Popular Songs for Every Moment of Your Wedding

When we think of wedding music, we often think of only songs for the ceremony processional or the first dance. The lyrics “Here comes the bride…” and the melody of the Bridal Chours immediately pops in our head and it seems like that’s the only song we can think of! But as Spotify and Apple Music has shown us there are literally THOUSANDS of songs out there and as of 2022 there are truly so many wonderful timeless songs as well as newly released music that you can choose from! And thankfully there are more places than just the wedding processional or the first dance that you can choose songs for at your wedding! Music is not only great for filling any possible awkward silences or quiet moments in your wedding day, but can greatly influence the ambiance, and mood of your guests! 

So on that NOTE, Keep on reading to see all of the different moments that music can be played at your wedding as well as to hear some of the most popular songs that are trending at weddings in 2022! 

Band: Nueva Vida | Photography: Hawaii Wedding Photography

Background Music

Like the name goes, background music is typically played when people are gathering, moving, or eating as it provides a background to the “down times'' during the day. Specific moments in the day where you can choose songs to play as your background music include: the time prior or after the ceremony (also known as prelude/postlude music), at cocktail hour, and during the meal service. As background music is played for a duration of time, rather than selecting specific songs, couples often select a specific genre as their background music!

Romantic Oldies

Jazz

Soft Pop

Hawaiian Contemporary

Processional & Recessional 

The processional song is played when walking down the aisle. Most couples choose to have two songs for their processional, the first will be played for the groom, officiant, and wedding party, while the second is played for the entrance of the Bride. However the recessional song is typically just one song for the entire wedding party to walk back down the aisle to. Popular choices for songs to be played during the processional are of the classical music genre,  Disney, and instrumental versions of pop songs. While many popular songs for the recessional are pop songs from the 2000s! 

Processional 

Canon in D (Pachelbel’s Canon) - Johann Pachelbel

Clair De Lune - Debussy

Tale As Old As Time - Beauty and the Beast

A Thousand Years - Christina Perri

Recessional 

Best Day of My Life - American Authors

This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) - Natalie Cole

Forever - Chris Brown 

Marry You - Bruno Mars

TIP: Typically, the entire song is not played so if there’s a specific part that you would like to be played, definitely make sure to let your planner know so that they can ensure that the musician knows when to start and stop your song! 

Ceremony Musicians: Manoa Strings | Photography: Aria Studios

Grand Entrance 

All the guests are seated and now it’s time to announce the newlyweds!! We highly recommend selecting an upbeat song that will get all of your guests on their feet and one that goes well with lots of cheering and “chee hoos”!

Celebration - Kool & The Gang

Bring “em out” - T.I. 

We Found Love - Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris 

First Dance + Parent Dances + Last Dance

For these sweet dances slow songs with lyrics expressing gratitude, happiness, and love are popular choices that result in several teary eyed guests. However, these dances can not only be sweet and touching but also fun and entertaining choreographed to upbeat songs that could be a fun surprise for your guests! 

First Dance

Can’t Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley

Perfect - Ed Sheeran

You are the Reason - Calum Scott

Parent Dances

Isn’t She Lovely - Stevie Wonder

You Raise Me Up - Josh Groban

Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion 

Last Dance

At Last - Etta James

Last Dance - Donna Summer

(I’ve had) the Time of my Life - Dirty Dancing

Cake Cutting + Bouquet & Garter Toss

For these fun wedding traditions typically done during the reception, couples often choose songs with lyrics that relate to the activity! 

Cake Cutting

Cake by the Ocean - DNCE

Sugar - Maroon 5 

Bouquet Toss

Single Ladies (Put a Ring On it) - Beyonce 

Dear Future Husband - Meghan Trainor 

Garter Toss

Pour Some Sugar on Me - Def Leppard

Who Let the Dogs Out - Baha Men

Open Dancing

Similar to background music, rather than specific songs, couples often select a type of music or genre that they would like to be played. However there are some songs that are “dance floor classics” that will most definitely get your guests up from their seats and grooving on the dance floor! 

Cupid Shuffle - Cupid 

Cha-Cha Slide - Mr C The Slide Man 

Wobble - V.I.C 

Bonus Music Moment

If you and your significant other are musically inclined, singing your thank yous may be a fun way to end the night and just one more moment in your wedding where you can add music too! 

XOXOXO

Happy Planning!

(A Perfect Day)

5 Tips to Having a Stress Free Wedding Day

A Perfect Day was created with the vision of being able to offer every couple peace of mind through planning and organization. We believe in planning ahead and being prepared, so that we can help all couples have not only a stress free planning process but most importantly a stress free wedding day! So that instead of worrying about the time vendors will arrive, who’s going where, and who’s doing what, our couples can just focus on what they're there to do, get married!!

Below are 5 tips to help you have a wonderful, memorable wedding day without the stress!  

Photography: Bianca Photography

Tip #1: Give yourself plenty of time

Rushing to get ready to go from one place to another is not something that’s fun to do, especially on your wedding day! Stress often happens when we feel like we don’t have enough time to do something or that we’re running behind schedule. That’s why we recommend to anyone creating their own timeline to set the times that you think “at most” something will take so that if the activity does utilize the maximum amount of time your schedule won’t be affected and you don’t have to stress about being in a rush. 

Bonus tip: One area we especially recommend giving yourself extra time in, is when you’re getting dressed! We always give our Brides and Grooms 30 minutes to get dressed to accommodate them using the restroom, or in case there are any wardrobe malfunctions. 

Tip #2: Keep your planner in the loop

Whether you have a planner, day-of-coordinator, or a friend helping you with all of the details of your wedding, it’s important to always keep them in the loop ESPECIALLY if you make any changes! As their responsibility is to ensure that all of your vendors are aware of the timeline so that your wedding runs smoothly they need to know of any surprises, changes, or requests that you have. 

For example, say it’s the day of the wedding and you see that you're ahead of schedule so you tell your DJ that you want your grand entrance to begin 10 minutes earlier than what’s on the timeline. Though it’s great that you let your DJ know, as they’ll be playing your grand entrance song, it’s vital to tell your planner as well so that they can let the photographer/videographer know that they have to get in position to capture your grand entrance earlier, as well as let the banquet staff know so they are prepared to begin serving your guests earlier (while making sure the food will be ready), and letting the MC know to be on stand-by. When one thing changes in the program there are often many moving parts that are also affected, so instead of having to tell all of your vendors about a change, keep your planner in the loop so that they can coordinate all of this for you!

Photography: Joseph Esser Photography

Tip #3: Review your timeline… A LOT

Next to your wedding certificate, your timeline will be one of the most important documents at your wedding! This is the guide that all of your vendors will be following, that’s why we create this with you at least 4 months prior to your wedding and are frequently updating it so that it’s always accurate and up to date. We highly recommend reviewing your timeline often, especially when it’s a few days before your wedding so that you know that everything that is on the timeline is what you want. This will ensure that you won’t be unpleasantly surprised or confused by anything on the day of the event. 

Tip #4: Assign a “worry warrior” 

If there’s something that you know you are going to worry about on your wedding day, assign someone you trust, your coordinator or possibly a member of your wedding party to be your “worry warrior”. They will be the person that will focus on taking care of this stressor so that you don’t have to worry about it! For example, if you’re worried about having something in your teeth in all of the photos, ask your bridesmaid/groomsmen to carry floss or a toothpick with them and to look at your teeth every so often so that if there is something, they can help you take care of it. This will help you stress less about it because you’ll know that someone’s got your back! Or in this case got your teeth! 

Tip #5: Enjoy every moment!

Our final tip is to just enjoy every moment of your wedding day! This is a day that so many of our couples have dreamed of for so long, and some of them even had to have it postponed many times. That’s why we prepare so much, so that on the wedding day our couples don’t have to stress and can just smile, be present, and enjoy the day they've waited so long for! So on your wedding day take a deep breath, let go of the stress, and just have fun!! You did all of the planning, budgeting, and hard work. Now it’s time to relax and celebrate!!! :)

Photography: Love Story Weddings Photography

XOXOXO

Happy Planning!

(A Perfect Day)

What to do During Your Wedding Reception?

When we think of a wedding, we often think of two parts! The ceremony, where tears are shed as the couple is pronounced legally married! And the reception, where we clink our glasses and celebrate the newlyweds! Though ceremonies are typically pretty quick, receptions usually go on for hours, and with all of that time comes with so much that can be done. The following are a few ideas for things that you can do during your wedding reception!

Grand Entrance

“Ladies and gentlemen, please make some noise for the newlyweds!!” The first thing that you can do at your wedding reception is make a grand entrance! This is a fun way to start the party off and get to see the smiling faces of your guests as you enter the ballroom. 

Photography: Brandon Smith Photography

Toasts/Speeches

Often done at the beginning of the reception program prior to dinner AND/OR after dinner and before dancing, we often see toasts and speeches done by the couple, their relatives, and the wedding party! One of the most popular toasts, often seen at local Japanese weddings is the Banzai Toast! If you want to learn all about the Banzai toast, what it is and how it is done, check out our blog & video HERE.

Traditions 

Often seen at weddings are your typical wedding traditions, however pretty unique to Hawai’i weddings are the many different cultural traditions done during the receptions. 

The Bouquet and Garter Toss

• One of your classic wedding traditions. This activity is a fun way to share some of the good luck the couple has, with any of their guests who are looking to find their own significant other. 

The Cake Cutting Ceremony

• Another classic wedding tradition, typically done after dinner as it's also a delicious dessert for all of your guests! 

cultural traditions

• As we mentioned earlier, we often see the display of so many different Cultural Traditions at Hawai’i Wedding receptions. Some of these popular traditions are the Chinese Lion Dance, and a Hula performance. As there are also cultural traditions that can happen all throughout your wedding day, check out our blog sharing more of these wonderful traditions HERE!

Photography: Mike Pham Photography

Activities 

The following activities can be done throughout various moments of your reception, and are ones that involve your guests a bit more!

Table Photos

• Want a photo with every single one of your guests? If you’re having a buffet served meal, as the tables get called up to go to the buffet, the guests can make a stop at the dance floor to take a photo with you and your new spouse! 

Games 

• There are SOOO many different games out there that can be played at your wedding reception! For details of specific games and when to play them during your reception, check out our blog HERE sharing some of the most Popular Wedding Games to Play at Your Reception. 

Photography: Christie Pham Photography

Same-Day Edit/Slideshow

• A popular option many videographers offer is a same day edit, where they quickly edit together all of the footage they took from your wedding day so far and create a short video for you and all of your guests to watch. Another option we often see is couples creating a slideshow filled with photos of their childhood to adulthood and of their relationship, showing a truly beautiful story of how their two separate lives led them to come together to be one! 

Photo Booth 

• With a photo booth your guests will be able to take one or multiple photos that they can keep as a memory of your wedding! Some photo booth packages even offer a photobook so that you can have a copy of every photo that was taken and can look back at a gallery of silly pictures of your family and friends! 

Photography: Embr Photo

Dancing 

Last but not least, we have dancing of course!! There are many different types of dances that you can do during your reception, below are four of the most popular ones! 

First Dance

• Your first dance as a married couple! Typically done at the beginning of the reception program right after the grand entrance OR done at the end of the reception program right before opening the dance floor to everyone! 

Parent Dances 

• These very sweet and eye watering dances are done with the Father/Daughter and Mother/Son of the married couple. They’re often done separately with two different songs, or together with the same song. 

Open Dancing

• The time for everyone to follow the directions of the Cupid Shuffle! Most couples choose to have open dancing in the last 1-2 hours of the night after they’ve done all that they wanted to do in their reception program. 

Last Dance

• As the name goes, this is the last dance of the night! Couples typically choose an upbeat song to close the night off dancing with all of their guests, or lately have seen to be selecting a sweet love song ballad to dance to in the empty ballroom as their guests wait outside for their grand exit! 

Though receptions are typically a few hours, depending on how much you want to do and the specific time that each activity takes, you may not be able to do it all. However, we highly recommend creating a list of the activities that you want to do in order of priority. Then you can discuss them with your coordinator as soon as possible so that they can help you create your dream reception program that’s also realistic and doable!

XOXOXO

Happy Planning!

(A Perfect Day)

7 Hawaii Wedding Favor Ideas

As your wedding guests are taking the time out of their busy schedules to fly in, drive in, or even boat in (for any folks coming by cruise line!) favors are the perfect way to give thanks for them being there to celebrate you! And though any type of favor will be a sweet memento of your special day, for a wedding in the beautiful islands of Hawai’i you definitely don’t want your guests to miss out on favors that are made locally and highlight the culture of Hawai’i. 

So whether you’re a local couple with only guests born and raised in Hawai’i, or a couple having the destination wedding of their dreams in the islands, having wedding favors that show off Hawai’i FLAVORS is a wonderful way to say “Mahalo” to all of your guests! 

These are just 7 ideas for favors that you could have at your Hawai’i wedding! 

Cookies

Specifically cookies from Honolulu Cookie Company! Easily recognized by its pineapple shaped cookies and containers, the Honolulu Cookie Company has a large assortment of cookies that couples can order in individual or family size tins as their wedding favors! Though the delicious shortbread cookies may be devoured by your guests before the night is over, as the pineapple themed packaging is something that they can keep, this favor is the perfect combo of a truly delicious yet reusable Hawai’i themed treat!

Photography: Bianca Photography

Macadamia Nuts

Did you know that most of the world’s cultivated macadamia nuts are grown right here in Hawai’i? Isn’t that just NUTS! And located on the Big Island, the Mauna Loa company produces not just your typical buttery macadamia nut but also has a wide variety of flavors from Hawaiian Sea Salt to even chocolate covered macadamia nuts! These favors make for the perfect snack, especially for out of town guests who have a long flight back home.

Chocolates

You can’t go wrong with chocolates, especially chocolates from Big Island Candies! Though they make cookies and other baked goods as well, this local company’s chocolate creations truly represent the sentiment that love is SWEET!

kona Coffee

Give your guests coffee that they can’t just order at Starbucks! 100% Kona Coffee shows off the unique coffee flavor of Hawaii and can be found in many Hawai’i grocery stores. The Hawaii Coffee Company is one of the local businesses that brew this delicious blend. Guests can take home individual bags of coffee grounds and will be able to wake up with a nice cup of joe after a long night of celebrating and dancing!

Soap

A favor that can be used for many days after your wedding day is soap! There are quite a few different kinds of soaps made locally in Hawaii. Kope Soap is a company that reuses coffee grounds by turning them into artisan soap bars! As everyone seems to be focused on doing a better job at washing their hands, this is a great favor that smells wonderful while also fighting germs!

Candles

Speaking of smelling wonderful, candles that are locally poured in Hawai’i with the scents of the islands is a favor that will be a great reminder to your guests of your special day while also filling their home up with the local aromas of Hawai’i. Jules + Gem Hawaii are one of the companies that make these sweet smelling candles, with scents such as Puakenikeni (jasmine, neroli and gardenia) and Guava Nectar (guava, mango, citrus). 

Hawaii Related

If you’re not certain on the local item that you want as your favor, but do know that you want a favor that includes Hawai’i, our final idea is checking out websites such as Etsy to see all the ways that you can customize an item to include accents of Hawai’i. That way though the item may not be local to the islands, it would still be related to the location of your wedding!

We hope these 7 favor ideas help you with finding the perfect favor for your Hawai’i wedding! 

XOXOXO

Happy Planning!

(A Perfect Day)

CONGRATULATIONS CHERIE & CHAD! <3

2022 Wedding Highlight | Photos by Derek Wong Photography

Earlier this year we had the wonderful opportunity of helping Cherie & Chad tie the knot at the beautiful Kahala Resort! Located on the east side of the island of O’ahu, the Kahala Resort was the perfect venue for these two. They were able to have the best of both worlds, with a sweet outdoor ceremony at the Plumeria Grove and a lively indoor reception at the Waialae Ballroom.

Resorts are a great venue choice as couples are typically able to stay in a room at the hotel, prior to their wedding day. This makes it very convenient and stress free for the couples to get ready at the venue on the morning of their big day!

Speaking of getting ready, having your wedding party help you get ready not only creates really wonderful photos but is a sweet way for them to show you how much they love and support you on your big day! Cherie & Chad’s bridesmaids and groomsmen were all smiles as they helped them with their finishing touches before it was time for the first look! 

On the staircase in the lobby to the backdrop of greenergy and orchid flowers, Cherie & Chad had their first look! Eyes were watering as everyone could see how much love these two have for each other!

Following the first look, the couple took photos together, and with their wedding party before making their way to the ceremony site. Guests arrived and got seated as the prelude music began. Then at 5:00pm the ceremony started, and in the beautiful state of Hawaii Cherie & Chad were pronounced husband and wife! 

As every wedding takes the teamwork of many hardworking vendors we wanted to thank all of the individuals who helped to make this wedding happen!

***THANK YOU TO THESE AMAZING VENDORS***

VENUE: Kahala resort

FLORIST: florist grand

HAIR & MAKEUP: face art beauty

PHOTOGRAPHEr: Derek Wong Photography

lion dance: gee yung sports association

VIDEOGRAPHER: dream FX media

DECOR: aloha artisans

DJ/MC: dj neekz

To see a bit more of Cherie & Chad’s beautiful wedding, check out this wonderful clip created by the team from Dream FX Media!

Congratulations again to Cherie & Chad! We are wishing you a wonderful marriage filled with lots of love and laughter!

XOXOXO

(A Perfect Day)

• A Perfect Day Hawaii, Wedding Planner, Hawaii Wedding Planner, Hawaii Weddings www.APerfectDayHawaii.com 

Who's job IS it? Getting to know your Wedding Vendors and their roles.

There are a lot of people that will be an essential part of your big day to make your dream become a reality. To name a few, there is a Catering Sales Manager, Banquet Captain, Wedding Designer, and Wedding Coordinator. What role does each person play? Here is a brief description of their specialties and how they’re an important contribution to your special day.

Catering Sales Manager
The title of Catering Sales Manager may differ for each venue. Most commonly, their primary role is to assist you with securing the venue, along with the floor plan, food, and beverages should you decide to order from the venue. Sometimes the Catering Sales Manager will be confused as a Wedding Coordinator. Please keep in mind that the Catering Sales Manager specializes in the venue, available amenities, and their menu options. Unlike a Wedding Coordinator, they won’t be able to assist you with reminding your bridal party of all pertinent call times and “don’t forgets” on the wedding day.

Banquet Captain
Now let’s introduce the Banquet Captain! Their role is to execute what was agreed upon in your Catering Contract/BEO (Banquet Event Order). They are responsible for overseeing the execution of all details arranged with the Catering Sale Manager/banquet operations. Therefore, if you have any concerns about the venue on your big day, it should be communicated with your Banquet Captain.  After spending the amount of time, whether it’s days, weeks, or months, communicating with your Catering Sales Manager about your selections, pricing, and details, there is a high possibility that your Catering Sales Manager will be present on your wedding day for a limited amount of time (if at all). Rest assured; this is when your Banquet Captain steps in! The Catering Sales Manager and the Banquet Captain work closely together in communicating the specifications for your big day. Your BEO (Banquet Event Order/Private Party Agreement/Wedding Detail Report) is one of their most essential tools of communication, which is why it is so important to make sure it’s accurate and delivered to your Catering Sales Manager by the deadline.  NOTE:  If you hire A Perfect Day, we will work VERY closely with your Catering Manager AND Banquet Captain on your behalf.

Wedding Designer
Behind door number three, we have your Wedding Designer! Your Wedding Designer specializes in collaborating every element in a way that will bring each couple’s wedding ideas to life; creating the perfect ambiance for your special day. They have skills in décor, lighting, layout, texture, and color design. From table linens, napkins, chair types and shapes, flowers, walls, to spotlights that pulsate to the music, your Wedding Designer will be able to provide insight and design to keep your wedding aesthetically constant with your invitations and thank you notes. Your Wedding Planner, Florist, and/or even Decor/Rental Company could be your “Wedding Designer” or you may consider hiring someone who’s sole responsibility and role is to design your wedding.

TIP: Some vendors (including A Perfect Day) might even give you their design input for FREE!

Wedding Coordinator (AKA: Wedding Planner)                                                                            Finally, we are pleased to present… your Wedding Coordinator! This is the person that gathers all your details together (from Catering Manager, Banquet Captain, Designer, Photographer, etc.), organizes, and manages all aspects of the wedding to ensure that things run smoothly on your big day. Essentially, their role is to alleviate the stress from the Bride & Groom so the couple can enjoy their wedding! From having a copy of your speech handy, making sure you have the lucky envelope (li-cee) ready for the Chinese Lion Dance performers, to keeping track of your photographer, your Wedding Coordinator will know each person’s role and make sure each of them plays their part so you won’t have to run around in your extravagant wedding heels. Above all, their main concern is the happiness of the Bride & Groom!

Your Wedding Coordinator is also a great resource for everything wedding related! Coordinators may offer excellent consulting services to point you in the right direction, such as advice on which photographer fits your budget. However, it is entirely up to the couple to decide how involved or not involved they want the coordinator to be in the planning process. This is how your coordinator determines a price quote for their services. The price may vary, depending on the coordinator and the services they provide.

~Happy Planning!

Popular Wedding Games to Play at Your Reception

Next to getting married to the love of your life, the second best part of weddings is that sooo many people that you love are all together in one place! It’s an amazing opportunity to not only remicinse on all of the fun times that you’ve had together, but to create another incredibly fun time together celebrating your big day! One way to do this is through some wedding themed games! :)

Though there are so many wedding game ideas out there, the following are just a few that can be played at three different moments at your reception.

games to play at the Registration Table

Photography: Mike Pham Photography

Games at the registration table area allow guests to have something that they can do as they are waiting to check in, or for the reception doors to open. As the newlyweds are typically taking photos at this time, the results of the games are something that the couple can look forward to seeing following the wedding!  These activities range from sweet letters to the newlyweds that they will definitely cherish, to votes by the guests on who’s snack or drink choice is better resulting in the winner earning some bragging points! 

TIP: Having an activity for your guests to do during this time also assists with the flow of traffic entering the reception area.

Examples of games to play at the Registration Table

• Who Has Better Taste? | The couple will have their favorite snack or cocktail drink on display for guests to vote for the one that they like best. The voting can be done by encouraging the guests to consume the snack/drink of their choice so that at the end of the night the couple can see which of them has the better taste based off of the item that’s been eaten or ordered the most by their guests!  

• The Secret to a Happy Marriage | Guests who would like to bestow their knowledge to the new couple can provide their greatest marriage advice on pieces of paper that they can drop into a safe box or envelope so that the couple can refer to the words of wisdom throughout their marriage. 

• One Year Anniversary Cards | Guests can wish the couple a happy anniversary and leave sweet messages to the couple that they can look forward to reading in one year, on their first wedding anniversary.

games to play at The Table

Etsy

Games at the table are typically ones that can be done as an individual or as a group with the other guests sitting on the table These usually are more mental than physical as they can be done while guests are sitting at their table, enjoying their meal or during any down times throughout the reception!

Examples of games to play at the Table

• Couple Trivia | On a piece of paper or google form, guests can show off their knowledge by answering fun trivia questions about each newlywed, their love story, and etc. 

• Newlywed Crossword | A puzzle that can be worked on throughout the duration of the reception, guests can work individually or together to solve the wedding themed crossword puzzle. The questions can be related to general wedding terms or words related specifically to the couple.  As this puzzle may be a little more difficult for any guests that are kids, a word search can be given to them instead! 

• Centerpiece Giveaway | As the name goes the winner of this game will walk away with the centerpiece! We’ve seen so much creativity with this activity but one of our favorites is directing the guests to listen to a story read by the MC and whenever they hear the words “left” or “right”, they need to pass the centerpiece (or designated item) in that direction and when the story ends the person holding the item is the winner who gets to take the centerpiece home! Creating a story that uses the words “left” or “right” quite a bit and repeatedly, tends to make for lots of laughs by the guests and especially by the couple as they get to watch their family and friends juggle around the centerpiece! 

Games to play on the dance floor

Photography: Aria Studios

The type of games that can be played on the dance floor are great for involving guests both actively and passively as those who are a bit more outgoing can volunteer to participate in the games while others who are more comfortable watching, can still be entertained by the games from their seat. Note that as these games typically involve the use of the dance floor and a portion of the reception time, the inclusion of them will reduce the amount of open dancing time.

Examples of games to play on the dance floor

• Shoe-lywed | The couple sits or stands back to back and has their shoe in one hand and their significant other’s shoe in the other hand. The MC will ask questions such as “Who made the first move?” or “Who’s funnier?” and the couple will raise the shoe of the person who best matches the statement! Guests can watch and react as they see the newlyweds raise their shoes. There’s typically a lot of laughter when the raised shoes are opposites!

• Gimmie Gimmie | The MC will ask for guests to “gimme gimme” a specific item, typically something that can be found in a wallet, and the guests can run these items up to the dance floor. The person who is able to provide the most requested items the quickest, wins! 

• Wedding Guest Bingo | A great way to have your guests mingle, this game encourages guests to talk to one another to see if they can achieve “Bingo” or “Blackout” by getting their bingo sheet signed off by other guests. Instead of numbers in each square, there are statements such as “Has traveled to Europe”, “Speaks another language”, or “Is left handed” so guests have to introduce themselves and chat with each other to find someone who matches each statement so that they can be the first to shout “BINGO!” 

 Wedding Games > Dating Games amirite!!

Want more wedding game ideas? Check out these articles! 

• 30 Fun Wedding Reception Games and Activities

• 37 Wedding Games Your Guests Will Actually Want to Play

• 40 Wedding Games To Fill Your Reception With Fun

So if you’re looking for a way to have your wedding guests more involved, to create fun memories with them, and to stir up some friendly competition; consider playing games during your reception!

XOXOXO

Happy Planning!

(A Perfect Day)

Tour of Hawaii Vista Weddings

Looking for a one-of-a-kind venue that’s all inclusive, has numerous photo opportunities, and is quiet & private for your intimate wedding? If so, then keep reading on, as we highlight the perfect venue for you. Hawaii Vista Weddings!

Nestled in the Pearl City mountains, when entering this gorgeous estate you and your guests are immediately transported to a serene valley. As it is a private site, you won’t have to worry about any photobombers or strangers being a part of your special day. Making this location a truly intimate setting to say “I Do” to your best friend!

Photography: Michele C Photo

Hawaii Vista Weddings has many different packages that you can choose from, designed to alleviate any stress with planning your wedding and especially on your wedding day! Though the various packages have different items/services included with them, all of them will have the following ready and set up for you.

• A decorated arbor

• Tables

• Chairs (decorated aisle chairs and reserved signed seats)

• Bridal Suite

• Linens

• Water Station

Also included in the Hawaii Vista Wedding packages, is us! Our A Perfect Day team will be assisting you with the coordination of your wedding leading up to the big day. We will also be on site on the day of your wedding to make sure that everything goes smoothly!

Not only do the Hawaii Vista Wedding packages include all of the above, they also have options for a reception and photoshoot at the venue! They even have partnered with Via Gelato to have the option of a Gelato Cart at your wedding so that you can serve a sweet treat to all of your guests on such a sweet day!

Below are a few photos from the many photo opportunities that can be found all around the venue! Such as the tree-top platform, a cliff side platform, a bamboo forest, and gardens to help commemorate your special day.

Photography: Mike Pham Photography

Not only is the venue an amazing place to get married but the person you work with is amazing too! Diana Moore is the wonderful owner of Hawaii Vista Weddings, who is dedicated to helping every one or her couple’s have the wedding day of their dreams! We LOVE working with Diana and are so grateful to be the planning & coordination team for Hawaii Vista Weddings!

Photography: Bianca Photography

As we can only share so much through photos and descriptions, we highly recommend checking out the video below as it takes you on a virtual tour of the Hawaii Vista Weddings venue!

Videography: Agalia Films

For more information on this wonderful venue and to contact Diana to book her for your intimate wedding, visit the Hawaii Vista Weddings website by clicking HERE!

XOXOXO

Happy Planning!

(A Perfect Day)

8 Cultural Traditions Seen at Hawaii Weddings

We are so lucky to live in a place with such a diverse population! This diversity is often seen when attending weddings in Hawaii as many times couples will integrate their culture into the celebration! Though there are truly SOOO many different cultural traditions that we often see at Hawaii weddings, the following are just 8 of the most common traditions that we’ve seen. We love that couples choose to celebrate their heritage, or the Hawaiian culture, on their special day and we hope that weddings will continue to be a way for different families and cultures to be joined together by love!

Photography: Michele Coelho Photography

Lei Exchange

One of the most iconic symbols of the Aloha spirit is a lei. In Hawaiian culture, leis represent love, celebration, and of course Aloha! As we often see, leis are adorned on those we are celebrating. At weddings we not only tend to see leis worn by the couple but also on those that we are so incredibly grateful for, such as our close family & friends, even visitors who fly to the islands to celebrate the special day! Whether you choose to include a lei exchange in your ceremony or simply lei your loved ones on the big day, leis are a beautiful way to incorporate and honor Hawaiian culture into your wedding! 

Want to include leis in your wedding but are not sure which style of flowers you should give to your family and friends? Have a chat with your florist to see which flowers will be in season at the time and what style they recommend for each person/group that you would like to lei

Origami Cranes

Photography: Rebecca Keizer Studios

A Japanese-American cultural tradition that we often see at local Hawaii weddings, is a display of origami cranes! Specifically 1,001 cranes made using origami paper, typically gold! The tradition stems from Japanese culture, in which the cranes represent longevity and good luck. Believed to live for 1,000 years the cranes can also be arranged and displayed as a larger picture (i.e arranged in the last name, an animal, heart, etc.). Traditionally, the bride will fold 1,000 cranes and the groom will fold 1! But I’m sure that’s something about this custom, that’s okay to change ;)

Photography: Anela Benavides | Officiant: Grant Gomes | Venue: Hawaii Vista Weddings

Blowing of the Pū

The Hawaiian conch shell, also known as the Pū, can often be heard at the start and end of a wedding ceremony. In Hawaiian culture the call of the Pū is believed to summon all four elements (air, fire, water, and earth). It’s commonly blown at weddings to invite the elements to be witnesses of the union, Pū-tting out the loving energy for the happy couple.

Tea Ceremony 

Though there are many Asian cultures that include a Tea Ceremony in their wedding, the Tea Ceremony we are specially highlighting is the Chinese Tea Ceremony. This tradition gathers family members of both sides and allows the couple to serve their relatives tea as they receive wishes of good fortune, and gifts from their families. This bringing together of families shows that the bonds of marriage stem beyond two people, but is a marriage of families. The ceremony most typically is held prior to the western ceremony and is a way to bring both culture, family, and happiness to this special occasion. 

Interested in learning more about the Chinese Tea Ceremony? Check out our blog sharing details on the traditional ceremony HERE!

Photography: Visionari

Hula

Photography: Seeking Films

Dating back to ancient Hawaiian times, the Hula is not only a way of dancing but it was seen as a way to tell history and stories. This Hawaiian dance is often performed at weddings by the bride to the groom or by hired dancers, during the reception program. Having a Hula performance at your wedding is a truly beautiful way to show your love and to honor the Hawaiian culture.

Money Dance

Similar to the Tea Ceremony, many cultures have a Money Dance tradition tied to their heritage.  Though the Money Dance may be performed a little differently in each culture, the performance generally involves the couple dancing with or for their guests as their guests shower them with money. This custom is a way for the couple to feel the love and support they have from their family and friends as they begin their new lives together!

Photography: Aria Studios

Banzai Toast

Photography: VIVIDfotos

If you’re at a local wedding there’s a likely chance that you’ll hear someone hear someone ask you to raise your glass and shout "BANZAI!" three times! This chant that can often be heard at local Japanese weddings, is known as the Banzai toast! The cheer is typically conducted by a speaker yelling Banzai and the guests repeating it three times, each time getting louder and louder! As the term is believed to mean 10,000 years of life, the toast is often conducted twice in order to wish both the newlyweds and their guests 10,000 years of life! So the next time you're at a wedding and hear this toast make sure you shout back with a great "BANZAI!"

Want to see the Banzai toast in action? Check out our blog sharing a video of this toast and details on how you can do it at your wedding HERE!

Lion Dance

In Chinese culture, the performance of the Lion Dance symbolizes happiness and good fortune! It’s often performed at local weddings as it is a way to bless the couple and wish them a long and happy marriage! Not only will the Chinese Lion scare away evil spirits from getting to the newlyweds, but they will also definitely entertain all of your guests! So if you’re going to be attending a Hawaii wedding soon, make sure to bring a few extra dollars so that just in case a lion dance is performed you can feed the lion! TIP: Either have dollar bills to give your guests to feed the lion OR let them know in advance they may want to bring cash if they want to participate in this specific tradition :-) !

Photography: Derek Wong Photography

Though these 8 cultural traditions are ones that we see most often at weddings, if there’s a custom that you want to include in your special day, we definitely recommend letting your coordinator know as soon as possible so that they can help you create a ceremony or reception timeline that will perfectly showcase your cultural tradition. 

XOXOXO

Happy Planning!

(A Perfect Day)

CONGRATULATIONS STEPHANIE & DANIEL! <3

WOW time sure flies by! We can’t believe that it’s already been a little more than 4 years since this lovely couple tied the knot in July of 2018! As they recently celebrated their 4 year wedding anniversary, we thought it’d be the perfect time to congratulate them as well as reminisce on their beautiful wedding at the Halekulani Hotel!

Where most weddings typically have two main parts to the entire event: the ceremony, and the reception. Stephanie & Daniel had three main parts as they also held a tea ceremony prior to their wedding ceremony!

Interested in including a Chinese Tea Ceremony at your wedding? Check out our blog sharing all the details of this beautiful cultural ceremony HERE!

As there were three parts to this wedding, there were also three outfit changes! We love that Stephanie had a different pair of heels that perfectly matched the dress she wore for each event! We don’t know about you, but we can’t (jimmy) CHOO-se which pair we like the most!

Following their tea ceremony, Stephanie & Daniel got ready to exchange their vows in front of their family and friends! Then at 4:00pm the ceremony began at the Halekulani Courtyard and all eyes were on the bride & groom as they said “I Do!”

As it truly takes the combined effort of numerous vendors working together to execute the wedding of every couple’s dreams. We’d like to thank the wonderful companies we were able to work with to put on this wedding!

***Thank you to these amazing vendors***

Venue: Halekulani Hotel

Hair & Makeup: CJ Sipeka

Tea Ceremony Furniture & Flowers: Current Affairs

Ceremony Musicians: Manoa Strings

Florist: Su-V Expressions

Decor: The Wedding Linen Company

Band: Nueva Vida

Photographer/Videographer: Aria Studios

Officiant: Kahu Kordell Kekoa

DJ/MC: Dynamic Sounds hI 

Photo Booth: Party Pix Hawaii

To see more of Stephanie & Daniel’s wedding day, and all of the mentioned vendors in action! Check out the beautiful video created by the team from Aria Studios!

We are soooo happy to have been able to help these two celebrate their love with a beautiful wedding! We congratulate them on their recent wedding anniversary and wish them many more years of a wonderful marriage!

XOXOXO

(A Perfect Day)

• A Perfect Day Hawaii, Wedding Planner, Hawaii Wedding Planner, Hawaii Weddings www.APerfectDayHawaii.com 

Are you wondering: What does a Wedding Planner typically cost? Or How do Wedding Planners determine their fee?

If you’ve spent any time researching the cost of a Wedding Planner, you know first hand that the cost ranges very widely and can be anywhere from $100-$20,000+. For that reason, we want to explain the 3 various ways Wedding Planners typically determine their fee.

HOURLY

Some Wedding Planners may charge an “hourly” rate for their services which means you will be paying them similarly to how you would an attorney. Depending on how many hours they put in work for your wedding would determine your cost. The “hourly” tracking could begin from work done before the wedding day (ie: creating a timeline, confirming with vendors, etc.) and continue to the number of hours they work on your actual wedding day. NOTE: ***This can be a little challenging on a strict budget as you may not be fully aware of all of the work (hours) needed to get everything you want done when you are first looking for a Wedding Planner.

FLAT RATE

The 3rd way Wedding Planners charge is by simply quoting a “flat rate” based on the work they anticipate. While this method may be the hardest for a Wedding Planner to accurately get compensated, A Perfect Day uses this method because it allows our clients to be able to work within their budget while not worrying that by choosing a vendor that costs more or needing our help for a few more hours will break their budget. After being in business for over 18 years, we have come up with a formula that allows us to determine how much time and work will be needed prior to the wedding day along with how many staff and for how many hours of coverage will be needed on your wedding day.

PERCENTAGE

Another way Wedding Planners charge their clients is by charging a percentage of their client’s expenses. This method is most commonly seen when Wedding Planners are hired for “Full Coordination”. As an example, if your Wedding Planner hired a photographer for your wedding and they photographer’s contract was for $6,000, if the Wedding Planner charges a 10% fee, you would owe your Wedding Planner $600.

***NOTE: Some Wedding Planners may use a combination of any of the 3 methods above.

HAPPY PLANNING! XOXO

How to Narrow Down Your Wedding Guest List

GUEST BLOG BY HAWAII VISTA WEDDINGS

The guest list is probably the most daunting task of your wedding. Even if you have an unlimited budget or resources, chances are you still aren’t going to be able to please everyone. The first thing to remember is, this is YOUR wedding as a couple. Ultimately whoever will be there will affect you and your everlasting memory of this day. So before you say “I do,” be sure to say “I can” invite whomever I want!

Choose Your Wedding Venue

Photo by Michele C Photo

Book your dream wedding venue first to make sure it is the one that is right for you. Don’t let your list dictate where you have to get married. If your wedding venue is capped at 20, 50, or even 100, this will help you to make the cuts. Sometimes you are able to use the excuse for the limited amount of guests that the venue allows. Even if your venue allows large weddings, you may still want a small intimate one. If this is the case, cap yourselves at a set number. Similar to an elopement or a microwedding, guests need to understand that this is only for the very closest of friends and family.

children As wedding guests

Some couples simply can't imagine the wedding without children, while other couples just don't want them. Those on a budget may not want to worry about providing child-friendly food, or keeping kids entertained. For these couples, removing children from the wedding guest list is the best way to maintain the integrity of the wedding. Keeping the list of wedding guests children-free is both an easy way to keep the guest list small and to keep the budget low. Many people ask, “do children count as a guest?” The answer is “yes they do”. In fact, their energetic spirit can be a huge focal point of the wedding. Even though they may be smaller than the rest, their presence is large. Be sure to make it clear on your invitation or website so everyone knows that they are not being singled out. You can offer a daycare service as a polite alternative. Especially if there are a lot of guests with kids and most of their grandparents (who are their usual babysitters) may be attending the wedding too. If you are considering eliminating children from your wedding guest list, remember that your choice is a personal one so people should understand this.

Make categories into tiers

Looking at a long list of people and deciding who to cut can be overwhelming. Try putting your guests into categories. Closest friends, acquaintances, closest family members, extended family, kids, co workers, family friends and so on. Put theses categories from most important to least important and start cutting people from the bottom. Some people fit into two categories so you may want to put them in the higher category since they are important enough to be in two of them.You may want to hold off sending invites to your co workers if you may be changing jobs. It could be awkward having your old boss and co-workers come to your wedding. Send your invitations in waves with the highest tier first. As you get RSVP’s you can then go to the next tier. If your 3rd cousin and their 4 children are not invited, they may be more understanding when they find out that your other 3rd cousin and new boyfriend are not invited. As human beings, we compare and notice these things and it’s understandable to not want to feel singled out.

One Year Rule

If you haven’t talked to a friend in over a year, you should consider not inviting them. Also, if you don’t foresee yourself being friends with these people in 5 years, that can be a factor. The pandemic has put a highlighter on who our true friends really are. Who are the people you just couldn’t go without talking to or seeing for more than a year?Who are the people that uplifted and supported you both as a couple? Do you ever think about how they are doing and have the urge to text or call? If the answer is “no” then you may want to cross them off the list. Wedding invites do not need to be reciprocal. Just because your co-worker invited you to their 400 person wedding, does not mean that you need to invite them to your intimate micro wedding of 20 people. Family members can be a bit tricky. You and your brother may have gotten into a falling out and have not talked for over a year. This does not mean that you shouldn’t invite him. This may be what brings you two together instead of farther apart. So be selective when using this rule.

Photo by Michele C Photo

Make sure you are the one making the list

Parents have great intentions and even though you are an adult, they may feel the need to help and take over. The problem is that they may not feel the same people who are important to you are the same to them. It can be a bit tricky if they are helping you pay for it. So set boundaries from the start before they start inviting all of their friends to your wedding. Keep the list to yourselves and tell everyone the list will be announced soon. Try not to ask for suggestions or thoughts that may influence you. You know yourselves the best and this will transfer to how you feel on your wedding day. All the adorning eyes on you should be from everyone who truly loves you and you them.

Having Vendors Double As Guests

In some cases, it is nice to have one of your friends or family members double as a vendor. For example, if your sister is a brilliant pianist or singer, she may play at the wedding. Just make sure it is only for a short period of time like the walk down the aisle so she can enjoy the rest of your wedding. Unless you need live music at your wedding, having a playlist on bluetooth speakers works just as well. It is recommended however to hire a professional officiant, photographer or videographer. These are all important vendors that you don’t want just anyone doing. If you ask your cousin who is an amateur photographer to take pics with his new camera, you may be sourly disappointed. Just tell him you don’t want him to work on your wedding day.

No one said wedding planning is easy and turning people away is not fun. You’ll always want a wedding planner to help you with the heavy lifting. However, when it comes to planning the list, you are the only ones who truly know in your heart who means the most to you.

XOXOXO

Happy Planning!

(A Perfect Day)

How to Get Your Hawaii Marriage License - Instructions & Tips

Oftentimes when planning a wedding, it’s easy to want to just focus on all the fun parts of the planning process! Such as selecting your flowers, decor, favors, and so much more! However, the MOST important item that we need but don’t often think about as much as the “fun” stuff is your Marriage License!

Photography: Embr Photo | Venue: Four Seasons Resort in Ko’Olina

What’s the difference between a Marriage License and a Marriage Certificate you ask? 

• A Marriage License is the document that states that you and your partner are allowed to legally get married. (A couple should get this BEFORE their wedding!)

• A Marriage Certificate is the document that states that you and your partner are legally married! (A couple should get this AFTER their wedding!)

• Not to make things confusing but a “Decorative Certificate” is something many vendors or venues may give a couple. This is purely decorative and is not a legal document in any way.

As this is such an important but often overlooked item in the wedding planning process we sat down with well experienced officiant Reverend James Chun to share some instructions and tips on how to get your Hawaii marriage license!

What are the Steps to Getting a Marriage License in Hawaii?

1. Apply online at https://emrs.ehawaii.gov/emrs/public/home.html

2. Go in-person to the Hawaii Health Department (Both people MUST be present)

What Do You Need to Apply for a Marriage License?

Online Application 

To fill out this application you will need to know the following: 

• Date and location of the wedding.

• Mother’s maiden names, and Parents’ birth dates.

• The chosen name for anyone changing their name after the marriage. This will be listed as the “Declared Name”.  

• Name of performer. This will be the name of your officiant who is registered in the State of Hawaii.

• Fill out the application to the best of your ability! If you fill in anything incorrectly, or do not know the required information, it’s okay! When you meet the marriage agent at the health department you can let them know what information needs to be adjusted and they should be able to help you update your application!  

In order to submit the application, you will have to pay $65.00

In-Person Visit

1. As you and your significant other will need to go in-person to the Hawaii Health Department, we recommend making an appointment prior! Click here to schedule an appointment! 

2. If you choose to walk-in, we recommend going to the Hawaii Health Department before 12pm as walk-ins typically have a higher chance earlier in the day. 

3. Both of you will need to bring photo identification, such as a Driver’s license, State ID, or Passport.

4. Bring your receipt (in email if applied online) that has your locator ID. 

Photo from: Honolulu Civil Beat

What Happens at the In-Person Visit?

With your partner, you will meet with a marriage agent and they will verify that your application has all of the necessary information. Then they will have you take an oath attesting that everything stated is true, and that you both are there on your own will to get married! Following that, you will get your license! 

When Should you Apply for a Marriage License/Pick up the License?

You are able to apply for a marriage license up to one year before the date you plan to get married. 

You should pick up your Marriage License within 30 days prior to your wedding. Once you pick up your marriage license you will have 30 days to get married, before it expires. That’s why we highly recommend waiting to pick up your license a week or two before your wedding date! 

How to Get Your Marriage Certificate? 

On the day of your wedding, bring your marriage license with you to the ceremony. Following the ceremony you and your officiant will typically sign the license and then they will submit it to the Vital Records department so that you can get your marriage certificate! If your officiant is doing this service for you, it’s always good to follow-up a few days after your wedding to make sure that they submitted it to ensure that you two are legally married! Typically the certified marriage certificate will be ready within 2-4 weeks after your wedding. However if you need it sooner than that, the temporary copy can typically be downloaded within 1-3 business days following your wedding. You can also go to the vital records department in person, to request a certified copy (may have to pay a fee). 

Couples That are Traveling to Hawaii for Their Wedding

If you’re flying to Hawaii for your wedding, please note that you MUST HAVE a Hawaii Marriage License in order to get married in Hawaii. Due to this, if you are unable to visit the Hawaii Health Department prior to your wedding, there are agents that work outside of the health department that you can contact to see if they can meet with you to give you your license. Check out the Hawaii Health Department website to see the license agents that work outside of typical hours. 

XOXOXO

Happy Planning!

(A Perfect Day)

Fun Gift Ideas for Your Wedding Party

Photography: Embr Photo

Your wedding party is made up of the people in your life that have been there for you through all the ups and all the downs! Maybe they were there to help you get through every breakup and now they’re getting to see you marry the person of your dreams! Or maybe they’re the person that always encouraged you to try new things and one of the new things you tried led to you meeting your significant other! No matter the story behind your relationship, the members of your wedding party are some of the most important people in your life and will now be such a important part of the life you’re creating with your other half! 

If you’re still trying to figure out who should be in your wedding party, check out our blog sharing five things to consider when selecting your wedding party! 

Whether or not your love language is “Gifts” as we know that so many of our couples like to give their wedding party a gift to say thank you, we’ve come up with a few fun gift ideas for your wedding party! 

Photography: Ryan O Photo

Luxury Gifts 

The folks in your wedding party have helped you through the planning process, been there to listen to you vent, and to lend a helping hand at a moment's notice. So a  gift of luxury, perhaps something they wouldn’t typically purchase for themselves as it’s a bit of a splurge, may be a nice way to say thank you for all of your help and here’s something to make you feel a little “extra”! 

Luxury Gift Ideas for Both Parties:

• Jewelry 

• Watch

• Electronic Device

• Certificate for a Massage (something they can do after your wedding!)

Sentimental Gifts 

Photography: Absolutely Loved Photography

It seems that there’s no gift that will be able to truly express how much gratitude and love you have for your wedding party but a sentimental gift comes close. As they’re often connected to a story or sweet memory they’re a meaningful gift to give to some of the most meaningful people in your life! Each year these gifts will grow with more and more sentiment as they celebrate such a wonderful friendship! 

Sentimental Gift Ideas for Both Parties:

• Picture/Photo Album

• Artwork

• Gift Related to an Inside Joke

Personalized Gifts 

Photography: Bianca Photography

A gift created specifically for each member of your wedding party not only makes them feel extra special but it is also a fun way to show them that they are truly one of a kind to you! As local engraving shops and sellers on Etsy seem to be able to personalize a wide variety of items, this is a great option for couples who want to give their wedding party practical gifts that are unique to the person and/or the occasion! 

Personalized Gift Ideas for Both Parties:

• Drinkware

• Clothing and Accessories

• Tote Bags/Backpacks

• Cufflinks (Something that they’ll use on the wedding day!)

We hope these ideas help you find the perfect gift to say thank you to your wedding party, as well as that’s a “WRAP” on the wedding planning!

XOXOXO

Happy Planning!

(A Perfect Day)

What Does It Mean To Have A True Elopement?

GUEST BLOG BY HAWAII VISTA WEDDINGS

What does it mean to have a TRUE ELOPEMENT? The word elopement is derived from the Anglo-French word aloper, meaning to run away or abduct. This romantic idea involves a private and intimate wedding. In the past, elopement was reserved for secretive couples who wanted to avoid the drama of a traditional wedding. A true elopement means “to run away secretly with the intention of getting married usually without parental consent” as found in the dictionary. Although many people consider an elopement up to 20 people, it really is just the two of you and an officiant .Anything more than two is really a small wedding. Eloping is just about what you want SOLEY for yourselves.

Photo by Michele C Photo

Here Are 4 Reasons To Have A True Elopement

1. Wanting to Be Stress Free

If you are tired of the stress of planning a traditional wedding, opt out of one and have a true elopement. Be sure to discuss all the details with your partner. What's most important to you? Do you want to be casual barefoot in the sand on a nice tropical island, or married at the edge of a mountain? You should still hire a wedding planner to help you with the planning because usually an elopement still requires great vendors and coordination which can be very stressful. If your whole intent is to relax and enjoy yourselves, spend the money to have someone help you plan. Another thing that causes stress is family and friend drama. Elopements give couples the freedom to get married without the stress of family problems, expectations, and traditions. Many families are dysfunctional, and a wedding can bring a painful reminder of past misunderstandings. Parents may start to take over the planning and make it the wedding of THEIR dreams. Suddenly you are attending a wedding that you did not want and with people you don’t know.Who to invite and who not to invite can be stressful in itself. Will one ex parent get along with the other? If you don’t invite one to avoid the drama, will feelings get hurt for the one who is not invited? Will your best friend be mad at you if you invite her ex who is your cousin? Making the list can be a stressful one that starts off your wedding with a bad taste that only continues during picture taking and table seating arrangements.

2. On a Budget

The average cost of a wedding is $30,000 dollars!! Instead of spending thousands of dollars on a large, over-the-top wedding, consider a small, intimate elopement and make it truly magical. You will save a lot of money on unnecessary party favors , gifts, bridesmaids dresses, travel fees, lodging, food to feed an army with elaborate table settings,and the list goes on. You will be surprised how the cost keeps growing and growing as unexpected wedding costs pop up. Once you are committed to one thing, it’s hard to back down with the others. If you are paying for hair and make up for your mom, you probably should pay for your future Mother in law. If you are paying for airfare and lodging for the brides sister, the grooms sister may feel hurt if hers is not paid for too. At this point you are already in too deep to back out.

An elopement can be done any day of the week, saving lot’s of money. You can have your wedding on a weekday since you aren’t worried about everyone taking off from work. Many venues and vendors are cheaper on weekdays and non holidays.

Most couples are young and starting off in life. Blowing your whole savings while thinking about buying a house and starting a family can be a financial burden. Money is a big issue in marriage so why start your marriage off in debt and uncertainty?

3. Have a Unique Wedding

Pictures from Pinterest

If it is just the two of you, you can do whatever you want! Want to sky dive out of a plane and say “I do” 14,000 feet in the air? Go scuba diving 130 feet under the water or have a snowmobile race and get married in a secluded spot on a chilly mountainside to mark your special day. Once you are done, you can have an amazing picnic for the two of you. Have a first dance with a musician to serenade you while a local artist paints a scene of your love story. Fly to another country the next day and explore the world newly married. There are officiants and wedding planners out there that will have an adventure with you. So find one and get creative.The ideas are endless and nothing seems more romantic than just being with the one you love. If you are planning to have kids right away, this may be the last time you are alone together for a while so make it great!

4. Don’t Like Big Weddings

Just because you are getting married, does not mean everyone needs to celebrate with you. With a true elopement,you won't have to worry about coordinating 200-300 guests or planning for large groups and families. If you're an introvert, a big wedding might be overwhelming and uncomfortable. It's hard to enjoy and be yourself when you're surrounded by so many family members and friends all wanting your attention. Feeling obligated to talk to everyone can be a challenge. The idea that so many people made the time to come see you can be intimidating with expectations mounting. This is supposed to be one of the best days of your life and for some people being the center of attention just sounds like a nightmare. Even with a small wedding, having people looking at you and admiring you can be so awkward and uncomfortable. With an elopement you can still pamper yourselves by getting your hair and makeup done, hiring a photographer and videographer, have champagne and cake. Friends and families can still send you gifts or cards to congratulate you but if you are a quiet person, a true friend or family member will understand.

An elopement allows you to focus on your partner and to make your wedding exactly the way you want it to be.Just make sure that you're comfortable and relaxed, as elopement ceremonies can be fun and memorable! If you let everyone know that it is really going to be just the two of you, then it sends the message to everyone “it’s all about us”! So grab your partners hand, leave the drama behind, and start your life together as one.

XOXOXO

Happy Planning!

(A Perfect Day)

2022 & 2023 Trending Wedding Color Themes

We know that colors can hold so much meaning. They can make us feel happy, remind us of a time in our lives, and even symbolize someone special! For one of the most meaningful days of your life it’s natural to want to select wedding colors that are also very meaningful to you and your partner! And as there are SO MANY beautiful different shades to choose from, we’ve found a few color themes that are trending for 2022 & 2023 weddings and hope that they’ll give “hue” some inspiration!

Lilac + Vintage Yellow + Blush Pink

Florist: Halu Hawaii | Hair & Makeup: Face Art Beauty Photography: Caitlin Alohilani Photography

Though Blush Pink has been a wedding color favorite for the past few years, Lilac and Vintage Yellow have been making their way up the color popularity ladder! So it’s no surprise that together these three colors really create a theme of sweet elegance! 

With multiple colors in your wedding theme, it can be easy to feel that you have to use the combination of colors in every area of your wedding. However, one of the best parts of having a color theme is that you’re able to use each color individually in different areas, and when they come together they beautifully showcase your color theme! Such as these bridesmaids in Lilac dresses don’t need to also have Vintage Yellow, or Blush Pink in their attire because the colors are represented in the flowers of their bouquet! 

TIP: Including greenery is a great way to ground the light colors and provide a subtle contrast to the overall theme!

Coral Pink + FuchisIa + Canary Yellow + Green

Florist: Always Flowers 808 | Hair & Makeup: Cherbu Makeup Photography: StephEn Ludwig Photography

We don’t know about you, but looking at these colors together immediately transport us to one place… TROPICAL PARADISE! Which is of course the perfect theme to use when getting married in Hawaii! The vibrancy of these colors together truly create stunning eye catching floral pieces! 

As these colors are on the brighter side, if you're looking for a color to pull together the ensemble we recommend earthy, natural tones. This bride’s use of Navy Blue to stand alone against the tropical ensemble created a really beautiful balance of tropical plants meets the deep sea!

TIP: Including a metallic color such as silver, gold, or champagne can be a fun way of adding some extra texture to your color theme!

White + Forest Green + Neutrals

Florist: Always Flowers 808 | Venue: Hawaii Vista Weddings Photography: Mike pham photography

A color theme showing the true sweetness in the simple things. The softness of the white florals, paired with the freshness of the greenery, and neutral undertones creates a truly classic look and feel to an intimate wedding. The use of neutral colors such as tan and peach in the groom’s suit and tie, was a great way to include moments of warmth to the overall color scheme!

Tip: Look for a photographer who’s editing style compliments your color scheme/has the ability to photograph you in a way that best showcases your colors!

We hope you’ll be able to say “I do” to one of these 2022 & 2023 trending wedding color themes! If not, we hope that they at least inspired you to add some color to your vision board and find the wedding color theme that is meaningful to the both of you and will be the perfect backdrop for your wedding day! :)  

XOXOXO

Happy Planning!

(A Perfect Day)

5 Things to Consider When Selecting Your Wedding Party

You chose the person that you’re going to spend the rest of your life with YAY! :) So now it’s time to choose the people that are going to be there to support you and your other half on your wedding day and throughout the many years after!

Photography: Embr Photo | Venue: La Pietra

Your wedding party AKA your Bride Tribe, Friends of Honor, I Do Crew, etc, are going to be  your main support group for your wedding and for your new life with your partner! They are the people that will be there for you through the stressful moments of wedding planning as well as be there to “chee-hooo” the loudest during your big celebration! 

Though this decision may be easy for some, we also know that it can be a very difficult and sensitive one for others. That’s why we are sharing 5 things we think that all couples should consider when selecting their wedding party! 

The Number 

As there’s no “rule” of how many bridesmaids or groomsmen one should have, we recommend you selecting people based on the quality of their relationship to you rather than by the number of people you think would look best in photos.

If having “balanced” photos is something that is a priority to you, but the ratio of bridesmaids to groomsmen (or vice versa) that you’re thinking to have are not equal, we recommend chatting with your photographer on various poses, and photo arrangements that can be done to best capture your wedding party. 

Photography: VIVIDfotos | Venue: Four Seasons Resort in Ko’Olina

The Cost 

Photography: Embr Photo | Venue: Kahala Hotel & Resort

As the greater number of guests you have = the greater the budget, similarly the greater number of members in your wedding party = the greater amount of coordination & spending you may have to do! Especially if you plan to purchase the attire for your wedding party, pay for hair & makeup services, buy gifts to present to them on your big day, as well as any costs that come with having a bachelor/bachelorette party, and/or destination wedding. 

Your Expectations 

It’s important that you and your significant other determine the expectations and responsibilities that you have for your wedding party so that after the members are chosen you don’t realize that the things you want from your wedding party are not the things they are able to provide. 

For instance, if you want a wedding party that’s very involved in the planning/DIYing of your wedding and would be able to stop by to help at a moment’s notice you may have to consider selecting people that live close to you rather than long distance friends. By having honest expectations of your wedding party you will be able to select the people that can take on those responsibilities and will be there for you in the way that you want and need  your wedding party to. 

Your Family

Though they will typically be sitting in the front row of your wedding, including your family members into your wedding party can be a nice way to make the event a bit more intimate! As your bridal party doesn’t necessarily need to be limited to just bridesmaids and groomsmen, this can be an opportunity to be unique! Such as the Bride’s brother being a bridesman, the groom’s sister a groomswoman, and even the family pup can be the flower girl or ring bearer! 

Photography: Mike Pham Photography | Venue: Hawaii Vista Weddings

However, if you choose not to include your family in your wedding party that’s completely fine as well! If they expect to be included it may be good to have a conversation with them on your decision and to have them assist you in a different way so they still feel involved with your big day!

Other Wedding Roles

Besides having a wedding party you can also assign specific roles or tasks to folks that you want to have included but not necessarily in the party. This could be a great way to include family members as well! Some areas we often see family members or close friends assisting with are as the emcee of the reception, giving the banzai toast, and helping at the registration table!

Whether you choose to have a wedding party of 2 members or 10 we hope that these tips will help you in selecting the wonderful people that will make up your wedding party and be the smiling faces you’ll see standing next to you at the altar as you say your I DOs!

XOXOXO

Happy Planning!

(A Perfect Day)

CONGRATULATIONS JESSICA & KENNY! <3

Today we are throwing it back to November 2019 to highlight the beautiful wedding of Jessica & Kenny! 

At the stunning Kahala Resort located on the east side of the island of O’ahu, Jessica & Kenny tied the knot surrounded by their family & friends. It was truly a beautiful day to celebrate the happy occasion! The talented photographers from Embr Photo captured the entire event. One of our favorite photos from their wedding is of Jessica, Kenny, & all of their wedding guests! With the Hawaii wedding industry slowly going back to “normal” we look forward to seeing more photos like this one!

The day began with Jessica & her bridesmaids getting ready in their hotel room. The talented hair & makeup artists from both Grace Nicole Glam and CJ Siepka were there to help the bridal party get all dolled up for the special occasion!

As Jessica & her bridal party were getting ready, the ceremony and reception sites were also undergoing a makeover as the hardworking Kahala staff and vendors were creating the most beautiful setting for a wedding! The florists from both Florist Grand and Creative Concepts by Jeff decorated the area with lovely soft pink and white florals. In the reception area, the team from Elegance with Grace provided the drapery and linens that perfectly matched the color scheme of the wedding and created the perfect “pretty in pink” atmosphere!

Jessica & Kenny not only had a color theme of blush and ivory but also had a theme of travel for their wedding! We love the way they so creatively incorporated their passion for traveling into multiple areas of their celebration! A few of our favorite travel moments include the custom monogram created by Bliss DJs Hawaii as well as the cake design created by We Heart Cake Company!

To see more of Jessica & Kenny’s special day, check out the same day edit video created by the wonderful videography team from Inspired Films Hawaii.

It was an honor to be able to help Jessica & Kenny plan the wedding of their dreams and we wish them many more years of a happy marriage!

XOXOXO

(A Perfect Day)

Is Planning a Wedding Really that Hard? Do I need a Wedding Planner?

These are 2 questions we frequently hear and although our perspective and response to these questions may be unique to A Perfect Day, if it helps someone, we’re happy to share!

PC: Derek Wong Photography

To discuss the first question: “Is Planning a Wedding Really that Hard?“ No, at least we don’t think so. This is evident in the fact that most couples are looking for what has been called a “day of” planner versus “full coordination”. We have found that the couples seeking “full coordination” are doing so usually because they don’t have the time to plan a wedding or often times don’t live here and are unfortunately scared into thinking the disconnection puts them at a higher risk of being taken advantage of. Both reasons have nothing to do with the ability to do with the mental capacity of being able to plan it. With technology only getting better with each day that passes, planning a wedding locally or from off island really isn’t much different anymore. Sure, you can’t taste the food or touch fabrics unless you are in person but the great news is that since Oahu is such a popular destination for weddings, our industry has adapted.

PC: Kai Photo

To discuss the second question: “Do I need a Wedding Planner?“ Again, our answer would be “No”. We feel our job is to relieve stress, anxiety, to guide our clients through their wedding day as smoothly as possible as well as to prevent and troubleshoot undesired situations. For that reason, if you aren’t worried about anything and are okay with or even prefer to do all the troubleshooting personally on your wedding day, then you probably don’t need a Wedding Planner :-).

Happy Planning!

XOXO A Perfect Day

5 Tips to Create Your Wedding Guest List

Planning a wedding comes with having to make A LOT of decisions! Some may be easy, such as selecting the flavor of your wedding cake (at least we think it’s easy RED VELVET OFC!). Whereas some may be REALLY difficult such as deciding who WILL and who WILL NOT be invited to your wedding! 

As there are so many factors to consider when building your guest list, we came up with the following 5 tips to help you in creating your perfect guest list! 

Venue: Hawaii Vista Weddings | Photography: Michele C Photo

1. Set Your Budget 

Most of the time, the greater amount of guests that you have at your wedding will result in the greater amount that you may need to spend on your wedding. With this in mind determining your overall budget, especially on how much you will be spending on your venue, will influence your guest count! Once you set your budget, you can then set your guest count, and then finally begin determining the people who will make up your set guest count number! 

Additionally, be aware of costs that may arise with out of town guests! 

If Hawaii is a destination wedding for any of your guests, and paying for a portion of the lodging/flight expenses is something that’s important to you, factoring in these possible costs may greatly influence the size and the names on your guest list. 

2. Establish Policies for Plus-Ones and Kids

If you’re planning to send an invitation to guests that have a significant other or kids, we highly recommend establishing a policy for determining if any/which Plus-Ones and Kids will be invited. By communicating with each other and creating a set rule for these two additional invitation groups, it will be clear to both you and your guests who will be invited. The following are some examples of policies that can be set for Plus-Ones and Kids.

Plus-Ones 

• A significant other that both of you know.

• Their other half is a part of your wedding party. 

• Engaged or married couples.

• Couples who live together. 

• Been together longer than X months. 

Kids

• Parent(s) are a part of the wedding party. 

• In the wedding party (i.e. flower girl or ring bearer).

• They’re family. 

• At least X years old. 

• Younger than X years old and both parents are invited. 

Photography: Embr Photo

By setting policies early, you may be able to avoid having to make decisions for Plus-Ones and Kids, on a case by case basis. You’ll also be able to anticipate how many Plus-Ones and Kids will be included in your guest count and decrease the chance of being surprised with a higher count when you receive RSVPs. 

3. Stick to the Guidelines

Whether it’s  guidelines you’ve created, like on Plus-Ones and Kids as mentioned above, or policies out of your control such as COVID-19 regulations, sticking to these guidelines will make it easier for you to communicate with guests how the guest list was created. Note that if you make any exceptions to the guidelines you may have to be prepared to explain the exceptions to your guests, that’s also why we highly recommend sticking to any guidelines, so that no one takes anything personally! 

4. Order Your List

Order the people on your guest list by priority rather than group. Instead of putting the names of your guests in relationship sections such as family, friends, coworkers, etc. Order your list from the people you most need at your wedding to the people that you will be okay with them not being there. Though it may sound harsh, by creating your list in this order if your guest list size has to decrease in any way, it will be easier for you to see who will have to not be invited (names at the bottom of the list) rather than re-looking at your entire list and going through the list by the different relationship sections.

5. Know Your Priorities

Photography: Bianca Gomes Photography | Officiant: Rev. James Chun

Does the wedding that you dreamed of match your guest list? If your vision is to have an intimate backyard wedding, but your guest count is over 50 people, really think about which one is more of a priority to you and who are really the people on that list! During the wedding planning process outside influences (espeically parents) can tend to affect the number of guests as well as who the guests are. Though this special event can be seen as a family event, at the end of the day it’s central focus is on you and your other half. So by knowing your priorities it will help you to keep to the wedding vision that you want! 

We hope these 5 tips help you in creating your ideal wedding guest list! As your wedding day is the ultimate celebration of you and your significant other committing to spend the rest of your lives together, you should be surrounded by the people that you wnat to be there to witness and support this incredible moment in your lives!!

XOXOXO

Happy Planning!

(A Perfect Day)