Oahu wedding Oct. or Nov. 2012 - advice please!

akemi012

Hi everyone!  So, it's my first post on these message boards (which I've been scanning for a couple weeks now) and I'm blown away by all the good advice and support here!  I'm hoping someone (or someones) can help me out. 

We're trying to plan a wedding for October or November 2012, in Oahu, for about 50 people.  Our budget is about $20k (possibly more, but would love to stick to that) and I'm overwhelmed by all the venues, hidden fees, reception costs, etc.  My adorable fiance thinks a WC would be too costly and I sort of agree with him (~$3000!), but I'm having a tough time trying to figure out whether I should go with a hotel "package" option or a more off-site location (i.e. Lanikuhonua, Kahala Ranch, etc.).  I drooled over Bayer Estate but I think that may be too expensive...

So, any thoughts?  Should I try to hire a WC?  Forge ahead on my own?  Help!!  Thanks in advance! 

destiny1108

My fiancee gave me a WC as a wedding gift, which was the best thing ever!  We had WC from Hawaii Weddings and Event and they were awesome!   In the long run they saved us money in other ares that we had not thought about, plus we used their rentals for vases, candles, frames. etc.

kaesha

I think it depends on how comfortable you are being hands on. FWIW, Lani is one of my favourite sites on Oahu. If we'd gotten married there instead of Maui, I totally would have picked it.

Tanq&Tonic

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_hawaii_oahu-wedding-oct-nov-2012-advice-please?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:73Discussion:56714ab1-cf2e-406b-aafa-16190ed4c54bPost:c369e728-1a79-466f-8399-96f6942e047d">Re: Oahu wedding Oct. or Nov. 2012 - advice please!</a>:
[QUOTE]I think it depends on how comfortable you are being hands on. FWIW, Lani is one of my favourite sites on Oahu. If we'd gotten married there instead of Maui, I totally would have picked it.
Posted by kaesha[/QUOTE]
Ditto this post, 100%.  We considered Lani as well, but ultimately chose Maui too.

As for the coordinator, well, you can do it with or without.  Brides here have done it both ways and all of the weddings turn out to be a success.  Kaesha has some great advice about how transitions are the key element to manage to ensure the event flows comfortably for guests.  $3000 is very steep, and if you do decide you want a WC, you definitely should be able to find one for a fraction of that price -- not all of them are the same price. 

Are you more of a hands on, details kind of person, or do you just want someone to worry about everything for you?

destiny1108

just an FYI, my girlfriend is getting married at Lani in November 2012 and their rules and regulations now have  "All weddings will require a licensed professional  event coordinator" at Lanikuhonua".  

ktabin

I love the Bayer Estate as well but they were really hard to get a hold of. If you do decide to go there I've heard the manager of the estate is quite helpful and with wedding planning and keeping things organized on the day of so not sure if a WC would be necessary.

jtoly

Congrats and welcome to the board. I'm eloping so I'm not really much help since its just me an FI. Good luck in your planning!!

AKWinterBride

Wow, the Bayer Estate is amazing, but so is Lani - you really can't go wrong! 

But, I must say that your coordinator seems extremely high.  I paid a flat fee of $800 for all of my coordination including the 17 months of engagement all the way through the end of the wedding day.  Great money spent!  You should look around as that is a really high number. 

AJ913

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_hawaii_oahu-wedding-oct-nov-2012-advice-please?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:73Discussion:56714ab1-cf2e-406b-aafa-16190ed4c54bPost:b90df74e-90f7-4e02-a64a-75483225f416">Re: Oahu wedding Oct. or Nov. 2012 - advice please!</a>:
[QUOTE]just an FYI, my girlfriend is getting married at Lani in November 2012 and their rules and regulations now have  "All weddings will require a licensed professional  event coordinator" at Lanikuhonua".  
Posted by destiny1108[/QUOTE]

I've confirmed this as well, this is a new change.  New brides will have to name their coordinator at the time of booking, unless they have already secured the site before.

akemi012

Thank you everyone for all your help... I'm leaning towards getting a coordinator (and I'll definitely look for a better price).    I like the thought of being hands-on, but I definitely think I need some help getting started.  And, from looking around the boards, it seems like a WC might help me stay within budget and find some good deals.  Thanks for the tips on Bayer and Lani as well!  Definitely good to know.

Oahu Bride

I am getting married in Oahu 12 Nov. We are using Diana from Oahu Weddings and she is costing us around $1500. She has been fantastic and is very prompt getting back to you.

destiny1108

my girlfriend is using Hawaii Weddings and Events, their basic package also included a $100 rental credit on vases, candles, etc. so we don't have to buy them and they also will take care of rentals and preparing the floor plan

bbakerrd

To AKwinterbride

Would you mind shring who your coordinator is?

Kaceymac7

Im getting married in Oct. 2012 in Oahu and we are doing everything ourselves due to a tight budget. it is really stressful but I think its worth it! so many resources online to use.

We are getting married at the Aston Waikiki beach hotel on the terrace of the CoConut club!

Good luck!

Lani808

Check out ko'olina. I'm thinking of booking a ceremony at a chapel overlooking water then a reception there. http://www.koolina.com/experience/weddings

jodiejulybride

I think hiring a WC would be a good idea, but definately look around for a good deal.  Since you are having a smaller wedding, you shouldn't need to pay $3000!  I've been doing a ton of research on venues on Oahu since starting to plan my wedding (I'm a local bride) plus just going to a lot of my friends weddings, so let me know if i can be of any help.  You can help me at jodiejulybride@gmail.com.  Aloha and congrats!