While it is important to pay attention to the focal elements of your party, always take the time to step back and look at the big picture with an eye and ear for detail. Are unsightly cables, lighting and speaker stands, and drape base-plates properly concealed? Is there clear line-of-sight to the stage from fringe tables? Are speakers far enough from the tables in the front, yet strategically positioned so guests in the back can hear clearly?

If you miss this fundamental step, your client’s event experience may be less than wonderful. It reminds me of bad lighting, dusty ceiling fans, or water spots on wine glasses at a restaurant.  The food may be delicious, but these subtle but important oversights can ruin your dining experience.

We’re feeling the Love and want to show all of our loyal customers and friends some Love. If you’re too late to make dinner reservations for a romantic evening out on the town and are interested in creating a romantic/fun/sassy/??? tablescape at home we have a solution for you. Stop by our linen showroom in Kihei to pick out a few pieces of linen to use tonight…it’s on us. Happy Valentine’s Day! XOXOXO

This year we decided to forgo the traditional reds and greens of the Christmas holiday and instead opted for something a bit on the wild side. A spontaneous brainstorming session with Ruth Panopio, Wanda Sobel, myself and Yolanda Davis, our linen room supervisor, came up with the winning combo to dress the tables. The underlay is a richly textured 132″ Round Bengaline in Teal with a Zebra-print faux animal skin overlay, napkins and chair ties in a soft and silky Radiant Violet Lamour and the chairs a dark fruitwood Chivari. Asa Florals created the centerpieces using white roses, peonies and orchids, purple mokaras, green cyms, silver pinecones and teal glass ornaments – a classy touch atop the animal skin.

If you’re stuck in a theme-planning rut you’re welcome to stop by our office and linen room to help get your creative juices flowing. We’ll bring in a few folks from the different departments, throw some linen at the walls and see what we come up with….almost like a party to plan a party. I’m liking this idea.

Welcome to our new Blog and Website!

Over the past few months we have been gearing up to say goodbye to our old website baggage and embrace the social signs of our time. Yes, we are a bit slow in jumping onto the bandwagon, but thanks to Peter Liu, Social Media Guru of Kaiscapes Consulting, we are now here and ready to engage!  Follow us @EnvisionsHI on Twitter and Facebook for the latest trends in event décor, planning and entertainment.

Photo courtesy of Bill Westerhoff

The only rule to remember when planning your wedding is “There Are No Rules”!  You’ve heard the “Borrowed, Blue and New” thing that have been going around since the dawn of time, or the traditional Bridal March (Hawaiian Wedding Song if you’re in Hawaii) being played as you walk down the aisle.  More and more modern brides are moving away from conventional practices and putting their own creative twist on their wedding day.  Do it like Burger King and Have It Your Way!

In the same way, oftentimes people are overwhelmed with the task of organizing an event.  There are many things to coordinate, decisions to make and details to finalize.  As clients, organizing an event can sometimes feel like you’re stuck in New York’s Grand Central Station right in the middle of a flash mob routine and you don’t have the slightest clue what the next move will be.

We feel your pain and know the frustration when it comes to coordinating an event.   We help with that next move and turn your chaos into a visually beautiful event.  From a client’s initial CONCEPT, to CONSULTATION with our Event Managers and staff, we know how to bring the many parts together to a successful CONCLUSION.  It is our goal that when the music begins to play at your event, you will not only have your dance shoes on, but will be ready to dance!  Let us at Envisions Entertainment take the lead for your next event.  We’ll cue in the music and be with you at every step.  Let the music begin!

Myth #1:  The Weather is Always Perfect in Hawaii

Yes, I have to admit the weather here in Hawaii is perfect for an outdoor ceremony and reception however, we are in the tropics and on any given day it’s raining somewhere on the island.  It could be a passing shower as is the case on a weekly basis in the Makena/Wailea area in the late afternoon or almost every day in the Haiku and Hana areas.  What this means for you is to 1) Have a backup plan to celebrate indoors or 2) Get a tent if your heart is set on staying outdoors.  Nothing can ruin a wedding day faster than not having a rain backup plan.

The DIY Wedding Couple

Myth #2:  It’s Easy to Plan Your Own Wedding

I am a wedding and event planner, live on Maui, got married here and even I needed help with the planning.  Albeit was my best friend who is also a wedding planner but hey, why stress unnecessarily especially when planning one of the biggest days of your life?  All I’m saying is that everyone needs help when planning a wedding, especially a destination wedding.  If you’re not familiar with the islands, the venue where your nuptials will be held or entertainment, etc, etc. you need someone on your side to supply you with the details.

Yes, on some occasions you will need to pay a little extra for this service however in the long run it will save you time and maybe some heartache.  There is nothing worse than working with a vendor you found online only to find out minutes before your ceremony that the person you thought you hired isn’t going to show up.  Do your research and hire legitimate companies that have solid reputations with local and mainland clients and also those that carry insurance policies in case something unforeseen should happen.

Myth #3: Musicians are a Dime-A-Dozen in Hawaii  

Hawaii has a strong draw to musically artistic people and it seems like everytime you turn your back someone new is crooning Somewhere Over the Rainbow made popular by the late Israel Kamakawiwo’ole.  Hawaii boasts an amazing wealth of entertainers performing in all genres of music from Traditional and Contemporary Hawaiian to Reggae infused Jawaiian to Top 40 Country to Classical.  Some musicians don’t stray far from their genre and some very talented ones dabble in a few genres. The key is to finding the right musician that will make your heart soar even higher as you dance your first dance.

For starters I recommend deciding on the genre of music you’d like to hear and asking your wedding planner to find a few musicians that will fit the bill and are available on your wedding date.  Once they find this person/s have them supply you with a song list to help narrow your choices. It is always the best idea to hire entertainment through legitimate sources that work with a number of entertainers.  By doing this you will know that you are getting top of the line choices from a reputable source.

Photo by Bill Westerhoff

Myth #4:  Getting Married on the Beach is Free

Having a beach wedding used to be Free but because of the explosion of beach weddings the City and County of Maui is now requiring a permit and small fee to say your I Do’s on the beach.  The government found it necessary to regulate this growing trend to avoid excessive commercial use and exploitation of this free natural resource available to residents and visitors.

Can you imagine trying to relax and enjoy your day-off or vacation at the beach only to have a line of wedding couples, photographers, ministers, florists, etc. etc tramping over your beach towel to get to their favorite spot?  These permits are a hindrance to some but also a blessing to those that have travelled hundreds of miles to enjoy the uncrowded beaches and beautiful blue ocean.  Do it right by planning ahead to get your permit well in advance of your arrival on Maui.

Myth #5:  Flowers Bloom Year Round In Hawaii

Photo by Bill Westerhoff

Ok, this is actually true. Flowers bloom all year round in Hawaii BUT not necessarily the type of flower you may want at your wedding.  If you have a specific type of flower in mind you may need to choose your wedding date according to the season your flower blooms.  A bouquet filled with white peonies means an April-June wedding.  If your heart is set on winter nuptials I recommend speaking with your wedding coordinator and florist about what flowers are in season and grown in Hawaii during your wedding month.  By trusting the local businesses you’ll be pleasantly surprised with what they are able to come up with to keep in line with your budget.