Isa and Sean Take Off
Isa and Sean arrived a day before everyone else, August 4th. I'm sure that just getting on the plane was a relief.
They called us from Hale Luana and were all excited that the accommodations were beautiful-more than we expected. They gave a big thumbs up to both Hale Luana where the larger group was staying and their own little cottage close by. They had to go and get their wedding license, deal with the bakery and other important matters before the wedding, one of which was check out the site where the ceremony was going to be held, Anini Beach.
Me and Lucia
We left the following day August 5th. My 86 year old aunt Grace was flying with us. I wouldn't have it any other way. We were so happy that she decided to come! We were also going to meet Lillian (Sean's Mom) who was also in the same flight. So we rented a big SUV so we can fit four people and our luggage. Mine was larger than usual because I was carrying various items needed for the wedding.
The flight was fine, we got to Kauai in one piece and stopped by the famous Hamura Saimin Stand in Lihue to grab some lunch and bring home their also famous Lilikoi (Passion Fruit) Pie. My cousin and husband, Lele and Walter turned me on to this place and their specialties when we were in Kauai in 2008. All I can say is "YUM!"
So we got to Hale Luana without a glitch and YES, what a gorgeous place! There were two wings of bedrooms, one with the master bedroom with a master bath, and adjacent two-bed room with it's another bathroom in the hallway. The other wing had three bedrooms, one larger one with a king sized bed and two two-bed rooms and one bathroom to share. There was a separate studio-type unit down stairs with a king-size bed a single bed and an outdoor shower. The living room and dining room were separated by a large open lanai with several couches and a ping pong table. That area also had a bathroom. Across from the huge lawn was the swimming pool and the two other suites. You had a view of the ocean to boot. I was just happy as can be. It was a perfect place, it much more than we expected. The web site photos didn't do it justice. The owners were also so gracious. It wasn't just the lay out, it had a well-appointed kitchen with a lot of plates and utensils. There was a lot of extra linen, beach towels, beach toys. You just couldn't ask for more. I don't think that any of the photos I took can really show you what this place was like.
More People Arrive
After my posse got there, others arrived. The following day my sisters arrived, Eileen from San Diego and Chelong from the Philippines. My cousins also arrived from the Philippines and were staying with in laws in Kapaa. Then my niece Patricia and Rita came....before we knew it in a few days the entire wedding party was in Kauai!
Hale Luana was always bustling with activities. It was nice to have little kids around and a very mobile crawling baby, Lilly around us. Mornings in the kitchen making breakfasts, swimming in the pool, ping pong, etc. Everyone independently went on different adventures. The Secret Beach seemed to be a favorite because it was close to where Greg, Jenny and Lucas were staying.
Wedding Rehearsal August 7
We had a barbecue party that night and grilled all kinds of different things that people brought. Almost the entire wedding party attended. It was a lot of fun with all the kids. It was also intended to be Sean's bachelor party, or last hurrah, but I wasn't privy to what happened the rest of the evening after the actual rehearsal.
Throughout the week we made final arrangements with the florist, paid the bakery, ordered the fish and Sushi and the Dolphin Fish Market in Hanalei a second cake at the Kilauea Bakery and other food for the reception, confirmed everything that needed to happen with everyone involved.
Wedding Schedule Change
We often checked for the status of Hurricane Felicia, it was hard to figure. The wedding date was August 10th, at sunset. From everything we were looking at it looked like there was less chance of rain on August 9th, so we made the switch. Contacted everyone about the change.
The Day Of - August 9, 2009
Isa took her brides maids and Lillian for pedicures that morning . Then early afternoon they were at the cottage making all the dress-up preparations. Hair, make up, primping, etc. Sean spent the time with his family while Isa got ready. I stopped by the cottage and watched my daughter get ready. (Tearing again) David was kind enough to take pictures that the 'official' photographers weren't going to cover.
Greg and Jenny went to the site ahead of time to set up the place with the small offerings altar, sarongs on the sand, a set up for the slide guitar man, the bubbles, and all the wedding ceremony accoutrement.
The tables and chairs arrived at Hale Luana and Lillian and Sherry and the kids prepared the flowers for the tables and set up the area with my sister Chelong who arranged the candles. I prepared the buffet table for the food and cake to arrive. It looked beautiful.
Anini Beach - The Ceremony
Did I tell you yet that it was a beautiful day? So Lucia, Isa and I got there - excited happy nerves - the time is here! The set up was great. All the guests went straight to the beach via this small alley bordered by a hedge of tropical plants. This alley way was the perfect aisle where once all the guests were seated the wedding party made their entrance. The bridesmaids wore turquoise and carried parasols. The mother of the groom also carried a parasol as well as the flower girl; Jesse, Sean's niece. Isa's gown was beautiful with the bottom of the skirt gradated, passing imperceptibly from one shade of turquoise to another until it turned to ivory midway through the top. Sean wore the barong and Brandon a guayabero.
The ceremony was short and sweet, Katie Sample was just perfect as an officiant with a lei crown and a purple outfit. She calmly led the ceremony, called to the four corners, honored Hawaii and the mothers, Lillian and me with leis, the matron of honor and the groom's man read sweet loving words then Isa and Sean read the vows to each other exactly as the sun was setting in the horizon. The waves curled up to the shore gently almost touching their feet throughout the ceremony. Just wonderfully beautiful!
The photographers were so good, they moved around almost invisibly non intrusively taking pictures during the ceremony and then after. Now I can give you a link to the photos and you can see for yourself :D http://www.sealightstudios.com/Isa+Sean/
The Hale Luana Reception
While everyone drove back to the house, the wedding party stayed for picture taking. Thanks to my sister Eileen who grilled all the fish (delicious Walu) before we all got there. Greg rehearsed "All You Need Is Love" by the Beatles for all the kids to sing when Sean and Isa arrived. Sean and Isa had been rehearsing for months a Bollywood dance and finally performed it right after their first dance to Iz's (Israel Kamakawiwo) Over the Rainbow.
There was dancing and singing and movin' to the groovin'...kids playing. Isa had brought stick-on mustaches and Indian bindis to play with. Before you knew it there were all kinds of mustachioed people, women, men and children- a;; colors of mustaches being totally silly. Also by this time we have had a few to drink and were feelling silly happy anyway.
Isa and Sean left the next day for their honeymoon in a cottage in Hanalei. And they are living happily ever after!
Here is the link to the other pictures in Kauai.
The wedding prep and reception: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gracereb/sets/72157621888562943/
Other pictures from the week: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gracereb/sets/72157622015160286/
In the next few days I will finish this lively story after I tell you more about the reception in Ben Lomond, California.
Hale Luana was always bustling with activities. It was nice to have little kids around and a very mobile crawling baby, Lilly around us. Mornings in the kitchen making breakfasts, swimming in the pool, ping pong, etc. Everyone independently went on different adventures. The Secret Beach seemed to be a favorite because it was close to where Greg, Jenny and Lucas were staying.
Wedding Rehearsal August 7
We had a barbecue party that night and grilled all kinds of different things that people brought. Almost the entire wedding party attended. It was a lot of fun with all the kids. It was also intended to be Sean's bachelor party, or last hurrah, but I wasn't privy to what happened the rest of the evening after the actual rehearsal.
Throughout the week we made final arrangements with the florist, paid the bakery, ordered the fish and Sushi and the Dolphin Fish Market in Hanalei a second cake at the Kilauea Bakery and other food for the reception, confirmed everything that needed to happen with everyone involved.
Wedding Schedule Change
We often checked for the status of Hurricane Felicia, it was hard to figure. The wedding date was August 10th, at sunset. From everything we were looking at it looked like there was less chance of rain on August 9th, so we made the switch. Contacted everyone about the change.
The Day Of - August 9, 2009
Isa took her brides maids and Lillian for pedicures that morning . Then early afternoon they were at the cottage making all the dress-up preparations. Hair, make up, primping, etc. Sean spent the time with his family while Isa got ready. I stopped by the cottage and watched my daughter get ready. (Tearing again) David was kind enough to take pictures that the 'official' photographers weren't going to cover.
Greg and Jenny went to the site ahead of time to set up the place with the small offerings altar, sarongs on the sand, a set up for the slide guitar man, the bubbles, and all the wedding ceremony accoutrement.
The tables and chairs arrived at Hale Luana and Lillian and Sherry and the kids prepared the flowers for the tables and set up the area with my sister Chelong who arranged the candles. I prepared the buffet table for the food and cake to arrive. It looked beautiful.
Anini Beach - The Ceremony
Did I tell you yet that it was a beautiful day? So Lucia, Isa and I got there - excited happy nerves - the time is here! The set up was great. All the guests went straight to the beach via this small alley bordered by a hedge of tropical plants. This alley way was the perfect aisle where once all the guests were seated the wedding party made their entrance. The bridesmaids wore turquoise and carried parasols. The mother of the groom also carried a parasol as well as the flower girl; Jesse, Sean's niece. Isa's gown was beautiful with the bottom of the skirt gradated, passing imperceptibly from one shade of turquoise to another until it turned to ivory midway through the top. Sean wore the barong and Brandon a guayabero.
The ceremony was short and sweet, Katie Sample was just perfect as an officiant with a lei crown and a purple outfit. She calmly led the ceremony, called to the four corners, honored Hawaii and the mothers, Lillian and me with leis, the matron of honor and the groom's man read sweet loving words then Isa and Sean read the vows to each other exactly as the sun was setting in the horizon. The waves curled up to the shore gently almost touching their feet throughout the ceremony. Just wonderfully beautiful!
The photographers were so good, they moved around almost invisibly non intrusively taking pictures during the ceremony and then after. Now I can give you a link to the photos and you can see for yourself :D http://www.sealightstudios.com/Isa+Sean/
The Hale Luana Reception
While everyone drove back to the house, the wedding party stayed for picture taking. Thanks to my sister Eileen who grilled all the fish (delicious Walu) before we all got there. Greg rehearsed "All You Need Is Love" by the Beatles for all the kids to sing when Sean and Isa arrived. Sean and Isa had been rehearsing for months a Bollywood dance and finally performed it right after their first dance to Iz's (Israel Kamakawiwo) Over the Rainbow.
There was dancing and singing and movin' to the groovin'...kids playing. Isa had brought stick-on mustaches and Indian bindis to play with. Before you knew it there were all kinds of mustachioed people, women, men and children- a;; colors of mustaches being totally silly. Also by this time we have had a few to drink and were feelling silly happy anyway.
Isa and Sean left the next day for their honeymoon in a cottage in Hanalei. And they are living happily ever after!
Here is the link to the other pictures in Kauai.
The wedding prep and reception: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gracereb/sets/72157621888562943/
Other pictures from the week: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gracereb/sets/72157622015160286/
In the next few days I will finish this lively story after I tell you more about the reception in Ben Lomond, California.
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