On Wednesday, July 22nd, I made my way to Kaneohe for Cindy & Noah’s tea ceremony rehearsal…and I am glad I did. Although I have been at tea ceremonies many times before, I can only imagine how hard it would have been to find the location on the wedding day. By going to the rehearsal, I was also able to create a customized map (with pictures and instructions) for my staff and the photographer to find it much easier.

Then on Thursday, July 23rd, Christine, Mary, & I made our way to Luana Hills for the rehearsal of the American ceremony….
Giving tips to the wedding party

Giving tips to the wedding party...we practiced in doors as it had just rained and we wanted to save the grass as much as possible for the wedding day

The next day…Friday, July 24th was Cindy & Noah’s wedding day! On my way to Cindy’s hotel, I picked up Christine (intern) at her home at 6:15am…then we stopped at Foodland to pick up ice for the cooler of bottled water and clear soda for the wedding party.

After Foodland, we stopped at Sweet Blossoms to pick up the wedding party & immediate family flowers…and as usual, we were early so we sat in my van and waited for the shop to open.

A little early from when they needed to be open, we say Natasha enter the shop so we asked if we might be able to pick up the flowers early as well.
A BIG Thank you to Natasha (left) for opening early and having all of the flowers ready to go! And thank you to Christine (right) for helping throughout the day!

A BIG Thank you to Natasha (left) for opening early and having all of the flowers ready to go! And thank you to Christine (right) for helping throughout the day!
Bride's bouquet

Bride's bouquet
Bridesmaid's bouquet

Bridesmaid's bouquet

Upon arriving at the Lotus hotel (where Cindy and her girls were getting ready), it was SO nice to find Christine Gardner and her girls from Flaunt progressing so nicely!
They even finished early! What a GREAT crew!!!

They even finished early! What a GREAT crew!!!

Once Cindy got dressed, it was PERFECT timing as the groom’s party had also just arrived to participate in the Chinese tradition of obstacles and bridal bidding so Noah would be allowed to see and marry Cindy…
After finally completing all obstacles, Noah is being guided into the hotel room by his best man to see his wife for the first time

After finally completing all obstacles, Noah is being guided into the hotel room by his best man to see his wife for the first time

Then photographer David Murphey took a few pictures of Cindy & Noah in the lobby which happened to have a nice Asian theme…
This was actually down in the lobby!!!

This was actually down in the lobby!!!

Then after the pictures, everyone made their way to the location of the tea ceremony
Getting the tea ceremony started...

Getting the tea ceremony started...
tea ceremony taking place...

tea ceremony taking place...

After the tea ceremony, the family members and wedding party made their way to the main house to have lunch. While they enjoyed lunch, I made my way to Buger King to pick up lunch for my staff and continued on my way Luana Hills to help and oversee that setup.
Upon arriving, I was happy to see Naomi had started setting up the draping of the bamboo arch (rented from Accel Rentals)...

Upon arriving, I was happy to see Naomi had started setting up the draping of the bamboo arch (rented from Accel Rentals)...
my staff at Luana Hills took a few minutes to eat lunch as Naomi was putting up her linen and while Laurie was back at the residence with the wedding party (as they ate) to make sure they were comfortable and would leave on time

my staff at Luana Hills took a few minutes to eat lunch as Naomi was putting up her linen and while Laurie was back at the residence with the wedding party (as they ate) to make sure they were comfortable and would leave on time
after the quick bite to eat, it was back to work....the flowers were going up and David Louis of Dynamic Sounds was setting up and testing the sound for the ceremony

after the quick bite to eat, it was back to work....the flowers were going up and David Louis of Dynamic Sounds was setting up and testing the sound for the ceremony
Mary started putting on the reserved seating signs...

Mary started putting on the reserved seating signs...
and David was on to testing the microphone that the minister would be using...

and David was on to testing the microphone that the minister would be using...
aisle flowers (which will later become centerpieces)

aisle flowers (which will later become centerpieces)
gazebo arch piece

gazebo arch piece
FINISHED arch (bamboo arch rented from Accel Rentals, linen draping by Les Saisons, and flowers from Sweet Blossoms...isn't this pretty!

FINISHED arch (bamboo arch rented from Accel Rentals, linen draping by Les Saisons, and flowers from Sweet Blossoms...isn't this pretty!
FINISHED ceremony site (just waiting for the petals down the center aisle...which will go out at the last minute so they won't blow away)

FINISHED ceremony site (just waiting for the petals down the center aisle...which will go out at the last minute so they won't blow away)
Cindy & Noah's big moment!!!

Cindy & Noah's big moment!!!

Once the ceremony started, I left some of my capable staff at Luana Hills to make sure everything else finished smoothly and the wedding party left without a hitch. I went straight to the Chinese restaurant to begin overseeing the setup. Soon after arriving, I found…
Steven (Naomi's husband) hard at work and still smiling :)

Steven (Naomi's husband) hard at work and still smiling :)
Head and cake tables...linen...check! Not to worry...Steven also brought their steamer and was still yet to steam this linen...so when it was done, there were NO lines or wrinkles :)

Head and cake tables...linen...check! Not to worry...Steven also brought their steamer and was still yet to steam this linen...so when it was done, there were NO lines or wrinkles :)
Immediately after the grand entrance, Cindy, Noah, and all of their guests were treated to a lion dance that infused the reception with energy & excitement

Immediately after the grand entrance, Cindy, Noah, and all of their guests were treated to a lion dance that infused the reception with energy & excitement

Have you wondered what I staff would NOT do at a wedding? So have I! As far as I know, we will do anything to make things happen…
cut & serve cake

even cut & serve cake...here is my intern Christine Nip helping to cut & plate the wedding cake
Noah (left), Cindy (middle), and me :) The new HAPPY couple!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!