Aloha weddings

Oahu’s Urban Appeal
It was four weeks after New Orleans natives Lori Landry and fiancé Erwin Deiparine closed on their new house when Hurricane Katrina struck. "The storm was coming and all I could think about was my wedding dress," recalls Lori, who was in San Francisco at the time. "I called my aunt and asked her to rescue it." After the storm she considered canceling her Oahu nuptials, but guests assured her that they welcomed the positive diversion. So in November 2005, 30 people left waterlogged Louisiana for sunny Hawaii. "Oahu was convenient," says Lori. "You fly directly into the Honolulu airport, with no interisland flights. I didn't want any of my guests to have to fly an additional leg."

Sandra Williams, owner of Finishing Touch on Oahu, has a lot of experience with out-of-town events. She coordinates weddings ranging from intimate two-person ceremonies to extravagant 600-guest blowouts. "The size of destination weddings is going up," says Williams. "Often, couples are surprised by how many guests will actually take a vacation to attend the wedding." Another trend? "More and more couples are choosing to have their weddings at private estates or some unique outdoor location. In Hawaii, guests definitely appreciate every opportunity to be outdoors and in an unusual setting."

On Oahu in particular, there are many things for guests to do. “You can learn to surf, kayak or snorkel, or visit a museum,” says Susan O’Donnell of Aloha Wedding Planners. “You can dine in award-winning restaurants, attend a concert or even bring a blanket to watch movies on the beach.”

For their home base, Lori and Erwin chose the Halekulani, an elegant hotel in the heart of bustling Waikiki. “The foodies walked to nearby restaurants; other guests had spa services or just lounged by the pool,” says Lori about the convenient local amenities. In addition to Halekulani, Waikiki boasts a number of excellent hotels in different price ranges, including the all-pink Royal Hawaiian and the historic Sheraton Moana Surfrider down the beach. If you want a less cosmopolitan setting, it’s only an hour’s drive to the North Shore’s acclaimed Turtle Bay Resort.

Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Torches are lit every evening at the Grand Hyatt Kauai.

Most Hawaii brides marry outdoors, but Lori and Erwin wanted a religious ceremony. On a pre-wedding scouting trip they discovered St. Augustine, a Catholic church in Waikiki. “The priest was great,” recalls Lori. “He embodied the spirit of the islands: warm, funny, welcoming, relaxed.”

Though it’s not the most common request, some brides do want a Hawaiian church wedding. “Catholic weddings need lead time,” warns Higashino, “and there are some hoops to go through, but it is very possible. Another option is a Hawaiian congregational church or other chapel, with a reception following at a restaurant or resort.”

Lori and Erwin held their reception on Halekulani’s Hau Terrace, with a traditional Hawaiian trio providing the music. “The whole reception was set up via e-mail and phone,” explains Lori. “[Catering manager Joel Nishimoto] was just what I needed at that time. We were in the stage of finalizing things just after the hurricane and it was hard for me to think of anything other than what had happened, but Joel kept me focused and offered many suggestions. He even sent pictures when he could, and he recommended a great florist.”

But how did Halekulani score the biggest points? “I forgot to order flowers for my hair,” recalls Lori. “I remembered while I was having it done in the room. I called the concierge desk to ask for fresh flowers, and within 30 minutes I received a whole variety. There was no charge, and the flowers were absolutely beautiful. It made my day.”

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