1. Real Weddings

Laralyn & Kevin: A Colorful Wedding in Lanikai, HI

Kevin surprised Laralyn with a proposal on Washington's Orcas Island, where Laralyn thought they'd flown to attend a friend's holiday party. The Brid

Kevin surprised Laralyn with a proposal on Washington's Orcas Island, where Laralyn thought they'd flown to attend a friend's holiday party. The Bride Laralyn Hong The Groom Kevin Barhydt The Date September 4 Upon arriving at the hotel, the concierge told the two their room wasn't ready yet and gave them a map of the grounds, telling them to check back in a half hour or so. The couple headed down to the sunny pier where they'd just been dropped off -- and Kevin popped the question! It was a total surprise, Laralyn says. They returned to the hotel to find the room more than ready, with flowers, champagne, truffles and more.

Laralyn and Kevin had their first dance to Sade's By Your Side.
Laralyn and Kevin wed just before sunset at the Paul Mitchell Estate, with the ocean and the Mokulua Islands in the background. The ceremony was performed by a Hawaiian Kahuna in both Hawaiian and English, and included traditional Hawaiian music.
In addition to the welcome bags guests received at the rehearsal dinner, Laralyn and Kevin also gave their guests small Lauhula boxes filled with pineapple-shape Hawaiian shortbread cookies. Each box was tied off with green or orange ribbon and topped with a flower.
Each couple received a frame that fit with their table's beachy theme -- for example, sunglasses, seashells, or flip-flops.
We wanted to keep everything simple, with tropical, beachy themes throughout, Laralyn says. The couple opted for a palette of orange and green, echoing the colors in a Hawaiian lei. The save-the-dates Laralyn created announced the theme perfectly. Guests received a tropical-looking beach bag fashioned from floral card stock and raffia. Inside were the save-the-date announcement, hand-cut mini flip-flops, and a mini-CD with a PowerPoint presentation giving guests inside info on how to get there, places to stay, and things to do.
Laralyn's bouquet was mostly made up of large, green cymbidium orchids, the main flower used throughout the wedding.
Laralyn's attendants all wore dresses from Raylia Bridesmaids. Her maid of honor wore green while the other maids were clad in orange.
Guests dined on the Paul Mitchell Estate's lawn, with the tropical koi ponds and lagoon-style pool nearby. Hurricane lamps with sand, shells, and grass were the perfect beach-theme centerpieces. Pebbles and green cymbidium orchids also sat atop the tables.
Laralyn and Kevin opted for a traditional Hawaiian menu, with Kalua pork, Lomi salmon, chicken long rice, Lau Lau, Poke, and Waimanalo green salad. A three-tier cake frosted in white buttercream and adorned with green cymbidium orchids put the finishing touch on the meal.