Photo by Absolutely Loved Photography
Dreams do come true, at least they did for Jena and Jay, a most amazing couple from Alaska who completely trusted us with every aspect of their fun and fabulous 9 hour long New Year’s Eve Wedding! Their most important wedding elements included beautiful and sparkly aesthetics, amazing food, spending quality time with family and friends, the entertainment, and the photography. Wedding planner and coordinator Tori Rogers ensured that Jena and Jay had the best of all of these things and more for their New Year’s Eve wedding experience at Oahu’s fabled North Shore’s Turtle Bay Resort.
The wedding’s color theme were gold, ivory, burgundy and blush pink, with accents of gold and gold glitter. This color theme was infused into the wedding through the florals, the gold and champagne sequin linens, the blush satin napkins and chair sashes, the gold vases and charger plates, the ivory linens, gold and ivory sequin chevron runners, the gold clocks, the gold glass gems, and more!
The ceremony was held inside the oceanfront pavilion and decorated with a breathtaking red rose petal path created of thousands of petals that ended in a heart and 2016. Cylinder vases of candles and gold gems adorned the sides of the aisle. Columns supported urns of gorgeous floral arrangements that were re-purposed at the wedding reception. Jena and Jay’s friend officiated the ceremony, a conch shell blower blew the pu or Hawaiian Conch Shell at the start and conclusion of the ceremony, and an ukulele musician played music selected by the couple.
Photo by Absolutely Loved Photography
Photo by Absolutely Loved Photography
Photo by Absolutely Loved Photography
Following the ceremony, guests were greeted with tray-passed Mai Tais, POG, and Castaway IPA drinks, and dined on an interactive Shellfish Bar station, including: Ahi Poke, Octopus Poke, Jumbo Shrimp, Pacific Oysters, Cocktail Crab Claws, Grilled Calamari Salad with Mango, Jicama and Red Chili. Guests also enjoyed an Island Local Fresh Fruit Display including Sliced Pineapple, Papaya, Kiwi, and Kahuku Watermelon.
Photo by Hawaii Weddings by Tori Rogers
Guests dined under a romantically lit clear top tent, at rustic farm wood tables, to which they were assigned. Our crafty DIY bride made noise blower escort cards, so every guest would have their own noise blower at midnight. Each table was decorated with 1 tall centerpiece and 2 short centerpieces, as well as candles and a gold glitter table number. A clock was set to midnight on each table to indicate when it was time to celebrate 2016!
Photo by Absolutely Loved Photography
Photo by Absolutely Loved Photography
A photo booth was set up and available throughout the event, and guests were able to keep their photos as souvenirs. New Year’s Eve props were provided in addition to the standard fun photo booth props.
photo by Hawaii Weddings by Tori Rogers
Photo by Absolutely Loved Photography
The couple wanted everyone to be comfortable during the event. They wanted to maintain a casual feel even though they wanted a formal, elegant event, so a lounge area was set up inside and outside of the reception tent, along with LED highboys and a fire pit. Board games and yard games were available to entertain those who did not want to dance, although DJ Tony So made it difficult to avoid the dance floor. He played the most amazing music all night long! Tony even provided a charger station for the guests so they could continue to enjoy their smart phones and tablets throughout the event.
Photo by Hawaii Weddings by Tori Rogers
Photo by Absolutely Loved Photography
Photo by Hawaii Weddings by Tori Rogers
Jena and Jay generously provided an open bar for their wedding and added an LED bar to their event decor.
Photo by Hawaii Weddings by Tori Rogers
Guests did not starve at this event. After an incredible seafood feast during the cocktail reception, a delectable buffet enticed everyone. The menu was filled with local gourmet fare, including as many locally grown ingredients as possible.
STARTERS: Grilled Kahuku Corn and Black Bean Salad, Baby Kale, Beets, Strawberry and Radish with Raspberry Vinaigrette, Okinawan Sweet Potato Salad, Cream of Big Island Mushroom Soup
SIDE DISHES: Scalloped Garlic Potatoes, Local Fried Rice
FROM THE CHEF’S PAN: Macadamia Nut Crusted Island Catch with Pesto Cream Sauce, Basil and Lemon Grilled Chicken with Hamakua Mushrooms and Asparagus
CHEF’S CARVING STATION: Hawaiian salt, rosemary and garlic choice prime rib with natural jus, pommery mustard, and creamed horseradish house-made Hawaiian sweet bread rolls
DESSERTS: Warm Bread Pudding with Vanilla Bean Sauce, Kona Coffee Cheesecake, Chocolate Decadence, Wedding Cake
After the formal festivities were completed, Jena changed from her elegant wedding gown into her fun wedding party dress.
photo by Absolutely Loved Photography
Since everyone worked up an appetite from dancing and playing games, and just enjoying the party, Jena and Jay provided a Smore’s Bar using the fire pit to cook the marshmallows and Late Night Snacks, which included: Hawaiian Ranchers Beef Sliders with Brie Cheese and Pipikaula Mayo, Thick-Cut Calamari Fries with Cocktail Sauce, Buffalo Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip and Fresh Celery, Hawaiian Flatbreads with Fresh Pineapple and Ham.
Sometimes Turtle Bay offers a most beautiful and dramatic sunset during this time of year, and December 31st was no exception. Jena and Jay deserved the best of everything and they got it! What a romantic sunset that evening!
Photo by Absolutely Loved Photography
Photo by Absolutely Loved Photography
Photo by Absolutely Loved Photography
Sparklers, you wonder? Well, of course there were sparklers! This wedding had EVERYTHING!
Photo by Absolutely Loved Photography
Thank you to: Venue, Food, Beverage, Wedding Cake: Turtle Bay Resort Wedding Coordinator: Tori Rogers, Hawaii Weddings by Tori Rogers Photography: Absolutely Loved Photography Videography: DJ: Tony So The DJ Hawaii Ukulele: Corey Fujimoto Rentals: Event Accents and REA Events Flowers: The Blooming Pot Photo Booth: Photo Box Hawaii
The couple was kind enough to write a review and testimonial of their experience: “I was married New Years Eve at Turtle Bay Resort and it was absolutely stunning. Tori and her team of wedding experts are quite simply a dream. You want peace of mind during one of the most important and stressful events in your life – call Tori. She has answers and solutions to practically anything. From venues to decor, to the best vendors and everything in between, she has it down pat. If you haven’t considered putting money toward a planner, I can only say that Tori is a smart and economical choice. I would highly recommend paying for her service and I guarantee you will receive a beautiful, less stressed, memorable wedding. I was fortunate enough to not only have her plan my wedding, but also planned what turned out to be the most beautiful rehearsal dinner I could have ever of asked for. I have never felt so loved and blessed in my life, and without Tori my dream wedding would not have become a reality. Her connections in the field are priceless. But it’s not just her business savvy that makes her such a wise investment. Tori is just a nice person. Tori picks up her phone or answers late night emails with helpful advice and ideas in a flash. Unfortunately I was unable to meet Tori before the week of the wedding since this was a destination wedding and I couldn’t get to Hawaii before. At first it made me nervous,but by a couple months I had a good relationship with Tori and had so much trust in her. Tori is a people person and knows how to deal with most any personality and obstacle. When I got to Hawaii, I knew things were takin care of and I knew I could relax and enjoy my time with friends and family. I can’t tell you how many times my family and friends commented on how relaxed I was, and I thank Tori for that. Tori and her team were always kind and courteous leading up to the day with the millions of requests we had. On the day of the wedding, I was amazed and speechless. Tori listened to me and learned my style to a T. Trust me that took work and dedication on her part, I guarantee I sent her 5 million emails and called her 1 million times always throwing ideas her way. I still wonder how she was able to decipher through all those ideas and requests. What she did took real talent and patience and she did a spectacular job giving me exactly everything I dreamed of and more. When I walked down the aisle and into my reception my eyes lit up and my heart was full, it was a feeling I will never forget. I couldn’t believe the work her and her team had done. She also took care of things I never would have thought of and was so attentive the day of the wedding. I guarantee she put in 15+ hours that day, a holiday, and I never saw her without a smile on her face. I can also guarantee it was the an unforgettable Wedding and the best New Years Eve party ever. Everyone one of my guests were amazed. People are still calling me about how incredible it was and that my wedding was the prettiest wedding they had ever seen. I can’t tell you how many people came up to me complimenting my coordinator and I have Tori to thank for that. My wedding was picture perfect and was more than I could have ever asked for.” Jena F.