June Wedding at the Maui Coffee Farm

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Carrie and Kevin wed in June at the Maria Lanakila church in Lahaina Maui. Friends and family flow in from across the mainland, from California, upstate New York and Pennsylvania. Carrie requested spring flowers for her bouquets featuring, bright pink, white and pale pink peonies. The stems were wrapped in navy blue, an on trend color for 2014. After the beautiful church wedding the group traveled back to the Ka’anapali Coffee Farm to gather for the wedding reception and dinner. The ocean views and evening sky provided a dramatic sunset for a lovely Maui Wedding.

Flowers were provided by Sally of Blue Sky Weddings
Photography: Barry Frankel Photography
Caterer: Carol Longhi Oleary
DJ: Boomshot Jay Langworthy
Wedding Cake: Maui Sweet Cakes
Wedding Planner and Design: Gabrielle at Blue Sky Weddings

Pink and White Peonies
Down the aisle
Fluffy bridesmaids bouquets
First Dance
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December Wedding at Olowalu Plantation House in Maui

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Coming from Australia, Julie and Jarrod found a central meeting point to marry at the Olowalu Plantation in Maui. Their families flew out from Southern California and Australia to join the couple for their marriage ceremony in West Maui. The wedding and reception featured bright jewel toned flowers, a travel theme featuring the couple’s favorite cities and destinations and a clear top tent with pretty white lanterns. The music was provided by Ahumanu, a Hawaiian style duet, and DJ Boomshot. The food was provided by Carol Longhi Oleary Catering. For dessert there was an array of cake pops, French style macaroons made by Fabiani’s Bakery in three flavors and a pot of melted warm chocolate with fresh tropical fruit for dipping on each table.  After the family style dinner was served dancing lasted into the night.

Photography by Hula Girl Photography
Catering by Carol Longhi Oleary Catering
Planning and Design by Blue Sky Weddings Maui
Flowers by Sally of Blue Sky Weddings
Officiate: Reverend Kimo Kirkman
Venue: The Olowalu Plantation House in Maui
French Style Macaroons: Fabiani’s Bakery

Colorful Jewel tones
Brides Bouquet
Clear top tent
Olowalu Plantation House
Flowers for tables
Wedding Rings
Jewel tones for bride
Lush bright bride bouquet
Table scape
Ahumanu Hawaiian style duet
Sign in
Bright flowers for tables
Ceremony Programs
Travel seating chart
Conch shell announces the bride
Reverend Kimo Kirkman
Olowalu wedding set up
Maui Wedding at Olowalu
Ring Ceremony
Bride’s attendants
White calla lilies for bridesmaids
Wedding Party Olowalu
Maui Bride
Reception time
Ahi Carpaccio in Cucumber Cups
Olowalu Maui
Beach Stroll
Olowalu Beach Maui
December Sunset
Olowalu Views
First Dance
Olowalu Night Lighting
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Weddings, Wedding VenuesBlue Sky Weddings, Best Wedding Planners in Honolulu - 2014 Couples' Choice Award Winner

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Lahaina, Hawaii – January 22, 2014 – WeddingWire, the nation’s leading online wedding marketplace, named Blue Sky Weddings as a winner of the prestigious WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards™ 2014 for Wedding and Event Planning in Maui, Hawaii

The WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards™ 2014 recognizes the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. The esteemed awards are given to the top local wedding vendors in more than 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on their professional achievements from the previous year.

While many industry award winners are selected by the host organization, the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards™ winners are determined solely based on reviews from real newlyweds and their experiences working with Blue Sky Weddings. Award-winning vendors are distinguished for the quality, quantity, consistency and timeliness of the reviews they have received from their past clients.

“There’s no better way to start the year than by honoring the hard work, commitment and success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Network,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “It is exciting to celebrate a sixth year recognizing businesses whose clients believe they are committed to quality, professionalism and all around top-notch service. We are honored to recognize Blue Sky Weddings for their impressive achievements within the wedding industry.”

As a Couples’ Choice Awards™ winner, Blue Sky Weddings is highlighted within the WeddingWire Network, which is comprised of over 200,000 wedding professionals throughout North America and abroad.

Blue Sky Weddings is proud to be one of the top Wedding and Event Planning in Hawaii in the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding sites such as WeddingWire, Project Wedding, Brides.com, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. We value all of our clients and truly appreciate the positive feedback that helped us earn the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards™ 2014.

For more information about Blue Sky Weddings please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at www.blueskyweddings.com

To learn more about the Couple’s Choice Awards™, please visit www.weddingwire.com/couples-choice-awards.

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Juicy Orange with Peachy Pink

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   Orange Orchids with Peach Accents for Maui Bride

When nature supplies perfect blooms in just the right colors with a twist of surprising accents that delight our senses we think we have the perfect tropical bouquet.

Tropical brides bouquet

lush orange brides bouquetFor this September wedding we found striped orange cymbidium orchids so unusual I had not seen this exact combination of deep orange with bright orange stripes before.   Also included are glowing mango calla lilies edged with peach fading to a soft but strong pink on the tips, deep orange and pink tulips, pink cymbidium orchids and yellow and fuchsia mocara orchids all wrapped up with a lush burnt orange silk velvet ribbon.  The bright tropical autumn tone was continued throughout the wedding and receptions. All flowers except the tulips and mini call lilies were sourced in Maui or the Hawaiian islands. In the table flower arrangements we added large lush pink dahlias, still blooming in early September, yellow hibiscus and pink mink protea all grown in our upcountry garden in Kula Maui, Hawaii.  Also added are large orange lilies, purple mocara orchids as well as the pink tulips and striped orange cymbidium orchids.  Tangerine taffeta runners provided an additional pop of color. We love to feature and include our locally grown garden flowers when seasonal and in bloom.  These flowers add character and authenticity. Other flowers we grow in out Maui garden are love in a mist, French lavender, garden roses, and dinner plate dahlias. Big romantic vintage style flowers are the thing to do right now and our sustainable Maui garden is producing many of these types of flowers and well as exotic tropical and unique finds that add something beyond the commercial flower look. Below are more photos of this Autumn wedding hosted at the Olowalu Plantatin House in Maui.

Tables were set with vanilla pillar candles and taffeta tangerine runners. We still have beautiful dahlias and I am hoping they last through October.

Tangerine tulips and peach lilies for bride

vibrant maui flowers for wedding

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Andrea & Christopher are Married New Years Eve in Lahaina Maui

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New Years Eve Wedding at the Olowalu Plantation House Maui

Photography:  Hula Girl Photography Maui

Wedding design, decor and planning:  Blue Sky Weddings

Catering: Carol Longhi O’Leary

Andrea Fall and Christopher Zachary wed at the Olowalu Plantation House in Lahaina Maui, Hawaii on New Years Eve. The wedding was blessed with a perfect sunny day and  a perfectly clear gorgeous evening. Andrea and Christopher were joined by family and friends to celebrate their marriage and the beginning of the new year. White tropical flowers were used throughout the ceremony and reception.  Wedding bouquets were a cluster of white cymbidium orchids. Centerpieces of snow white anthurium and protea decorated the tables. The reception lasted through midnight when a show of fireworks was displayed off the south end of the island of Lanai, just across the channel. Stewart Pinsky of Hula Girl Photography was on site capturing gorgeous images of the day and evening.  The delicious wedding cake was done by Maui Sweet Cakes in Paia.  The very delicious dinner for the evening was prepared by caterer, Carol Oleary. DJ Billy Arbour of Sound Wave Maui provided the tunes for the evening. All of the tropical blooms were sourced on Maui with flower design by Sally Longhi.

    • Menu
    • Passed appetizers
    •  Ahi carpaccio on crostini
    • Hamakua mushrooms on gorgonzola crostini
    • Peking duck rolls with plum sauce
    • Upcountry Kula greens with caramelized macadamia nuts and ginger lime vinaigrette
    • Kalbe marinated New York steak
    • Opakapaka served with ginger lime buerre blanc and island salsa
    • Jasmine rice pilaf with caramelized macadamia nuts and pineapple
    • Sautéed asparagus
    • Kona coffee & Wedding Cake
    • Red Velvet Cake with cream cheese frosting
    • Vanilla lilikoi cake with cream cheese frosting
    • Vanilla cake with toasted coconut

Hamakua mushrooms are grown at the Hamakua Heritage Farm on the Coast in Laupahoehoe, Hawaii. Hawaii’s Own Commercially Grown Gourmet Mushrooms.

Lilikoi: Hawaiian yellow passionfruit called lilikoi is sweet and very tart. The fruit is a wonderful addition and flavor added to cakes, tart and jams, or eaten fresh out of the large yellow pod.

Toasted Coconut: Fresh shredded from Maui’s own coconut palm trees.

Images by Hula Girl below:

Hula Girl Photography Maui- Wedding Planner Blue Sky Weddings Maui

Hula Girl Photography Maui- Wedding Planner Blue Sky Weddings Maui

 

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Hula Girl Photography Maui- Wedding Planner Blue Sky Weddings Maui

Hula Girl Photography Maui- Wedding Planner Blue Sky Weddings Maui

Hula Girl Photography Maui

Hula Girl Photography Maui- Wedding Planner Blue Sky Weddings Maui

Hula Girl Photography Maui

Hula Girl Photography Maui - Blue Sky Weddings Maui
Hula Girl Photography Maui - Blue Sky Weddings MauiHula Girl Photography Maui - Blue Sky Weddings MauiHula Girl Photography Maui - Blue Sky Weddings Maui

Hula Girl Photography Maui - Blue Sky Weddings MauiHula Girl Photography Maui - Blue Sky Weddings MauiHula Girl Photography Maui - Blue Sky Weddings Maui

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Wedding Color Trends: Orange Creates A Perfect Palette

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It seems orange has been an extremely popular choice for brides and Maui Weddings over the past few years.  Maybe Hawaii is just a good place for an orange palette. Orange shows up so nicely in photographs and stands out against all that blue sky, colbalt ocean and green grass as it pairs beautifully with rich turquoise and citron. We have worked with tone on tone orange palettes from pure vibrant  orange to subtle shades of nectarine and mango.   Orange also mixes well with pink and yellow, chocolate brown or copper and green, basically warm tonal blends.  Have a look at some stunning images from recent weddings featuring this vibrant color.

circusroses

Laor Laora

Lina Lindd

Linb Linde

Embellishments such as buckles, antique pins and crystals fitted into the handle of the bouquet or ribbon add a unique touch to a bridal bouquet.

Bird of paradise, orange pin cushions, macara orchids, orange lilies and belles of Ireland fill in the center of the table set off by a chocolate brown taffeta runner. Bamboo canopies draped with sheer fabric are a nice way to create an intimate space for dinner and can be lit with white or colorful lanterns. I like to set the canopy on the grass but as close to the ocean as possible.  This table seats 40 and can be made longer or smaller depending on the number of guests at table. Find more orange weddings here for your Hawaii Wedding or Maui Wedding.

Linc

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My Favorite Maui Wedding Photographers

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While working in Hawaii wedding planning for the past 10 years I have had the pleasure to meet and work with many talented photographers who live in Hawaii.  I cannot even begin to choose my favorite and end up with a short list of several excellent choices competing for the top spot. I would love to share my favorites with you so I will feature the work of a selection of the best photographers on Maui over the next month.

Hughes PhotoGraphics as among the top professional photography studios shooting Maui weddings. Hughes PhotoGraphics is Scott Hughes who delivers a true journal style capturing the emotions and moments of the day. Hughes also produces gorgeous books. I always recommend Scott when excellent images are a top priority.  Here are some images by Hughes PhotoGraphics from a Blue Sky Wedding at a private beach side house in Lahaina Maui.  More weddings by Hughes PhotoGraphics please look here and here. Venue featured is  Blue Sky Beach Villa Maui, see more photos here and here

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Sugarman Estate Wedding: Makena Maui

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Kasey and Aaron married at the Honua Kai Lani also known as the Sugarman Estate in Makena Maui. Guests at the wedding were greeted with a fresh mango champagne frisee and a game of croquet on the vast lawn overlooking the crescent shaped islet Molokini set in the Pacific Ocean. Lanterns lit the way to the sunset wedding ceremony held on a grassy bluff next to the breaking surf.  A perfect sun set into the ocean as Aaron and Kasey recited their vows.  Aaron’s sister preformed the marriage ceremony.  This early spring wedding boasted a bright sunny day with breezes and bursts of swirling winds that kept the guests cool and comfortable in this tropical setting.

Kasey-cer3

Kasey chose an aqua blue, yellow and pale gray color palette keeping this theme for her flowers, linens and other accents. Flowers were white peonies, whitegarden roses, freesia, orchids, white and yellow ranunculus and bright yellow tulips for a pop of fun color. Dove gray table linens provided a soothing canvas for the aqua blues and bright yellow tones.  Appetizers were passed following the ceremony as well as two special cocktails named for the celebrants.

This Maui wedding featured a fully lined tent with pale blue lanterns and aqua colored up-lights. The three course catered dinner by chef Carol Longhi featured fresh island opakpaka with a mélange of tropical flavors combined in a salsa of mango and pineapple and filet mignon sauced with a pinot reduction and wild mushrooms.

Blue Sky Weddings Studio planned the event design and all the details working closely with Kasey to realize her vision. Kasey and Aaron chose Anna Kim as their photographer and Cravings Bakery for the wedding cake. Billy Arbour of Sound Wave Maui provided the music for the ceremony and reception.  More photos are available and we hope to post more soon. You can see more photos here at   Blue Sky Weddings.

 

Kasey-17

 

Posted in: Design & Decor, Flowers, Venues

Vibrant Green: Exotic Orchids for a Winter Wedding

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This year we have had amazing flowers to work with and some inspiring design ideas. Maui weddings boasted vibrant green and white striped lady slippers, green orchids with orange tints and pale green roses pop the brides bouquet below. Green cymbidium orchids were chosen for the bridesmaids bouquets. A collection of white phaleonopsis orchids,  pure white cymbidium orchids, small heart shaped green antheriums and green antique hydrangea were used in the centerpieces on the table for this February wedding hosted at the Olowalu Plantation House in Lahaina Maui.  Rows of muslin canopies lined the water’s edge and provided shade and light for dinner guests. Natural bamboo colored chairs and white linens rounded out the casually elegant theme.

The Olowalu Plantation House is unique event venue on the west side of Maui about 6 miles south of historic Lahaina town. There are no hotels or any development within to mar the views from the grounds inland or coastal vistas. This lends a timeless feeling to the property.  Coupled with the careful preservation of the main house and the preserved  historic grounds the feeling is old Hawaii at it’s best.  I have shown this property hundreds of times and the reaction is the same, the property is even better in person. Along with the charming plantation style house and well-kept grounds there is a crescent shaped beach and jetty. The milieu inspires calm relaxation. Inside the house are three bedrooms, a living room and a large kitchen.

Any venue on the west side of Maui is conveniently located near many options for accommodations in all price ranges, a nice selection of restaurants and prime beaches.  It is also a close drive to other island destinations, such as I’o Valley, Kihei and Paia.

Have a look at more weddings featuring green flowers and green orchids…  here: green weddings

green lady slippers for brides bouquet

Heart shaped green anthurium for Maui wedding table

White Orchid Weddings Flowers

White Orchid flowers for Maui wedding

green cymbidium orchids: Blue Sky Weddings Maui

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Notes from a Maui Wedding at the Sugarman Estate in Makena

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A May wedding at the Sugarman Estate in Makena Maui featured gorgeous seasonal springtime flowers in primarily peach tones, the it color for 2013.

bouquet-mauiOur bride wanted peach, coral, cream and pink with yellow accents utilizing all the springtime favorites such as peonies, garden roses and ranunculus. Since these flowers do not grow in Hawaii for purchase we flew in big gorgeous deep pink peonies, yellow ranunculus and garden roses in apricot, peach and cream. The theme continued with a coral fabric draped bamboo arch. The tables featured a coral colored taffeta runner with yellow chevron napkins and the same flower combination.

As we were in May the weather varied throughout the day, from cool overcast in the morning, to bright sun in the early afternoon, then gusty winds until the bride stepped out to walk down the aisle, and the wind stopped to allow a peaceful and beautiful ceremony.  Luscious passed appetizers and Mai Tai followed the ceremony accompanied by a magic hour of soft photogenic lighting for more photos and to finish the day, a perfect Maui sunset.

The passed appetizer menu included large Kaua’i coconut battered prawns with a lilikoi dipping sauce; chicken skewer peanut sate and beef marinate kalbe style with cilantro lime.  The guests sat down after sunset to a plated three course dinner.

The Sugarman Estate sits on the south coast of Maui in the exclusive Makena area found down a winding one lane ocean front road with breathtaking views of the sea and black rock scenery. The estate faces west for beautiful sunsets and boasts dramatic views featuring lava rock formations, the tiny islet Molokini and the distant islands of Kaho’olawe and west Maui.  The expansive grounds features large indigenous kiawe and palm trees perfectly suited for Makena’s dry climate.  When the grounds are quite it is easy to spot Maui wildlife, such as deer, black goats and the occasional chicken.

More photos from Makena Weddings

Coral Runners coral-arch table-dinner cake-wedding

Posted in: Design & Decor, Flowers, Venues, Weddings