BeachBound2011

Here's what someone sent me. We picked Oahu because of the ease of transportation, it's a lot cheaper then Maui, and it had Pearl Harbor. We're going to honeymoon for 4 nights on the Big Island because we want to see the volcanoes. Here's a look at the primary islands and their major attractions: Hawaii Island Hawaii Island is commonly known as the Big Island for good reason. It's larger than all the other islands combined. But aside from Hilo (the county seat), Kailua-Kona (a popular visitor destination) and the luxurious resorts along the Kohala coast, it retains a rural flavor. Major Destinations on the Big Island: the Kona coast; Kailua-Kona; Hilo; Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, with two active volcanoes (Mauna Loa and Kilauea); Mauna Kea (the world's tallest mountain). Big Island Attractions: If you're into the outdoors, this is the place for you. Attractions include sandy beaches in shades of green, red and black; beautiful coral reefs; snorkeling; deep-sea fishing; gorgeous flowers, including most of the orchids for lei made in the state; cattle and horse ranches; horseback riding; mesmerizing landscapes; cascading waterfalls; golf; watersports; and hiking. Nightlife and shopping are limited. Kauai Kauai is the oldest and northernmost of the inhabited Hawaiian islands. Nature is its biggest draw. Major Destinations on Kauai Island: Waimea Canyon, Kokee State Park, Poipu, Lihue, Napali Coast, Princeville, Hanalei. Kauai Island Attractions: Mountains; valleys; waterfalls; spectacular beaches; hiking; fishing; golf; whale-watching; kayaking and sailing; bird-watching; ziplining; and snorkeling, surfing and other watersports. Shopping and nightlife are limited. Lanai The smallest of the main islands is quiet and uncrowded. It is almost completely owned by Castle & Cooke, the parent company of Dole Pineapple. But commercial pineapple production has stopped, and tourism is now the mainstay of the economy. Lanai Island Attractions: Sailing, fishing, golfing, ocean rafting, hunting and back-road exploring. Maui Maui is the second most-visited Hawaiian island, after Oahu. It is also the most expensive to visit. Lodging, meals, and activities seem to be more expensive on this island. But, to me, it is the most beautiful. However, you cannot avoid a car rental when visiting Maui as you can in Oahu. Major Destinations on Maui Island: Haleakala National Park, Hana, Ka'anapali, Kahului, Kihei, Lahaina, Wailea, Wailuku, Kapalua. Maui Island Attractions: Wonderful beaches; calm ocean bays; stunning mountain and volcano vistas; sugarcane fields; highland ranches; twisting mountain roads; whale-watching; golf; hiking; ziplining; sailing and other boat excursions; deep-sea fishing; and watersports such as snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, windsurfing and parasailing. Molokai This rural island is best suited for travelers who want to see the old Hawaii and unwind quietly. You will find seclusion on this island. Major Destinations on Molokai Island: Kaunakakai, Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Halawa Valley. Molokai Island Attractions: Isolated beaches, mountains, waterfalls, deep-sea fishing, history, hiking and relaxing. Oahu Oahu is the political, social, economic and population hub of Hawaii. It attracts the most visitors of all the Hawaiian islands. This island is much more commercialized than the other islands and has the largest airport. The transportation system in Oahu is such that you do not have to rent a car to get around. Major Destinations on Oahu Island: Downtown Honolulu, Waikiki, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, Hanauma Bay, the North Shore. Oahu Island Attractions: City life, including theater, opera, museums, shopping, nightclubs and fine dining; lush greenery; beautiful beaches; great historic sites; sailing; surfing, windsurfing, kayaking and other watersports; golf; and hiking. You certainly won't have trouble finding things to do in Hawaii; in fact, you may have trouble paring the list down to something manageable. There truly is something for everyone. I recommend that you decide which island best suits your vision of the ideal Hawaiian vacation and concentrate on it for your first visit. Most first time visitors who have limited time choose Oahu because of ease of transportation and it's not as expensive as Maui.

lol Tink, I told my Fi we're having practically the same wedding experience just a month apart! We're also going on Nahoku 2 after our girls/guys day! Only it'll be just the two of us. We wanted something to do without everyone else around so we can kinda focus on us right before the wedding.

Just an FYI Aikane is one of the only deep sea fishing places on Oahu that lets you keep your catch. That was a big thing for Fi. He was pretty upset when we read all catches are property of the boat. So, he did research to find that one. I really want to do Hula lessons, but what else? I found this that I'm strongly leaning towards. . .It's on the North Shore where I originally wanted the ceremony, but Fi vetoed: Kualoa Ranch BEAUTIFUL well, at least from the pictures and stories I've heard lol You can read here for a description of each of the tours listed. I think we're doing the hula lessons and the Ocean Voyaging tours: Half-Day Kualoa Experience (morning) Includes two 1-Hour Tours & Buffet Lunch: Your choice (2) of: Movie Sites & Ranch, Jungle Expedition, Ocean Voyaging, Secret Island (includes Ocean Voyaging Tour and counts as two 1-hour tours), Ancient Fishpond & Gardens, Legends & Legacy, and Hula Lessons. Also includes buffet lunch, discounts on additional same-day tour purchases and is an approximately 7-hour experience door to door from Waikīkī. ADULT $59.00 (plus 4.712% tax. Optional transport from & to Waikīkī, add $10.00 when booking) Child 3-12 $39.00 (plus 4.712% tax. Optional transport from & to Waikīkī, add $10.00 when booking) Child (2 and under, no activities) FREE!

Thank you! I LOVE plumerias - I can't wait to see what they look like with the dresses!

Here are my Natural Touch flowers from wedideas.com!! The first is my bouquet!! And the other is for my bridesmaids! I love them!!

We're using Aaron Bernard with Liquid Light Images for our June 9th wedding - he has been WONDERFUL to work with and our videographers were excited to learn they would be getting to work with him - they love him!!

I just saw this on WE today! What an amazing cause! I've been bummed about spending all this money on a dress and then it just sitting in a closet somewhere doing what?! Now it can actually help someone! And it's a charitable contribution on your taxes - what do you have to lose?! They have a show in my town later this fall, so I don't even have to ship it - everyone should check this out!

Oh that is beautiful! We ended up with Paradise Cove - it's the only thing he's really had an opinion about, so I let him decide. He loved having the ocean on one side and Diamond Head on the other. They are a little hard to work with though - very strict on time.

I'm using Flaunt for hair amd make-up - they do the air brush make-up! So, far they've been really great to work with: email back quickly, answers any questions. . .They were a recommendation from another bride here that used them and from her pictures (professional and not) her make-up looks great and she obviously had great things to say about working with them.

I think we're having the Art of Marriage read - atlcatlover posted the short version, but I we're going to do the long version. My two favorite lines are "it is never being too old to hold hands." and "It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner." "The Art Of Marriage" by Wilferd A. Peterson (longer version) Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. In the art of marriage the little things are the big things... It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through all the years. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humour. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding room for the things of the spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner. It is discovering what marriage can be, at its best.

We're staying on the North Shore (in 4 months and 3 days!!!!), getting married at Paradise Cove, and having the reception at Tiki's in Waikiki. I tried contacting beaches and backyards to cater our welcome dinner. They took forever to get back to me and their response was "We'll be on vacation during that time. Sorry." Not even a recommendation of who else we could use - really short and unprofessional I thought. But they came highly recommended to us. Ryan the owner of mobile bartending is wonderful! They will create a signature drink for your party, serve all the drinks, (alcohol or not). For wedding planners, we are using Tori with Hawaii Island Wedding Planners they have been amazing so far. They have an A+ with the BBB, so I would check out the one you want to use there first. I can't wait! Good luck!

Awesome! Thanks for the suggestion - I'll check it out!

I'm only inviting ladies that I have invited to the wedding. But we sent out invites to the whole family - boarding pass invites - and one of the passes had the AHR info on it. We figured most people won't show to the wedding in Hawaii, but Fi didn't like the idea of only inviting some people to the wedding and everyone to AHR. He said if we did it that way it looks like we're just asking for gifts.

The day before the wedding all the guys are going deep-sea fishing - super easy to plan. For our girls' day I'm having issues! I had found a wonderful "cultural" tour via boat, but they said they end in May and start back up in December - wedding is in June. It would have been perfect - hula lessons, lei making, Hawaiian food lunch buffet all in one place. Sadly, it's not to be. Beach day too boring, shopping blah, spa we can do any where and researching them most of those packages cost more then the rent of my last apartment! Although, my MOH and I want to do a lomi lomi massage before the wedding - any suggestions there would help too! Most of the ladies accompanying would not be into an adventure day or a water day. . .We could do the hula lessons at the Waikiki Plaza, but then what? That's only an hour. . .any ideas from ladies that have been there before? Like I need one more thing to plan for!!! HELP!

I've also had the same trouble finding koozies with a low enough min that it's worth it to buy. Also, I wanted water bottle koozies because we don't have a lot of drinkers with us and those who do. drink foo-foo drinks that don't come in a can. I found three sites that have no mins and have a variety of different types of koozies. They are a DIY project though. They are unsewn blanks. You just use a zig-zag stitch to sew up the sides after you're decorated them. I went with the first company because they are neoprene koozies (so is the second) and they had the neon pink I wanted (the second didn't). The third company is a little cheaper, but they are foam instead of neoprene which is really what I was looking for. The first company has prints available as well if you aren't much into DIY or are running out of time. Our wedding colors are watermelon and tangerine, so I ordered both colors. We have an embroidery machine, so we're going to put a shark on the orange ones and Oahu, Hawaii June 2011 and same wording but a hibiscus on the pink ones. I might have a cute saying on the other side "To have and to hold and keep my drink cold" It's so cheesy, but I love it. I'll let you know how they are when I get them in!! Neoprene fits 12 - 20 bottles $1.80/ea Neoprene fits 12 - 16 oz bottles $1.49/ea Foam fits 20 oz bottles $1.40 and down depending on quantity

Woo Hoo! Congrats!

You could do the orange calla and do a teal wrap and you'd have both colors - here's a pic to show what I mean

I love this song by Steven Curtis Chapman, but I can never get through it without bawling!! Fi tells me not to pick it, but it's so fitting. . . On YouTube Cinderella She spins and she sways To whatever song plays Without a care in the world And I'm sitting here wearing The weight of the world on my shoulders It's been a long day And there's still work to do She's pulling at me Saying "Dad, I need you There's a ball at the castle And I've been invited And I need to practice my dancing Oh, please, Daddy, please?" So I will dance with Cinderella While she is here in my arms 'Cause I know something the prince never knew Oh, I will dance with Cinderella I don't want to miss even one song 'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight And she'll be gone... She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed She wants to know if I approve of the dress She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away And I need to practice my dancing Oh, please, Daddy, please?" So I will dance with Cinderella While she is here in my arms 'Cause I know something the prince never knew Oh, I will dance with Cinderella I don't want to miss even one song 'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight And she'll be gone She will be gone Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand Just glowing and telling us all they had planned She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away But I need to practice my dancing Oh, please, Daddy, please?" So I will dance with Cinderella While she is here in my arms 'Cause I know something the prince never knew Oh, I will dance with Cinderella I don't want to miss even one song 'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight And she'll be gone

You got your's from the same company I'm using!! I'm even more excited now! I'm glad they came out so beautifully! I get my pics March 15 and they'll be shipped on the 20th! YEA!!

I was absolutely, under no circumstances doing FAKE flowers at my wedding. . .then I got quotes from various florists on the island!!! Sooo...I thought maybe I should at least consider it lol. Being scared as I was, though, I ordered samples from Wedideas in the different types of flowers I was considering - we could not believe the quality when we got them. No one believes me when I tell them they are fake flowers. I keep them in decorative vases on my counter! We placed out order with Wedideas last night. I got my bouquets, my MOH, BM, everyone's bout, and my mom's corsage. I added bling and fancy ribbons and it was all still cheaper then what Hawaii's florists were quoting me! The shipping from Florida (where they are) to Arizona was only $23 for everything. I cannot wait to get my rose and plumeria bouquet!!! I'm actually able to afford the flowers I want doing it this way!

I have always thought the photo booth idea is adorable for a casual reception, but there was no way we could justify spending that much after the wedding. God bless the creative DIYers that have come before me! I did a search for DIY photo booths on here and didn't see anything, so I thought I'd share this: http://offbeatbride.com/2010/08/diy-photo-booth The Offbeat Bride has a great tutorial on how to set this up and I found two other articles that give instructions on how to create a "booth" with PVC pipe and fabric. And I cannot believe it - my FI is totally excited! He looked at the plans and got ideas for his own little tweaks and can't wait to build it! http://sites.google.com/site/2dbride/photography/diy-photobooth http://paperandcake.blogspot.com/2010/11/before-after-photo-booth.html This etsy seller has a customizable PDF for 9.95 that are templates specifically for Photo booths: http://www.etsy.com/shop/paperandcake?ref=seller_info The photo booth software is $60, but all-in-all it's affordable and so much cheaper then hiring one! Hope you enjoy!!

My Fi and I are both teachers too, but luckily all our teacher friends that are going are in the same district as us, so we knew everyone's schedule! I would have loved to get married in October, but, oh welol, we don't get to pick our vacations, but at least we get summers off!

I read some place that Wal-Mart has a Hawaii tourist section that has the same stuff you can get any where in Hawaii, but much cheaper plus fresh bins of mac nuts, coffee, etc. So, I'm checking there when we get into town for our OOT bags. Our restaurant has these cute ceramic Tiki glasses that I'm getting for the reception favors - you may check with your reception site too.

We only having 25 people, but we're still having a 3 tier cake - the bottom one is styrofoam! I really liked the look of the 3 tier opposed to the 2.

This is the sketch of mine for my June 2011 wedding. She's also adding a sea turtle that will be peeking over the top coral.