A Perfect Day Blog

VENDOR DISCOUNTS AND SPECIAL OFFERS!!!

2008-12-03T11:41:00.000-08:00

UPDATED 12.7.8

Hi Everyone! This is an AMAZING opportunity for all of you couples!!! With the economy being what it is, more and more couples are asking which vendors offer discounts or special offers to make the most of their hard earned money. Well, I have some GREAT news!!! All of us at A Perfect Day are doing the leg work for you and will be posting the various specials and discounts from professional wedding vendors right here (on our blog)! Please keep checking in as specials and discounts will be added VERY often! All offers are for NEW clients. If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact us at anytime.

If you like this service/opportunity, please LET US KNOW so we continue to invest the time to keep this list growing.

To receive any of the following special discounts and special offers, couples MUST let the vendors know WHEN INQUIRING that you saw these offers on the A Perfect Day blog.

BEAUTY
Hair and Makeup by Tania
Tania DeJesus
387-7547
http://www.beautybytania.com/
taniadejesus@hotmail.com
SPECIAL OFFER: Free Hair and Makeup for Bridesmaids with minimum of party of 4 services (3+1 complimentary)

Makeup by Bev
Beverly Kaneshige
226-3203 c
http://www.makeupbybev.com/
makeupbybv@aol.com
SPECIAL OFFER: free touch up kit for the wedding party when hair and makeup services are purchased for 3 or more.

Cakes
Cake Works
Abby
946-4333
cakeworks@hawaii.rr.com
SPECIAL OFFER: 20% discount for A Perfect Day clients

DJ
Spin Doctors
Don Faumuina
221-9943
spindrs@hawaii.rr.com
SPECIAL OFFER: $200 discount OR ceremony sound for free (if ceremony/reception is in 1 location and hired for reception services)

DRESS
Casablanca Bridal & Formals
Gladys Agsalud
941-4696
casabf@yahoo.com
SPECIAL OFFER: 10% off (merchandise only) until December 30th only for clients of A Perfect Day who mention seeing this offer on our blog and must mention Kelly Sugano

Bridal Boutique
Joyce & Cecilia
597-8893
http://www.bridalboutiquehonolulu.com/
info@bridalboutiquehonolulu.com
SPECIAL OFFER: For the month of December the Bridal Boutique is giving away a lovely garter & bridal hanky set with purchase of a wedding gown (in the month of December). In addition, a 10% discount to any clients of A Perfect Day

ENTERTAINMENT
Ben & Maila
Ben Vegas
vegasb001@hawaii.rr.com
SPECIAL OFFER: a $100.00 discount

FLORIST
Su-V Expressions
Sue Tabbal
593-8989
http://www.suevexpressionshawaii.com/
suvexpressions1@earthlink.net
SPECIAL OFFER: free lei for bride & groom $25 value each (upon receipt of retainer and signed contract)

INVITATIONS/FAVORS
Something Blue
Carol Takata
946-2583
http://www.somethingbluehawaii.com/
info@somethingbluehawaii.com
SPECIAL OFFER: (A) 10% bulk discount for invitation orders over 100, (B) 10% discount for clients to assemble invitations, (C) 20% discount option if the client is willing to cut as well as glue the invitation together.

LINEN
Les Saison
Naomi Lee
636-1704
http://www.les-saisons.net/
naomi.lessaisons@gmail.com
SPECIAL OFFER: 10% discount off

MUSICIAN
Art Kalahiki
258-7555
artkala@hawaii.rr.com
http://www.myspace.com/hawaiianweddingsbyartkalahiki
SPECIAL OFFER: $25 off of services booked

OFFICIANT

Alice Inoue
598-2655
http://www.aliceinoue.com/
ainoue@pixi.com
SPECIAL OFFER: 15% off standard ceremony fee for couples of A Perfect Day. ($200 per ceremony standard and if booked directly by clients OR ceremony is $170 if booked through A Perfect Day).

Michael Nelson
265-2405/396-5517
ononelson@aol.com
SPECIAL OFFER: Free consultation to go over wedding ceremony and services + counseling services

Rev. Frank Mak
536-5224
SPECIAL OFFER: will extend $20 agency discount to any A Perfect Day client

PHOTOGRAPHY

Dave Miyamoto & Company
David Miyamoto
396-5599
davemiyamoto.com
davemiyamoto@hawaii.rr.com
SPECIAL OFFER: Book any of our listed wedding photography packages for your 2009 /2010 wedding date (upon availability), by no later than February 14, 2009, and receive an additional 1.5 hours (90 minutes) of additional coverage on your wedding day, at no extra charge. This is an added value of $600 in photography coverage time, and cannot be used as a cash credit towards other ala carte items, or customized coverage packages. When contacting Dave Miyamoto & Company for your booking with us, and to receive this added value, please mention that you visited A Perfect Day.

TUX
Phil's Tux
Phil
596-9872
http://www.philstux.com/
ordertux@philstux.com
SPECIAL OFFER: Rent 5 tuxedos and the 6th rental is FREE, plus any style for $120.00 complete and Phil’s “BEST PRICE GUARANTEE”

VIDEOGRAPHY
Video 21
Janice/Davis
375-7035
http://www.video21productions.com/
info@video21productions.com
SPECIAL OFFER: 10% off or free Blue Ray DVD only for couples who also hire A Perfect Day (for new contracts only)

Video Dreams
Ray Takahashi
671-9548
http://www.videodreamshawaii.com/
info@videodreamshawaii.com
SPECIAL OFFER: 10% off of services secured (for all new contracts)

Crane Media
James Chun Lawrence Medeiros
808.383.7090
http://www.cranemedia.com/
james@cranemedia.com
SPECIAL OFFERS:
A) FUSION Package exclusively with David Murphey Photography
B) WEDDING THEATER PAGE free with a Package 3 or 4 booking
C) SCREENBOOTH bookings are 10% off with a booking of ANY video package
CLICK HERE to see all of Crane Media's specials.

CONGRATULATIONS to AARON & SACHIKO OKAMOTO 11.22.8

2008-12-02T12:28:00.000-08:00

A VERY BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Aaron & Sachiko! It has been a true pleasure working with the both of you to create such an amazing wedding! From the very beginning, I could tell how happy the both of you were and how perfect you are for each other! It was very evident how happy and in love you folks were all day. From the beautiful decor of flowers, lights, setting, and food you and your friends & family were enjoying, I am extremely honored to have been a part of such a special day for the both of you! I look forward to receiving picture so that I can share them on this blog for others to enjoy and possibly get ideas from!

A Perfect Day Commercial

2008-11-22T00:04:00.000-08:00

Mary vs Kelly A Perfect Day from Crane Media on Vimeo.

A HUGE THANK YOU to James Chun of Crane Media for not only taking the time to provide feedback, film & edit such a GREAT video for us, but for coming up with the idea to begin with!!! We would also love to thank David Murphey & Kara Mitsunaga for providing the lighting, white walls, and feedback to help ensure we not only have a great commercial but had a BLAST making it!!! Mary & I would also like to thank Aloha Cakery for allowing us to borrow her beautiful cherry blossom cake. From all of us, we hope you truly enjoy!

Welcome to New York

2008-08-29T13:30:00.000-07:00

Lined up in the taxi at Laguardia airport, trying to get to the hotel. We got to see a New York taxi cab slam right into another one as it tried to cut in line, so my husband and I made sure we got a different driver ;)

dallas morning news

2008-08-28T05:57:00.000-07:00

Sunrises in Texas, stuck in the airport, an hour to connect flights, Sadly discover no Portuguese sausage and rice at the Dallas McDonald's

CONGRATULATIONS TO Aileen & Dennis Buenavista 8.16.8

2008-08-21T23:45:00.000-07:00

CONGRATULATIONS! CONGRATULATIONS! CONGRATULATIONS!

What a truly amazing wedding! Thank you SOOOO much for the honor of being a part of your wedding day! Your videographer James Chun's (Crane Media) video says it all!

ENJOY: http://www.cranemedia.com/816/CHL.html

Frank Amodo, James Chun (Crane Media), David Louis (Dynamic Sounds), & Janet Howser (Halekulani)...THANK YOU VERY MUCH for doing such a GREAT job!!! It was a true pleasure working with all of you again!

Photo Booth pictures!

2008-08-19T17:55:00.000-07:00

Yup! It is just one of the new "Must Haves" at a wedding...but did you think about it? Really???

Here is what to consider...will it fit into the area you have in mind? How many pictures (& of what sizes) do you want your guests to have? The more pictures, the smaller the picture. How many people can fit into a picture? Most can fit only 2 (comfortably)...but some can fit more. Can you change the backdrop to match your color theme?

This fun new option is GREAT and guests truly have a blast with it...so now you just need to make sure to find the one that best fits your needs. Do your research and remember to HAVE FUN!!!

CONGRATULATIONS MATT & KELLIE KODAMA!!!

2008-07-07T20:12:00.000-07:00

From all of us (Mary, Elin, Kristin, Nate, Cori, Trina, & of course ME) we would like to thank Matt & Kellei for allowing us to assist them, their family, and their wedding party on their wedding day!

Their BEAUTIFUL wedding (6.21.8) was truly amazing! From the beautiful flowers (from Su-V Expressions) at your ceremony & reception, to the draping and specialty lighting (from REA Events) in your ballroom, no detail was left out.

Alison Hayashi got the morning off to the perfect start as she arrived on time, kept the mood in the hotel room fun and relaxed, did an amazing job of hair and makeup on the girls, and finished not just "on time" but actually a little EARLY (THANK YOU)!

The taiko performance by Kenny Endo was a big hit with all of the guests and really got the reception off to a fun start! Then, the Okinawan

performance got their guests up and dancing (literally)!!!

The 3 different size vases full of varying sizes of Calla Lilies were beautiful. Another GREAT job by Sue (Su-V Expressions)!

David & Kara were a complete joy to work with as they are always so much fun yet always professional! I look forward to posting some of their amazing work (soon I hope).

James from Crane Media was definitely no exception. We know we can rely on James to always do what is best for the client while capturing amazing footage. The slideshow and ceremony highlights were enjoyed by everyone!

David "Dave" from Dynamic Sounds, THANK YOU! Your ideas, your help, support, and Lupe are ALWAYS amazing to work with!!! You always help make the reception a truly unforgettable experience!

Halekulani...hmmmm...what can I say? Amazing! Perfect! Helpful! Reliable! Beautiful! The Halekulani was the backdrop for the ceremony & reception. Their staff from valets to banquet staff were very helpful, professional, and always on top of things! We owe the amazing result of Kellie & Matt's wedding to the support of all of these wonderful vendors...of which we would not have been privileged to work with without the honor of helping Kellie & Matt. THANK YOU to everyone for an AMAZING experience!

-ALL pictures courtesy of David Murphey Photography (THANK YOU!)

Halekulani Hotel-Vera Wang Suite

2008-06-01T18:30:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, May 29th, A Perfect Day Event Managers (Mary Cachuela & myself/Kelly Sugano) were privileged to attend an event at the Halekulani Hotel in the Vera Wang suite. The Vera Wang suite has a beautiful view of Diamond Head not to mention a large bedroom that shares the view and a bathroom that overwhelmed many of the wedding professionals who attended this event. The Halekulani catering staff along with many of their back office staff were all there. They had delicious appetizers, various types of champagne, a beautiful wedding cake on display and what many were referring to as a chocolate cake lollipop which everyone loved! It was a very nice treat to have a few hours to good food and great company! Thank you to ALL of the Halekulani staff who did a wonderful job and gave Mary & I a GREAT evening among friends!

CONGRATULATIONS Mr. & Mrs. Gene & Colette Gibo!!!

2008-06-01T13:10:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful wedding day it was!!! With the great help of Michele at the Hyatt, photographer Mark Nomura, videographer Eric Kim (Imagine Wurks), florist (Fujikami), and officiant Dr. RC Anderson, we were able to start the ceremony exactly at 5:30pm. By starting at 5:30pm on the nose, the picture perfect ceremony which was carefully designed and planned by Colette & Gene went off without a hitch! Besides the traffic, the guests would not have known that there was a block party which was scheduled to start at 6:00pm. Michele at the Hyatt not only spoke to the event coordinator numerous times to ensure no sound testing would take place or music started before 6:00pm...but she even walked the street and spoke to the band in person to confirm in person.

Colette and Gene also had a number of extremely wonderful friends and family who helped in numerous areas. They not only arrived on time, but were eager to help and did such a wonderful job! A BIG thank you goes out to...

Chris Gibo who picked and delivered leis not only on time but in a cooler with ice packets to keep the lei cold/fresh!

Wes Yamada who was the reception DJ/sound man and also arrived early to set up and sound test his equipment "just in case"...It is ALWAYS a joy to work with Wes!

Mrs. Mara Wong-Swenson who was also on time to practice using the CD player and sound system provided by the Hyatt. Mara did a wonderful job cuing the music for the ceremony's processional & recessional!

Miss Krys Wada, Miss Nova Kuencer, Miss Lina Kim, & Mr. Cory Tomoyasu, did such a wonderful job at the reception table greeting the over 200 guests as they arrived. They were so efficient and did just a great job that there never seemed to be a line of more than just a few guests. Colette also did such a wonderful job organizing the process and details for the check in and even broke it into 2 teams (A-L & M-Z) that guests were all greeted quickly and therefore able to enter the ballroom and enjoy the delicious pupus and cocktails almost immediately after arriving.

Mike Uchimura & Marisol Peters, amazing emcees for the evening did such a wonderful job! When we had to troubleshoot and adjust the program a little, they didn't miss a step and none of the guests had a clue that anything even changed.

I would also like to thank Naomi Lee of Les Saison for her beautiful linen and always professional ethics! She also arrived early and beautifully enhanced the chosen floral arrangements and overall reception decor! Sam "Sammy", Banquet Captain at the Hyatt for the evening was also a tremendous help! He was always accessible, 1 step ahead of the game, and was always doing everything possible to ensure Gene, Colette, and each of their guests had the best time possible. After the cake cutting, he even held up a mirror for Gene & Colette to check themselves and make sure they didn't have cake on their faces! WHAT A TOUCH!!! As soon as I get some professional pictures, I will be sure to post them...but oh what a wedding! Colette, I know you thanked me, but I really, REALLY want to THANK YOU! You did such an amazing job and always provided me with all of the information I requested which really allowed me to do our best for you! So THANK YOU!!! Best wishes and congratulations on an amazing future!

CONGRATULATIONS KAY ANNE & AMIEL!

2008-05-06T11:27:00.000-07:00

CONGRATULATIONS to Kay Anne & Amiel who had a beautiful reception at the Moana Surfrider Hotel on Friday, April 25th! The reception was a perfect setting for their many out of town guests to enjoy! With all of the little design decor touches and careful planning, it was evident that their guests all had a truly wonderful time!

Here is link and pictures by their awesome Professional photographer Geralyn Camarillo of Hokuli'i Images:

http://hokulii.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/04/congratulatio-2.html

CONGRATULATIONS Jamie & Mike Kobayakawa!!!

2008-04-07T12:40:00.000-07:00

What a WONDERFUL wedding!!! From the wedding party, parents, guests, and vendors, this wedding was AMAZING!!! The romantic setting provided by the Ihilani and their staff was perfect. Renee Borges from the Ihilani was a joy to work with.

Jamie's careful planning of the smallest details (from releasing butterflies, crystal butterflies in the bouquets, in the girls hair, butterflies on the lamp centerpieces, table tent cards, and even favor boxes) helped to make her wedding an event her guests won't soon forget.

The cake created by Cake Lava (picture by Hokuli'i Images-coming soon) was amazingly customized and beautifully presented on gorgeous specialty linens provided by Naomi Lee of Les Saison (unprofessional picture-coming soon)--UPDATE My blog isn't allowing me to upload my pictures, but here is a link to some GREAT pictures by Geralyn Camarillo (Hokuli'i Images):

http://hokulii.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/04/congratulations.html

Sue from Su-V Expressions was not only on time, but early to begin the set up of Jamie's wedding, which ensured the day's events were able to run smoothly. Sue's flowers were a great touch of elegance and class.

Ray from Sweet Sounds Entertainment was a joy to work with and he did a wonderful job. I look forward to working with Ray again!

Kai from Digital Expression put together a creative slide show that captured the guests from beginning to end.

Geralyn from Hokuli'i Images along with her sister Daisy were full of energy, extremely easy to work with, and as you can see, took AMAZING pictures!

Working with such wonderful people and professionals, I have no doubt helped to ensure that this wedding went so well. The biggest reason this wedding went so smoothly was due to the diligence, hard work, and attention to every detail by Jamie. She worked tirelessly to ensure every thing was completed and submitted on time...so I personally want to say THANK YOU to Jamie!!!

Mike and Jamie are such a sweet couple with a friendship that will continue to flourish for the rest of their lives. From all of us at A Perfect Day (Kelly, Mary, Larisa, & Kristin) thank you for the honor of being a part of your wedding day and...CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Starting to plan a wedding before getting engaged?

2008-03-05T12:50:00.000-08:00

This used to be a very unusual situation we might encounter once or twice a year, but within the last few weeks, we not only encountered 2 couples in this situation, but have been hired by both! The question we usually get, is when should planning start? There is no solid rule except the sooner the better (in most cases). You should start planning whenever you feel you are ready and it makes sense for you as a couple. Here are some options:

As soon as you get engaged
1 year after getting engaged
As soon as you know you will be getting married
2 years before the date
1 year before the date
1 month before the date

The thing to remember is, that like each wedding, each couple is unique. The situations, personalities, and experiences of each couple will determine the best time to start planning. If you are couple who enjoys being "engaged" (i.e.: I used to LOVE introducing my now husband as my FIANCE), then why not be engaged for a while before getting married? On the other hand, if you anticipate having many guests travel a long distance, informing your guests of a wedding date and providing them enough time to plan accordingly would be a thoughtful gesture. If you still aren't sure, meet with a coordinator and get a personalized recommendation.

A Perfect Day's 5th Birthday!!!

2008-02-22T14:18:00.001-08:00

So much has been going on that I haven't been able to keep up with posting, but I am very happy to say that A Perfect Day turned 5 years old! To celebrate, we had a small party 5th birthday party that included a cotton candy machine, cereal bar, photobooth, games, prizes, and much more! Here are some pictures from the photobooth we used (provided by photobooth hawaii/www.photoboothhawaii.com). The great thing is this booth actually allows enough room for more than 2 or 3 people! You can see how much we had! I will post more pictures as I get them :) ENJOY!!!

CONGRATULATIONS ROLAND & JULES REGINO!!!

2008-01-17T10:47:00.000-08:00

Roland & Jules had a beautiful wedding day with their ceremony at St. Augustine's Church in Waikiki and their reception at the Moana Surfrider, Westin Resort. Here are some non-professional pictures taken of their reception...professional pictures are on their way!

Wedding Cafe

2008-01-09T16:10:00.000-08:00

Last night we had our monthly NACE (National Association of Catering Executives) meeting at the New Wedding Cafe (located at Ward Warehouse)! If you haven't been there yet, you should definitely check it out!!! The food is GREAT and the staff there are very helpful! My absolute favorite is their Chicken Veggie soup...which they happened to have yesterday (so I had some then...and bought a bowl for my lunch today)...YUMMY!!!

THANKS Tanna, Bryson, Tessa, Daisy, Nicole, and all the Cafe Staff!!!

Lei, Corsage, or Boutonniere???

2008-01-07T14:25:00.000-08:00

Here is another one...if you don't have a preference, we often recommend a lei over a corsage or boutonniere. Here are some reasons why:

A corsage can snag delicate fabric (mothers & grandmothers like to wear chiffon which snags easily)
A corsage can be difficult for a person to attach to fabric (if not used to it)
A boutonniere & corsage can be difficult to attach to any fabric unless wearing a thick coat or jacket.
If hugging many people, a corsage or boutonniere is much easier to damage or completely break off

As always, decide for yourself, weigh your pros & cons and make the best decision for your unique situation!

Flowers for Family members

2008-01-07T14:22:00.000-08:00

Okay, so many couples aren't sure if they need to get flowers for family members...and if so, then who to get them for! It is really up to you, but typically here is the order:

Parents
Siblings
Grandparents
Aunts & Uncles

Please keep in mind that you can always do whatever matches your situation best and as much as possible, if you get something for 1, you should get for all (i.e.: 1 uncle, then for all uncles).

Wedding Expo Guides!

2008-01-03T12:02:00.000-08:00

So are you ready for our newest idea? We are very excited to offer ourselves as professional guides of the upcoming wedding expo! If you are already a client, it is FREE...and if you are not a client, it is only $5! If you are interested, please contact us (info@aperfectdayhawaii.com / 497-3339) to reserve your tour slot. The tour will include the following:

Tips on preparing for the expo (what to bring, questions to ask, etc.)
A guided tour through the expo with personal introductions to vendors, a professional friend and reference for questions, ideas, suggestions, opinions and more

A follow up option you can choose is to attend our follow-up workshop where we go through those handouts, information, & pictures to discuss ideas, suggestions, opinions, pricing, info, and MUCH more. To attend the follow-up workshop is FREE for current clients or only $5 for non-clients. As we will ensure to be attentive guides, both options are limited on a 1st come 1st served basis and RSVPs are required. If you have any questions or would like to RSVP, please contact us as soon as possible (info@aperfectdayhawaii.com or 497-3339). We look forward to making the expo experience as fun as it should be!

GREAT DINNER!

2007-12-20T09:46:00.000-08:00

Last night my husband and I were lucky enough to have dinner with James Chun (of Crane Media), his wife Amel, 2 daughters (Tiare & Emi), and Lawrence (also of Crane Media) at the Pagoda restaurant! It was a nice surprise and the perfect way to end a long day of work! Thank you to James and Amel for a fun, relaxing, and yummy time!

Company Christmas Picture???

2007-12-14T18:51:00.000-08:00

Okay, so we had a lot of fun last weekend! We have 3 birthdays in our company for the month of December, so we all got together for dinner and I tried to get our company Christmas picture after. Here are some pictures of us trying and luckily getting our Christmas picture taken...the only 1 picture that has my husband in it has Mary's eyes closed :~<

-You can click on any picture to see it bigger :)

Emcee: Friend or Professional?

2007-12-14T14:19:00.000-08:00

Did you know your emcee could make or break your reception? If you really think about it, your emcee will be the person to have everyone's attention for almost the entire time. So...here are some pros & cons of a professional emcee...

PROS:

They should know how to read the crowd. If your guests are of a certain temperament, the professional emcee should know how to determine the temperament and adjust their style & dialogue to match.
The professional can be asked to do specific tasks and be held accountable (whereas a friend might not take it seriously, forget, or decide not to do it)
The professional can be held accountable for being on time, dressed appropriately, and should not consume any alcohol (and as a result the professional's behavior should remain controlled).
A Professional shouldn't tell stories about the times you got drunk "wasted" (unless that's what you want)
If something in the program isn't ready, the professional should know how to stall (if needed) or adjust/skip accordingly (to something that is ready)
A professional will take the time to know your coordinator (or day of contact person), DJ/musician, and meet the Banquet Captain to work out all timing, cues, and clarify details (BEFORE the reception starts).
A professional should know how to enhance your reception while directing & controlling the flow.
A professional can arrive to sound test (and not have to miss attending the ceremony).

CONS:

A professional will cost money and good professionals typically cost more! Just make sure there is a reason for the higher cost! Will they only be talking? Have you seen them actually work before? Since troubleshooting is involved, an emcee should be hired similarly to a professional coordinator and questions should be asked accordingly (especially if you are not hiring a professional coordinator).
There are emcees who may call themselves or represent themselves as a "Professional", but really might not be. Remember, anyone can call themselves anything they want, so interview the person and decide for yourself.
Some professionals may not take the time to get to know their clients...which could be a benefit of having a friend as your emcee

So now what? Well, there are benefits to having both a professional & a friend emcee your event, so what I would recommend (if your budget allows) is to have a friend possibly take care of the more personal announcements (i.e.: acknowledging your immediate family members) since they probably know them and will pronounce them correctly, but leave the other areas up to a professional. Please keep in mind that you might have a friend who is hilarious on a daily basis, but speaking in front of a crowd is completely different and some of the day to day jokes might not be appropriate for a wedding reception.

Congratulations to Wilma & Edson Cabuyadao!!!

2007-12-13T13:38:00.001-08:00

Wilma & Edson were truly a great couple that were really able to have FUN! CONGRATULATIONS WILMA & EDSON!!!

FREE HELP!

2007-12-13T11:39:00.000-08:00

Okay, so all of us Event Managers at A Perfect Day were talking and really want to be able to help as many couples as possible. We realize that many can't afford a professional coordinator, but still would like to know that they are on the right track or sometimes just get a professional's opinion. So what we have come up with is an hour we are calling "Ask Us". For 1 hour (at least) every other Tuesday (starting January 22nd), one of us (or more) will be available from 6:00-7:00pm at our office (1019 Waimanu Street, Suite 101) to answer any questions and provide opinions & suggestions (as much as can be done with the time permitted and giving all who attend an opportunity to benefit). Since this is being offered for FREE...RSVPs are required. If you would like to RSVP....please feel free to email us at info@aperfectdayhawaii.com or call us at 591-8110. Seating is limited and right now, there is no limit on how many sessions a person can attend. You can also visit our website at www.aperfectdayhawaii.com for additional information and to view our calendar of workshops & classes. We hope to meet many couples and help each of you!

Gingerbread houses

2007-12-12T18:59:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday some of our staff got together for a team building event and we made GINGERBREAD HOUSES!!! It was LOTS of fun...here is a picture. The whole kit was less than $10 at Costco and it comes with EVERYTHING! You don't even need a microwave this year! As long as you don't eat as you go...you should have more than enough...or of course, you can bring any extra candies you might have and add those on too! Sorry, this one came out dark....

-Click on the picture to make it bigger...

CHRISTMAS PARTY!

2007-12-12T18:28:00.000-08:00

Last night was the NACE (National Association of Catering Executives) Christmas party at Thai Sweet Basil...and it was lots of fun, good friends, and great Thai food! Additional pictures should be coming...but if you ever have a chance to stop by Thai Sweet Basil in the Manoa Marketplace (2nd floor above Hanaki) not only has yummy food and good prices, but the staff are friendly and provide great service! Last night we occupied the entire 2nd level for our party and had a blast. Our organization/Hawaii Chapter meets once a month at different venues (most frequently at various hotels) where we get to have dinner and taste what they have to offer.

Ever wonder what event professionals do when not working on or at an event? Well many of us are members of NACE. Our Hawaii Chapter consists of many hotel Catering managers & various event professionals (photographers, videographers, coordinators, florists, etc.) which is a GREAT time to just hang out, relax, and get to know each other once a month.

Click on the picture to make it bigger...

CONGRATULATIONS!

2007-12-10T13:11:00.000-08:00

CONGRATULATIONS to everyone who ran the Honolulu Marathon yesterday!!! Especially to my husband Mike who continues to amaze me! Unfortunately I was sick at home, but Mike's brother & sister-in-law were great enough to be there and take this picture! GREAT JOB!!!...My husband is the cute one in grey :)

-Click on the picture to make it bigger...

Had a GREAT time!

2007-12-05T13:18:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Jamie (Event Manager) and I got to go Christmas shopping and had a lot of fun not only being productive at Costco, but finding cute and money saving bargains at Price Busters!!! I actually got a cute little water feature for less than $15 dollars to keep at our office and Jamie found cute Christmas items for her dogs and Christmas tree! If you haven't been to Price Busters in a while, you should check and see what they have...and yes, each location is a little different so take your time and pace yourself!

Christmas can be an extremely expensive holiday when you want to give something to everyone who means something special to you, so being creative can really make all the difference! No matter what it is that you do remember that you should always be having FUN!!!

-Click on the picture to make it bigger...

Mark & Wendi 12.1.7 CONGRATULATIONS!!!

2007-12-03T13:19:00.000-08:00

A big CONGRATULATIONS to Wendi & Mark Kiyozuka who just got married on Saturday, December 1, 2007! They make such a great couple and really knew how to have a great time with their guests. Luckily the weather held up and it didn't rain (just long enough to have the ceremony outdoors) at The Kahala's beautiful Kokohead Gazebo. Wendi & Mark planned fun games and activities to get their guests involved in their reception and learn more about them as individuals and a couple...and hopefully created memories that will last them a lifetime! From all of us at A Perfect Day, CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Photo Booth-Say CHEESE!!!

2007-12-03T13:11:00.000-08:00

This past weekend was my 1st experience working with the new Photo Booth company "Blue Cheese Hawaii". I think it was a GREAT success!!! The guests (including grandma & grandpa) had a BLAST! Yes, it is another expense, but what a way to spend your money! Your guests get a hard copy of the 4 pictures that are taken (just like the old photo booths would) and the bride & groom get a copy of ALL pictures on a CD! Polaroid camera's aren't needed (and no friends need to be preoccupied to take the pictures), guests have fun, and guests don't feel self-conscious taking a picture with everyone watching! Sandra was always easy to reach when any film/paper needed to be restocked and pictures quickly continued!!! if you aren't sure what is involved or if this is something you might want to do...just check out: http://www.bluecheesehawaii.com/ and talk to Sandra! Have FUN!!!

Halloween Gingerbread House!!!

2007-11-29T14:17:00.001-08:00

Isn't this cute! One of my closest friends & co-workers bought me this kit for my birthday, then we had a blast putting it together! It took me a few weeks after Halloween to part with it...so I just had to take a picture and share!!! Stay tuned for our Christmas Gingerbread houses!!!

Yummy Chinese food!

2007-11-29T13:10:00.001-08:00

Had this for the 1st time...but can't remember what it is called! Its in a bowl of fried taro (like cake noodles) so you can eat the WHOLE thing!!!

...................

Okay, so my husband reminded me that it is called a "Taro Basket"...and you can choose what dish you want it to hold!

MMMMmmmmmmm Making me hungry all over again!!!!!!!!!

THANKS Chikako!!!

2007-11-29T12:56:00.000-08:00

I had a blast with Chikako for the past 4 weeks! Chikako was the 1st person to attend our "Planning Series". As she was here on a student visa from Japan and had to leave today, last night was her last class with us. I look forward to the day she can return and hope she will be able to have a great time using what she learned. I have a picture of me with Chikako on my My Space page: www.myspace.com/aperfectdaykellysugano you can see it in the top slideshow or by viewing my other pictures...in my "My Photos" album...not sure why it came out blue???

-Click on the picture to make it bigger...

Selecting your photographer...

2007-11-28T15:48:00.000-08:00

When selecting your photographer...

It is always a good idea to see samples of their work...but it would be a better idea to see all of the pictures from 1 wedding so you know the photographer's true style and consistency level
Check to see how they will work on your wedding day! Are they flexible? willing to work with other vendors (if they won't shoot with a videographer around, you may end up having to pay extra (for extra time) for your videographer &/or photographer to shoot separately)? How much time will be requested (especially since most photographers charge by the hour, the more efficient the photographer, the more you will be getting for your money)? Are they pretty good with staying on time (ask other vendors or past clients)?

These are just a few things to take into consideration when hiring a photographer...(always keep you budget in mind as well)

Pictures from The Kahala Showcase

2007-11-27T18:52:00.000-08:00

Okay, so please don't mind...but I took these VERY amateur pictures...so they are pretty dark & blurry, but there were some great ideas and amazing options that I want to share. As I I couldn't fit all of the pictures here...please feel free to visit my "my space" page to see the pictures: http://www.myspace.com/aperfectdaykellysugano (when you get to my page, all you need to do is click on the word "pics" which is under my head shot (upper left corner). I hope you enjoy!!!

You can still visit my My Space page to see others, but I learned how to upload a picture, so here is one...

-Click on the picture to make it bigger...

Working with a budget

2007-11-27T13:48:00.000-08:00

A wedding budget can be very tricky! You will always want to make sure that all decisions concerning money are discussed and agreed upon between each other (bride & groom). We tell couples that although any budget can work (all you really need is $60 in cash for the marriage license), it will always boil down to what compromises each couple is willing to make.

Always determine your budget and maximum amounts you will be willing to spend on any vendor BEFORE meeting with vendors. If you decide to hire a vendor who is over your budget as least you will do so willingly and completely aware of the situation rather than be surprised and run out of money.

The Kahala Showcase

2007-11-25T19:36:00.000-08:00

Today was The Kahala Showcase and it was amazing! Please stay tuned for pictures from this great event!!! If you aren't sure if The Kahala is a good match for your special event, schedule an appointment and experience a 1 on 1 tour with a Catering staff person from The Kahala.

Question to ask at a consultation (to find a wedding coordinator)

2007-11-23T19:03:00.000-08:00

I just had a GREAT consultation with Miranda & Jeff today and I wanted to post a question that I think anyone interviewing coordinators should ask of each coordinator...

First, think of a situation you might be worried about happening on your wedding day, then ask each coordinator you meet with..."What would you do if..." Now you can compare apples to apples in a way that really means something to you.

I think this would be a GREAT way to help you to decide who you would like to have helping you. I am sure everyone knows of a person or persons who might have been doing a job for a while and still might not be very good at what they do...well, experience doing events DOES make a HUGE difference (especially in a field like wedding coordination), but we feel just as important as having experience, is learning from experience! A good coordinator will learn something from EACH wedding!!!

The BAR!!!

2007-11-23T16:00:00.000-08:00

The Bar at a reception can be a large cost, a controlled cost, or no cost. Depending on who you talk to and where you live, handling the bar situation for some can seem black and white. What we have come to realize and support is that each couple needs to know what their options are and decide for themselves how they would like to handle the bar. Here are the common ways that the bar can be serviced (but please keep in mind that these options aren't available at every location, so check with your location to see what you can choose from).

A hosted bar is when the clients/person paying (bride, groom, parents, sponsors, etc.) will be paying for all beverages consumed by the guests.
A hosted bar can be controlled by a dollar limit (i.e.: $2,000.00) and the location can inform someone (coordinator, parent, couple, etc.) when the limit is about to be reached. When the person is informed, most locations will allow the person to then decide if they want to continue hosting (paying) or if they would like to go to a cash bar (where the guests pay for their own beverages).
If/when the bar is a "cash bar", most locations will allow certain people to still be hosted (i.e.: head table, family table, sponsor table, etc.) as long as those people order while seated at their table(s). This can still get out of hand if someone seated at those tables decides to order beverages for other guests.
A hosted bar can also be controlled by a time limit. For example, if you want to host beverages during cocktails and the meal, but once the program starts, you can change to a cash bar. This method can also be safer to allow guests to sober up before driving home.
Another method to control the cost of the bar, is to pass out tickets (or a personalized item) which can be redeemed for beverages. Many people like this option because they know their bar cost won't exceed a certain dollar limit (ticket X cost of most expensive beverage possible)...and for those guests who don't drink, they can pass it on to those who might. This method also allows couples to personalize their event and let people know ahead of time how many beverages they will be allowed (to pace themselves) if they don't want to pay for any later...and every guest has the same chance to consume the same amount as the person next to them (i.e.: some people like to wait until after the meal to consume alcoholic beverages)
Another option is to only offer certain beverages at the bar. If you offer just beer, wine, and soft drinks, the cost will usually be much lower than if you also offered blended drinks and hard liquor.

Please remember that each option is not always possible at every location and take special note of any minimum dollar amounts that must be reached within a time frame as well as other costs like the bartender fees (which are based of the cost to the location to staff the bar with a bartender). Please also keep in mind that these are just options and that each couple will need to decide for themselves what their budget will allow and what you feel comfortable doing.

Save The Date and Thank You Cards

2007-11-21T09:37:00.000-08:00

Did you know that it is possible to save time, money, and still personalize "Save The Date" and "Thank You" cards? All you would have to do is...

Input the recipients' names and addresses once
Then you can personalize (if you want) a card by using a personal picture
Then press send (and you are done)!

Anyway, I am participating in a program called "Send out Cards" with the hopes of helping to save couples time and money with their "Save The Date" and "Thank You" cards. Does anyone reading this post think this sounds interesting or like you would want to participate? If you are interested, please let us know as we will be happy to set you up to test the program for FREE!

Gratuities/Tipping vendors

2007-11-20T11:36:00.000-08:00

This is another topic that many couples are curious about. We tell all of our couples that tipping should be done after the event and should always be based off of the actual service or product provided/produced. Many feel a tip/gratuity is required, but unless it is automatically added (i.e.: transportation or meals), tips/gratuity are not required.

A tip/gratuity is meant to be for good service or a job well done as a "thank you". So if you really think about it, how do you know what the performance or product of someone will be until the event has happened. There will be some vendors who will remind couples that "gratuity has not yet been included" in the price quoted (with the hopes that they will be tipped)...but remember that it is NOT required. Any amount that is a required payment should be clearly mentioned on the contract.

Although I am sure any vendor would love to get a tip, if a tip is just not in your budget but you want to thank the vendor for everything they were able to do for you...a nice "Thank you" letter can really mean more in the long run. We (at A Perfect Day) LOVE to get letters that tell us what couples liked and how happy we were able to make them. So although a tip can be split between all of our staff, a letter really keeps us loving what we do and helps us to continue wanting to help others. If after your event, you decide that you want to tip a vendor(s), there are many documents you can find on-line to provide you with percentages or averages on tipping...or you can just check with your coordinator who should also be able to provide you with the information needed. We hope this helps!

Want to save money on decor?

2007-11-19T19:31:00.000-08:00

There is a lot someone can do to save money on decor. Consider the following:

Instead of getting chair covers for each chair, consider getting a colored tablecloth
Instead of getting a colored tablecloth, consider renting a table runner
If chair covers and sashes aren't in the budget, consider only the sashes
If full chair covers aren't in your budget, consider chair caps
See if you can rent other decor items rather than purchasing (i.e.: vases, displays)

What should a bride do on her wedding day?

2007-11-17T10:20:00.000-08:00

As I am running out to coordinate a wedding, I wanted to share what I think a bride should do on her wedding day...

HAVE THE TIME OF HER LIFE
GET MARRIED!!!!

It is as simple as that. The bride should not have to think or worry about anything. The bride should experience every moment of that day to the fullest and enjoy every second of it.

Now what should the bride NOT do on her wedding day?

Answer questions (from any vendors)
Set up anything
Direct anyone on where to go or what to do
Pay anyone
Look for anything
Carry anything (besides her bouquet)
Drive anywhere (riding is okay)
Solve any problems
Deal with unexpected guests
Deal with drunk guests

How much money can a coordinator save a couple?

2007-11-16T10:34:00.001-08:00

During one of my consultations with a couple yesterday, a question was raised that I think many people are curious about..."How much money can a wedding coordinator save a couple?"

The answer to that is a little long, but I think important.

The question should be asked to EVERY coordinator you are considering because the way each company handles the same situation can be very different.
Some vendors might provide a "Referral fee" (for new business) to a coordinator. Our company does not accept "referral fees", we pass on any amount we would have received as a savings for our clients. It is important to know that most vendors DO NOT offer this.
Even if we are only hired to be the "On-Site" or "Day of" coordinator, we ALWAYS offer tips, ideas, opinions, recommendations, and suggestions (complimentary) on how to save on costs. There is no solid dollar amount we can guarantee on savings as it varies from couple to couple as each couple's wedding is different.
If you think about how much you might be paying a professional (by the hour...i.e.: photographer, videographer, entertainer, etc.) and on your wedding day time isn't used productively, you could be potentially wasting hundreds or thousands of dollars per hour. Again, there is no consistent amount of savings there, but it could be a loss that could more than pay for a coordinator.

As always, look at your budget and decide for yourself if you even want to hire a coordinator and if so, try to find one that you TRUST and can afford. If a professional coordinator (that you trust) is not in your budget, consider taking a class to get useful information and tips that will be helpful on your wedding day. At least you will have some idea of what to expect and how to plan as best as possible. BEST WISHES!!!

When to hire vendors (Is it to early?)

2007-11-15T12:44:00.000-08:00

Okay, so this is a question we hear quite often. What we tell everyone is "The sooner the better...usually". If you know you like someone's work, personality, & prices, then go for it. Many people also feel better once decisions and choices are made, so peace of mind can be a big benefit for starting early. If you hire someone early, it will be much more likely that they will not only be available, but their prices can usually be guaranteed once a deposit/retainer is placed. Many companies increase their rates annually (not always in January), so if by starting early, you can save money...why not?

The only reason why not, is that yes, you are taking a chance that you MIGHT find someone better. But if that does happen, you should still be okay because the person you did hire was someone that you were happy with to begin with. I personally feel the benefits outway the drawbacks, but now you will need to decide for yourself...good luck!

Vendors to meet with!

2007-11-14T10:28:00.000-08:00

So everyone is busy nowdays...and many feel overwhelmed going to numerous vendor meetings. Since we deal with destination as well as local couples, we have learned how to make the most of our couples time. If you don't want to or can't meet with 2-3 vendors per field to collect information and make your choice, here are the vendors we recommend meeting with (or at least speaking over the phone with)

Coordinator
Photographer
Videographer
Officiant
Emcee

The reason it is important to at least speak with those vendors is because their personalities will play a big role on your wedding day. For your coordinator, you want to fee comfortable, trust, like, and feel reassured when you see him/her (not irritated, worried, or more stressed). For your photographer & videographer, if you like their personality, they will be able to capture more true feelings, happy candids, and put your mind at ease. Seeing a photographer's & videographer's work is also important (but not necessary to be done in person). You can see work on-line or ask them to send you samples. For the officiant, their personality is important because for at least 20-30 minutes, their personality will be the main focus of EVERYONE...and although it might only be for 20 minutes, remember that the ceremony is the reason why everyone is there. Your emcee's personality will completely determine the feel of your reception. Flowers and the cake can help create and environment and feel, but ultimately, the emcee can either enhance or ruin the reception.

For other vendors like flowers, cake, etc. on your wedding day, you should not see them or will see them for such a short period of time that the most important aspect of what they do is not their personality, but their product. Many times you can see their products on-line and can communicate (ask questions) through email or over the phone. So if time is tight, you might not need to meet with these vendors in person.

The Kahala

2007-11-14T10:24:00.001-08:00

Did you know that The Kahala will be having a "Wedding Showcase" on Sunday, November 25th, 2007 from 10:00am-2:00pm? You might have been hearing that they have been undergoing a lot of changes and this will be the perfect time to see for yourself! Anyone is welcome to attend as they showcase their location and show you what options are possible for you to have your special event. They will be showcasing ceremonies, receptions, floral designs, table settings, and their recommended vendors! If you are interested, you can register at www.kahalaresort.com or just call 739-8715. Hope to see you there!

Wedding Cafe

2007-11-13T11:04:00.000-08:00

Guess what? If you didn't already hear, The Wedding Cafe that is located in Manoa Marketplace will be opening their 2nd location at Ward Warehouse!!! Talk about convenient! They have yummy food and the friendliest staff you can imagine. If you haven't been to the Cafe or are just a long time fan like myself, go check out their newest location...but WAIT...it isn't open until THIS Thursday, November 15th! I will be going on Sunday November 18th as that will be their official open house (and won't be able to get out of the office on the 15th). Trust me, try their salads, sandwiches, soups, and drinks...they are truly AMAZING!!!

Slideshow "Chapter Trailers"

2007-11-12T18:52:00.000-08:00

Okay, so a friend and colleague from the wedding industry (James Chun/Crane Media) just showed me a great new thing he will be offering his couples! It is called a "Chapter trailer"! So many people have heard of and seen skits at part of wedding videos, but this different. It isn't very long (so no heavy acting is required...for self-conscious people like me)...and it really personalizes your slide show! He will be hosting it on his website soon, so I'll provide a link when it is available to check out. Geez, sometimes I wish I could get married all over again...hmmm...maybe 25 year anniversary?

TIPS, IDEAS, and SUGGESTIONS!

2007-11-08T10:06:00.000-08:00

As Event Managers of A Perfect Day, it is ALWAYS unfortunate to know that there are couples who would love to hire us but just can't fit it into their budget. This blog is created with the hopes that we can give some assistance and peace of mind to anyone who might be interested! Please enjoy and let us know what you think!

Tip #2: Choosing a location

2007-11-01T16:48:00.001-07:00

Some factors to consider:

The Date:
If you need to have a specific date, you should start by calling locations and asking for their availability for your date. No one wants to spend time and find the perfect location only to find out it isn't available. If you are trying to decide between 2 locations, ask if the locations can put on a tentative hold (with no deposit) so you can have a couple days to decide. Some locations might hold a date for up to 2 weeks.
Cost:
If you are on a budget...in most cases, a hotel or resort will be much more cost effective rather than an estate or beach house.
Estates or Beach houses often require that you also rent the facility for a minimum of 1 week
When your event is not at a hotel or resort, you will often be paying for rentals (tables, chairs, linen, lighting, utensils, etc.) and staffing (set up, breakdown, serving, clean up, etc.)
Rain:
Most estates & Beach houses don't have a back-up option should it rain
Most hotels/resorts include a back-up option should it rain (although a "rain call" will need to be made by a specified time)
Communication:
Communication is key. In most cases, you will be working with more vendors if your event is at an estate or beach house (as you will need to bring everything in).
If you are chasing down a contact (hotel/resort OR beach house/estate) from the beginning, it is a safe assumption that you will continue to have difficulty.
You can ask the contact how quickly they tend to reply.
Know what you are getting:
If you need a spectacular sunset, try to visit the location during the time when the sun should be setting. You don't want to secure the location to realize later that your view of the sunset will be obstructed.
Make sure you know about any site rental fees, minimums you must spend to reserve the space, and what the location might already include/offer.
GET IT IN WRITING:
No matter what someone tells you, make sure you get it in writing! That person might mean well, but if they honestly forget they promised something and you don't have it in writing, there will really be no recourse. If the person you are working with leaves the company and doesn't pass on their notes, you can show documentation of what was promised and in most situations, it will be honored.

Money Saving Tip #1 (Event at 1 location)

2007-10-31T14:37:00.000-07:00

If you have your ceremony & reception in 1 location you can potentially save a bundle! Here are some reasons you will save money:

You won't be paying a photographer during their drive time
You won't need to pay for transportation
Your day will be shorter so you won't need to pay certain professionals for a longer duration
Some professionals charge a fee for more than 1 location

Wedding Workshops & Classes?

2007-10-31T11:59:00.000-07:00

We're trying to see if anyone might find wedding workshops & classes interesting??? My staff and I are trying to help couples who might not be able to afford a traditional coordinator, so we are hoping classes might be a way to help. What do you think??? To view our calendar of upcoming workshops & classes, please visit our website at www.aperfectdayhawaii.com and visit our "upcoming events" link or just click here: http://aperfectdayhawaii.com/workshop.html.