When we were asked to plan a destination wedding in Hawaii for an Indian couple, we knew we had to deliver only the best.  Their distinguished taste demanded a lavish affair straight out of India’s High Society pages.  The result was a four-day wedding celebration that combined individuality, creativity and culture in its grandest form.

Day 1: Hawaiian Welcome Dinner

Our goal for the welcome dinner was to set the precedence and tone for the remainder of the weekend.  We planned a Polynesian-inspired event, perfect for welcoming the out-of-town Guests to Hawaii.  Truly a destination wedding, we wanted to showcase the island’s charm through the design and details.  The dinner was held at The Sheraton Waikiki’s Helumoa Pool and RumFire restaurant. Infused colors of fuchsia and orange highlighted satin-draped and bamboo furniture accented with tropical fruit, flowers and foliage. Food stations were made with eight foot long surfboard styled tables and bars were created with bamboo fronts and sides.

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Day 2: Sangeet Party

A sangeet party is a one-night function designed to heighten the excitement surrounding Indian wedding festivities.  Usually celebrated on an elaborate scale, the sangeet involves intricate decorations.  For our couple’s sangeet, we created a Moroccan feel and transformed three Sheraton Waikiki ballrooms into the Client’s own Indian Boudoir.  Using a color scheme of blues and oranges, we incorporated color into everything from the lighting to the Raj Tents to the furniture and the centerpieces.  Over 300 Guests were treated to delightful smells and visuals throughout the night, all of which were strategically designed to entertain and impress.  Although the event had a Moroccan flair, the menu was International.  Each food station captured the look of the country and/or region that the food represented including Japanese, Chinese, Indian and Mediterranean.

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Day 3:  Wedding Ceremony and Dinner

When the wedding day arrived, big expectations were set and no one was left disappointed.  The Client arrived in a horse and carriage and entered the venue on a red carpet.  As the bride and groom proceeded out to the Ocean Lawn of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, their bridal party tossed rose petals from a balcony on top, creating a beautiful start to the ceremony.  The couple exchanged vows under an intricately decorated traditional mandap designed with fabrics and flowers of deep reds, purples and saffron oranges.  Guests witnessed the ceremony from individual chairs covered in ruby red satin while the bride’s and groom’s chairs were embellished with flower strands.

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Once the ceremony was completed, Guests dined in royal style in the hotel’s Monarch Room.  The room and outer areas were transformed into a Moroccan dream with unique seating arrangements and amazing food.  Fresh blossoms in shades of purple, orange and red were placed on the dining rounds and surrounded by ruby red votives with candles creating a dramatic, yet romantic mood.  A variety of entertainment was provided from Royal Guards posted at the entrance of the room to an eclectic mix of Polynesian dance troupes that performed throughout the night.

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Day 4:  Final Night Reception

On the final day, Guests were treated to a final wrap-up party at the Sheraton Waikiki.  The colors were black and white and everything from the drapery, flowers and linens kept to this classic color scheme.  For the dinner portion, we incorporated a unique decorative element that also played an interactive role.  Five gold bodhisattvas were placed on pedestals throughout the ballroom.  These gold human statues were made up in theatrical honey and glitter make-up with a gold runner attached to them.  After staying in place while Guests were seated, they “came to life” mixing and mingling with everyone for the remainder of the dinner adding a nice twist to that portion of the evening.

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Here is a closer look at the four-day extravaganza.  It was a grand event; one in which we were happy to play a role and to make this couple’s wedding dreams come true.

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Karishma & Amit's Indian Wedding in Hawaii filmed by Marrone Video on Vimeo.