Hawaii Destination Wedding | Giorgia and Damon

September 30, 2015

Family and friends of Damon and Giorgia flew to Oahu from all over the world to witness their Hawaii wedding.  Our couple from Australia had planned to perform two ceremonies to accommodate both religions: Christian and Persian.

The first ceremony would be a Christian ceremony, performed by the Pastor John Fuchigami, at the Akala Chapel.  Shortly after the first ceremony, the second ceremony would be a short-version of a Persian ceremony.  The Persian ceremony was performed in the Rainbow Suite, which was transformed to accommodate this amazing ceremony.  With the help of family members and the staff from Savvy Weddings, a section of the Rainbow Suite was transformed into something I had not seen before.  I was truly amazed at the detail work that was done for this lavish event.  The details consisted of a variety of ornaments, fruits, cookies, a little bowl of honey, two cylinder blocks made of sugar, a white cloth to hold over the couple during the ceremony and a padded bench for the couple to sit on.  

During the ceremony the bride is presented with gifts from the grooms family.  At the same time, members from both families held the white cloth over the bride and groom.  One person was assigned to rub two cylinders of sugar over the cloth and another would be doing some sort of sewing on the white cloth.  Once the bride accepts the marriage, the couple would dip their pinky fingers into the bowl of honey and feed each other the honey to signify their marriage.  Then the guests would shower the newlywed with flower petals.  

The reception was nothing short of fun as well.  The laughs, smiles and love for each other really showed on each and every persons face in the room.  One thing that caught my attention was a knife dance performance prior to the cake cutting ceremony.  In a Persian wedding reception, one person from the groom’s family would perform a dance displaying the knife to be used to cut the cake.  Before the knife could be handed over to the couple, the groom would have to present the knife dancer with gifts or money.  Once accepted, the knife will then be handed over to the newlywed so that they can continue with the cake cutting ceremony.  The rest of the night ended with lots and lots of dancing!

Experiencing a Persian wedding was truly amazing.  I can only imagine what it would have been like had it been the full version.  Thank you Damon and Giorgia for sharing this experience with me!  Aussie-Aussie-Aussie!!! Oy-oy-oy!!!

Thanks to the following vendors who helped make their day possible!

Coordinator: Savvy Weddings

Entertainment: David Asing

Cake Design: Cake Works

Videographer: Digital Expressions

Hair/Makeup: Faith and Beauty

Venue: Hilton Hawaiian Village

Officiant: Pastor John Fuchigami

Ceremony Venue: Akala Chapel

Florist: Spinning WEB Florist

DJ: Status Entertainment

Linen/Décor: Wedding Linen Company

Hawaii Wedding | Rachel and Ruffer

September 6, 2015

Rachel and Ruffer’s hot Hawaii summer wedding started in the morning with the couple getting ready at the beautiful Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki.  

At their dressing rooms, Rachel looked amazing in her wedding dress and Ruffer and his men were fitted in the traditional Filipino barong (white transparent shirt).  Before the ceremony, their 1stLook took place just outside of the Akala Chapel. Ruffer couldn’t have been more excited to see his beautiful bride for the first time.

Inside the Akala Chapel, at the end of each pew along the aisle was decorated with bouquets.  Once the ceremony music started, it was the queue for the wedding to start.  

First to enter was the wedding party.  Following the wedding party was our beautiful bride who was escorted by both her father and mother.  Their minister, John Fuchigami, did an amazing job during the ceremony.  After announcing them husband and wife, the couple could not wait to have their first kiss as husband and wife.

After the family and wedding party were photographed at the Akala Chapel, we all made our way to The Kahala, where high profile celebrities stay for vacation.  

The lunch reception was in the Waialae Ballroom, which is the perfect venue for about 100 guests.  The formal program consisted of a beautiful 1stdance of the couple, speeches from the Best man and Matron of Honor and ended with a simple cake cutting ceremony by the couple.  

Before the day was over and saying our goodbyes, I took Rachel and Ruffer outside for a few more pictures on the beach.  This awesome couple looked so beautiful and radiant together.  It was a great way to start a Sunday morning!

Bridal prep venue: Hilton Hawaiian Village

Reception venue: The Kahala

Video: Image Creations

Hair/Makeup: Face Art Beauty

Florist: Always Flowers

Officiant: John Fuchigami

Transportation: XS Limousine