Wendy and I spend a lot of time hiding behind cameras at weddings. It sorta goes with the job. This last Oahu Wedding Association meeting we got a chance to walk a mile (or a few runway lengths… I tend to over exaggerate) in the shoes of our Brides & Grooms. We got to play bride and groom, again, and get all made up to model some of Masako Formal’s wedding attire.
Not only did we get to rock a wicked tux and wedding dress, we had a chance to work with some of our fellow OWA members in a much more up close and personal role than we normally get. Wendy and I were both sized and dressed by the lovely staff at Masako Formals. This turned out to be a repeat for Wendy, since she actually bought her wedding dress from them a couple months back.
I was fitted for a silver Italian tux. It turns out that it is a very popular look for many of the Japanese weddings here. It further turns out – I don’t fit the normal Japanese sizes. No snag there though – they brought the tux to the back and was quickly back out with the tux adjusted to my size. Go go gadget tuxedo!
Not only did Wendy get to wear another beautiful wedding dress, she was pampered with makeup by Wendy Robin of Studio W of Honolulu. Now this part gets confusing – I have to describe Wendy Robin’s (the make up artist) work on Wendy Leslie (the wife). Wendy R. is an INCREDIBLY talented makeup artist and a wonderful person. She was trained in Hollywood, worked in paris for print photographers, and then came back to LA to do makeup for the stars. The list of people that she has worked with reads like the who’s who list of Hollywood – Matt Damon, Carmen Electra, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, James Earl Jones, Bernie Mac, Jack Black, and Jaime Pressly the just name a few. She has skills. Numbchuck skills, bowstaff skills… She has plenty of skills. Wendy R. did an airbrushing job for Wendy’s makeup. I lucked out and only got a quick powder. Ahhh the joys of being a man.
After all the prep, we had a BLAST walking down the runway in front of all of our peers in the industry. It was so much fun and I felt like the luckiest guy in the world to get to escort the most beautiful woman in the world down the catwalk. We were both lucky to have some of our wonderful photographer friends there to capture the whole shabang.
All in all it was a GREAT evening. It is always such a treat to hang out with so many amazing people. We are really blessed to work in this industry with these people. Millions of thank yous go out to OWA for the opportunity to dress up and party like its 1999… I mean 2009.
-E
Check out Geralyn’s cutting (it slices, it dices) hair-do, and Mona’s convertible Kimono -
Special thanks to Grant Gomes for snapping the below collage pics for us!
And to Eugene Kam for the below (yes ladies and gentlemen – that is my wifey! I’m a lucky guy!) -
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April 14th, 2009 in
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Tanja and Stephan were so much fun to work with on their big day. With roots in Germany, this couple gathered at Haiku Gardens with many family and friends who flew half way around the world for their special day. Both Eric and I have German heritage and got some coaching from our German relatives on how to pronounce the German word for “Congratulations.” They really make it sound effortless, but Eric and I just could not get it right. But, hey, we tried!
Congrats to this cute couple and thanks for the fun time!
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April 10th, 2009 in
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We always have awesome brides and grooms as our clients. They are always so cheery and nice to work with, it really is always a pleasure. Caprice and Manny absolutely fall into that category. It was so much fun chatting about girly wedding stuff with Caprice before heading down to the chapel at Haiku Gardens. I LOVED her dress and was kicking myself for not choosing a dress like hers for our own wedding (coming up now in less than 3 weeks!!!). I love light and flowy wedding dresses like Caprice’s sheath dress. They are really the best of both worlds: beautiful and comfortable. However, since we are having a church ceremony back in California I chose to go with a more formal satin gown with a huge train (I love it, but I cannot say that it is going to be nearly as comfortable as a sheath dress. *sigh*)
Manny looked very sharp in his Marine dress blues. We did feel bad though because it was pretty warm that day. Oh, the things we do to look good. Side note: I think wedding days are quite possibly the only day that men will understand what we women go through and the uncomfortableness that comes hand in hand with looking good. We suffer with heavy corseted dresses and uncomfortable but really cute shoes while the grooms totally suffer through a sauna in their suits/tuxs. Sounds fair to me! But, I digress…once again…
We had a great time playing with some fun lighting amongst the bamboo and on the path around the pond. Manny and Caprice were whisked away to their reception in the Haiku Gardens Eco-cart complete with “Just Married sign!
Mucho Mahalo to Caprice, Manny and Family for a great wedding!
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April 5th, 2009 in
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Eric and I started this wedding day with heading over to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel to capture the bride and bridesmaids getting for the big day! I’m always excited to shoot somewhere new and was particularly excited to finally get to see the newly remodeled Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki. When Eric and I moved to Oahu back in October of 2008 the Royal Hawaiian Hotel was closed for renovation and just recently reopened. So, needless to say, I couldn’t wait to finally getting to shoot at “the Pink Palace of the Pacific.”
Lauwa’e enjoyed some good girl time with her bridesmaids while getting her hair and makeup done by Jaque Rojas. I hung out with the ladies as they got ready while Eric headed over to the wedding ceremony venue to capture the groom, Jay, and his brothers getting ready at The Bernice Puahi Bishop Memorial Chapel at Kamehameha School. This was our first time shooting at this venue and we were instantly struck by its culture and beauty.
The lively group of family and friends headed over to the The Willows Restaurant for a delicious dinner. Not much of a public speaker myself, I always am in awe of people who can give funny and touching speeches at weddings. Jay’s brothers and sons definitely have that gift. I will have to get them to mentor me in case Im called upon to make a speech. (I mean, I have gone to great lengths to get out of speeches. I even spent weeks scanning photos and putting together a slide show to take the place of a speech for my good friend Brittany. Somehow I managed to shut the power off to the DJ while doing my slideshow and ended up rambling “im sorry” into the microphone while we all waited for the DJ to re-boot all his equipment!… but I digress)
Eric and I broke from our “pre-wedding” diet (30 days to go!) to try some of Lauwa’e and Jay’s wedding cake and oh my gosh it was definitely worth it. This cake was done by one of our favorite cake artists Sunshine’s Cake Creations. We never cease to be amazed each time we see and taste Vikki’s work.
Best wishes to Lauwa’e and Jay. Thanks so much for allowing us to be part of your beautiful big day!
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April 4th, 2009 in
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Congrats to this cute newly wed couple, Amelia and Aaron! Eric and I were honored to be part of their wedding celebration at Hale Koa Hotel in Honolulu. This was by far the most musically talented family we have been around in a while. Amelia’s brother’s band provided the entertainment for the night with her other brother and sister joining in occasionally to help out on vocals or percussion.
This wedding reception incorporated many personal touches including a family heirloom lauhala mat which was placed under the wedding cake. Of course, Eric will not let me blog about a wedding without mentioning the cake. This cake was from Cake Works and had the most delicious Haupia filling. For those of you who have not been fortunate enough to have heard of or tasted haupia, we suggest you change that soon. This creamy coconut cake filling was absolutely the stuff Hawaiian dreams are made of.
We always try to keep our ears open for any juicy secrets or embarrassing stories that people may sneak into their wedding reception speeches. While we didn’t get to hear any blackmail material, but we were touched to hear some heartfelt praises of Amelia and Aaron as individuals and as a couple. So, if any of you have any funny/embarrassing stories you’d like to contribute… I’m just kidding! We wish Amelia and Aaron the very best in life and love! Congrats!
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April 2nd, 2009 in
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There is a Japanese tradition that a wedding gift of one thousand folded paper cranes will grant the bride and groom a lifetime of good luck and prosperity. Keiko and Clarence were fortunate enough to have a loving guest fold a thousand paper cranes for their big day.
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March 28th, 2009 in
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With many of our brides coming from all over the country and the world, Eric and I often get questions for referrals for anything and everything wedding related. With our growing family in the Oahu Wedding Association, we are in abundance of wonderful Hawaii wedding connections. One of our newest friends is from Island Treats Creations.
Eric and I had the pleasure of going behind the scenes to the workshop of Island Treats Creations where all of the magic happens. Merryl is the owner and is the sweetest person to work with! She showed us around and let us sample their delicious cookies and chips that she offers for her baskets. Let me just say, oh my gosh, they are so delicious. Eric and I munched on some Taro Chips and Coconut Cookies during our sunrise fashion photo shoot this week.
Island Treats Creations is located in Kailua on Oahu and is a must stop shop for Hawaiian cookies, candies, chips and gifts. Check out their website or stop by the store to see their many options for wedding favors, gift baskets, and treats!
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March 17th, 2009 in
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Celeste and Joseph were married at an intimate ceremony on the most appropriate day of the year, Valentine’s Day! We had a great time with this lovely couple who actually also met each other in our hometown of San Jose, California! As much as we love it here in Hawaii, it is always nice to reminisce about our favorite spots in the Bay Area.
Celeste and Joseph were joined by their two beautiful daughters as well as close family and friends for a beautiful reception at Haiku Gardens & Haleiwa Joe’s.
Our thanks to Celeste and Joseph for involving us in their Valentine’s Day wedding!
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March 17th, 2009 in
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Jessica and Joshua were married in a beautiful ceremony at the chapel at Haiku Gardens in Kaneohe, Hawaii. These newlyweds were high school sweethearts and exchanged touching vows that chronicled their lives over the years.
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March 10th, 2009 in
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Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Davies!!!
Hannah and Andrew traveled half way around the world from Wales (in the United Kingdom) to Oahu for their beach wedding. Eric and I had a blast being their photographers on their big day. Not only were Hannah and Andrew a fun couple to work with, their wedding party was incredibly lively and hilarious. Eric and I kept thinking to ourselves, “Can you believe our lives? We are shooting a beautiful wedding in Hawaii and are surrounded by amazingly fun people. Life can’t get much better!”
Hannah and the girls got ready for the big day in a suite at the Moana Surfrider Hotel while Andrew and the boys were getting ready at the nearby Ohana East Hotel. Hannah and Andrew had a beautiful wedding ceremony at the Moana Surfrider Hotel on the Diamond Lawn. Their closest family and friends traveled from all over the UK and United States to watch Hannah and Andrew exchange vows and rings.
Hannah and Andrew were hoping for a bright and sunny wedding in Hawaii since they hadn’t seen a real summer back in Whales in the last 2 years! Hannah kept in good spirits in the face of a rainy forecast for her Hawaiian beach wedding. Her optimism, and all of us keeping our fingers crossed, must have paid off because there wasn’t a cloud in the sky during their ceremony.
Hannah and Andrew took a little road trip with Eric and I to Iroquois Point Beach where we photographed their wedding portraits at sunset. The newly overcast sky made for an awesome backdrop as the sun set.
Hannah and Andrew had an intimate reception in the Roof Garden on the 6th floor of the luxurious Moana Surfrider Hotel. Family and friends feasted on a delicious dinner and laughed and cried during the heartfelt speeches. And to top the night off, the whole wedding party sang Happy Birthday to Eric, whose birthday was fast approaching at midnight. Eric was so touched that the first people to wish him Happy Birthday this year were the happy wedding party! We could not have hoped for a better start to Eric’s birthday!
Thank you to Hannah and Andrew and their wonderful wedding party! It was our pleasure to be your wedding photographers!
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December 8th, 2008 in
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Often referred to as the “State Church of Hawaii,” the Kawaiaha’o Church has a rich history of over 185 years of serving the community. Couples who get married at this wedding venue experience a bit of history as they walk down the aisle that Hawaiian royalty once walked. For this reason, Kawaiaha’o Church has become a popular place to say “I do” on their big day!
From the moment you and your guest arrive on the grounds, you will be awe-struck. The Kawaiaha’o Church features grand black iron gates with crowns on the stakes, beautiful green lawns, fountains, and amazing historical architecture. With architecture dating back to 1842 the church does have a few rules for the wedding ceremony and guest, but it is definitely worth while!
Please contact us for availability to photograph your Oahu destination wedding.
Please contact this wedding venue for further details regarding your wedding ceremony:
Kawaiaha’o Church
Location: 957 Punchbowl St, Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: 808-532-3300
Website: http://www.kawaiahao.org/index.php/ministries/wedding-center
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December 8th, 2008 in
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