Resource of Special Touches Unique Service Providers for Weddings on Oahu
While officiating weddings I come across unique touches couples add to their wedding ceremony or reception that I find exceptional. Below is my curation of special touches service providers you may want to consider for your wedding on Oahu.
Acoustic Guitar
Brian Ivan can be hired to play music before, during, and/or after the ceremony and/or reception. Brian plays his acoustic guitar so beautifully and knows a wide catalog of music which you can hear on his TikTok channel TikTok.com/@oahuweddingmusician
Brian plays ukulele and sings in addition to acoustic guitar.
Contact Brian directly at 248-930-4060 or by email brianivanguitar@yahoo.com
Violinist
Violinist Kendall Schmidt can be hired to play music before, during, and/or after the ceremony and/or reception. You can request she play specific songs or just have her play a collection of romantic or classical music. You can request he play specific songs, play Hawaiian songs, play romantic songs or classical songs. I met Violinist Kendall Schmidt at a wedding where the groom surprised his bride by having her and a acoustic guitar player play contemporary romantic songs he requested before the ceremony. After the ceremony the groom had a special song they played and he sang it to his bride as they danced their first dance as husband and wife. It was very romantic and a special moment.
Contact Kendall Schmidt directly at 808-260-3837 or email kendyy808@gmail.com
Conch Shell Blower and Ukulele Player
David Asing of Akahi Productions is a conch shell blower and ukulele musician. In ancient Hawaiian times a conch shell, called pu in Hawaiian, was blown in proclamation of important events. At the start of the wedding David blows a conch shell to the north, to the south, to the east and to the west to announce the start of the ceremony. He also plays mix of Hawaiian and popular love songs on ukulele just before the start of the ceremony to entertain the guests while they wait for the wedding to start as well as during the ceremony for the entrance and for the procession. Contact David Asing directly at 808-478-8124 or email david@akahiproductions.com. Rates start around $200 including both conch shell and ukulele, but rate depends on the location on the island the ceremony will take place. Tell him you heard of him from wedding officiant Kim Crinella!
Make Your Own Wedding Leis Experience
Lalaine’s Lei Po’o offers a lei making experience where she meets you on the beach with all the materials needed then teaches you how to make your own fresh leis. Lalaine is skilled in making many styles of leis and you can tell her what style lei you want to make in your experience. The couple above met with Lalaine and she showed them how to make their wedding leis. The bride made a gorgeous haku lei, a crown of tropical flowers and leaves, and the groom made a maile style braided ti lei. The couple said learning about the Hawaiian tradition of lei making and making their own wedding leis was deeply meaningful and memorable. Call or text Lalanine at (808) 330-9794 or contact her through Instagram at @leipo.o_by_lalaine. Tell her you heard of her from wedding officiant Kim Crinella!
Fresh Woven Head Leis
Haku Lei by @lei_ontop on IG
Fresh Flower Woven Haku Lei are worn on the head as a crown of flowers. This is popular with brides in Hawaii instead of a veil. Men also haku leis traditionally in the Hawaiian culture. Haku leis typically range from $45-$100 depending on the flowers, leaves, and ferns used.
Below are crafters of fresh woven haku leis made to order. Contact them directly through their social media for prices, options and to place an order.
@lei_ontop on IG. Pick up in Kahala or KCC area.
@jaehakuleipoo on IG. Pick up is in Honolulu area.
@lei_by_makanamai on FB or Instagram. Pick up in Ewa Beach or Kapolei.
@bloom_haku.leis on Instagram. Pick up in Ewa Beach.
@bedazzled808 on IG.
@leipo.o_by_lalaine on IG.
Stringed Quartet
A stringed quartet is an elegant way to add background music for a wedding ceremony. They can welcome guests as they arrive, play the entrance and exit songs for the couple, and can entertain everyone during the reception and celebrating! They will help couples to curate the perfect play list. Below are options for Oahu:
Kai Stringed Quartet
Oahu Strings
String Poets
Yard Game Rentals for Receptions
Something fun to get for guests to interact and keep entertained at the reception is yard games like jumbo jenga, cornhole, Kubb (Viking chess), Portuguese horse shoes, ball toss, and giant connect four. Rentals start at $35. Contact Waika (call or text) at 808-940-4505 for more information and to schedule for your wedding. IG is @kaleos_yardgame_rentals. She can make custom backdrops and also does silk flower arrangements too!
Wedding Cake
Wedding cakes can be made in a variety of sizes for couples celebrating their marriage with just the two of them to weddings having receptions with hundreds of guests. It is easy to transform a plane grocery store cake into a wedding cake by adding some fresh orchid blooms. For a more formal wedding cake there are several bakeries and very talented independent bakers on Oahu that you can view their work and contact them through social media or their website.
@damdukbakery on IG located in Aiea
@SMbakeryHI on IG located in Kapolei
@cakesandbakesbyamal on IG located in Waipahu
@handmadebytianamarie on IG located in Honolulu
@kruppcakeshawaii on IG located in Ewa Beach
A Cake Life in Honolulu
Z’s Bakery and Deli located in Ewa Beach with deli platters, cakes and baked goods.
The Patisserie located in Pearl City
Elvin’s Bakery located in Honolulu
Liliha Bakery located in Waikiki, Honolulu, and Pearl City.
Napoleon’s Bakery located inside Zippy’s in Kapolei, Waipahu, Koko Marina, Honolulu, Mililani
Romantic Picnic on the Beach
Celebrate your marriage with an intimate picnic on the beach. Ho’opili Company creates romantic picnic experiences and can personalize them with different color schemes, decor, tables, chairs, cushions, pillows, blankets and rugs. Everything is included from the utensils to the music. The $150 package for two includes all decor, a snack platter and non-alcoholic refreshments, set up and clean up. Additional add on services available include bartender service, catering, photo shoot, rose trail, painting kits, picnic table rental, and tent rental. Having guests at your beach wedding? There are reception packages for up to 15 guests. Contact Ho’opili Company at 808-445-1220 and view examples at instagram.com/hoopilicompany
More to come as I discover them!
WANT TO GET MARRIED, ELOPE OR RENEW YOUR VOWS ON OAHU? CONTACT ME!
