style, so we are thrilled to add her to our group of contributors. (Photos by Frank Amodo)
I have been anticipating Junko and Oscarʼs wedding for quite some time, because I knew it would be one of our most beautiful weddings in 2009. Junko first contacted me back in late 2008, and I felt an instant connection with her. We both love fashion and bold, dramatic patterns, and we’re big fans of the t.v. show The Hills. I have to admit, I love working with brides who crave a beautiful wedding—from her gown and hair accessories to her table linens and flowers—everything had to be absolutely chic. The bride compiled meticulous inspiration boards to plan the day. This can be a great tool to give your vendors, particularly when you’re planning a destination wedding.
Junko was unafraid to use a beautiful espresso brown and white floral silhouette linen to give her table that “wow” factor. A Capri blue table runner and matching napkins balanced the patterned table linen. Pink dahlias, English garden roses, hydrangea and ranunculus adorned the tables, with seven crystal chandeliers overhead casting a soft, romantic glow at night.
Guests enjoyed an action station menu featuring fresh local seafood. After a few champagne and sake toasts, the night ended with a surprise salsa performance by the newlyweds, who met at a New York salsa dance class 7 years ago!
Get ready to channel your inner geisha girl with Claire Pettibone's delicate bridal collection for 2010—the airy fabrics and feather-light details are perfect for a destination wedding. Here is Claire's release:
Taking the
exalted Japanese flower, Cherry Blossom, as her muse, designer Claire Pettibone recently unveiled her
2010 couture bridal collection on the runway at Buddakan NYC. In a soft and effervescent palette of snow white, metallic
silver and gold with accents of pale pink and Empire Red, “Cherry Blossom 2010”
is a luminous vision of purity and exotic innocence.
I love the ultra-feminine details and flirty accents. This collection
is inventive and refreshingly unique! And I think the China girl bangs
have inspired me to cut my hair. xo —robyn
If you are planning a destination wedding in Hawaii or you are a local girl considering a wedding away on outer island, you will undoubtedly want to treat your guests to the unique offerings of your destination. I was researching a story in the lush setting of Hanalei, Kauai when I stumbled upon the Hawaii Visitor's Bureau video series, Stories of Hawaii. Take some time out and watch these wonderful portrayals. Not only will they give you a glimpse into the lives of our islanders, but they will also heighten your excitement and anticipation of your Hawaii wedding! Send the links to your family and friends so they can share in the activities that may be part of the itinerary. And don't forget your sweetie--here is our list of Hawaii's Top Ten Honeymoon Adventures for the Groom. xo~robyn
Wedding food stations are so of the moment right now, especially with bona fide foodies who consider the menu to be of utmost importance for the big day. If you are planning a destination wedding in Hawaii, your menu can include all the delicacies of the Islands, from fresh fish to locally grown vegetables. Today I am posting a few links to some of my favorite stories we've produced with Hawaii's top chefs and caterers. Be forewarned, these images are guaranteed to make you hungry!
We love working with Honolulu chef, Michelle Nakaya, the creative force behind Ginniberries, a top catering company in Hawaii. Not only is Michelle fun to be around, but she can also whip up seriously tasty food! The key at these photo shoots is to work quickly so you can eat the "subjects" after:) I love this cheerful summer cocktail table Michelle created for a previous issue of Pacific Weddings.
The photos above by Visionari were captured for a story called The Art of the Pupu, featuring Maui's premier chefs: Cameron Lewark, Chef de Cuisine of Spago at the Four Seasons Resort Maui, Bev Gannon of Haliimaile General Store, award-winning chef James McDonald of Pacific'O, and husband/wife team Carol and Mark O’Leary of O'Leary's Catering. We ate quite well on this particular day!
Russell and Karolyn Stokes, owners of Kauai Cuisine, prepared a scrumptious menu for our story Serve Chilled, A Hawaii Reception. A variety of colorful dishes looked magnificent stacked atop large blocks of ice carved by Aloha Ice Sculpting.The image above by Visionari was taken at the shoot prior to the big meltdown. Keep in mind, ice tends to go quickly on a hot Hawaiian day!
We recently shot a cool series of fun summer libations and after dinner drinks, but you'll have to wait for the Winter 2010 edition of Pacific Weddings to enjoy! In the meantime, if you are still longing for delicious wedding reception ideas, visit the PW website. Bon appetit, or as the local boys say, "Let's grind!"
xo ~robyn
Grab your popcorn and spend a little time in our all new Movie Room at the Pacific Weddings website! Still in the beginning stages, the Movie Room will soon become the hub for all things wedding: the most romantic honeymoon spots, fabulous destination wedding sites, live film of couples tying the knot, and a fun look behind-the-scenes of Pacific Weddings' photo shoots. We also introduce Our Crowd, a special group of individuals on The List of Preferred Wedding Vendors. These are the people we trust to help you create the wedding of your dreams in Hawaii, California and the Pacific. If you would like to submit a video for consideration in the Movie Room, email us a link to your clip along with the location of the wedding to mywedding@pacificweddings.com. See you at the movies! xo ~robyn
(photo by Visionari)
Photos: Nathaniel Goldberg
I have followed GQ magazine since my college days, and I still look to them for savvy fashion advice and the latest trends for men. I thought you would appreciate their list of:
5 Reasons Italian Men Always Look Good
1. The Year-Round Bronze
Somehow, they maintain their tans.2. Suits that Fit
Always a quarter inch of cuff showing, always just the slightest break in their trousers.3. The Exposed Ankle
In the warmer months, no socks. Ever.4. Because Less Is More
The best-dressed Italians keep it simple, relying on perfectly tailored pieces made from excellent fabrics.5. And Because They Care
A little vanity goes a long way. These guys always make the effort.
(Photo Above) Hotel Mediterraneo—Bettoja Hotels
Suit, $1,960, and shirt, $415, by Prada. Tie, $180, by Bottega
Veneta. Loafers, $475, by Tod’s. Pocket square by Brunello Cucinelli.
Passport cover (in hand) by Asprey. Bag by Tom Ford. Click here for the original story via GQ.
(Below)Piazza della Rotonda
Suit, $1,695;
shirt, $575; tie, $160; and tie bar: all
by Dolce & Gabbana. Shoes, $895, by Bally.
I had to share these adorable beach themed wedding cake toppers I found recently via one of my favorite blogs, Bakerella. These precious handmade toppers are from the whimsical Lollipop Workshop. Jenny won me over with her sweet and delightfully brief profile: "i bake cake, eat cupcakes, & make happy things." I just may adopt this as my new mantra in life:) Jenny is creating one of her happy couples for an upcoming PW story. I adore how she customizes the bride and groom to mimic quirky little details that make each pair unique, just like their real life counterparts. I couldn't decide which one was my favorite... I love them all! Visit her Etsy shop to see all the amazing tiny touches she adds to make these lollipop kids come to life.
xo --robyn
(Photos courtesy of Lollipop WorkShop)
Kama‘āina
couples, this could be your lucky day! We recently heard from our friends at the fabulous Four Seasons Resort Lanai that they are giving away a wedding to one deserving couple, and after reviewing the vendor list, it's going to be extraordinary. The venue itself is absolutely breathtaking, photographers Jon Lagon and Mike Joy from Visionari are documenting the event, and Yvonne Chapman will take the lead for the wedding design and floral arrangements—this will be an event to remember!
If you have plans to be married soon or if you know a local couple who deserves a beautiful wedding, enter to win by October 19, 2009. Visit KGMB's site for more information to win a Hawaii wedding, or check out the official press release below. With only ten more days we hope you will help us spread the word, so please share this post with your friends and family. This is an amazing opportunity they won't want to miss! xo~ Robyn
Here is the official press release: Four Seasons Resorts Lāna‘i and Sunrise on KGMB9 are pleased to announce the inaugural Down the Isle wedding promotion, offering a fairytale wedding on the private island of Lāna‘i to a fortunate kama‘āina couple. The Down the Isle promotion will air from September 2009 through February 2010 and will rely heavily on viewer participation to plan this dream wedding, hosted by Four Seasons Resorts Lāna‘i.
“We are honored to partner with Sunrise on KGMB9 to offer an unforgettable wedding to a deserving island couple,” said Tom Roelens, general manager of Four Seasons Resorts Lāna‘i. “Lāna‘i is an idyllic destination for weddings, offering more ceremony locations than any other resort in Hawaii, so the possibilities are endless. Whether high atop the cliffs overlooking the ocean at The Challenge at Manele golf course or in a sophisticated upcountry garden at Koele, the loyal Sunrise viewers will undoubtedly select the perfect wedding elements to complement the couple’s taste, combined with impeccable Four Seasons service.”
