Posted on: Tuesday, April 16, 2002
HAPPY TOGETHER
Walking down the aisle, but off the bridal path
| • | More couples turn to the Web to plan weddings |
By Chris Oliver
Advertiser Staff Writer
|
| Jesi Asagi and Rob Dunn will always remember their picture-perfect wedding at the Waikiki Aquarium. The couple took time to enjoy the natural environment after saying their vows. The aquarium is seen as an affordable venue for many couples planning to tie the knot.
Keely Luke Photographie |
Not everyone has the option of booking Hawai'i's fine hotels for their wedding ceremony as Bill Gates and Melinda French did on Lana'i in 1994. But that still leaves plenty of choices for couples looking for someplace unusual or off the beaten path to tie the knot.
"We find local residents still like an indoor wedding, most often choosing their local chapel or high school chapel," said Tanna Takakawa, account executive at Hawaii Bride & Groom magazine. "But for couples who come to Hawai'i to get married — around 50 percent of ceremonies taking place in the Islands — they definitely like an outdoor wedding and choose to get married at the beach," she said.
Susan O'Donnell, owner of Aloha Wedding Planners, finds outdoor weddings still the most popular with clients whether they're residents or visitors, religious or not.
"Outdoor ceremonies are the first choice," she said. "People love to be married by the beach or in a beautiful garden."
O'Donnell's company, which provides services on O'ahu, the Big Island, Maui and Kaua'i, suffered the impacts of the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington, D.C.
"The first 60 days were tough," O'Donnell said.
However, she reports that business on all islands — local and inbound couples — has now picked up.
Denny Walker, president of Exclusive Inc., said that couples from Japan are requesting "slightly less formal weddings and photography than they used to. But we're not seeing any big changes for Hawai'i residents."
Here are some lesser-known places a couple might choose for their special day, and another due for completion in May.
Waikiki Aquarium
When Kacey Robello started planning her sister Jesi's wedding, "Jesi (who lives in Seattle) wanted somewhere close to the ocean, somewhere private and affordable," Robello said. The Kapolei family finally settled on Waikiki Aquarium for the April wedding last year with 40 guests.
Susan Schneider and Eric Salituro also like the idea of using Waikiki Aquarium for their 40-guest wedding reception following their church ceremony in May. "We were both science majors in college," Schneider said. "... and we liked the idea of supporting the aquarium.
"It's very affordable and has a more natural feel than some of the more corporate venues or big hotels," Schneider added. "It has everything we need, plus the staff are friendly and cooperative to work with."
There's something relaxed about a celebration at the aquarium, with its new landscaping, shaded by palms, and the occasional honk from two Hawaiian monk seals in their lava-rock pool nearby.
A large, grassy area accommodates up to 300 seated guests. The entire grounds can accommodate up to 450 guests. The outdoor seal tank, coral farms, fish and edge-of-the-reef exhibits add color to the event. Indoor exhibits remain open to guests until 9 p.m.
Waikiki Aquarium, which is partly nonprofit, partly administered by the University of Hawai'i, has rented its facility for parties and celebrations for 15 years. Aquarium staff remain on hand for security at events.
• Upside: Beautiful location, great sunsets, helpful staff and the presence of Hawaiian monk seals at your wedding.
• Downside: Available 5:30-10.30 p.m. Staff assist only with facility rental and security.
• Cost: $550 for up to 75 guests for the evening, $5 per additional guest. Rental of chairs and tables is an extra charge.
• Contact: Waikiki Aquarium Development Office, 923-9741, waquarium.mic.hawaii.edu.
The Bayer Estate
The Bayer Estate at 5229 Kalaniana'ole Highway, Honolulu, doesn't have to try hard to convey the feeling of old Hawai'i to visitors.
Down a long driveway graced by palms and sea grape trees, through a wooden gate leading to a flower-filled garden, this lovely, old two-story kama'aina house sits on the makai side of the highway in 'Aina Haina. Designed by architect Raymond Llewellen Morris of Lewers & Cooke and built in 1936, the house is on the Hawai'i Register of Historic Plac
Keely Luke Photographie es. The oceanside estate has been open for weddings since April 2001. "What we aim for at The Bayer Estate is a return to a more old-fashioned and traditional-style wedding," said Susan Mirikitani, executive director. "We bring back the charm and elegance and keep the wedding couple as the focus of the day in a setting where family and guests share and get a taste of Hawai'i's past."
Rental of the historic home includes separate dressing rooms for the bride and groom, a sun room, reception room, restrooms, covered outdoor lanai and gardens. The estate is available for receptions, which can include use of estate china and linens. Fresh flowers are used throughout.
• Upside: Beautiful, quiet location with romantic ambience for traditional, elegant weddings.
• Downside: Guests are limited to 28.
• Cost: The Bayer Estate declined to release prices for publication, asking that interested parties call for information.
• Contact: Susan Mirikitani, 377-9359, www.bayerestate.com.
Aquaveil
Watabe's Aquaveil chapel, 92-100 Waipehe Place, Kapolei, opened in June 2001 at the fourth lagoon, Ko Olina Resort & Marina. Watabe's fourth chapel joins Ko Olina Chapel at the West O'ahu location, John Dominis Chapel By The Sea in Honolulu and Aloha Ke Akua Chapel in Kane'ohe.
Built to reflect Hawai'i's seafaring spirit, the circular-glass chapel is designed to represent an outrigger canoe. Favored by Japanese couples, the chapel has 360-degree views of the ocean, surrounding fountains, lush landscaped lawns and reflecting pools. The chapel accommodates up to 50 guests.
• Upside: Quiet, private, beautiful setting. No parking hassles.
• Downside: Watabe's chapels are for the exclusive use of their clientele. Couples must purchase a wedding package (couples who substitute their own ministers or vendors won't get a discount off the package price).
• Cost: Wedding packages range from $1,780 to $1,980.
• Contact: Watabe Wedding, 931-4100, www.watabewedding-hawaii.com. Foster Botanical Garden
The Honolulu Botanical Gardens, which are the Foster, Lili'uokalani, Wahiawa, Ho'omaluhia and Koko Crater gardens, welcomes weddings. Each city-run garden offers a tranquil setting amid tropical plant collections that include rare and endangered plants from around the world.
A couple that chooses to marry at any of the gardens must obtain
a permit (which is free) from the Foster Botanical Garden cashier
office at least one week in advance. Ceremonies must take place within garden hours, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Use of insect repellent is advised.
• Upside: A ceremony in a beautiful and natural landscape.
• Downside: Alcohol, receptions, confetti and rice throwing are prohibited. Tents, chairs, tables and music require a permit.
• Cost: The wedding party and guests pay the usual admission fee to the garden: $5 general; residents, $3; child 6-12, $1; children 5 and under and Friends of HBG, free. A separate $10 permit is required for professional photographers.
• Contact: Foster Botanical Garden cashier office, 50 N. Vineyard Blvd., Honolulu 96817, 522-7066.
Star of Honolulu
The Star of Honolulu offers couples "The Admiral's Wedding Ceremony."
The wedding party can be picked up from any Waikiki hotel by limousine and driven to the 232-foot, four-deck cruise ship moored at Aloha Tower. The marriage ceremony on board is performed by the ship's captain and followed by a cake-cutting ceremony, singing of the "Hawaiian Wedding Song" by a ship musician and a champagne toast.
A fresh flower bouquet for the bride, a boutonniere for the groom and a "flower petal shower" are included. A seven-course French-style dinner, cocktails, live jazz and sunset cruise off Waikiki and Diamond Head follow. A 20-minute video is included. Reservations must be made one week in advance.
• Upside: The wedding package is organized for you.
• Downside: The wedding package is organized for you.
• Cost: $1,650 per couple.
Additional guests may attend at $200 per person, which includes limousine transportation, favors, champagne toast, photo and dinner cruise.
• Contact: 983-7827 (STAR), www.paradisecruises.com. Wai'oli Tea Room
The Wai'oli Chapel at the Wai'oli Tea Room, 2950 Manoa Road in the cool, green heights of Manoa, specializes in small weddings (up to 60 guests). "We listen carefully to whatever requests a couple makes and arrange whatever they wish," said Denny Walker, president of Exclusive Inc., the wedding provider that leases the chapel on the 5-acre Manoa site owned by The Salvation Army. Couples also can opt for a ceremony in Wai'oli Gardens.
Ken Kroehler The chapel, built in 1939 from lava rock with lead and stained-glass windows, is a favorite spot for Hawai'i couples, as well as visitors looking for an intimate location, Walker said. "There's a lot of history attached to Wai'oli (it's home to a reconstruction of Robert Louis Stevenson's grass shack) and especially beautiful early morning and mid-to-late afternoon when it's cooler."
• Upside: Cool, quiet historic setting with plenty of parking. The adjoining Wai'oli Tea Room is available for receptions.
• Downside: Limited space, so a small bridal party works best (one bridesmaid or matron of honor and a best man). No alcohol is served.
• Cost: $500 to $5,000; average cost is $650 to $800. A reception for six at the Wai'oli Tea Room is $495.
• Contact: Exclusive Inc., 591-1975; www.waioli.org.
Ha'iku Gardens
Ha'iku Gardens, toward the back of Ha'iku Valley in Kane'ohe, has long been a favorite location for weddings on O'ahu. Now part of Hale'iwa Joe's restaurant, the 5-acre gardens will be home to a wedding chapel that will be ready in May, according to managing partner Tim York.
"We'll be offering wedding packages beginning at around $500, and expect to accommodate up to 150 people," said the restaurant's wedding and special events coordinator Roseann Beyer.
The popular botanical garden used in movies and TV shows surrounds a large pond filled with water lilies and fish. A gazebo at the end of a wooden walkway looks out over the pond.
• Contact: Haiku Gardens Weddings, 946-2533.
Couples who seek a more old-fashioned wedding with a touch of elegance might consider exchanging their vows at the historic Bayer Estate.
Yuko Ohori and Greig Porter tied the knot at an intimate gathering at Wai'oli Chapel in Manoa.
