I’m not sure if you can see the volume on that groom’s hair, but I am jealous

ELOPING ON OAHU

Hey, thanks for clicking on this article!  So, a quick shameless plug on my own site here.  If you are looking for my Oahu Wedding Packages, click here.   It’ll scoot you on over real fast to my package page, so you can see my prices and you can start planning.   If you want to read more about what it’s like to tie the knot on Oahu, and maybe need a little nudging, keep scrolling.

WHY OAHU?

I guess now’s the time for me to advertise the Island I live on.   You should get married on Oahu if you want to tie the knot on the beach.  Out of all the islands, Oahu has the most white sand beaches.  Odds are if you walk in one direction you’re bound to walk into a white sand beach.   When it comes to white sand beaches on the other islands, most of them are tiny, rocky, and combined with red dirt or lava rock.   The reason I guess we have so many white-sand beaches is that we’re just eroding away the fastest out of all the islands.  But don’t worry, we won’t wash away too fast, even if climate change is real.  I think we got 12 years according to AOC?

Oahu is also a great place to do stuff.  There are just so many things to do, that I don’t get bored living here.   And you don’t have to drive very far to do it.  I can literally go to the best beach, best hike, best shopping mall, and watch so-so fireworks (not the best), and not drive more than 15 miles.  The above video pretty much sums up the opportunities you have when you travel here, and he’s only listing 10 of them.

Full disclosure, there is no arguing the fact that Oahu is a large city.  Here’s an article I wrote explaining that.   And with every large city, we have problems.  The traffic here is bad.  We also have a bad homeless problem (I’m not even exaggerating here)  Crime here, especially when it comes to car break-ins, it’s high, but it’s high on the neighbor islands as well.    But still, with all that being, Oahu is still a very fun island to stay on.  I do recommend maybe spending a few days on The Big Island or Maui.  And also heading out to the North Shore of Oahu to get away from the busy city of Oahu.

LET’S TALK ABOUT STRESS

When I first started in the wedding industry 20 years ago, I focused mainly on gala weddings.  These were weddings where the guest count was around 100 at least, and on the top end, around 1000 or so.   At every one of these huge weddings, the bride and groom were stressed.  Most handled the stress rather well, put on a smile for the crowed, and tried to make the best of their day.  But in the back of their mind, they were wondering “what to do next” or “did this or that vendor show up on-time?”

Couples would routinely tell me, “Steve, today is great but I can’t wait for it to be over.”

I knew what they were talking about.   I had the same feeling.   It was a long day.  My day started when the bride and groom got ready at 4 am.  My day would end at 11 pm when the reception transition into a dance party.   I couldn’t wait for it to be over too.

It wasn’t till I met a few other guys on Oahu who specialized in small weddings when I decided to change my tune.  They planned a lot of weddings, yet they didn’t dread doing them.  And their couples – they were always happy.  Much more happy than my couples who had just spent their life savings, and then some, in one day.

The moral of the story is this – if you didn’t get it already.

Eloping, or planning a small wedding –  It’s probably 10000 times less stressful than planning a big one.   For a big wedding, the planning is stressful, the day is stressful.  Eloping, it’s laid back and fun.

You shouldn’t be thinking on your wedding day, “I can’t wait for this day to be over.”

If you want to enjoy this awesome turning point in your life, eloping should be up there on your “consideration list.”

FINDING THE RIGHT COMPANY

I’ll be blunt here.  I think my company does a pretty darn good job at small weddings.  The team I assembled, are all top-notch.  And I think I’m one of the few companies where the person who answers the phone will actually be planning, taking pictures, and possibly videoing your wedding.   I have the personal touch – not in a Joe Biden way.

So, let’s say you don’t book with my company, what should you look for?

• 100% raw transparency –   Companies should be upfront and tell you who they are, and not vague.  What’s their prices, and what their experience is with weddings.  Don’t buy into this “combined experience” bullcrap.   Their website should tell you who they exactly are and how long they’ve been doing this.  And, to be honest, experience doesn’t count for much.  There are companies that have been in this business for 50 years and suck, and some that have been in business for one week, who are great.
• great customer service –  you would think answering emails or even their freaking phone would be a given, right?  But so many of my competitors take forever to reply to emails.  And getting on the phone can sometimes require an act of god.   And then, some of them, just disappear – ghost you, for no reason.   As long as service is reasonably prompt, you’re in good hands.
• you get to talk to your actual planner – I think this is a biggie.  Too many companies get too big and they just lose that personal touch of a small business.  You don’t want to plan your wedding with an office manager or a secretary, then have someone else, a stranger, show up at your wedding.  It just doesn’t work that way, or it shouldn’t.
• know your photographer/videographer – I think this is number two biggie.  A lot of wedding companies hire great professional photographers for a few of their weddings, post their work on their website, then never hire that photographer again.  I can vouch for this because it’s happened to me.  My work is on other company sites, maybe three or four.  They hired me once, and never again.  But they use my shots to book weddings.  Who shoots their weddings, I just don’t know?  Sometimes I see these companies operating, and their photographers can range from mom’s with a camera, to college students, to professionals.   I’ve even seen some wedding planners shoot their own weddings, just like me, but they’re not as awesome (as me – haha – but I’m not joking!)  They honestly don’t know what they are doing behind the lens. I just shake my head every time I see them operate and feel bad for the couple.  They are out of position, they are scared to use a flash, they have no idea how to find the right angles on a bride, ugh.  If pictures are important to you, make sure you are booking the photographer whose work shows up on their site.   For my company, you won’t have to worry about that.  I do all the photos.
• consistent personal reviews – every company is not going to have shining reviews, including mine.  Make sure complaints are legit, not ones that are left by crazy customers no one can satisfy.  One thing that should be common is that reviews should be personal.   My reviews, thank me directly, Steven Young, not Dream Weddings Hawaii.   Look for common names to pop up consistently.  It helps if that name popping up is the owner.   Sometimes, at larger companies, where there are lots of employees, the great ones will always move on, maybe even start their own company.   So Mary from acme wedding company may no longer be there, because she’s working at beta wedding company, that she opened.

PRICES, PRICES, PRICES

Price ranges are pretty much all over the place when it comes to weddings.  I’m pretty much smack dab in the middle.  There are companies that are cheaper than me, some that are more expensive.  There are some companies, that are so cheap, I’m not sure how they honestly keep the lights on.  I seriously have no idea who they are using, and how they are putting together packages that make a profit.  At some point, quality costs money.   For me, my company prices are the cheapest I can get them, so I can feed myself, pay for my mortgage, here in Hawaii, where the cost-of-living can be quite high.

Just make sure there are no hidden costs aka post-wedding upsells.  One of the most famous upsells are done with photography.  A photographer shoots more than needed, then upsells you on prints after the event.  You see this at Disneyland when you get off the rides, and you’ll see this at weddings.  And sometimes, the prices can be just as ridiculous.   I know one company here in Hawaii that advertises free family photography, then sells each 8×10 for $50.   There are many different techniques to upsell customers.   For my company, I don’t do any of that shit.   It’s not honest and doesn’t belong in business.

ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGES DON’T EXIST IN HAWAII

If you’re looking for one price for your wedding, hotel, travel, food, activities, and car rental, for your entire trip, that doesn’t exist.  If it does, let me know.  What you may find are travel packages that are grouped with your wedding, or a restaurant that is packaged with it.  I wouldn’t take it.   Know what you’re spending money on.  Know how much your spending on your wedding, your restaurant, and travel.

There are travel agencies that offer to book your weddings, but don’t go with them.  They just end up googling “Oahu Wedding Packages,” then call me and start playing the middle man when they really don’t need to.  And they hike up my packages too!  I knew one travel agent who made more money on my wedding package that I did because she marked it up 150%!  I just hate travel agents who are aspiring wedding planners.

WHAT TO EXPECT

If you book with me, expect a lot of personal attention and easy accessibility. I carry a cell phone that’s dedicated to my wedding company and answer it all the time (except when I’m watching football).

By the way, if you want to use my company,  you’ll have to put up with my sense of humor. If you’re a stuck up person that gets offended at everything, take a hike.  I’m serious about that.   The last thing I need in my life is some snotty uptight customer who wants to ruin me :)

Eloping doesn’t require that much planning.  The only difference between an elopement and a small wedding would be the number of seats you need to reserve at a restaurant.

I can’t speak for other companies here, but if you book with me, I will handle everything except your hair and make-up booking, and your restaurant.  I will refer which vendor to use, where to book, and have you work directly with those vendors.  This way, nothing gets lost in translation.

As for travel to the wedding location.  You can rent a limo, or I always just recommend renting a car and driving yourself there.  Renting a car for one week costs just as much as renting a limo for a few hours.

You will need to get your marriage license.  You can click here for an article on that.

The only thing you should have to worry about is not getting sunburned and getting to your wedding location on-time.

Well, wow – this article is way too long.  If you made it this far, you were probably reading this on the toilet.   In any case, if you want to inquire with me, I have a fancy form that I made myself that I’m going to post now because I’m so proud of it.   Hope to talk to you soon

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Steve Young

THE BIG MAN at Dream Weddings Hawaii

I pretty much do everything around here, from photography and video production, to the organization of all of my weddings. As you can see, I'm also the head writer too! If for some reason you can't reach me at my direct line, or my toll free number, feel free to hit me up on my company cell at (808) 479-0685. Call anytime...well, almost anytime. Don't call on Super Bowl Sunday or when the Philadelphia Eagles are playing!

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I just checked my travel inventory and prices of airfares to Hawaii are way down.   It’s not just me who share this opinion.   Check out this article by clicking here.    Flights are especially cheap if you’re leaving from the West Coast, between Monday and Thursday, and are planning to travel during October.  So, if you want a Hawaii Wedding, now’s the time!

You’ll find cheap airfares anytime college is back in session.   That’s a good rule of thumb.  Kids fly who back home to Hawaii during the summer, families who take vacations because kids are out of school, and wedding couples all play their part in clogging the cheap air arteries during the summer.  Now, if you book early enough, you can pretty much get cheap air anytime.   That means if you’re planning a summer wedding for 2018, now’s the time to start looking at travel too!

On the North Shore of Oahu.   My favorite place to shoot.

What is the downside of getting married in the Fall?   Technically, it’s hurricane season.  So there is a higher chance of rain.   Because of this, make sure you plan to stay at least 7 days and to get married on the 2nd day you arrive.  That way if the entire island is predicted to rain, we’ll get you married the day after.  If a hurricane is on its way, don’t sweat it.  Usually, before a hurricane hits, the weather is great.  In fact, it’s great up until the hurricane hits.  Here’s a surprise vow renewal we did on the day a hurricane hit our State.

The upside?  The beaches and hotels are much more empty.  You have cheap hotel nights.   Oh, and it’s not as humid.  Man, it’s been freaking humid lately in Hawaii during the summer.  It almost feels as bad as Florida sometimes.

If you’re planning to pull the trigger, let me know. My company offers travel and maybe we can do a wedding + travel package deal.

Author information

Steve Young

THE BIG MAN at Dream Weddings Hawaii

I pretty much do everything around here, from photography and video production, to the organization of all of my weddings. As you can see, I'm also the head writer too! If for some reason you can't reach me at my direct line, or my toll free number, feel free to hit me up on my company cell at (808) 479-0685. Call anytime...well, almost anytime. Don't call on Super Bowl Sunday or when the Philadelphia Eagles are playing!

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I know what you’re saying, “Steven, I have this vision.  I saw these pictures.   It’s in my dream.  It looks so romantic.”

And that’s when myself, as the realist wedding planner, has to bring you a bit down to earth.  Or at least play devil’s advocate so there are no surprises.

Here’s why I am not a fan of the outdoor reception.

• OUTDOOR RECEPTIONS ARE EXPENSIVE – There’s a lot of moving parts when you plan something outdoors.  Everything from the dance floor to the table fork, to the kitchen, needs to be rented.  Sometimes, you even need to rent the bathrooms, depending on how secluded you want to go.  These cost get pretty wild.  Sometimes, astronomical.
• HUMIDITY/TEMPERATURE – If you’re getting married in the summer, humidity in Hawaii can jack itself up to 90%.  It’s so humid, that you’ll probably have another ecosystem forming under your wedding dress.   It can get so humid sometimes in Hawaii that I will go to the movie theaters and watch chic flicks just to cool off.   Humid weather is not good for photos.  Sweaty armpits, matted hair, oily foreheads.   You get the picture.
• BUGS, BUGS, AND BUGS – I hate flying roaches.   Well, I hate roaches period.  But at outdoor weddings, they are there.  So are flying termites.   And not only do bugs get you from the air, they get you from below.  There can be an ant nest right under your head table.  It has happened before.  And then there are mosquitos.  They just love fresh tourist meat.  They really do.    By the way, bugs are attracted to lights.   I bet you know that :)

If you’re wondering about the view and the scenery.  They only look good in the pictures, most of the time.  When we take those photographs, long exposures can bring out that mountain pretty well.  But to the naked eye, you won’t’ be able to see anything but tent.

What do I recommend for outdoor venues?
Well, if you want an outdoor reception, make sure you book something on the west side of Oahu, near the ocean, and on a property that is well manicured – like a hotel.  The more you go inland, the more problems you’ll have with bugs.

My best choice for a reception?
Private rooms at high-class restaurants.   You’ll get a great view, no fear of inclement weather, you’ll have air conditioning, there will be no bugs.  Oh best of all, you can usually dance the night away and not worry about sound curfews at 8 pm.  You can also try having your reception at a vacation rental.  There is a handful of them that do weddings, and they are just absolutely the best.

Check out this awesome New Years Day wedding at a vacation rental.

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Author information

Steve Young

THE BIG MAN at Dream Weddings Hawaii

I pretty much do everything around here, from photography and video production, to the organization of all of my weddings. As you can see, I'm also the head writer too! If for some reason you can't reach me at my direct line, or my toll free number, feel free to hit me up on my company cell at (808) 479-0685. Call anytime...well, almost anytime. Don't call on Super Bowl Sunday or when the Philadelphia Eagles are playing!

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A WEEK FULL OF AWESOMENESS

People ask me all the time if I ever get bored of living on an island in the middle of the ocean.  My answer?  A firm “No!”  mixed with a catch 22.  “I don’t get bored because I live on the island of Oahu and there tons of things to do here.  If I lived on Maui, now that would be a different story.  I’d get rock fever within three days”  I’ve mention it over and over to my couples, and my site, but there are tons of things to do on Oahu.  Not so much on the outer islands.  But my favorite time of year has to be the week of the Pro Bowl as there are just so many things to do that week!  But there’s more than just football!

BIG WAVES ON THE NORTH SHORE

Around the time of the Pro Bowl, the waves in Hawaii on the North Shore get VERY large, we’re talking about forty of fifty foot faces.  If the conditions are perfect, the big wave contest called “The Eddie” is held.  Basically it’s a contest where Pro big-wave surfers fly in to try to catch the biggest waves in the world.   When the waves get big on the North Shore, the traffic gets horrendous as there is only one, two-way lane HWY that serves as the corridor to Waimea.  If you want to watch the big waves, travel to the North Shore early.

Big shore break on the north shore.

Big waves make for great backgrounds

RINGING IN THE LUNAR NEW YEAR IN CHINATOWN

Here in Hawaii we have a gigantic Asian community.  In fact, I would probably go out on a limb and say that 90% of the people on the Island are of Asian decent.  The Friday and Saturday leading up to the Pro Bowl Game, the roads in Chinatown are closed and a hundreds of vendors flood the streets.  It has nothing to do with the Pro Bowl, but everything to do with celebrating Chinese New Year.   There’s a wide array of food to stuff your face with, crazy cheap gifts to buy for loved ones back home.  I found $4 good luck panties!

In Chinatown on Chinese New Year

Lucky Panties for sale in Chinatown!  haha

Me with the pageant winners of Ms. Chinatown.  I’m the one wearing jeans and a t-shirt!

Cheap gifts to buy for family and friends!

 I failed to take pictures of the Chinese Lion Dance stunt teams, so I posted this youtube video below of a competition that too place on Hong Kong.  You truly need to experience the Chinese Stunt Lion Dances in person.  If you thought riding big waves were awesome, this stuff tops that.  If you head to Chinatown during this time of the year, you won’t have to travel internationally to experience this.  It’s happening in Hawaii.

THE PRO BOWL

We don’t have a NFL football team in Hawaii.  We have he second best thing.  The Pro Bowl.  The week of the Pro Bowl is littered with events sponsored by the NFL.  There are practice sessions that double as autograph sessions for the pros, parties, and block parties.   The game itself, as you probably already know, has evolved to make is more interesting, and is actually quite entertaining.  In all honesty, the Pro Bowl was a lot more exciting than the Superbowl this year!  Isn’t that sad?

The following pictures are taken from the Pro Bowl Block Party in Waikiki.  The main strip of Waikiki is closed down for the party.  There are food booths, NFL memorabilia to purchase, and seven stages of entertainment to choose from.

That’s Marshall Faulk giving an interview for the NFL network on the first stage.  He’s a lot smaller than I thought.  Plus, I had no idea his face was that smiley.

Another stage located directly in front of the Moana Surfrider.   If you want to experience Hawaiian music for free, this is probably your best opportunity.

Me and my friends!

Yeah, that’s the next big thing in the NFL.  Nick Foles of the Eagles warming up.  Look at that perfect form.

Geez!  I never understood stadium pricing.

Before the game started.  Aloha Stadium, by the way, is a very crappy and old stadium.  Do not expect to get wowed.

Front and center, the Eagles Cheerleader in green and white.

Nick Foles was the MVP of the Pro Bowl.  Next year…superbowl baby!

My father and I.  IT RAINED before the game and we got soaked.  During the game it was rather sunny.

If you’re a football fan and you want to get married in Oahu, you really need to think about getting married during the Pro Bowl week.   As you can see, there’s just so many things to do!  If you are really a football nut, I have a tip to pass on.  Book your room at the JW Marriott Ihilani.  That hotel is filled with Pro Bowlers and NFL legends during the week.   You could be rubbing elbows with Drew Brees at the bar!

Author information

Steve Young

THE BIG MAN at Dream Weddings Hawaii

I pretty much do everything around here, from photography and video production, to the organization of all of my weddings. As you can see, I'm also the head writer too! If for some reason you can't reach me at my direct line, or my toll free number, feel free to hit me up on my company cell at (808) 479-0685. Call anytime...well, almost anytime. Don't call on Super Bowl Sunday or when the Philadelphia Eagles are playing!

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Hawaii has been making the news lately, but for all the wrong reasons: SHARK ATTACKS. Yes, Jaws!

One of the most common questions I get asked at weddings now, especially this past week, is “if it’s safe to swim in the ocean?”   It’s a semi-serious question, but it’s laced in fear.  Statistically, we all know that getting bit by a shark is relatively low, and getting killed by a shark is even lower.  I think you have a better chance of getting bit by a homeless person than a shark.

I’ve seen sharks, up close and personal.  They bite and they attack.  I once was fishing on a jetty that was about 8 feet above the ocean.  Pat, my “genius fisherman friend” yanked  his fish out of the water when suddenly, a tiger shark jumped his front quarter of his body onto the lower part of the jetty, ate his fish, then squirmed back into the water.  My mom remembered that night clearly, and repeatedly remembers how big the eye of the shark was, huge.  According to Pat, the tiger shark was about 15 feet long.  Through my observation that night, I can also tell you that sharks swim like lightning.  I honestly have fake thailand watches never seen anything swim that fast before.  They are not like the sharks in Jaws, where the creep up slowly to their victims.  When they attack, they swim with a purpose.

A shark that I caught on a catch and release tour on Oahu.

“My dad and I were fishing at ke’ehi lagoon and we caught a 2.5 foot black tip shark. We released it back in the water and baited a new pole. As i was washing the squid off my hands, my dad yelled at me to get away from the water. Behind me, a 6-8 foot shark had swam up to the rocks so that its dorsal fin and back were sticking out of the water. We figure it was drawn in by the other shark struggling. It was a few feet away from me, against the rocks”

– Doss White

Surfer who was attacked on Oahu. Survived with major lacerations on his leg

Statistically, swimming in the ocean is still safe.  But being safe is much more than just relying on statistics.  Here is some information I remember Pat told me when it came to sharks:

1. If there are turtles or sea lions on the beach, that means there’s a shark in the ocean somewhere.  Turtles and Sea Lions come onto shore to rest, but they also come onto the beach to not get eaten.
2. Fishes run in schools closer to the shore an hour before and after the sunrise and sunset to each day.  It’s also the same time that sharks run closer to shore because they are following the little fish.
3. Wearing jewelry when you swim shouldn’t be done.  A diamond ring looks like a fishes eye, and your fingers can look like a tail of a fish, or a mouth.   Splash that hand around in water, and it will look like a fish in distress.  Barracudas, a very fake d and g watches vicious fish, have been known to attack women’s hands at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.  Bethany Hamilton’s arm that was bitten off was decked out in jewelry.
4. They say muddy water and sharks go hand and hand, but very little shark attacks have happened in muddy water, including the recent four.  You shouldn’t swim in muddy water because it’s just gross.
   

   This victim was swimming near shore, and according to experts, the shark that attacked her was close to 25 feet long.

5. If you see fisherman around, ask them if they’ve seen any sharks in the water.  They usually have a good idea.

For me, I take sharks very seriously. My opinion, they freaking reviews on replica watches hate us and wanna eat us, didn’t you see Jaws and all those other shark movies? I swear if they could walk on land, they ring my doorbell just to bite my leg off.

But…I still swim in the ocean.

I just follow the advice Pat told me.   (Pat, by the way, passed away from cancer a few years ago.  Not only was he a great fisherman, but a great photographer who taught me a lot of what I know.)

Author information

Steve Young

THE BIG MAN at Dream Weddings Hawaii

I pretty much do everything around here, from photography and video production, to the organization of all of my weddings. As you can see, I'm also the head writer too! If for some reason you can't reach me at my direct line, or my toll free number, feel free to hit me up on my company cell at (808) 479-0685. Call anytime...well, almost anytime. Don't call on Super Bowl Sunday or when the Philadelphia Eagles are playing!

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