Hawaiian/Luau Themed Wedding

HI, this is my first time on these boards...

My fiance proposed to me on Aug 31, 2008 on the beach because he knows I absolutely love the beach! We are planning a relatively small wedding (<100 guests) of mostly family and few friends. We have already been searching for places to hold our wedding but haven't made a decision yet. We are not looking to spend a fortune on the event but I have made a stipulation that it must be near the water. We have looked at a few places, but at times I feel that some places are just too fancy for me. We are both down-to-earth people who aren't fancy int eh least bit. Let's just say on our first valentine's day he took me to a fancy restaurant and we both ordered chicken fingers and fries. Anyway, I want a relaxing laid-back wedding. He is more of the formal wedding type. I really would like a hawaiian or luau themed wedding where it is more relaxed, maybe with leis for the guests, but he goes overboard when i mention this and says, let's just have a backyard bbq then! Oh, also another reason for the hawaiian/luau theme is because the dress that i fell in love with is a chiffon dress with sparkles only around the hips and lining the top of the dress (strapless). Now, this dress would not be formal enough for a fancier wedding. So, I'm trying to push for a more luau type wedding so I can wear that dress and still look like a 'bride.'

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can achieve this feel and theme but still keep some tradition and formal feel to it for my fiance??? If you or someone you know has done this on Long Island, please let me know too!!!! Thanks so much!

Re: Hawaiian/Luau Themed Wedding

Here are different dresses that I have tried on: 1 from each style: Straight, Princess, A-Line (Yes, I tried on way more than 3)

Do you see how the dress that I choose depends on the type/theme of the wedding???? Any suggestions???

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Re: Hawaiian/Luau Themed Wedding

I know I'm cramming a lot into this one post, but I might as well have only one place to check back on responses than all over the boards, I would get lost!

Anyway, another issue is colors. I have always wanted like a seafoam/lighter green with pink, but my fiance thinks it is too girly, so he wants to put in royal blue. Now I could definitely do a blue with green and pink flowers and still have a Hawaiian/tropical feel, but royal blue????

I might be able to get him off of the royal part...gotta work on that...any suggestions??




I also live these flowers. I plan on doing silk bouquets, but these flowers are definitely the type I want (the pink/white starburst type orchid is a MUST!!!)

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Re: Hawaiian/Luau Themed Wedding

Have you checked out the Old Field Club ?? Id definitely recommend you check it out if you haven't! We chose it bc it is on the water and we loved its 'un-fussy' elegance. We had a small wedding of like 50 ppl and I wanted it to be a bit more casual than usual. We did a beachy theme. I feel like it had a beachy, laid back feel but was still sort of formal. Feel free to check out my review here.

Re: Hawaiian/Luau Themed Wedding

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Posted by dolphinlover83

Here are different dresses that I have tried on: 1 from each style: Straight, Princess, A-Line (Yes, I tried on way more than 3)

Do you see how the dress that I choose depends on the type/theme of the wedding???? Any suggestions???

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all 3 dresses are very pretty and look great on you. why dont you decide on a venue before you choose your dress maybe?? i see how they differ w/ respect to how formal they are.

Re: Hawaiian/Luau Themed Wedding

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Posted by dolphinlover83

I know I'm cramming a lot into this one post, but I might as well have only one place to check back on responses than all over the boards, I would get lost!

Anyway, another issue is colors. I have always wanted like a seafoam/lighter green with pink, but my fiance thinks it is too girly, so he wants to put in royal blue. Now I could definitely do a blue with green and pink flowers and still have a Hawaiian/tropical feel, but royal blue????

I might be able to get him off of the royal part...gotta work on that...any suggestions??




I also live these flowers. I plan on doing silk bouquets, but these flowers are definitely the type I want (the pink/white starburst type orchid is a MUST!!!)

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maybe you could have the a blue/green be your main color and then accent with the pinks so as not to make it all pink/girly. i would see if you can get him to budge with the royal blue. maybe its me but thats the last color i think of when i think beachy/hawaiian, etc.

the flowers are very pretty by the way.

Re: Hawaiian/Luau Themed Wedding

i really like this color palette personally. and it totally goes w/ your flowers and hawaiian feel. but then again, no royal blue here for your fiance.














or have you thought of blue and seafoam green with just some touches of pink here and there?
check out these invites!


























here this has some darker blues and you could still add a pop of pink!

Re: Hawaiian/Luau Themed Wedding

here are some other luah/hawaiian theme wedding ideas

check out these invites

link to another invite w/ flower you like







lemonade mix favors

Re: Hawaiian/Luau Themed Wedding

Wow!!!!!!!! You are amazing! Thank you so much for all of those pictures...maybe I'll try showing some to him to get him to agree to aqua blue and green ;) I can't thank you enough for all of that!

Re: Hawaiian/Luau Themed Wedding

And Once again... August07Bride comes through! I don't know how you do it! AMAZING!


Ijust wanted to say... that second dress looks sooooo fabulous on you! You sooo should get that dress!!!!!!!!!! I can't even tell you enough. It was made for you!

Re: Hawaiian/Luau Themed Wedding

Aug07OFCBride: Thank you again! I did look into the Old Field Club and it's a little pricier than we were hoping. I am now looking into the Miller Beach Surf Club and as soon as I finish writing this, I am going to be searching these boards for reviews!

KerryJohnS: Thank you soooo much for the compliments. Those are the three that I did like the best. unfortunately, the second day I went back to try on the more casual straight one, my aunt told me to take it off as soon as i came out telling me it wasn't a real wedding dress. This wasn't to be mean at all, it was her honest opinion. She said that would be the type of dress for my sis, not for me. She has always pictured me in a princess dress, like the one you chose! I do like it, and I think part of the reason it looks great on me, is because I look taller and skinnier since I'm standing on the little pedestal. I'm only 5'2' so if I were on the ground, I definitely would have looked stubbier! LOL

Re: Hawaiian/Luau Themed Wedding

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Posted by dolphinlover83

Aug07OFCBride: Thank you again! I did look into the Old Field Club and it's a little pricier than we were hoping. I am now looking into the Miller Beach Surf Club and as soon as I finish writing this, I am going to be searching these boards for reviews!

KerryJohnS: Thank you soooo much for the compliments. Those are the three that I did like the best. unfortunately, the second day I went back to try on the more casual straight one, my aunt told me to take it off as soon as i came out telling me it wasn't a real wedding dress. This wasn't to be mean at all, it was her honest opinion. She said that would be the type of dress for my sis, not for me. She has always pictured me in a princess dress, like the one you chose! I do like it, and I think part of the reason it looks great on me, is because I look taller and skinnier since I'm standing on the little pedestal. I'm only 5'2' so if I were on the ground, I definitely would have looked stubbier! LOL

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your welcome

the shape of the second one is definitely the most flattering of the three i think but i also think that you should go with what makes YOU the most comfortable and what you love. i really dont go for the whole idea that you have to look a certain way to really be a bride. i couldnt stand a veil on me personally, for example, so i didnt wear one and i still felt/looked like a bride! if you love the other dresses or a dress that isnt super formal, go for that, especially if it sets the tone youre looking for, for the wedding.

Re: Hawaiian/Luau Themed Wedding

Hi I just wanted to share if your looking for Hawaiian music as well you might want to check out Josh not only is he super nice but very talented heres his link

http://www.joshcho.com/

Re: Hawaiian/Luau Themed Wedding

Thank you!!

Re: Hawaiian/Luau Themed Wedding

You check try April Designs (Ebay) for affordable beach-type of bridal dress. You can view my wedding review for photos to see if the vendor is the right fit for you. I might have perfect dress for your wedding, please FM me for details.
For traditional bridal wear: ]http://www.hawaiianoutpost.com/wedding.html]

Definitely go with an outdoor ceremony/reception for the hawaiian/luau wedding. If you are looking for a very laid-back casual atmosphere due to venue trouble, I would recommend Otto's Shruken Head Tiki Bar & Lounge, the only one and authentic Hawaiian lounge in the city! You don't have to worry about the decor!
http://www.ottosshrunkenhead.com/index.html

Or for something a bit more formal. A recent post on wedding bee for venue suggestions: http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/wedding-venue-in-long-island-with-water-views

Centerpieces: Lots of luau and orchids, consult with your florist.
Favors: (Party City, Target, Walmart, Ebay, wholesale discount online/ stores) for inexpensive shell necklaces, tiki-head mugs, flip flops for your guest, or palm leaf fans
Decor: Tea lights for reception tables, garlands of leaves/luau around tables, tiki statue/poles...

Some inspiration ideas:
http://www.favorideas.com/wedding-themes/beach-themes/pull-off-a-hawaiian-luau-wedding-reception-anywhere-with-ease/

Good luck with your wedding plans. Sounds like
a fun & beautiful wedding!