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CHOOSING THE RIGHT VENUE

8/27/2021

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If you have a Glam Cowgirl vision like Rachel, of Vintage and Lace, choosing a venue like Kahua Ranch is PERFECT. She transformed the barn into a gorgeous lounge space while still keeping to her Paniolo vision. If she chose a beachfront venue with old Plantation charm, would she have been able to execute this particular vision? ABSO-EFFIN-LUTELY she's a very talented designer.  I think your budget could be better spent on really good food, amazing details and the best in entertainment, rather than trying to fit your vision to the venue.
Plus WHY??? Right?
We say choose an appropriately matched venue for your vision, and not the other way around. 
Hawaii Island has so many gorgeous venues, each with it's own "personality" 

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ANOTHER SHUT DOWN?

8/25/2021

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!!! NOT AGAIN !!!
My phone is ringing off the hook ya'll
Clients are concerned, and for good reason. Today the governor stopped all Oahu Weddings for the next 28 days. So far Hawaii Island remains open for weddings with professional mitigation. It's imperative coordinators submit a detailed plan with layout and details that ensure guest and vendor safety. As of today there has been only one indoor wedding associated with an outbreak on Oahu island. The report does not say how many people were affected. I cannot find any cluster linked to a Big Island Wedding. That gives me hope. 

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES WE ARE TAKING
NO dance floors 
(Unless you choose our NEW option)
Tables of 8 family members or less
A minimum of 6' between tables
(This is more complicated than it seems-trust me)
Provide signage and protocol for every area of your wedding 
(we offer a tastefully designed PPE packages that includes everything you need)
Allowing Cocktail and Dining styles that do not encourage congregation
We only work with vendors who are professionally trained and commit to our guidelines 
Requiring everyone, including guests to mask up
(YES, including fully vaccinated because unless you've been living under a rock, you know the fully vaccinated can be infected,  carry, and spread the virus)
 Temperature and symptom checks upon arrival for all
Additional measures are in place for our clients.

Contact us to learn more about how we can help keep you, guests and vendors safe.

Not every planner has the same plan. Consult your planner to see how he/she can help you navigate your wedding strategy.

*disclaimer-at any given time, the rules can change. This is not something we have control over.
Stay distanced, masked up and stay home if possible. 
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HOW I REFUSED TO BE BROKEN

8/15/2021

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Here we are 608 days post Pandemic shut down. Hawaii stopped in time on March 25, 2020. For professional eventiers, this was the catalyst that either shot them like a cannonball into another direction, or lit a raging fire that refused to die. I felt real, mind numbing, deafening, painful depression, for the first time in my life. Therapy is always a good idea,
but I am a stubborn soul and basically  
R E F U S E D
to give give up. With no choice but to meet our present need (ie. debt), I spent an insane amount of time researching, experimenting and working my a** off to make what we have BETTER, a still small voice kept saying "you already have what you need" TYJ.

WHAT I POSESSED
DETERMINATION
TENACITY
PURPOSE
SKILL
INVENTORY

WHAT I WAS LACKING 
FOCUS
Because I was paying attention to everything but my business 

FUNDS
Yah sure, we took advantage of the PPP, PPP2 and the EIDL. Who are we kidding....

DIRECTION
Where do I start?

Taking a step back to honestly audit my business was the first step. John and I spent many late nights talking about what we "wished" our business would look like if we could
"live our best life"


We wanted to be AUTHENTIC 
Not to be moved to act/change because its what others needed/wanted. Being authentic means you don't have to compromise your worth, your vision or desire for your business
to stay in business
Solution: Do it our way, in a good way. It might not be what everyone wants, but it WILL be right for the right client

We wanted to offer something DIFFERENT
Unfortunately different is short lived and anything successful will be repeated.
We chose the be the success, that others followed
Solution: Don't look backwards, because we're not there

We wanted to HAVE REACH
Not just to be reached by the public, but to reach our ideal client
But advertising is expensive.
Solution: Up our promotion game and really put ourselves out there with honest information

We wanted to be VALUED
We were the first to do that and now it's being marketed as someone else's design. 
Well Sh**!
Solution: Don't compromise our integrity to "get the business. Clients will see us"  
​
We wanted to be HAPPY
Such a simple concept, yet so ridiculously difficult to achieve in this business
Solution: If we are not representing our true self in our business, we will be chasing the proverbial carrot for the rest of our lives. Time to do what we love, not just act like we love what they want. 

Maybe you're not quite there. Business is very personal, it's not just a way to make money. Preventing business burn out is simply doing what you love, not pretending to love what you do. Re-invent yourself and your business regularly. Attract the right people and happiness will follow.

I'm happy today
And I love my clients

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ECO CONSCIOUS

5/6/2021

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What is ECO CONSCIOUS?
When we think of the term Eco conscious, we think little to no harm to the environment. With over 95% of our inventory falling into the "re-use" category we already minimize the impact on island wedding waste in general.
Wedding waste is a phenomenon that has plagued the industry for decades. It's really tough to get around, because of all the last minute "fixes" and "things" you need but will ultimately, never use again so it makes it's way into the landfill, eventually.

How can YOU change that or at least minimize your contribution to the waste?

LIMIT USELESS FAVORS
  • YES, I said it. No one can use a teaspoon of coffee, so give BIG or don't give at all. 100% Kona is best.
  • Magnets are for soccer moms and ME!!!!! Most of your guests will toss them or "forget" them in the hotel room for the housekeeper, who's a soccer mom.
  • Succulents SUCK. . . No they don't . . . but really, who's going to replant them and care for them or schlep them all the way home and reuse the pot it came in. N O  O N E, unless they're ME. I'm an avid succulent collector/fan. 
  • Key chains are personal. I know, I personally, would never use a fake key as a key chain
LIGHITNG
  • Our mood creating Up Lights and Fairy Lights are all available in an LED option, which inherently consume much less than it's conventional counterpart.
  • Be sure you work with experts that can guide you through the color correction and soft lighting options that are available in this arena. 
FLOWERS
  • Beautiful blooms are seldom reused and I'll tell you why. The couple, their bridal party and all their helpers are hella tired and possibly hung over the next day. Everything that can be trashed...will be. I honestly can't blame them. This was the night they've all waited for, for so long. 
  • How can we change that? Contact other wedding or event planners, churches, restaurants, heck...anyone who you think could benefit from coming to your venue to pick up the used (but still gorgeous) flowers and make those arrangements ahead of time. Get a point of contact name and number and arrange for a back up because you never know what the business is dealing with on the day of pick up and picking up freebies is a LOW priority. 
  • Also ask the venue if the next event coming in might want to re-purpose them. It happened just once in my 24 year career, but let me tell you how lush the following event was with all the extra stuff. I mean wow and they accomplished it for FREE!
PROPS
  • Let's talk about an experience early in our career. A set designer had built an elaborate $30K stage set and had planned to THROW IT IN THE DUMPSTER, when someone suggested they call us. We picked it up at 2:00 A M and it sits on our farm as a re-purposed chicken barn. That was the mother load of free wood y'all and free is my favorite price to pay.
  • Farmers, craftsmen/women, other designers, kids...there's lots of folks out there waiting for opportunities like this, give em a call 
TABLEWARE
  • Renting is typically the same price as "nice" compostables. There are key dos and don'ts when going this route so be fore to use a good planner to advise you. Call us man . . . WE can do that as well as supply an amazing tablescape. 
LINENS
  • We offer some beautiful linenless furniture options, including dining tables, cocktail tables, cake tables and more.
TRANSPORTATION
  • Ride shares baby! A.k.a. carpooling. We this this is a great way to get to and from an event, but we STRONGLY recommend shuttle services so no one drives under the influence. 
PHOTO AND VIDEO
  • These vendors are eco warriors, because for years now have been mostly digital

We can help reduce your wedding footprint in many more ways. Give us a call today!
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CHARGER OR NO CHARGER

9/4/2020

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Weighing your options:
  1. Cost
  2. Design
  3. Long Lasting impression
​First let's address COST. The factor that comes to mind, is the cost for rental and set up, but you should also know that there may be additional cost on your caterer's tab. Their staff will have to remove and handle those delicate show plates. COST isn't just the take away, it's a hard ADD to your overall design. The question is, how valuable is that detail to YOU.

Next up is DESIGN. From a design perspective, I'm all about the WHOLE look. Details are important to me because it completes the thought, so to speak. The charger also anchors the napkin and other touches that would take on a whole different effect without a charger plate.

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LONG LASTING IMPRESSION. I develop a relationship with my couples so staying in touch is natural. I can't tell you how many have expressed that they "wished they added a charger". Small detail, big impact. You'll look back on those images for years to come, don't regret your savings. ​​
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YOU CAN DO THIS, WE CAN HELP!

2/9/2017

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How hiring a wedding coach takes you from DIY to DIWOW...
You're organized, you're an excellent planner.
No one can grasp your needs, desires or style like YOU can!
Your family and friends can provide all the support you need on your special day, 
and we know the venues, the power situation, and vendors.

T h i s    i s   a   r e c i p e   f o r   s u c c e s s 

Allan didn't have the budget to wow his new wife for her birthday, like he did for his recent wedding.   So instead of hiring a planner, as he did for the big day (who was fabulous by the way!), he called us and said "what can you do with my budget"? I need linens, chair covers, napkins, flowers, and design. Anne's YAKUDOSHI required lots of good fortune. 
Knowing that red is the color of good health, vitality and long life in Japanese culture, we used that as the base for this design. Family members offered gifts in the form of "good luck" favors for each guest
How can we turn your thoughts into triumph?
Call us to find out!
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PLAN B

11/21/2016

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Switching gears because weather is imminent,  will already test your limits. The last thing you should be doing is designing a plan b, hours before the start of your event. 
How should you plan for weather related changes?  Think shelter, food service, and flow. 
Our professional planners will ensure transitions, such as these, are carefully curated.
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GETTING WHAT YOU WANT, EVEN WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS

8/28/2016

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We work with some genuinely powerful women, who know what they want. I am constantly amazed by their depth and thoughtful design ideas. Sometimes we work with brides who aren't able,  who for whatever reason,  can't to speak up and voice their opinions or can't envision the two very different styles and color palettes blending. The worst thing that can happen, is a bride isn't heard and is disappointed on her wedding day. I think this is sadder than a cat with no meow.

Rely on these tips to ensure success.
01.
  Hire a professional who is an expert in reading people and can recognize when a bride seems unfulfilled 
​
02. #1 really is the only solutions. A professional will help you navigate all of it                                               
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© Copyright  2009  All Rights Reserved.   ​|   ​Proudly serving Hawaii Island Since 1997​
Gorgeous shots seen on this website were provided by some very talented photographers, Mark Hinwood,  Cameron & Athena, Toby Hoogs, Fletch Photography, Rebecca Arthurs, ​James Rubio, Piko Piko Photography, Karen Louden, Bob Brown, David O Baldwin, Bikini Birdie, Jose Villa, Techy 3, Couple Cups, Julie Harmsen, Chelsea Abril, Sunlight Studios and more. We retain the right of ownership of the works contained therein. Photos of such, may not be reproduced without our express, written consent. Photos taken from this or any of our other websites, blogs or social media, and/or email is strictly prohibited.

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Why is membership important to our customers

The rental industry is an ever changing entity and we need to stay at the forefront of best practices and trends to ensure we are offering you the best there is. An ARA membership means a company is a trusted professional in their field. On the day of your event you want to be assured that you hired professionals worthy of membership.


​Proudly serving Hawaii for 24 years ​and counting

  • GALLERIE
    • REAL WEDDINGS + EVENTS
    • STYLED SHOOTS + EDITORIALS
    • COLOR OF THE YEAR >
      • PANTONE 2020
      • PANTONE 2019
  • WHO WE ARE
  • WHAT WE DO
    • F.A.Q.
    • L♡VE LETTERS
  • CONTACT
    • WEDDING OR EVENT
    • STYLED SHOOT
    • DONATION REQUEST
  • BLOG
  • MY ACCOUNT
    • PRO
    • MARY
    • ADMIN
    • CAREERS >
      • APPLY