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Dana Point, California, Destination Reception – Aubrey & Kaiao

Melissa — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:48:27 +0000

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We have a bit of a twist for you today here at Wholly Matrimony. Today we are featuring the awesome wedding reception, yea that’s right, I said reception, of Aubrey and Kaiao that was held at the Salt Creek Grille in Dana Point, California. Aubrey and Kaiao were married in their home state of Hawai’i but wanted to have a reception for family members in California that were unable to make the wedding. Their fantastic photography was by D. Park Photography.

How did the two of you meet?
We actually do not remember! It probably happened at our friend’s house while we were in college. A bunch of guys lived in a house at the top of the hill and I lived at the bottom. I was always baking and needed people to share it with, so I would bring cookies, etc up to the guys house for them to try. Kaiao was always hanging out up there and was the quiet, shy one. Finally one night I was talking about how I had gotten into cooking interesting dinners but had no one to share them with, and Kaiao volunteered to help me out! So I invited him over one night and we really hit it off. We ended up going surfing and studying together a few times before he finally asked me out on a real date. Our first date was really simple – stargazing at the beach. He brought his guitar and played me some songs and we talked for hours. It was super dreamy and our faces hurt from smiling so much!

Tell us about the proposal!
After I graduated from the University of Hawai’i, I went to culinary school in New York for two years. The long distance wasn’t easy, but God gave us the strength and patience we needed to make it through! About halfway through, I had a break and came to Hawai’i for a week to visit my love for our two-year dating anniversary. On my second day there, Kaiao said, “I want to make this the best day for you!” and I just thought it was because he had missed me so much. We went and saw the sunrise, went surfing, had a picnic lunch at the beach, I went paddling with some friends, he cooked me dinner, and then we had plans to go to the beach where we had our first date. This all seemed very normal to me and I had no idea of his plans to propose! It was a beautiful night – perfect weather, low tide, clear skies and a full moon. He brought his guitar and started playing it after we had settled in on the beach. He’d written me a song and said that there would be some audience participation at the end…After the beautiful song, he made me stand up and he told me all the things he loved about me, then got down on one knee, pulled out the ring and asked me to be his wife. I said “Yes!!” about twenty times while crying, hugging, and kissing him! It was too late to call anyone to tell them the news, so I had a hard time sleeping that night – I was so excited!

What made you choose to have a destination reception?
We got married in Hawai’i because that is where we both live now and it is beautiful here! But a lot of my family and friends from California couldn’t make the trip. So we decided to have an “at-home reception” a few weeks after the wedding. It was such a blast and I am glad we did that! Everyone was ready to celebrate. Plus what bride wouldn’t want to wear her dress twice? I had always wanted pictures of me in my wedding dress at my childhood home, so we decided to do a photoshoot before the reception. It was a lot of fun for both of us and our photographers did a fabulous job!

What was the most memorable moment about your reception?
I will always remember the love I felt from our guests when we walked in to our reception area. We felt totally “at home”. It was truly a celebration made possible by the ones we love! I will also never forget the incredibly fun dancing!!! Our party was supposed to be over at 4pm, but we didn’t leave until 6pm! My feet were definitely sore the next day, but it was worth it!

What was your favorite detail from your reception?
My shoes! Teal is my favorite color and I searched high and low for the perfect shoes. I stumbled across these accidentally at H&M in New York. I got so many compliments on them and they were really comfortable. I decided to dress them up with the cute shoe clips! Also instead of a guest book, we had a custom designed mailbox and used Orange County postcards for guests to write their well-wishes on. We loved reading them later and they are a fun keepsake.

What was the best part of having a destination reception?
Our at-home reception was definitely kept low-key and casual, and I really liked that. We didn’t have any formal wedding events to stick to. It made it very relaxed and allowed us plenty of time to visit with all of our guests (about 100) and have fun. We pretty much just had lunch, a few speeches, chatting and lots of dancing!

Did you honeymoon at your reception destination location, or go somewhere special after wards?
We did an eight day road trip up the coast of California, starting in Orange County. We wanted to do something that was a little different since we can lay out on the beach any day of the week at home in Hawai’i. We stayed at a different bed and breakfast every night, in places like Carmel-By-the-Sea, Half Moon Bay, Healdsburg, and Shasta. We also spent a few nights in Yosemite National Park, one of our favorite places! It was a fun trip and was very budget friendly. We must be meant for each other if we can spend eight days driving around in a car and still love each other madly!

Reception Venue: Salt Creek Grille
Photography: D. Park Photography
Florist: Lynn Moe (family friend)
Bride’s Dress: Allure Exclusives
Groom’s Attire: The Men’s Wearhouse
Stationery: Anna Griffin – The Wedding Studio (DIY from Michael’s)
DJ / Band: Mitch Devine (family friend)
Makeup Artist: Jamie Michelle
Hairstylist: Tiffany Loggins
Jewelry – Necklace and bracelet were the bride’s mom’s. Earrings came from Nordstrom.
Shoes: H&M
Any other vendors? Etsy goodies? Shoe clips and hair clip came from Etsy seller Mikiye Creations.

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New Orleans Needs You!

Christine — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:49:06 +0000

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New Orleans Needs You!

Before Katrina, New Orleans was second only to Las Vegas for American destination weddings. With your help, it can return to it’s former glory. New Orleans still boasts world-class restaurants, hotels, museums, theater, and the most unique and exciting music scene you’ll ever find.

The French Quarter escaped largely intact. The Canal Street Streetcar line is up and running and the historic St. Charles line is due to return late autumn. The Audubon Zoo is open, and the Aquarium of the Americas will be back May 26th. We just had one of the most successful and memorable JazzFests ever, and I personally performed two weddings there!

We are still rebuilding, and things will never be the same. We’re determined to make them better.

Before the storm, you could go to City Hall Monday through Saturday, get your marriage license, and be married the same day. Unfortunately Saturday is no longer an option. The office at City Hall is closed indefinitely, but you can take a short ferry ride across the Mississippi River to the Algiers Courthouse and get one there. The ferry is free to pedestrians, the courthouse is right next to the ferry landing, and there are some great local restaurants and bars for lunch. If you’re coming in from Louis Armstrong Airport, you can get an Orleans Parish license at 111 N. Causeway Blvd. in Metairie.

As long as you get an Orleans Parish license, the ceremony takes place in New Orleans, and one of you are a non-resident, the officiate can waive the 72 hour waiting period.

New Orleans still offers many beautiful and unique venues for your wedding. From grand ballrooms to romantic courtyards, our hotels and B&B’s have a wide variety for you to choose from. For outdoor weddings, Audubon Park is in great shape, and City Park is making a remarkable recovery.

By having your wedding in “The Crescent City” you’ll be part of the re-birth of one of the world’s most romantic places. There’s always a festival, a concert, a play or a gallery opening. You’ll never want for something to do, or you can relax and do nothing at all.

So come be a part of history. New Orleans needs you now, more than ever.

Author: Rev. Donald Bohn
RomanceInNewOrleans.com
don@RomanceinNewOrleans.com
504-343-0574

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New Orleans Honeymoons

Christine — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 07:42:28 +0000

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By Robyn Pollman, for Wholly Matrimony

Please note: This page was originally created by Robyn in 2001. Some of these links may no longer work, and will be updated in the near future.

For more information about potential New Orleans wedding, reception, and honeymoon sights and group packages — contact the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau at:

1520 Sugar Bowl Drive,
New Orleans, LA 70112, U.S.A.
or call (800) 748-8695

You’ll receive wedding information and they’ll help you find hotels for any group needing ten or more rooms. Click here for a printable copy of this New Orleans guide.

Make sure to call the New Orleans Visitors Bureau and get copies of their New Orleans Good Time Visitors and Accommodations Guides. The NOVB phone number is (504) 566-5052. They have just about every hotel in New Orleans (listed by city district) in the Accommodations Guide — with a price scale included. (You can see photos of some hotels this way, too.) The Visitors Guide breaks down the sights by points of interest, and by city district. It also includes maps of the city and the French Quarter.

Our New Orleans Lodging Suggestions

For a hotel, you might check out the Le Richelieu Hotel’s honeymoon suite. This is the hotel we were married, and honeymooned, at. It’s located at 1234 Chartres in the French Quarter. The honeymoon suite is absolutely breathtaking — with an oak white canopy bed, mirrored walls, the works…

The hotel is very “French Quarter” and “Southern”. The Le Richelieu has a Honeymoon Package for $524 (2008 rate) that includes: 3 days/2 nights, chilled champagne on arrival, champagne breakfast with unlimited menu selections for one morning, free continental breakfast the other morning, free nightcap cocktails, free on-site parking (very hard to find in the French Quarter!), etc. Additional nights are $225 each plus applicable taxes. The number for the hotel is 1-800-535-9653, to request a free brochure with color photos and current rates.

Another hotel we’ve stayed in and love is the Le Meridien in the Central Business District. It’s right on the edge of the Quarter, and very close to the Riverwalk and St. Charles Street Car stop. The Le Meridien is the epitome of modern French elegance and luxury. They also have wonderful specials — so make sure to ask about them!

More New Orleans Hotel Suggestions

The Bourbon Orleans Hotel
The Royal Sonesta New Orleans
The Chateau Sonesta New Orleans
The Dauphine Orleans
The Holiday Inn Chateau Le Moyne
The Maison Dupuy
The Bienville House Hotel

New Orleans Room-Finding Services

New Orleans Sightseeing and Dining

Pat O’Brien’s at 718 St. Peter: Pat O’Briens invented the “Hurricane” drink here, and it’s the largest bar in the world with two indoor bars and a huge patio area with a flaming fountain. It’s a N’awlins institution and you can’t miss it (even if you don’t drink) — just make sure to stand in line for the piano bar because it is well worth the wait!
Mother’s Restaurant at 401 Poydras: Famous for their debris and hams and best for breakfast… Be prepared for a long wait to get seated but it’s worth it! Trust us. No, really!
The St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square: A Minor Basilica established as a Parish in 1720 — it’s one of New Orleans most notable landmarks. The cathedral was visited by His Holiness Pope John Paul II in September 1987.

New Orleans Sightseeing and Dining

Napoleon House at 500 Chartres Street: One of the best-kept “local secrets” in the Quarter! We both highly recommend their jambalaya and muffuletta sandwiches. Napoleon House was voted one of the Top 100 bars in America by Esquire Magazine — and Tennessee Williams wrote parts of “A Streetcar Named Desire” here. The house was originally built for Napoleon so he could live in exile in New Orleans — but Napoleon died before the plot could be carried out.
Take a steamboat tour down the Mississippi: The Natchez cruises between the Aquarium of the Americas and the Audubon Zoo.
Caf
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Related posts:
1. Proposals in New Orleans
2. Wedding Receptions in New Orleans

Wedding Receptions in New Orleans

Brittany — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 07:34:04 +0000

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Planning a wedding in New Orleans? Here are a number of different options for reception locations, perfect for your wedding! Most of the following reception suggestions are courtesy of the New Orleans Tourist and Convention Commission:

1520 Sugar Bowl Drive
New Orleans, LA 70112 U.S.A.
or phone at: (800) 748-8695

Elms Mansion
Columns
Jelly Rolls
Southern Oaks Plantation
Victorian Mansion
The Balcony
Opera Guild
Louisiana Cruises
New Orleans Paddlewheels
New Orleans Steamboat Company
Louisiana Nature Center
private gardens and yards in the French Quarter and Garden District
Gallier Hall
Botanical Gardens
at City Park
New Orleans Museum of Art
The Audobon Zoo
The Le Richelieu Hotel (Robyn’s formal reception was held here.)
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Cafe (Robyn’s informal reception was held here)
The Plimsoll Club (a self-referred reception location)
The Louis XVI Restaurant Francais (a self-referred reception location)
Tipitinas
Mus
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1. Proposals in New Orleans

Proposals in New Orleans

Brittany — Wed, 07 Jun 2000 07:24:28 +0000

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Looking for the perfect way to propose to that special someone while in the amazing and romantic city of New Orleans? Here are just a few ideas! Most of the following proposal suggestions are courtesy of the New Orleans Tourist and Convention Commission:
1520 Sugar Bowl Drive
New Orleans, LA 70112 U.S.A.
or phone at: (800) 748-8695

On the levee of the Mississippi River, under the moonlight, or on the “Moon Walk” viewing platform on the Mississippi. For more information on river proposals contact the French Market Corporation, (504) 522-2621.

On the antique “flying horses” of City Park’s carousel, or in a rowboat in the City Park Lagoon. For more information please contact City Park, (504) 482-4888.

During a romantic dinner at the Palm Court Jazz Cafe, to the back drop of traditional New Orleans jazz. For more information, contact The Palm Court, (504) 525-0200.

During a horse-drawn carriage ride through the French Quarter, even with a bottle of champagne? For more information, contact Good Old Days Buggies, (504) 523-0804 or Gay 9-s Carriages, (504) 943-8820.

Or any French Quarter hotel room balcony, with wine and candlelight. For more information contact the New Orleans Hotel/Motel Association, (504) 525-2264.

Aboard a steamboat on the Mississippi River. For more information, please contact The Creole Queen at, 1-800-445-4109 — or The Natchez at, 1-800-233-2628.

“My fiance proposed to me in New Orleans a few months ago and it was very romantic. The Melrose Mansion was the most wonderful and romantic place we stayed. They had a limo pick us up at the airport and took care of all the details, such as champagne and beautiful roses waiting for me upon our arrival.” Contact the Melrose Mansion at 1-800-650-3323.

Please send additional proposal suggestions to Christine.

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