Vendors combine to provide dream wedding
| • | Who wins a free wedding? Vote for your favorite couple |
| • | Chasing the dream |
Advertiser Staff
Editor's note: A small army of vendors have combined to provide a dream wedding for our winning couple. This information about the wedding contest team is provided by each of the vendors. Contact information for each is available through the online link to our wedding contest prize information.
Parasol Events
Laura Ann Lewis, owner
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Well, truth be told, my career is fun, gives me incredible flexibility, and I am thankful for the opportunities afforded me every day. Great people, music, food and beauty surround me, and our clients are fantastic! Wedding planning pulls together my experience and skills, and I've found the profession to be an absolute fit for me. My organizational skills, combined with a business background and an eye for the artistic, makes this a natural for me. To lead clients and help them find just the right combination of services to meet their needs is a joy. In the course of consulting and planning, I have found a match for my entrepreneurial spirit and my creative service orientation. All of these factors led to the start-up of Parasol Events.
The Kahala Hotel and Resort
Stuart Y. Kotake, director of Catering and Conference Services
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The resort hotel is also providing a site for the reception, at the Waialae Ballroom, for up to 50 adults, with a reception and hand-passed appetizers, and a plated or buffet dinner.
Florist Grand
Evan Morita, owner
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Morita has been selected as the preferred floral designer for the world-renowned Kahala Hotel and Resort. His creations can also be seen at fine boutiques, restaurants and properties throughout Honolulu.
Chrissy Lambert Photography
Chrissy Douglass, owner
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Born in Tokyo and raised in Japan, Guam and Hawaii, Lambert's bicultural and bilingual background have shaped her into the cosmopolitan artist she is today. Her interest in travel started at a very early age and has taken her throughout Asia, Africa, Australia Europe and the United States. Intent on focusing her attention to detail and using her keen eye to capture the magic of each destination, Lambert has been able to turn her passion for photography into a successful profession.
A graduate of Punahou School and the University of California at Santa Barbara, Lambert studied at the prestigious International Center of Photography in New York, and made her dreams a reality. At the same time she apprenticed with some of New York's top wedding photographers and was able to develop her own unique style.
Chrissy marries a photojournalistic style with contemporary flair to create her own artistic approach, balancing storytelling and spontaneity.
Crane Media Videography
James Chun, owner
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When he's not playing tag or taking his girls to the park, James enjoys canoe paddling and dabbles in some acting. In fact, you may have seen him in a commercial or two. James and his wife Amel are also avid cooks, and loves whipping up Thai, Filipino and Chinese dishes for their friends and family.
Anita Hall and Nueva Vida
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A few notable performances in 2007 include The Hawaii Opera Ball, Ronald McDonald House Fundraiser, The Heart Ball with The Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawaii, The Honolulu Centennial Gala, Harry WInston, New Years at The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, The Honolulu Symphony's Tribute to Sgt. Pepper and a role as leading lady in DHT's production of Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, in addition to numerous high-end weddings.
Since its beginning in 1980, Nueva Vida has earned a reputation as one of Hawaii's more musically refined and creative bands. The group is capable of performing the finest quality music of many styles, moods and eras, and will custom tailor a program for special events. Nueva Vida takes pride in creating just the right ambience, from elegant and classic to upbeat and fun.
The group has performed in virtually every major concert venue, resort and nightclub in Hawaii, as well as many premier social events, including The American Heart Association's Heart Ball, The NFL Pro Bowl and New Years Eve extravaganzas at Koele Lodge, The Princeville Resort, The Royal Hawaiian Hotel and The Orchid Maunalani Bay, and many other special occasions.
There is a wealth of talent here, including popular vocalist Anita Hall, talented saxophonist David Choy, trumpeter DeShannon Higa, musical director Robert Shinoda and many more of Hawaii's finest musicians. We are well versed in all kinds of music, past to present.
For photo, songlist, demo and more information, call 282-4582 or e-mail nuevavida@mac.com.
Midnight DJs Hawaii
Troy Michael Terazono, owner
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cakelava
Rick and Sasha Reichart, owners
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cakelava specializes in one-of-a-kind custom wedding and celebration cakes designed by Rick Reichart, who has 15 years experience decorating cakes in Los Angeles, Seattle and Honolulu. All cakelava cakes and their fillings are made entirely from scratch. The result is a cake that not only looks great, but tastes delicious as well.
Les Saisons
Naomi Lee, owner
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Naomi Lee, the founder and owner of Les Saisons, is a perfectionist at heart and is passionate about weddings. Her vast work experience as an interior designer, visual merchandiser, party and wedding planner and bilingual concierge for Oahu's most exclusive hotels have propelled her into opening up her own business designing weddings.
Lee has an attention to detail and a sophisticated eye. Anyone can have beautiful linens, but the key is to properly dress the tables and chairs. "The beauty is certainly in the details," Lee says.
Visionari Photography
Jon Lagon and Mike Joy, owners
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Embracing the philosophy that every couple is unique in personality and style, Visionari's focus is to capture every wedding using a well-rounded mix of portrait and creative photojournalism. From that perspective, Visionari approaches each experience as an opportunity to capture the moments and details as they unfold, creatively and unobtrusively. By focusing on the individual and the spontaneity of reactions — smiles, laughter and tears of happiness — the emotions of the day are documented in genuine and personal photographs.
Through every step of the process, from the initial consultation until the day the final images are delivered, Visionari strives to consistently deliver the highest level of professionalism, communication and attention to detail.
Celebrated by couples and recommended by wedding professionals worldwide, Visionari's work has been recognized by national and regional wedding publications such as Grace Ormonde, Wedding Style and Pacific Weddings magazine.
Hair & Makeup Hawaii
Vicky "Choe" Harrington and CJ Bae
Vicky "Choe" Harrington and CJ Bae, licensed cosmetologists who specialize in weddings, will provide complementary hair styling and makeup for the bride, maid of honor and bride's mom.
"We absolutely love our brides and their bridal party," the duo says. "It's such an exciting event for everyone. Although stressful at times, there's always a beautiful outcome. We're so blessed to be a part of our brides' most important day, and to be able to use our gifts and talents for them on their special day is an honor."
Bridal Emporium
Leslie Nakagawa, owner
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Black Tie Affair
Mike Chong, owner
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Well, way back many years ago, one of those perfectionist inquiries led to the beginnings of Black Tie Affair.
Mike Chong believes that customers appreciate being treated right. Being in business is a responsibility. Building a reputation is a matter of pride in old-fashioned values and real service, with no guesswork, and no surprises.
"It feels good to be able to have a customer see exactly what he will look like on that special day, to earn his trust and confidence when it will count the most. This makes what we do gratifying," Chong says. "Being in business is really all about providing a service, especially in this business. It shouldn't be just about the money. For me, it feels great to be able to do it right."
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