Oahu

Royalty for a Day

January 26, 2012

Pacific Weddings

For the Los Angeles couple, Hawaii meant slowing down with loved ones and cherishing time by the sea. Their wedding was the culmination of a week-long family reunion, where relatives spent time together discovering the laid-back luxuries of Hawaii. Out-of-town guests arrived to find welcome bags full of macadamia nuts, Hawaiian shortbread cookies, beach supplies and a fabulous itinerary of events to come. Annie and Kala welcomed nearly 60 guests from Peru, Brazil and California to a sunset cocktail party in the cabanas on the lanai of The Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The vacationers sipped mai tais and enjoyed a live band well into the midnight hour. It didn’t take long for the entire wedding party to settle into the easy island lifestyle.

The following day, everyone rose early to savor famous hot malasadas from Leonard’s Bakery and coffee on Waikiki Beach. A day of site-seeing on a tour bus ensued, with stops at Pali Lookout, the Dole Pineapple Plantation, Waimea Bay for a picnic lunch and a quick swim, and finally, a stop in Haleiwa Town for another iconic island treat, Matsumoto’s shave ice. For many of the attendees, this was their first trip to the Hawaiian Islands. “Many of our loved ones returned after our wedding— my aunt and uncle renewed their vows on the beach and some of our friends even purchased vacation homes on Oahu!” Annie says. “The experience was truly amazing for everyone!”

On May 21, guests made their way to the ocean lawn of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel to take in spectacular views of Diamond Head.

The lush tropical grounds provided a secluded haven for Annie and Kala’s nuptials. The bride wore an elegant strapless ivory Christos gown, plucked from the rack at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills. Her “Crown” peep-toe Jimmy Choo platforms added a fancy shine to her ensemble. She traded out her elegant floor-length veil for a delicate feather flower worn loosely in her hair during the reception. In loving memory of her grandmother, Annie wore her striking aquamarine cocktail ring during the ceremony. Kala was handsome in a sleek Ermenegildo Zegna tuxedo paired with a black bow tie. His groomsmen donned J.Crew khaki suits with skinny ties and ivory pocket squares. The bridesmaids wore plum silk crepe Ann Taylor dresses with matching gold earrings and bangles.

For their grand reception, the newlyweds wanted the setting to reflect their contemporary tastes. A sophisticated “beach glamour” theme prevailed in the Royal Monarch room. To keep the old-fashioned grace but add a chic factor, they hired Sue Tabbal of Su-v Expressions. She infused a modern style with splendid orchid displays in shades of purple, magenta and orange with the occasional hint of white. The color palette of choice was bright and bold. “We wanted our personalities to shine through in the colors,” says the bride. Dramatic uplighting cast a purple glow in the ballroom adorned in shimmery ivory linens and flickering candlelight. For wedding favors, Annie’s aunt brought handmade Peruvian dark chocolates filled with pecans, known as “tejas”, all the way from Lima. During dinner, the jazz tunes of Old Hollywood filled the air. “Sinatra always sets the tone for a formal affair,” Annie said. The groom’s Aunt Helene designed a simply pretty wedding cake with white chocolate shavings, adorned in fresh orchids. “After the cutting of the cake, the party really elevated with salsa music, samba and a great mix of top 40 dance songs!” the bride exclaims.

The highlight of the celebration was the “Hora Loca”, a tradition in Peru where guests are handed decorative hats, Venetian-style masks, confetti and noise makers to join together in a spectacle of music and dancing. “The energy was so amazing every person at the party ended up on the dance floor,” Annie says. Truly memorable was the moment when Kala’s grandmother gave her blessing before dinner and even surprised the newlyweds with a Hawaiian song. Annie says, “It was so sweet and unforgettable—the perfect start to the reception.” It was a magical evening in the Islands that no on would soon forget. The bride says, “Hawaii holds a special place in our hearts and we could not have wed anywhere else."