Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Private Estate or Beach Wedding ??
When does a bride know whether she should consider a PRIVATE ESTATE WEDDING rather than a BEACH WEDDING? First I suggest that you should take into account the overall vision of your wedding day and think about options that are best for you. We should discuss with you what is and is not allowed on our beautiful Hawaii beaches. The good news is that if we can't create your decor on the beach that it is absolutely possible at one of our beautiful private ocean or mountain estates on Maui. Simple beach weddings can be beautiful and still some of our favorites to plan but we do have our limitations due to regulations and we are happy to answer any and all questions. Here are a few tips that will help you get started:
Consider the number of GUESTS you are anticipating, your BUDGET, the TIME of day, and the DETAILS of your ceremony that are very important to you. Needless to say if you are expecting 40 or more guests then a beach ceremony may not work well. (Because the Department of Land and Natural Resources doesn't allow CHAIRS on the beach, your guests may not all have a great view as they are all standing!) You may have only 20 guests but prefer to have a private site where only you and your guests are present. (But, can you afford the site fee?) If you want a later morning wedding, mid-day or early afternoon weddings then the BEACH will most likely be too crowded with tourists and locals alike. (Just how important is it to do that time of day..consider just prior to sunset or consider a smaller private site!) AND..if you want the CHAIRS, the ARCH and a D.J. and dancing then know that you simply MUST choose a PRIVATE SITE!
So, you want your feet in the sand and yet still want a private location? We do have a FEW such locations but know that since ALL beaches on Maui are considered PUBLIC that you may still have someone wander into the background photos. Or, do you prefer GRASSY LAWN where you can see water but can drive less than 5 minutes to a great beach for photos as your guests are enjoying cocktails after the ceremony? We have the place for you.
Your ceremony and reception location should be a perfect reflection of you and your personality! Tell us what you have in mind, give us as much info as possible so we can steer you the right direction and as uneasy as it may feel..it is VERY true that providing us with some beginning amount of BUDGET really helps us begin the best planning process that will be more "stress free" as we know realistic cost options. And in the meantime...we want you to ENJOY the process of decision making so let's all remember to have fun ( LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE) and our goal is to provide you with the most beautiful wedding whether PRIVATE ESATE or BEACH!
Consider the number of GUESTS you are anticipating, your BUDGET, the TIME of day, and the DETAILS of your ceremony that are very important to you. Needless to say if you are expecting 40 or more guests then a beach ceremony may not work well. (Because the Department of Land and Natural Resources doesn't allow CHAIRS on the beach, your guests may not all have a great view as they are all standing!) You may have only 20 guests but prefer to have a private site where only you and your guests are present. (But, can you afford the site fee?) If you want a later morning wedding, mid-day or early afternoon weddings then the BEACH will most likely be too crowded with tourists and locals alike. (Just how important is it to do that time of day..consider just prior to sunset or consider a smaller private site!) AND..if you want the CHAIRS, the ARCH and a D.J. and dancing then know that you simply MUST choose a PRIVATE SITE!
So, you want your feet in the sand and yet still want a private location? We do have a FEW such locations but know that since ALL beaches on Maui are considered PUBLIC that you may still have someone wander into the background photos. Or, do you prefer GRASSY LAWN where you can see water but can drive less than 5 minutes to a great beach for photos as your guests are enjoying cocktails after the ceremony? We have the place for you.
Your ceremony and reception location should be a perfect reflection of you and your personality! Tell us what you have in mind, give us as much info as possible so we can steer you the right direction and as uneasy as it may feel..it is VERY true that providing us with some beginning amount of BUDGET really helps us begin the best planning process that will be more "stress free" as we know realistic cost options. And in the meantime...we want you to ENJOY the process of decision making so let's all remember to have fun ( LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE) and our goal is to provide you with the most beautiful wedding whether PRIVATE ESATE or BEACH!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
For the LOVE of Summer and Fall!
As each season of the year brings many different changes, our SUMMER and FALL are often bringing new and exciting changes as well. We were extremely busy in JUNE and JULY doing weddings. We planned and coordinated weddings (small and large) all over the island. Makena Cove is a beautiful location South Side location for small ceremonies and always a favorite for photos. Kapalua Bay is larger and has a restaurant within steps of the site so it remains as one of our favorite West Side beaches and in the highest rankings of "Most beautiful beaches in the WORLD" so Dr. Beach says! Our private site locations of Paradise Point and Ka'anapali Coffee Farms (our newest private venue with amazing PANORAMIC views of the ocean and only minutes within all major resorts of Ka'anapali, Lahaina, Kapalua and Napili) have been very busy spots in the past few weeks.
It was our honor to do an Indian Wedding for a wonderful bride and groom from San Francisco. Their family flew in from all over the world and Paradise Point was just a magical backdrop for their 100 plus morning wedding and lunch reception. We also did a wedding at Ka'anapali Coffee Farm for a beautiful couple with 40 or so guests who chose to do wedding only and then drive 3 minutes to DUKES for their reception.
We love doing different types of ceremonies, with all sizes of weddings and budgets. We would love to assist you with YOUR wedding planning. Remember our motto, "If you can dream it..we can arrange it!" We LOVE all of our wedding seasons! Call us at 1-800-793-2933 and if on island at 808.669.8787.
It was our honor to do an Indian Wedding for a wonderful bride and groom from San Francisco. Their family flew in from all over the world and Paradise Point was just a magical backdrop for their 100 plus morning wedding and lunch reception. We also did a wedding at Ka'anapali Coffee Farm for a beautiful couple with 40 or so guests who chose to do wedding only and then drive 3 minutes to DUKES for their reception.
We love doing different types of ceremonies, with all sizes of weddings and budgets. We would love to assist you with YOUR wedding planning. Remember our motto, "If you can dream it..we can arrange it!" We LOVE all of our wedding seasons! Call us at 1-800-793-2933 and if on island at 808.669.8787.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
JUNE IS IN FULL BLOOM!
Wedding planning on Maui usually keeps us busy, but June is a VERY BUSY month for Dolphin Dream Weddings. I can't recall when we last had a month of 30 weddings and also with some that are private estate weddings and full receptions too.
One night recently we did an earlier evening beach wedding at Makena Beach and then another immediately afterward at Poolenalena. We do weddings all over the island but we live in Ka'anapali so driving to South Maui is often a nice treat for a change of scenery. The first ceremony was a very nice couple..just to the two of them on the beach with us with Rick as the non-denominational minister and no other weddings anywhere to be found. The second ceremony included bride and groom , brides mom and brother to escort her along with her maid of honor, jr. bridesmaids (who were precious)as well as their 35 guests on the beach at Poolenalena. Professional photographer Ceasar Lizada and his assistant/son Matthew and pastor Laki Ka'ahumanu who sang, played uke and led the lovely Hawaiian ceremony.
Our June may be in "Full Bloom" and busy but as each of these weddings were equally important, so too is yours. At Dolphin Dream Weddings we really do care about your day and we always feel blessed to have been chosen as your planners/coordinators.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Congratulations Adam and Kate Latos! April 4, 2010!
We planned and coordinated the wedding of ADAM AND KATE LATOS of Canada. Kate looked amazing in the jeweled wedding gown with cathedral length veil! The groom wore linen pants and vest with a matching shirt. The ceremony was held at Poolenalena Beach in Wailea with about 55 guests in attendance. Pastor Laki Ka'ahumanu married the couple and one of our favorite musicians, Tarvyn, sang and played Hawaiian music. During the first dance the couple began dancing and then many of the couples joined in for quite a unique ending to the beautiful ceremony!
The reception was held at the home of the parents of the bride, Margee and Douglas Allen who just recently have moved to Maui. The backyard looked spectacular thanks to Racheal and the rest of the gang at ISLAND RENTS! THREES CATERING provided excellent food. A hula show and fire knife dancer as well as great dance music by D.J. Zen (Daryl Gordon) topped off the spectacular evening under the stars. Beautiful!!!! (Photo by Ceasar Lizada of Lizada Photography in Kihei.)
Call us at Dolphin Dream Weddings to begin your planning!
1-800-793-2933
www.dolphindreamweddings.com
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
DOLPHIN DREAM WEDDINGS AND MAUI..."NO KA OI!" (The best!)
DOLPHIN DREAM WEDDINGS and the amazing beauty of Maui combine to provide an amazing destination wedding experience that is "No Ka Oi"...THE BEST! Our experience of having planned and coordinated almost 1,500 weddings and vow renewals allows you to be STRESS FREE during the pre-planning and wedding day. We live on West Maui and do weddings also on South Maui so we know Maui very well. Just ask and let us answer all your questions (or we will get the answer from a reliable source) and help you make the best decisions regarding every aspect of your ceremony, reception and island activities. (We can book many of your activities and don't charge an additional fee for this added service. Why worry with making more calls when we can do it ALL!) Our vendors are not new to the island and therefore you can trust them, their products and their overall service. Each year Maui has over 2 million visitors who flock from all over the world and think that they have found earthly "Paradise". We are happy to share all our secrets about great wedding locations such as palm lined beaches, beautiful gardens, waterfalls, oceanside lawns and private estates. Why settle for anything less than THE BEST? Look over our affordably priced wedding packages at: www.dolphindreamweddings.com
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
NO TWO BRIDES ARE ALIKE!
Did you know that just like a thumbprint or snowflake that NO TWO BRIDES ARE ALIKE? Each one of you have unique outward and inward appearances, likes and dislikes, personality and personal tastes. Thank Heaven because my job would be quite boring if everyone wanted the same cookie cutter wedding! This isn't brain surgery we actually can get very creative here and you can make the choices that suit your personal or collective (oh yeah..let's don't forget the groom) taste and style. So, what if you don't like the 2010 color of the year..PURPLE? You shouldn't change your style or taste for anyone else.
Should you follow what other destination brides are doing for their ceremony? So what if many other couples get married barefoot in the sand? You can do it on the grassy lawn, or at the resort or on a sailboat or in the helicopter or while scuba diving. You may think that you absolutely MUST have a violinist where someone else may think that they would rather have a Hawaiian guitarist/singer. Doves or butterflies? Formal wear or casual? We have seen it all and we are never surprised or challenged when you make specific requests regarding the wedding details that you feel are important. Our motto is, "IF YOU CAN DREAM IT WE CAN ARRANAGE IT!" So, remember that NO TWO BRIDES ARE ALIKE..be yourself. We wouldn't want it any other way.
Should you follow what other destination brides are doing for their ceremony? So what if many other couples get married barefoot in the sand? You can do it on the grassy lawn, or at the resort or on a sailboat or in the helicopter or while scuba diving. You may think that you absolutely MUST have a violinist where someone else may think that they would rather have a Hawaiian guitarist/singer. Doves or butterflies? Formal wear or casual? We have seen it all and we are never surprised or challenged when you make specific requests regarding the wedding details that you feel are important. Our motto is, "IF YOU CAN DREAM IT WE CAN ARRANAGE IT!" So, remember that NO TWO BRIDES ARE ALIKE..be yourself. We wouldn't want it any other way.
Monday, March 22, 2010
FIRST THINGS FIRST...WEDDING PLANNING IN THREE EASY STEPS!
Brides and grooms call and ask us how to begin the planning. I always offer these three easy steps:
1)Choose your wedding date/time!
2)Decide where you are staying on Maui so we can make a recommendation of the best location (beach, resort, private estate, etc.) for your ceremony.
3)Reserve your wedding with DOLPHIN DREAM WEDDINGS with a $200 deposit/planning fee. (You can do this over the phone by calling us at 1-800-793-2933 and providing your credit card info and we will take down your important information, make your file and begin the planning!
1)Choose your wedding date/time!
2)Decide where you are staying on Maui so we can make a recommendation of the best location (beach, resort, private estate, etc.) for your ceremony.
3)Reserve your wedding with DOLPHIN DREAM WEDDINGS with a $200 deposit/planning fee. (You can do this over the phone by calling us at 1-800-793-2933 and providing your credit card info and we will take down your important information, make your file and begin the planning!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
LOVE IS IN THE AIR!
Do you remember when you first fell in love and how at that magic moment that life seemed wonderful? When my husband first proposed ,(under the big oak tree by my college dorm), it seemed that all of time stood still.
Almost every day I try to help create more of those magical moments as we plan and coordinate beautiful beach, resort and private estate weddings on our beautiful island of Maui. To see weeks, months or often more than a year of planning work morph into the memorable day of two individuals is a great responsibility and a great privilege. When a couple stands together with their friends lovingly watching with tears of joy it reminds me of why I love doing weddings. Sure, we've had wedding rings lost in the sand on the beach...but we found them. A bride once lost her fake eye lashes in the wind...but she didn't care. And, every wedding has a story to tell and a funny or very touching moment. And every day I am reminded that LOVE IS IN THE AIR!
Almost every day I try to help create more of those magical moments as we plan and coordinate beautiful beach, resort and private estate weddings on our beautiful island of Maui. To see weeks, months or often more than a year of planning work morph into the memorable day of two individuals is a great responsibility and a great privilege. When a couple stands together with their friends lovingly watching with tears of joy it reminds me of why I love doing weddings. Sure, we've had wedding rings lost in the sand on the beach...but we found them. A bride once lost her fake eye lashes in the wind...but she didn't care. And, every wedding has a story to tell and a funny or very touching moment. And every day I am reminded that LOVE IS IN THE AIR!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
