Oahu: Day 4 KALEO'S WEDDING!!!

Finally! I get to write an entry about Kaleo's wedding day.

No beach time for us on the morning of day 4 because we had a lot of work to do. First, Terry and I went to Macy's to pick out some bitchin Hawaiian shirts. I think Terry's ultimate dream would be a closet full of these. While there were some hilarious choices there, we kept it classy and picked out shirts with very cool prints. Again, Kaleo was super helpful with her recommendations.

Kaleo had asked me a few weeks before if I would be able to help setting up the ceremony and reception area because she would be off-site for most of the day. It's nice that she trusts me not to draw penis figures on her wedding favors.

Terry dropped me off at the venue several hours before the ceremony. On our way in, we couldn't stop taking pictures. The venue was called Ko'olau Ballrooms and I keep telling everyone that it ruined all future wedding venues. For mainlanders like us, scenery like this takes your breath away. I even wrote in an email to Kaleo that her venue was so beautiful Terry could just marry me next to a dumpster because we wouldn't be able to find a place as cool as that.

Our drive in:

I met Kaleo's aunt Keri, her sister Kaliko, and her friend Chelsie and we started on the flowers!

For those of you that know Kaleo, she is organized enough that doing all this work was fun and easy. All of the supply bins had labels and directions, she provided us with printed out photos of examples, and when we were confused about the light pink and dark pink carnations she actually answered her phone and sounded happy. Not that she wouldn't normally answer her phone, but...wedding day...

See those directions on the table?? Awesome.

The finished tables:

We also hung jars of white mums from the chairs at the ceremony site.

Kaleo and Zac's ceremony site was just outside the ballrooms. I took these before anyone got there.

One of the last tasks (other than stuffing as many of the remaining flowers as possible into the table centerpieces) were the bridesmaid's bouquets. Kaleo chose her two sisters Kaliko and Kawehi as her bridesmaids and by the random chaotic chance that is wedding preparation, I worked on centerpieces while their boyfriends were the ones to completely build the bouquets. They did a really good job!!

When I finally finished and made it to the bathroom to change into my wedding clothes, I found the bride and the flower girl there!

Terry returned to the venue and met me outside and we waited for Kaleo and Zac's wedding to start!

This is one of my favorite pictures from that day because it includes Kaleo, her mom, and her dad as she is about to walk down the aisle.

They were so happy!

Inside, the reception started while Kaleo and Zac took photos outside. They had special drinks at the bar. Guava = delicious.

First dance:

During the reception, we found out that her sisters were also going to do a special dance. They will probably read this and I want them to know that it was one of my favorite parts of the night. I had never seen such effortless dancing and you could tell they really loved their sister.

This family is full of talent. Kaleo's dad also sang her a special song and it was so much fun to watch.

Instead of a large cake, Kaleo and Zac chose to have cupcakes (yes!!).

This is another one of my favorite photos of the night. Mother/son, father/daughter dance.

Near the end of the night we were in for another surprise! Kaleo had written a song for Zac and sang it to him in front of everyone. It was so good she completely silenced the room while we listened.

At the end of the reception:

I'm so happy that Kaleo invited us to her wedding. I can't wait to visit again!

When Terry and I got back to our cottage that night we were putting things away when I spotted...one of those lizards...Here's Terry catching it with a bowl.