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09/27/2013
09/17/2013
Notes from a Maui Wedding at the Sugarman Estate in Makena
Our May wedding at the Sugarman Estate in Makena Maui featured gorgeous seasonal springtime flowers in primarily peach tones, the it color for 2013.
Our bride wanted peach, coral, cream and pink with yellow
accents utilizing all the springtime favorites such as peonies, garden roses
and ranunculus. Since these flowers do not grow in Hawaii for purchase we flew
in big gorgeous deep pink peonies, yellow ranunculus and garden roses in
apricot, peach and cream. The theme continued with a coral fabric draped bamboo
arch. The tables featured a coral colored taffeta runner with yellow chevron
napkins and the same flower combination.
As we were in May the weather varied throughout the day,
from cool overcast in the morning, to bright sun in the early afternoon, then
gusty winds until the bride stepped out to walk down the aisle, and the wind
stopped to allow a peaceful and beautiful ceremony. Luscious passed appetizers and Mai Tai
followed the ceremony accompanied by a magic hour of soft photogenic lighting for
more photos and to finish the day, a perfect Maui sunset.
The passed appetizer menu included large Kaua’i coconut battered prawns with a lilikoi dipping sauce; chicken skewer peanut sate and beef marinate kalbe style with cilantro lime. The guests sat down after sunset to a plated three course dinner.
The Sugarman Estate sits on the south coast of Maui in the exclusive Makena area found down a winding one lane ocean front road with breathtaking views of the sea and black rock scenery. The estate faces west for beautiful sunsets and boasts dramatic views featuring lava rock formations, the tiny islet Molokini and the distant islands of Kaho’olawe and west Maui. The expansive grounds features large indigenous kiawe and palm trees perfectly suited for Makena’s dry climate. When the grounds are quite it is easy to spot Maui wildlife, such as deer, black goats and the occasional chicken.
We love this property for an outside Maui wedding. The Sugarman Estate is one of the best wedding locations Maui has to offer.
More photos from this pretty wedding:
09/16/2013
09/14/2013
Juicy Orange with Peachy Pink
Orange Orchids with Peach Accents for Maui Bride
When nature supplies perfect blooms in just the right colors with a twist of surprising accents that delight our senseswe think we have the perfect tropical bouquet.
For this September wedding we found
striped orange cymbidium orchids so unusual I had not seen this exact
combination of deep orange with almost deeper orange stripes before.
Also
included are
glowing mango calla lilies edgedwith peach fading to a soft but
strong pink on the tips, deep orange and pink tulips, pink cymbidium orchids
and yellow and fuchsia mocara orchids all wrapped up with a lush burnt orange
silk velvet ribbon. The bright tropical autumn tone was continued
throughout the wedding and receptions. All flowers except the tulips and mini
call lilies were sourced in Maui or the Hawaiian islands. In the table flower arrangements we added large
lush pink dahlias, still blooming in early September, yellow hibiscus and pink
mink protea all grown in our upcountry garden in Kula Maui, Hawaii. Also added are large orange lilies, purple mocara
orchids as well as the pink tulips and striped orange cymbidium orchids. Tangerine taffeta runners provided an additional
pop of color. We love to feature and include our locally grown
garden flowers when seasonal and in bloom.
These flowers add character and authenticity. Other flowers we grow are love in a mist, French
lavender, garden roses, and dinner plate dahlias. Big romantic vintage style flowers are the thing
to do right now and our sustainable Maui garden is producing many of these
types of flowers and well as exotic tropical and unique finds that add
something beyond the commercial flower look. Below are more photos of this Autumn wedding hosted at the Olowalu Plantatin House in Maui
Tables with vanilla pillar candles and taffeta tangerine runners. We still have beautiful dahlias and I am hoping they last through October.
06/15/2012
Sugarman Estate Wedding: Makena Maui
Kasey and Aaron married at the Honua Kai Lani also known as the Sugarman Estate in Makena Maui. Guests at the wedding were greeted with a fresh mango champagne frisee and a game of croquet on the vast lawn overlooking the crescent shaped islet Molokini set in the Pacific Ocean. Lanterns lit the way to the sunset wedding ceremony held on a grassy bluff next to the breaking surf. A perfect sun set into the ocean as Aaron and Kasey recited their vows. Aaron’s sister preformed the marriage ceremony. This early spring wedding boasted a bright sunny day with breezes and bursts of swirling winds that kept the guests cool and comfortable in this tropical setting.
Kasey chose an aqua blue, yellow and pale gray color palette keeping this theme for her flowers, linens and other accents. Flowers were white peonies, white garden roses, freesia, orchids, white and yellow ranunculus and bright yellow tulips for a pop of fun color. Dove gray table linens provided a soothing canvas for the aqua blues and bright yellow tones. Appetizers were passed following the ceremony as well as two special cocktails named for the celebrants.
This Maui wedding featured a fully lined tent with pale blue lanterns and aqua colored up-lights. The three course catered dinner by chef Carol Longhi featured fresh island opakpaka with a mélange of tropical flavors combined in a salsa of mango and pineapple and filet mignon sauced with a pinot reduction and wild mushrooms.
Blue Sky Weddings Studio planned the event design and all the details working closely with Kasey to realize her vision. Kasey and Aaron chose Anna Kim as their photographer and Cravings Bakery for the wedding cake. Billy Arbour of Sound Wave Maui provided the music for the ceremony and reception. More photos are available and we hope to post more soon. You can see more photos here at 
Blue Sky Weddings.
02/09/2012
10/27/2011
Pretty Pink Flowers for Autumn
Pink was our most requested color for 2010 fall Hawaii weddings. We found deep vibrant, luxurious pink in a selection of roses, delicate pink orchids, pink ginger, freesia, mini calla lilies, tulips and of course exotic tropical blooms. All are options for autumnal island celebrations.
Our October 10 bride requested deep pink flowers in matching tones. We sourced open ruffle edged roses, perfectly matched ranunculus, spray roses, deepest pink mini calla lilies and freesia tied with a matching taffeta ribbon for her Maui wedding.
Her matron of honor carried white roses, mini calla lilies and pink freesia.
06/04/2010
05/01/2010
Top Ten List: To Do One year from wedding date
Engaged. Now what? Getting Started Time line Wedding Planner
Top Ten to-dos: Eighteen months to one year out to wedding date
1: Work out your budget. Decide how much you have to spend and find out if your families will contribute and how much. It is a good idea to know what you have to spend before you start your research. You can adjust up later should you choose to but if you want to stick with a dollar amount decide what that number is and finds ways to work within your budget.
2: Start putting together your wedding party. If you decide you do not want a wedding party then you are off the hook here but do inform friends and family of your decision so no one feels left out.
3: Work out your head count, the lower the head count the more you will reduce costs. Many reception venues price by guest count and catering and bar services price per person.
4: Hire a wedding planner especially if you are planning a destination wedding. A planner has relationships with venders and venues as well as ideas and experience so if you decide to work with a planner hire one immediately as this will benefit you in the long run. Call us for Maui wedding planner and Hawaii wedding planning advise
5: Decide your wedding date as well as a few back up dates in case your wedding venue is booked on the day of your choice. If you have to have a certain day then you should be prepared to be flexible in your ceremony and reception site choices. Call us for great ideas for Maui event locations.
6: Decide the look and feel of your wedding. Do you want a traditional religious wedding? If you do this will dictate ceremony venues and style. If you want a destination wedding will the nuptials be formal or casual? Will you host your wedding in your home with a back yard reception or do you want a unique & quirky unexpected venue to host your wedding and reception. Options open to you are many so think about what you want and the cost of pulling it all together.
7: Find and book your wedding venues. Decide if you will have the wedding ceremony and reception in the same location. Your wedding planner should be able to assist you in finding the right venues.
8: Book your officiate
9: Start researching vendors and remember that your planner can provide a list of proven professional vendors, as they will have contacts with excellent sources. The first vendor to book is your photographer; get a list together and start looking at on line portfolios. Get ideas from your planner as well as friends, on line research and recommendations.
10: Book is your photographer. Also start to research caterers, florists and music
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