Love Notes

A Faux Bois Wedding

Our last post on Oslo Press seemed to strike a chord, so we thought we would share a few accessories that complement the wood veneer invitations. Our beloved Martha Stewart is the Princess of Faux Bois, offering everything from beautiful craft supplies to unique wedding cakes decorated in this motif, which literally translated simply means "false wood". (The French translation always adds caché, doesn't it?!) Here are a few more ideas from MSW that will bring out the nature girl in you!   ~aloha, robyn

(Photos by Oslo Press and Martha Stewart Living)

We Heart Wedding Favors!

 
February is one of my favorite months, mainly because of the ubiquitous sweets and candies that Valentine's Day brings. Since we are all about inspiration, here are a few of our favorite confections that are both romantic and memorable--the ideal combination for a wedding favor, don't you think?

Wedding Things has an amazing list of favors and wedding details, and we were smitten with their raspberry heart gumdrops. The glass-topped mongrammed tins are perfect containers to reveal a touch of color on your reception tables.

Willams-Sonoma recently relaunched their website and they have added some wonderful new products, like the lucky ladybug truffles crafted and decorated by hand by Philadelphia confectioner, John & Kira's. Nestled in a wooden gift box, each luscious love bug combines a dark chocolate shell with a velvety chocolate ganache center. Ladybugs have long been symbols of good luck – these are simply irresistible!

Buttery vanilla shortbread cookies are sweet replicas of the Valentine's candy we all used to share in grade school. They are hand dipped at Boston’s famous Dancing Deer Baking Company. Each pastel heart is stenciled with a romantic note: “Love U,” “Kiss Me,” “Be Mine” or “Flirt.” When ordered through Williams-Sonoma, they arrive in a wooden Shaker-style box tied with a red ribbon. Packaged individually, we think they would make adorable wedding favors. (BTW~ if you want the "real" conversation hearts, you will find them at Wedding Things.)

Speaking of cookies, Cutie Pie Cookie Co.  is another fun resource for custom favors. The delicious homemade vanilla sugar cookies can bear your own personal wedding mongram, a logo, or even a photo. (We prefer the monogram idea, but we'll leave that up to you:)

If you are a chocolate girl, Beaucoup's heart-shaped lollipops will make both you and your guests smile! Beaucoup offers these chocolate delights boxed in a clear case, each iced with your design and custom message – a great way to have your chocolate and eat it to!

Ono Gelato Company

Paia is a charming surf town on Maui's North Shore that is bustling with colorful characters and a laid-back island vibe. The brightly painted plantation style shops and cafés that line Baldwin Avenue offer an ecclectic assortment of styles and flavors for every personality. I was so happy to see that Ono Gelato Company opened its doors in the most convenient of locations last month at the intersection of Hana Highway and Baldwin Avenue. The café is super cute with crisp white walls and lime green benches ideal for people watching. And the gelato really is ono (delicious)! Be sure to try their nearly 30 unique Hawaiian flavors such as Maui Gold Pineapple, Lilikoi and Kula Strawberry. Their philosophy is one worth supporting, too: "We combine the fresh flavors of Hawaii with the traditions of Italy, to create a product that is all natural, organic, local, sustainable and ono!"  Yum!  xo Shaunna

Signature Style: The Wedding Monogram

   

Since the details of the day are often the things that your guests will remember, we knew you would appreciate a few resources to add a personal touch (or two!) to your wedding. How cute are these mint tins from Beaucoup with the retro graphics and great colors? We also discovered Dragonfly Cakes's delicate petit fours at Williams-Sonoma and instantly ordered them for our photo shoot in the new issue. WS is an excellent source for personalized items, like their elegant paper coasters in gold or silver. If you want to get even more detailed, visit ForYourParty.com, where you can customize everything from cocktail stir sticks to gift tags for your event. If you've had fun putting your stamp on all your wedding details, please share your ideas! We'd love to hear from you. (Photo above courtesy of Beaucoup; below courtesy of Williams-Sonoma.

White Wedding Confections

Brides have so many wonderful creative options to honor and indulge their guests. A candy buffet is a fun way to express your personal tastes (literally!) and we love the idea of using sweets to reiterate your color theme. The new Winter Spring edition of Pacific WEDDINGS will be on shelves by the end of December and we featured a scrumptious array of white wedding confections your guests will adore. For the story, Chef Michelle Nakaya of Ginniberries Catering in Honolulu created these pillowy meringue cookies topped with buttercream icing and white rock candy. For something truly simple, did you know m & m's offers their classic candies personalized in 22 beautiful colors? Present them in old-fashioned candy jars to add a bit of elegance. Melts in your mouth, not in your hand, right?

Couture Cakes

 

It is safe to say that every girl loves fashion. And even safer to say that every girl loves chocolate. The combination in the form of a wedding cake may elicit quite a frenzy amongst your wedding celebrants, particularly the style set. Why not have your cake designer interpret your favorite fashion label through fondant and edible pearls? When cake proprietor, Carmen Emerson-Bass flipped through the pages of Chanel by Harold Koda and Andrew Bolton, she found classic elements from the luxurious fashion house to inspire a couture cake for our Art + Design issue.

There is no greater iconographic brand than the House of Chanel and no more influential couturier than Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel herself. A glamourous persona, Coco Chanel is praised just as much for her unique and individual designs as she is for her meticulous handiwork and attention to detail. The same can be said about each one of Emerson-Bass’ wondrous creations!

Sugar Rush

While we're usually a generous group of office mates, our (mostly female) staff rushes to sign for any package bearing the classic Big Island Candies logo! We featured their white confections in the Winter/Spring 2008 issue of Pacific WEDDINGS™ (on newsstands in just a few weeks). The illustrious chocolatiers are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, and they have earned a reputation for their delicious candies and cookies made with Hawaii-grown macadamia nuts, Kona coffee, lots of fresh butter and scrumptious chocolate. Whether or not you are hosting your wedding in Hawaii, the elegant packaging and fabulous flavors of Big Island Candies makes them a tasteful wedding favor. You can visit the chocolate factory and gift shop in the sleepy town of Hilo, Hawaii, where the spirit of aloha still reigns. Make sure to ask about their custom packaging—they are happy to create a look especially for your wedding theme.

Let Them Eat Cake!

Our favorite publisher, Martha Stewart, lives up to her reputation as the arbiter of stylish entertaining with another beautiful book, Martha Stewart’s Wedding Cakes. Martha collaborated with Wendy Kromer, the master baker and designer who has been wowing us with her fabulous cakes in Martha Stewart Weddings for over a decade. Although the book is not scheduled for release until late December, we received a sneak peek at an advance copy and, as anticipated, it is simply stunning.

We loved the fresh presentations, including expert advice on everything cake-related, from selecting a color palette to deciding what style and flavors are right for you. Pages of gorgeous visual imagery will inspire you with creative ways to display your cake and elegant ideas for every wedding style. Martha and Wendy have also included ways to incorporate family traditions from around the world, and even tips for those adventurous enough to embark on creating their own wedding cake! Whether you are a bride or a devoted MSW fan, you'll want to add this title to your Christmas wish list!

Pineapple Panache!

 

Since the pineapple has long been a symbol of gracious hospitality, good cheer,
and family affection, what could be more fitting for a wedding theme? This fabulous cake was designed for Pacific WEDDINGS by Carmen Emerson-Bass of Cake Couture. Issue no. 12 contains dozens of wedding ideas celebrating the exotic, beloved fruit.

Whimsical invitations by Kinohi Designs are a fun way to announce your nuptials, but no matter what your style, you'll find the pineapple is a popular icon for wedding stationery.

We love these Limoges-style pineapple boxes. A tiny note of aloha can be tucked inside for guests to find at their place settings.

Floral designer Debbie Hemingway created this bouquet of green cymbidium orchids and ivory roses crowned with adorable miniature pinapples.

Hiring a wedding agency to pull all these details together is a must, especially if you're planning from a distance. The coordinators at White Orchid Wedding see things differently. Created nearly twenty years ago, White Orchid has grown to be Hawaii's award winning wedding agency. If you're dreaming of a Maui wedding, look no further.

A Lasting Impression
If you are interested in becoming an advertising partner for Love Notes, email us at weddings@pacificweddings.com.

Wedding Style: Endless Summer

Make Your Wedding the Beginning of an Endless Summer with a vintage-style wedding cake inspired by a 1950s painting from Hawaii. Featured in issue no. 5 of Pacific WEDDINGS, the unforgettable cake is bedecked with whimsical his-and-her surf toppers and fondant tiers iced to reflect the Pacific Ocean.

Look radiant on your wedding day with Evolution Surf's Microdermabrasion Scrub. The bamboo has a relaxing and hydrating effect that will leave your skin flawless. Although the line of surf-inspired products is more than you might expect to pay, this is one well worth it!

Since this day is mostly about the bride, shouldn't the groom look absolutely smashing? The sleek style of Oliver People's PS-815 aviator shades will get her attention.

Pretty in Pink! Your bridemaids will love it when you announce you're trading in your Manolo's for a pair of comfy handpainted slippers. Let's face it, by the end of the evening, you and your betrothed will likely be dancing barefoot without a fashion care in the world!