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Outdoor Wedding in Hawaii

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Outdoor Wedding in Hawaii

Most people would automatically assume a wedding in Hawaii would be outdoors and why not? The weather is always almost perfect. Nature is surrounding you and what more could you want?

If you want a large outdoor wedding in Hawaii, it can get pricey.

There are ways of cutting back on costs but the difference between an outdoor wedding verses a wedding held indoors is that you have to bring everything to an outdoor venue including: tables, chairs, lights, etc.... A wedding held at a venue like a church or hotel already has chairs, air conditioning (because some of us need it), tables, etc...

I am in the process of planning an outdoor wedding because I love the beach. I also wanted my guests to feel at ease and bask in the beautiful natural scenery around them.

Here are some elements and issues I had to tackle as I started planning my outdoor wedding in Hawaii.

Indoor, Outdoor or Both?

Image credit: http://www.gaylaelizabethblog.com/

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Hiring a Wedding Coordinator

I hired a wedding coordinator because I was honest with myself. I did not want to plan a whole production on my own. If you love challenges like planning large parties then go for it and save yourself the money and DIY! I would if I had the desire to undertake such a large project.

But I didn't know the first thing about throwing an outdoor wedding...

*What do I do about lighting?
*What kind of tent do I get?
*How do I keep track of all the vendors and what they need to do?

Nope, I didn't want to deal with it while working 40 hours a week and topping that off with a long commute. So I did my research and found some wedding planners in Hawaii:

Finishing Touch Hawaii This is my coordinator!

White Orchid Wedding

Parasol Events

Always have a consultation meeting with any wedding coordinator you are planning to book. Be sure you get along well together before you sign the contract, you want to trust the person who will be helping you plan your wedding.

Image Credit: Finishing Touch Hawaii

I want to know:

Are you coordinating your own wedding?

Of course! I've always wanted to coordinate everything about my wedding.

Nah, I'm paying someone to help me.

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Videography: A Hawaii Wedding Video by 10th Letter Media

You have to see this video by 10th Letter Media-Amazing!

There is nothing like an amazing videographer to capture the day of your wedding. Remember the two things that will help you relive every moment of your special day is the video and the pictures. Choose wisely!

This is the same location I will be getting married at and I am excited to see what it will look like on the day of the wedding!

A videographer is a must! Are you getting married in Hawaii and want to book a vendor here? Check out some of these awesome videographers:

10th Letter Media

Crane Media

Love Story Hawaii

Aria Studios

Planning a Wedding? Stay Organized!

Unless you are the type to keep very organized files-I recommend getting a wedding planner or organizer.

If you don't want to buy one, make one. Keep ALL things wedding, in one place!

Photography

Yes! When my wedding coordinator asked me what three things I prioritized highly in my wedding I said:

1. Wedding Venue
2. Photography
3. Food

These are the pictures you will want to gaze at forever. It will be the pictures you share with others or your kids when they grow up. It will be the pictures your grandchildren will see. Pick a great photographer to help cherish your memories of your union.

Here are some great photographers based in Hawaii:

Frank Amodo He'll be my photographer! So excited!

Kai-Photo

Chrissy Lambert

Visionari

Image Credit: http://www.mauiweddingphotographyspot.com/portfolio/

Kai-Photo Hawaii Wedding Photography-Slideshow

Kai-Photo Slideshow: Here is a photography slideshow by Kai-Photo, check it out!

Lanikuhonua, Outdoor Wedding Video

Here is a video by Crane Media at Lanikuhonua, my wedding venue. I love wedding video samples because it gives you an idea of what you want your wedding ceremony and reception to look like.

Study the decor, layout, and details. If you don't know what you want right now, trust me after viewing photos and videos it will start to give you a direction on where you want to go with the planning of your wedding!

It helped me out a lot!

Want to try your hand at wedding photography?

Things to remember about an outdoor wedding...

1. You are outdoors, rain or shine. Remember to get the right protection from the elements.
* Rent a tent for the reception area. Some people can do without it but if it rains, your guests will be wet!
* For the ceremony, maybe buy some paper umbrellas that guests can keep as a favor.
* Hawaii is HOT in the summer time - what about some custom made paper fans to keep guests cool.
* If you know it gets chilly and windy at night, how about passing out shawls as favors?

2. The wind does blow...but who cares? I do:
* Candles on your table tops? Do you really need to have the real thing? These days LED votives are available. Real fire can blow out quick.
* Escort cards, tented on a table top? My wedding planner suggested pinning it to a pretty decorated foam board. Why? The wind.

3. Bugs and things:
* I hate bugs, but I don't hate them enough to forego an outdoor wedding. Wedding planner advice: place bug spray in the bathrooms that guests can use.
* Remember you are surrounded by nature, you can't get rid of them!

4. High heels on grass:
* I'm going to get a pretty, blingy flat pair of sandals myself. Think comfortable!

5. Don't forget to remind your guests to dress appropriately for the venue and weather.

Image Credit: http://letsdothisweddingplanning.blogspot.com/2009/10/lanikuhona-where-heaven-meets-earth.html

Wedding Favor Ideas

Here are some tips on saving on wedding costs!

Because expenses in planning an outdoor wedding can add up quick (linens, tables, cutlery, tents, etc...) remember, stick to your budget.

Work with your wedding planner to find less expensive options on items you would like to have, and always remember your budget. You may go a little over and it would be fantastic if it was way less than the budget, but try not to go thousands of dollars over what you set up to spend. It's a special day yes, but don't fall into debt over it.

Also, an outdoor wedding can help you with ordering less flowers. Look at your surroundings, the scenery is captivating. Use Nature's gift to your advantage!

You can save a lot of money by not spending them on flowers. Try to reuse ceremony flowers into the cocktail and reception space to save on costs as well.

Image Credit: http://mgweddingshawaii.blogspot.com/2009/07/kelly-and-don-at-lanikuhonua-52409_06.html

Outdoor wedding video: Oahu, North Shore

Here is another video featuring the North Shore of Hawaii, at the Loulu Palm Estate. How beautiful, heartfelt and soulful is this video capturing the happiness of the day, the chaos and then the quiet in the woods.

This is what you want to look back on when you remember your wedding. How you felt when it was you and your new husband, before, during and after the "i do's".

We should always remember the before and especially the after the wedding party has ended.

It's about you and him. Him and you. From this day forward, hopefully til death do you part.

No Matter What...

If you throw a big or small wedding, extravagant or simple...

Always remember why you are having a "wedding" in the first place. You are having a wedding to enter into a "Marriage". It's hard work, it's not easy and there will be ups and downs.

But remember the vows, remember your promises, a wedding shouldn't be for a SHOW, it should be true and heartfelt. It should be about the two people getting married. The guests are the witnesses to two lives being joined together.

I hope brides out there have fun planning their wedding and if you are having it in Hawaii, I hope this helps you out a little. If not, I hope you at least enjoyed the videos. Eye candy, yes? Enjoy!

Image Credit: http://www.loveolio.com/frank-amodo-photography/2010/8/jennykekoa-lanikuhonua-kapolei-hawaii.aspx

My Other Wedding Lenses

Please leave me a comment!

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kiwinana71 May 4, 2011 @ 5:53 pm | delete

Great Lens. No I am not planning a wedding, just had my 51 wedding anniversary last christmas, but I still love keeping up with the modern ideas of weddings today.