Hair and Makeup
Bev Kaneshige (Hair and Makeup by Bev) A++ -
She did so amazing, I absolutely loved my makeup and hair and she made me feel so beautiful! DH was so amazed after my trial and said something like “wow I’m so lucky I get to marry you” when he first saw me. Not only is she such a sweetheart and so calming, she’s fast and so good at what she does! I had my trial run on the day we flew in, I got stuck in so much traffic (damn Honolulu highways!) and drove in circles for a bit on king st so I ended up like 40 minutes late or something ridiculous! I felt awful but she was so nice about it. I told her to cut my appt short if necessary but she did her thing and went full out. I showed her a couple photos and she got it right away. I lovedmy fake eyelashes and the airbrush makeup was flawless, so light and pretty. She gave me a full size lipgloss, two face blotting packets and a powder puff thingy. She was very quick to respond to my emails and her pricing is fair. Not to mention her bio had great testimonials that were obviously real.
She did so amazing, I absolutely loved my makeup and hair and she made me feel so beautiful! DH was so amazed after my trial and said something like “wow I’m so lucky I get to marry you” when he first saw me. Not only is she such a sweetheart and so calming, she’s fast and so good at what she does! I had my trial run on the day we flew in, I got stuck in so much traffic (damn Honolulu highways!) and drove in circles for a bit on king st so I ended up like 40 minutes late or something ridiculous! I felt awful but she was so nice about it. I told her to cut my appt short if necessary but she did her thing and went full out. I showed her a couple photos and she got it right away. I lovedmy fake eyelashes and the airbrush makeup was flawless, so light and pretty. She gave me a full size lipgloss, two face blotting packets and a powder puff thingy. She was very quick to respond to my emails and her pricing is fair. Not to mention her bio had great testimonials that were obviously real.
Ceremony Officiant
Kahu Bruce – A++
[email protected]
I’m SO glad we booked him as our officiant. Our wedding was so special and touching thanks to him, he was professional, so well rehearsed and a pro at making the ceremony go smoothly. So many of our guests (especially my mom) told him and us how much they loved what he did. We had our initial meeting at the dept of health in Honolulu, where he helped us with the paperwork then we sat down to go over the ceremony. He gave us some words of wisdom and it was so moving it made me cry (embarrassing!) He encouraged us to add our own vows in but we were both too chicken. He included hawaiian touches throughout the ceremony and it wasn't overly religious or awkward in the least, more spiritual. Our ceremony was perfect.
I’m SO glad we booked him as our officiant. Our wedding was so special and touching thanks to him, he was professional, so well rehearsed and a pro at making the ceremony go smoothly. So many of our guests (especially my mom) told him and us how much they loved what he did. We had our initial meeting at the dept of health in Honolulu, where he helped us with the paperwork then we sat down to go over the ceremony. He gave us some words of wisdom and it was so moving it made me cry (embarrassing!) He encouraged us to add our own vows in but we were both too chicken. He included hawaiian touches throughout the ceremony and it wasn't overly religious or awkward in the least, more spiritual. Our ceremony was perfect.
Party Rentals
Royal Party Rentals- A. www.RoyalPartyRentals.com
After emailing multiple companies and being disappointed in the lack of response and vague replies, I found Royal Party Rentals and was so pleasantly surprised, they (Charlotte) replied quickly with a very professional quote and continued to respond to my emails with questions I had. That reason alone was enough for me to hire them, not to mention their prices are comparable to the other rental companies. I loved my bamboo arch, the plates and dishes were exactly what we wanted and the tables and chairs were as expected. The delivery guys arrived on time and everyone was very helpful.
After emailing multiple companies and being disappointed in the lack of response and vague replies, I found Royal Party Rentals and was so pleasantly surprised, they (Charlotte) replied quickly with a very professional quote and continued to respond to my emails with questions I had. That reason alone was enough for me to hire them, not to mention their prices are comparable to the other rental companies. I loved my bamboo arch, the plates and dishes were exactly what we wanted and the tables and chairs were as expected. The delivery guys arrived on time and everyone was very helpful.
Catering
Taniokas - A. www.taniokas.com
After dealing with one pretty frustrating company I was thrilled when I found good reviews for Tanioka's, not to mention their prices and menu were perfect! I didn't have the luxury of emailing them but did make arrangements over the phone with Sherry who was So sweet and helpful. We went with their oriental menu and added haupia. Our family friend picked up all the food and we had a buffet style dinner. All of our guests ate the food (no leftovers!) and said they enjoyed it, I think their prices are a total steal too!
After dealing with one pretty frustrating company I was thrilled when I found good reviews for Tanioka's, not to mention their prices and menu were perfect! I didn't have the luxury of emailing them but did make arrangements over the phone with Sherry who was So sweet and helpful. We went with their oriental menu and added haupia. Our family friend picked up all the food and we had a buffet style dinner. All of our guests ate the food (no leftovers!) and said they enjoyed it, I think their prices are a total steal too!
Cake
Cake Works - A. www.cakeworks.org
They made us a two tier round buttercream cake. Our bottom layer was chocolate with ganache and the top tier was mocha macadamia nut. It was white with green orchids cascading down the sides. Debra was been super responsive and easy to work with. Her email replies are thorough and they worked with our budget. This was a vendor I booked within the last 2 months, so I was a little worried but it was breeze thankfully! The cake was enjoyed by all and looked great, it arrived on time and they set it up effortlessly. We had 3 days to return the cake stand which worked out well.
They made us a two tier round buttercream cake. Our bottom layer was chocolate with ganache and the top tier was mocha macadamia nut. It was white with green orchids cascading down the sides. Debra was been super responsive and easy to work with. Her email replies are thorough and they worked with our budget. This was a vendor I booked within the last 2 months, so I was a little worried but it was breeze thankfully! The cake was enjoyed by all and looked great, it arrived on time and they set it up effortlessly. We had 3 days to return the cake stand which worked out well.
Rehearsal Dinner
Tiki's grill - A
We had our rehearsal dinner at the outside lanai of and bar. They were really helpful and provided additional photos of the space for us. Also, friday nights at 7:45 a hotel down the road had a fireworks show that we were able to enjoy during dinner! The atmosphere was a bit too loud for me and I wasn't able to make a speech or hear what our guests seated across the table were saying easily. The food was good, they let us bring home all of the leftovers and the staff was very attentive.
We had our rehearsal dinner at the outside lanai of and bar. They were really helpful and provided additional photos of the space for us. Also, friday nights at 7:45 a hotel down the road had a fireworks show that we were able to enjoy during dinner! The atmosphere was a bit too loud for me and I wasn't able to make a speech or hear what our guests seated across the table were saying easily. The food was good, they let us bring home all of the leftovers and the staff was very attentive.
Lei's
Cindy's Lei shoppe - A+
DH took care of ordering all of the leis a few weeks prior (9 lei's total) and he picked them up in Chinatown for us. He didn’t like driving down there but the lei’s were fresh, smelled great and were exactly as pictured. They even gave us a bag of fresh flower petals for free!
DH took care of ordering all of the leis a few weeks prior (9 lei's total) and he picked them up in Chinatown for us. He didn’t like driving down there but the lei’s were fresh, smelled great and were exactly as pictured. They even gave us a bag of fresh flower petals for free!
Flowers
Beretania Florist - A www.beretaniaflorist.com
My mother in law bought my bouquet flowers the day of the wedding at Beretania Florist in Honolulu. I wasn't picky and just asked for anything pink, green and pretty. They were affordable and looked great. Since my bridesmaids carried parasols we didn't have to buy flowers for them to carry. My bridesmaid put my bouquet together and our centerpieces were done by a local lady that our family friend knew.
My mother in law bought my bouquet flowers the day of the wedding at Beretania Florist in Honolulu. I wasn't picky and just asked for anything pink, green and pretty. They were affordable and looked great. Since my bridesmaids carried parasols we didn't have to buy flowers for them to carry. My bridesmaid put my bouquet together and our centerpieces were done by a local lady that our family friend knew.
Audio System
Custom Audio – A. Custom Audio.
DH took care of this as well, he got a little lost finding their warehouse but it was nice that it was nearby in Kaneohe. They didn’t really have a record of our reservation for the speaker system, but it was no big deal, they had it available. It was a pretty good deal for about $75. The sound was loud and clear and the ipod worked with it effortlessly. It was so loud in fact, we had the cops get called on us! (haha – it wasn’t that bad though, they were pretty cool and congratulated DH when he went outside to talk to them)
DH took care of this as well, he got a little lost finding their warehouse but it was nice that it was nearby in Kaneohe. They didn’t really have a record of our reservation for the speaker system, but it was no big deal, they had it available. It was a pretty good deal for about $75. The sound was loud and clear and the ipod worked with it effortlessly. It was so loud in fact, we had the cops get called on us! (haha – it wasn’t that bad though, they were pretty cool and congratulated DH when he went outside to talk to them)
Alcohol & Photography
We bought all of our beer, soda, water and liquor at the Waipahu Costco. Our friend from WA came with us and did all of the photography.