tropic essentials

lauhala favor box & tote

this is one for all the brides-to-be desperate to find the perfect way to present those ubiquitous jordan almonds to their wedding guests. the neverending search filling your lunch break/late night googles and commiserations on the knot ends with a quick click to honolulu's tropic essentials, a one stop online shop stocked with everything crafty brides need to create modern island style favors.

the prices are reasonable and you will find inspiration in spades on how to transform a basic lauhala box into something spectacular. now that you have found favor nirvana, get ready for endless discussions on whether to go with sleek metal window tins or ethereal sinamay pouches. decisions, decisions . . . maybe it's time to elope.

{update | jan 2010: tropic essentials shuttered its online shop a few years ago so click over to creations by you, hawaiian wedding shop, or pacific weddings magazine for island style favor supplies}

the wedding cafe

tucked in the back of the manoa marketplace is a safe haven for island brides-to-be and the grooms who love them. the wedding café is a one stop shop for all things wedding with everything from a library filled with required reading, information & goodies from island vendors (like h|h favorite miemiko atelier), plus workshops to help you plan your perfect day.

and yes, there really is a café which means you can get a little sustenance in between your research and chatting with other brides (because, let's be honest, it's way more fun to dish about your plans with someone who understands the importance of all the arcane things that make a wedding happen). and, fyi, if the only way you're going to a wedding is by crashing it, there's no need to fib to get in the door since all are welcome to dine at the café.

the wedding café is also the spot for mint, a modern take on tea service that takes place on the first sunday of the month (next mint: dec 3rd). make a reservation and invite your friends for an afternoon of civilized refreshment and ladylike conversation (gloves not required).

{update | jan 2010: the wedding café has since relocated to ward warehouse where you can plan, shop, and nosh}

miemiko atelier

thought i would share a site i recently stumbled upon for all the brides-to-be out there. if you have the budget and absolutely adore letterpress printing, you should definitely connect with miemiko atelier.

the designs are fresh and, if you need a bit of hand holding during the creative process, no worries since the designer will work with you from start to finish to tailor custom invites to announce your big day.

diy wine

. . . well, kind of. thanks to punahou grad shannon ball, tending to the vines & expensive fermentation equipment are no longer a requirement for aspiring vintners. test your winemaking skills at his shop, wine the experience, where you can blend your own wine from over 50 varietals and a few months later your wine will be ready to be bottled.

slap on some custom labels and you have a one-of-a kind gift for birthdays, weddings & the holidays. if you don't drink it all first.

spa day

flowers for mother's day? been there. done that.

okay, start passing the collection cup and give your mom what she really wants for mother's day: a day at the spa. elements spa & salon has oodles of packages created just for mom like the hot mama & like mother like daughter (if a trip for two is in your budget). and, elements didn't forget moms-to-be (and neither should you) so pre-natal massages are also available on their spa menu.

the star-bulletin has a nice background story on elements' owners who stepped away from their careers at a local law firm to be their own bosses in the beauty biz.

{update | dec 2009: elements changed ownership last year; more details can be found here}