Weddingbee Blog

After dropping off the OOT bags, my sister and I went back to our hotel, woke up Mr Piglet, and headed out the door to start on our long list of to dos. First on the list, eat. My sister is happy so long as her stomach is full. Happy sister equals happy Piglet. I love her company, and wanted her with me for as long as she could bear it. So Zippy’s had become a part of our daily routine: spam and eggs, and a huge ass cup of java.

With food out of the way, our first wedding related task was to pick up our marriage license. Mr Piglet did the research, filled out the application, pulled out $60 in cash for the processing fees, and led us to Room 101 at the State Department of Health.

Good thing he was on top of it, because I was out of it! At some point during the weeks leading up to our wedding, I stopped brushing my hair. It was too nappy.

All in all, quick and painless. We were in and out in less than 20 minutes, and that much closer to making it official! Happy dance!

Moving right along, we drove to our ceremony site, Lanikuhonua. Up until this point, I had only seen pictures of Lani online. The pictures themselves had won me over. But seeing it in person, I quickly realized that pictures do not do this place justice! It is breathtakingly gorgeous. Pat on back, Piglet, on the venue selection!

Getting down to business, we had to hash out several details. We reserved Phase II, which can accommodate up to 1,000 people, so we needed to figure out where exactly we would have the ceremony. With the help of Gina (our day-of coordinator), and Nettie (Lanikuhonua’s groundskeeper), they walked us through our options. “Shade, please!” was my only request.

While my family enjoyed the scenery, I tried to play out the ceremony in my head. We would set up the chairs here… our flutist/harpist duo would sit there… the arch would be under the shade here… but hmm… where will the girls hide before the ceremony? Nettie explained there was a separate walkway from the neighboring hotel (where the girls were getting ready). Guests would enter through a different entrance, and us girls would hide behind the palm trees before the ceremony.

I looked over to where she was pointing and thought, dang, that’s far. Is that too long of a stretch for the girls to walk solo… in heels… on grass… with no heel stop-a-majigs? My girls are amazing, and assured me they’d be OK. But I was nervous for them! If I were them, I’d be terrified, because I’m such a klutz in heels. So we decided to have the groomsmen escort them during the bridal procession.

With the ceremony details settled, Mr Piglet hopped over the rock ledge and jumped into the water. Beautiful, yah?

And off we went to run more errands.

Still with me? I know most of these things are spread out over time (and posts). But, I’ve barely scratched the surface! In addition to the things I mentioned, we met with our DJ, finalized our seating chart for the wedding reception and rehearsal dinner, celebrated mini-family reunions with my Hawaii side, shopped for ring boy and flower girl outfits, steamed and spot cleaned my dress, and booked inter-island flights and hotels for our honeymoon. Yup, I was a stress ball.

And lastly, the day of the rehearsal dinner, I scheduled a hair and make-up trial with Dorys Foltin. I wasn’t brave enough to wing it the day-of. Plus, I still wasn’t sure whether I was going to do an updo or wear it down. After the trial, I loved it down, but asked her to put it up for the rehearsal dinner. So here I am… made up… lashes on… air-brushed… and ready to party!

Re-live the Piglets’ Wedding in Paradise: E Komo Mai (Welcome!), This Little Piggy Got Married