Event Essentials Hawaii

Pacific Aisles is thrilled that sister company, Event Essentials Hawaii, has finally launched their much anticipated website showcasing the beautiful specialty decor rentals available for weddings and events. We are enamored with their outdoor lounges, and we can always find something for every event from their stylish and unique inventory!

Danielle + Arash: Lanikuhonua, Oahu

It's amazing sometimes, what brings couples together, especially when they reside in different cities, on opposite sides of the continent. That was the case for Danielle and Arash, both waiting for a delayed flight that would unexpectedly have them chatting to pass the time away. When their flight was finally ready to board, it was a sure sign when Danielle gave up her First Class seat to sit with Arash, who was traveling in Coach, to continue the conversation they had started hours before... and the rest is history!

So it would only seem fitting that these two would jump on a plane and fly to the Hawaiian Islands for an intimate celebration. Their request list was simple and read:

Gorgeous oceanfront venue

Heartfelt and meaningful ceremony

Authentic Hawaiian slack key entertainment

Amazing photography

Perfect sunset views

Private oceanside table, set for two

Island inspired gourmet dinner

In Arash's own words, they wanted a wedding that was perfectly simple and simply perfect.

It was truly an evening that was perfectly simple and simply perfect.

Congratulations, Danielle & Arash!

Images Courtesy Visionari

Mike + Jessica: Lanikuhonua, Oahu

As wedding plans started taking shape via hundreds of emails and phone calls, just hearing California couple, Mike and Jessica, interact with each other, even from a distance, were amazing lessons in love.

I think that's why i was extra excited to witness their wedding day unfold into an inspiring, intimate and heartwarming celebration that was truly focused on friendship, family and love. And what a beautiful thing that is to witness.

(witness it here)

Congratulations m*hearts*j! I can't wait to hear all about the honeymoon!

Betty + Kent: Save the Date!

I just adore the cover photo of this Save the Date postcard that Pacific Aisles couple, Betty and Kent, created for their upcoming Big Island wedding in September. I know this event (and working with Betty to plan it) will be a smashing good time!

Pacific Bride Guide

It's official! I promised I would spread the word as soon as one of our very own here at Pacific Aisles, Tara DePonte, officially launched the Pacific Bride Guide, a wedding planning resource guide for the Pacific islands of Hawaii AND New Zealand.

This has been a longtime dream for Tara, so i was excited when Tara finally made the official announcement today that her website is in living color! The site will continue to be supported by her daily blog posts which I love to read over a good cup of morning brew, and we can't wait for the official launch party!

You'll see many of our real wedding photos laced throughout this fun and informative website and I think you will enjoy every yummy bit of it!

Congrats Tara!

Hayley + Ben: The Menu

While typically a wine and beverage menu pairing would follow a well laid out menu, for this destination Lanai wedding couple, the wine and beverages that would be served as their guests dined alfresco were equally important. So... the menu, with each course's perfect pairings, had to be designed hand in hand.

To create the perfect 9-course tasting menu, reminiscent of Hayley and Ben's all time favorite Chicago Restaurant, Charlie Trotter's, we first teamed up with local wine expert, Alan Jahns, to create a wine and beverage profile for the couple to help create a menu that would well suit their tastes. Once the menu was established, we set to work pairing the perfect champagnes, sake and wine for guests to enjoy with each and every course served. And what resulted was an amazing epicurean experience for the newlyweds and their guests for this intimate wedding at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay.

Amuse Bouche

Chef's Whim

Paired with Louis Roederer Champagne, "Cristal" Brut 1999

Lemongrass and Ginger Seared Diver Scallops

with Lana'i mango vinaigrette, micro basil, and island sweet potato chips

Paired with Ginga Shizuku Sake, "Divine Droplets", Junmai Daiginjo

Butternut Squash Soup

with Tahitian vanilla foam

Paired with Monchhof Estate Riesling, "Mosel Slate" Spatlese 2005

Cheese

-Truffled Brie Canape Served in Tuile Cup with spiced apples, maple syrup and micro celery shoots

-Gruyere "fondue" with french bread and dried cranberries

-Herbed Big Island Goat Cheese stack with crispy parmesan, heirloom tomatoes and micro arugula, 100 year balsamico

Paired with Bonaccorsi Wine Compay Syrah, "Larner Vineyards" 2003

Thyme-Olive Oil Roasted Squash

with Edamame succotash, roasted shallot, pinot noir reduction, smoked paprika oil

Paired with Bergstrom Winery Point Noir, "Cumberland Reserve" 2005

Intermezzo

Lilikoi-lime Sorbet

Lobster Risotto "Il Carnaroli"

with Lobster Nage, mascarpone, green pea shoots

Paired with Dumol Chardonnay, "Russian River" 2004

Fire Roasted Filet Mignon

with Big Island "Ali'i" Oyster Mushrooms, Truffle-Whipped Yukon Potatoes and Cabernet Sauce

Paired with Veraison Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, "Stagecoach Vineyard" 2002

Trio of Creme Brulee

-Grand Marnier Creme Brulee

-Hawaiian Lavender Creme Brulee

-Lemon-grass Ginger Creme Brulee

Paired with Gunderloch Nackenheim Rothenberg Riesling Eiswein, "Beerenauslese" 2004

Images courtesy Beverly Hills Wedding Photographers Joe Buissink + Kevin Lubera

The Hawaii Statehood Stamp

We can hardly wait for the US Postal Service to release the much anticipated 2009 Hawaii Statehood Stamp, which is slated to be available for purchase SOMETIME this summer. In fact, it seems that ALL of our destination Hawaii brides tying the knot towards the tail end of 2009 are clamoring for this bit of history.

What a perfect way to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the 50th State, AND send off those fun Save The Dates or Wedding Invitations, SWAK!

Uncommon Envelope

Yes, blog posts these days for Pacific Aisles have been few and far between, but we are so excited to be soooo busy with all the wonderful couples we're blessed to be working with!

BUT we just had to find the time to share recent BIG news from our uncommon friends over at Uncommon Envelope. This Seattle based boutique stationery design firm recently relaunched their and improved website and blog, AND announced the opening of their etsy shop featuring uncommonly exhilarating everyday stationery.

We not only LOVE their newest retail designs, (their HELLO Collection is a fave!) we LOVE that they are eco-friendly, using 100% cotton tree-free paper, soy based inks, man-powered letterpress printing and biodegradable packaging.

Maggie has always served as an amazing source of design inspiration for our weddings, and is a dream to work with when it comes to designing details that will no doubt enhance any event. Her gorgeous custom wedding stationery designs can be seen threaded throughout the real weddings featured on our website!

Congratulations Maggie!

Celeste + Alfonso: Moana Mele, Kauai

I love that i'm finding myself on the gorgeous island of Kauai for more and more weddings these days, as it seems by the time i finally unpack all supplies i'm checking off my packing list to prep for yet another Kauai wedding!

We were honored to help Los Angeles couple Celeste and Alfonso plan their Kauai nuptials this past August, with a small ceremony at Saint Sylvestor's Catholic Church in Kilauea, and a simple and intimate reception nearby at yet another gorgeous North Shore private estate on a bluff overlooking the ocean.

A tent was set with glowing white paper lanterns and four simple but stunning candle lit tables, which wrapped the dance floor to create a cozy and intimate setting. Dynamic design duo Casey and Dode of Martin Roberts Design did a fabulous job tying in Celeste's love for modern/clean design, her passion for Cymbidium, Phalaenopsis and Mokara orchids, and our color palette of clean whites with splashes of amethyst and lilac. Celeste's bouquet was drop dead stunning!

Besides flawless execution for every moment of the day from behind the scenes, my biggest task for this mellow crowd was to make sure that everyone had a margarita in hand (or the groom's favorite POG garnished with pineapple AND can't forget the cocktail umbrella) and that everyone, and i mean EVERYONE, got on the dance floor. Thanks to the talented DJ Mike of Kustom Sounds Kauai, the mission was easily accomplished!

Congratulations Celeste and Alfonso!

Don't you just LOVE this shot of the groom having the time of his life on the dancefloor?

Mahalo to "the gang" at Kilohana Photo for these fun photos!

Brandy + Ali: Sneak Peak

We've planned enough weddings on Kauai's North Shore to know that a night like this is a true blessing. After two days of set up in the rain and cold, the skies cleared and the moon came out for quite a dramatic end to a lovely evening for newlyweds Brandy and Ali Davoudian.

And after this past weekend's wet and rainy weather, it was one of those perfect nights as a coordinator you always dream of!

Brandy and Ali will soon be heading off to an amazing honeymoon in the Maldives. We can't wait to tell you more about their three-ceremony wedding that kicked off at Wai'oli Church in beautiful Hanalei and ended at a lavish private estate in Kilauea, and of course, we can't wait to share with you the moments of their day captured on film.

Pearly Shells

Pearl Shells, from the Ocean

Shining in the Sun, covering the Shore

When i see them, my heart tells me that i Love You...

Even more, then all those Pearly Shells

Quite the perfect little love song and quite the perfect inpiration for an all white Kauai wedding we are planning for Los Angeles based actress Brandy Ledford and husband-to-be film director Ali Davoudian. We have had so much fun working with Brandy over the past year and as we pack our bags for Kauai, we are so excited to see all the pearly details come together for a memorable and romantic upcoming event for Brandy and Ali!

Pearly Shells: Lyrics and Music by Webley Edwards & Leon Pober, Made Famous by Hawaiian Music Legend Don Ho. Our favorite version: By Seaman Dan and his lovely little ukulele.