It's all the rage to be a wedding planner.
Beware the unskilled, unlicensed, uninsured "planner" who has a few successes under her belt. She may be seem confident or even trustworthy. 
Building an online presence is critical to the success of an event service provider.
But how far will some planners go to get the "EDGE" above the competition?
Here are some helpful tips when shopping for the right professionals...

Although the Kohala Coast resort area gets around 17 inches of rain per year {56% less than the national average & 72% less than the Hawaii average} it is something you MUST consider when planning your outdoor wedding.
There is nothing worse than being unprepared. 
Pro Tips:
If you are planning a DIY  wedding, first on your checklist, after finding your perfect venue, is finding your next perfect venue...in case of bad weather of course.

• How will you tell your guests about the move?
• What if you have over 300 people coming?  
• How will the alternate locale look? Can you re-create the same look as the original site? 
• Is there a separate plan for wind vs. rain?
• Is delivery different and will it cost more?
• What if, God forbid, it's a hurricane and you HAVE to re-schedule or cancel? What does your vendors' policy state? 

Having a planner is one of the wisest investments you can make for your wedding. This is also the most risky. Pick the wrong one and you could end up with a lot of regret, or worse... spending half the night "noticing" the lack.
Hawaii Island Events has the perfect solution for you. 

What goes  IN to your event is what you get out of it.

Event service providers are springing up everywhere these days. How do you know what or who is right for you? This is where doing your due diligence is key. It IS a lot of work but you'll be thankful you did it.
Anyone can look good on paper (regardless of the atrocious spelling and deplorable grammar...sorry a pet peeve of mine), their reviews can even be glowing, but are they prepared and armed with a good plan, insured against mishaps or even seasoned enough to be a good source of knowledge? 

-How long have they been in business?
This should not be the deciding factor, as there are some vendors who are the      
epitome of professionalism and have only just opened their doors. While the
other side of the pendulum is a polar opposite.
-Insured?
This IS the deal breaker. You'll want to be certain the business you use, is insured,          but even more importantly is their staff or sub-contractors insured? Putting up              lights is not just a plug and play responsibility. YOU could be faced with a major 
liability if something goes wrong.
Most venues don't permit uninsured vendors on site. To discover the day of your           event that you have hired an uninsured vendor, and they won't be given access to         your site  is already too late to do anything about it.
-Familiar with venues?
 Knowing the power need and areas that require special attention or preparation, is      vital to the health of your event. It's not in your best interest to hire a vendor with a      just wing it attitude.
-Are they educated/experienced?
 There is more than one way to skin a cat, so to speak. While traditional education        means going to school, there are other ways of learning and perfecting a trade. Pay    close attention to the continuing efforts of the vendor.

• Do they know it all or seem jaded? .
• Do you suspect they may be exaggerating their capabilities or                     experience? Don't be    shy...ask for proof
• Can they produce certificates or evidence of said education?

-Bad Reviews?
Any business who's been around long enough, has had their fair share of bad reviews. In my best Abe Lincoln voice "You can please some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time". THEN there is the time when a business really DID mess up. YES it happens to the best...ALL of them. No single business is immune. The question here, would be how did they handle it. 

​Ask the tough questions, your event (although kind of cliche) is a once in a lifetime event. You don't have the luxury of lessons learned. Paying close attention from the get go will help you find and TRUST the right professionals for you. 

Because no one can say it better than Country Living Magazine
10 Things Wedding Guests Absolutely Hate
​

No doubt you've heard it by now, The 2016 Pantone colors of the year is, Rose Quartz (Blush) and Serenity. Okay...we hear the moans and groans. 
Blush is THAT color. Brides from all walks of life are drawn to it's subtle hint of pink. As a blanket color or an accent, blush is here it stay.
Personally I adore it! Thank you Pantone! 
Your planner, no matter how turned off they are by a particular color or style, will embrace your choices. This applies to any color or design choice. Don't be swayed! If you love it, it's timeless. Your planner's job is to take your likes and dislikes, wish list and budget and pull it together, so when you look at the finished project, you can say, that's better than I dreamed it would be.
Blush is an easy color to incorporate.
​Virtually any palette is complimented by adding it. 

One shouldn't have to over indulge in alcohol to have a good time at a wedding. 
Let's face it, after the grand entrance, speeches (that's a whole other discussion), food, and a bit of mingling, the party could fizzle out. Let's explore the turn it up factor!

• Music and Dancing

Ceremony music is all about the promenade, then you have cocktails and dinner music. A great DJ, for the dance portion, is a perfect way to shift gears. Consider compiling a play list that invokes memories you created with your special guests. There's something about a special song that gets those tender feelings flowing. Be sensitive of the type of music. Not everyone will appreciate your love for Ozzy. 

• Self Serve Fun

You can be entertaining without DOING all the entertaining. 
Lawn Games, DIY Photo Booth, Photo Cut Out Stations, Wedding Scavenger Hunt....Be creative and reminiscent. What was fun to YOU? Incorporate silly, fun things your guests will never expect and be excited to participate in. It IS a party.

• Location

You love the barn in the mountains, and have always dreamed of getting married there, but picture this...
Your guests arrive to frigid temperatures and sheeting rain that is common to the area, but not so common for your guests. If not prepared, they could get soaked or shiver all night long. Worse yet, leave early if it becomes intolerable. There are a few precautions you could take to prevent this from happening, like umbrellas, pashminas, shelter and more. The down side to that is the added cost.
Or even a more bearable location.

• Permitting Issues

Look into the restrictions BEFORE you book. Some venues don't permit alcohol, or may have require you purchase it in house.

• Parking

​Parking that is more than a saunter is discouraging. There are simple solutions and some not so simple solutions. Bussing, Drop off points, valet and ride sharing to name a few.

• More than One Location

How many times do your guests want to get in and out of their cars? 

Don't forget the little guys. Parents tent to leave early when the fussing begins. Give them something to do that's all their own or something parents can participate in. Some top picks from the self serve fun above are a great problem solver.

• Kids tables and chairs. A great addition for more intimate gatherings. People tent to know each other and don't mind seating their kids a separate table, just for them
• Create an activity or adventure both at the table and throughout the venue. Scavenger hunts are making a comeback. Think of a theme that embodies your style but adds a touch of fun.
• Special Place Settings. How about a printed place mat with oodles of doddles, crayons or pens. Kids are busy creatures.  

Favors
     Our momma's and momma's friends all had them. We fondly remember opening the sweet little treats, as if they were our own personal gifts. The trend seems to be making a comeback in the form of homemade and organic.  This translates into costly.  "Gifting" your guests, is not just an added expense, it is an added chore. Don't get us wrong, we ADORE favors, done tastefully and of course if the budget allows.

Unnecessary Decor
       How many candles and little trinkets do you really need on the tables to  make it really pretty and uniquely yours? Surprisingly not as much as you're told... or should I say...up sold? 

RSVP Cards
       Include a phone number, email or evite. Designate someone from your bridal party or your planner to receive the electronic rsvps and calls. The paper trail is not necessarily worth the additional cost. Especially since we have all this technology at our fingertips.

Save The Dates
       Ditto on the evites for this one.

Menus
       A nice touch in lieu, would be to have the chef give you a quick table side presentation on his wonderful meal. It's interactive and may cost you a lot less than the printed pretties. 
       If you DO have the means to add this to your wedding collection

Programs
        Let it flow! Personally, I don't like programs. Your guests could become anxious with with expectation if something is out of order or not on time. You could become a slave to a script that almost never goes off without a hitch. 

Rehearsal Lunch/Dinner
         Sure you need practice, we understand. A big hoopla is not the way to go. Spend the money on your big day. Your wedding party and compulsory staff need be present. 
          Keep it informal. Hit a trendy sandwich shop and go Dutch. Even if you want to pay for everyone, it still won't cost you as much as another event. 

Venue
        Get the right size space. Don't go big and then struggle to make it intimate. Sure you LOVE that one location and have always dreamed of having your wedding there, but with a smaller guest list it will put a strain on the budget and force you to add decor items and details you wouldn't need with the right size venue

Signature Drinks
        His and Her special cocktails are the rage. A good chocolate martini is not only expensive but doesn't go a long way. I'm salivating just thinking about it! If I were at your wedding, you could pay me over $200 to drink up all that Godiva chocolate, multiply that by 50-60 people. Ouch. 

Small Cake-Big Dessert Table
         Not so new idea, great savings. With a smaller cake you can opt for a prettier design without the price tag. Your caterer usually has a dessert selection your guests will love. Cupcakes are also a nice alternative to cake slices.

Well, yes...AND No.

Not to sound cliche, but every bride is different. You may need a one on one relationship or prefer a less intimate group setting. Whatever gets the job done is always BEST. Let's see how they stack up...

The Team