Kalama and Boo Boo, at Maile Beach Park....
March 21, 2009

THE LOCAL HAWAIIAN WEDDING STYLE
...a change of pace for me...

Lately, the wedding industry has been the subject of the local newspapers as the downturn in the economy has definitely affected it. I remember reading reporter's interview with a few "top local wedding professionals" who said that their bookings were down from previous years. They said, while they handled 50 weddings per year, this year, they were only coordinating 15 or 20. I remember reading this line and I cracked up laughing, almost choking on the hot dog I was eating. How can a wedding coordinator consider themselves a top coordinator in Hawaii when he or she only coordinates 50 weddings in a year? You can't even pay your rent with that.

When times were great, I coordinated 50 weddings in two months;
now, I coordinate 50 weddings in 4 months, and over 200 per year.

I truly had no idea why these individuals were getting interviewed, they weren't top coordinators. They were nobodies. Coordinating weddings was not their primary job, but their side-job. In fact, important note here, most of the people whom you'll find on the web are small companies who "don't do-what-I-do full time." This is one of the reasons why they can't return emails or phone calls promptly. They are not busy doing weddings, they are busy working their primary job.

Why didn't I get interviewed? Well, one reporter told me that because I have a rather popular blog, and break news right away, it wouldn't make sense to interview me. Plus, they are scared that I may chastise them in blog if they misquote me or hold an opinion which is different from me. Guilty...that's probably true..haha.

Times have definitely slowed, and it has been rough even for me at times. But the wedding industry isn't dead. People are still coming to Hawaii, still traveling, they just are not spending as much. The economy, though, as tough as it is, is not stopping locals from getting married...which brings me finally to my wedding couple, Kalama and Boo Boo.

Making it official...

I don't usually get my hands dirty in local weddings, its not that I don't want to do them, its that I don't market myself to them. The way I got Kalama's wedding inquiry was through a good friend of mind, Angela, who was also my photography-intern at one time.

The wedding was held at Maile Beach Park, which is located on the very east end of Oahu. A little far and out of the way for me. Most wedding professionals wouldn't even entertain the idea of heading that far to do a wedding, but not me. It didn't bother me. And like always, I jumped at the opportunity to help my friends sister tie the knot. Plus, I was very curious to see how the locals in that side of town got married.

Kalama and Boo Boo chose Maile Beach Park because Kalama's parents got married there. Her father, who was also a limo driver, drove her to her location. I believe there were about 50 guest who crowded a parking lot designed for 12 cars. Cars, Suv's, you name it, double, triple parked their way so they could attend their wedding. Did the cops care? No way. One thing you have to understand about the Waianae culture is that they operate by their own rules there.

look at that smile

The touching moment to the entire ceremony was when I looked over to one of the bridesmaids and noticed she was carrying a box. These were the ashes of Kalama's brother, who had passed away earlier. The family held him tight, to make sure that he was still in attendance at the wedding. I have a feeling he was watching from above.

I really like this shot. You really can't see Kalama's face too well, but you can feel the intensity of the moment <---man, does that sound too artsy

The bridal party...green was the theme.

So, being that this was a wedding that took place in Waianae, there was definitely a few things which gave off hints that this was a laid back and "local style." Lets start with the groomsmen attire. While the groom dressed in a white tux, his "bro's" sported a white shirt with the words "ECHO-UNLIMITED" running down the side. Now, I have no idea what Echo Unlimited meant, or what its significance was, or the reason they picked this shirt out was because its letters were green, I don't know... all I can say was that they were all matching, and all were very cool.

the center pieces...

Kalama and Boo Boo definitely win the award for most awesome center piece of the year. It's cheap, it uses good beer, and it sticks to the theme of their wedding...which is green. I know for a fact, the guys didn't mind helping create this center piece, after all, the beer had to go somewhere right? I think when I get married, I want to do something with a football.

another shot at Maile Beach Park

time for Boo Boo's close up...during the 1st dance

Wanna hear something cool? Kalama and Boo Boo had known each other since they were children. Kalama's mother actually baby-sat Boo Boo when he was a kid. Who would have known, she would be baby-sitting her own future son-in-law.

The wind made it hard to work with Kalama's dress, but patience, like always, was the remedy.

Maile Beach Park is a very nice beach to get married at. The only problem for most you, my future brides, is that it's very much far out in the boonies. I still recommend choosing "The Secret Cove at Ko'olina" as the best place to get married for your wedding. It's private, secluded, and a lot closer drive from town than Maile Beach Park. But, if there are the couples who are daring enough to head in that direction, I'm a.o.k with it.

Alright, that's my wedding for the day!

Steve Young
The Hawaii Wedding Guy
http://www.dreamweddingshawaii.com/