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.

wedding wings

here's a little secret for anyone planning either a long distance wedding in hawaii or expecting guests from the mainland. we all know it can be pricey for guests to attend a wedding in the islands which is where hawaiian airlines' wedding wings program can help.

just register for the program at least 60 days before your wedding and then give your wedding wings code to all your family & friends flying in from the mainland. they'll save 10% off their airfare and you'll earn a one-way upgrade to first class. it's the gift that keeps on giving!

let them eat cake

hawaii is a foodie's paradise so finding a wedding cake is not too difficult unless you're searching for a yummy modern creation. luckily, there are many talented pastry chefs in the islands so the most difficult decision will be selecting the flavors for all those layers of cake.

cake couture's owner, carmen emerson bass, trained at the california culinary academy and is now one of the better known pastry artists in the islands. the cake above reminds me of the hula dancers at the merrie monarch festival. carmen's fanciful creations have been featured in martha stewart weddings and pacific rim weddings.

i think this cake from the sweet stop in kailua is so pretty and tropical. once upon a time pastry chef (and former marine!) joslyn laura-annette benn created the desserts at roy's and many other notable restaurants on oahu. a few years ago, she opened up her own bake shop which means you don't need to be getting married to indulge in her delightful concoctions!