Cute Cupcake!

These gorgeous cupcake wrappers from Paper Orchid add a little something special to your cupcakes. The wrappers can also be used to decorate votive candles.

Aron & Julee - June 18, 2009 - Catamaran, Waikiki Wedding

Congratulations to Julee & Aron!!
The sunset wedding started with guests boarding the Outrigger Catamaran on the sand of Waikiki Beach. For a truely intimate wedding the catamaran was privately chartered, with guests enjoying drinks, pupus & live music. Sea turtles & rainbows made the evening extra special. These wonderful pictures were taken by Terra Photography, thanks for sharing Barbara!!

Personalized Wedding Cake Stands

Using a cake stand can add an extra special element to your wedding cake.

Raise the Cake offers cake stands that can be custom designed to match your wedding or choose one that has been pre-designed.

Wedding Expo 2009 - Hawaii Convention Center

This weekend was the Wedding Expo held at the Hawaii Convention Center.

It was an exciting event as one of our past weddings we coordinated was featured at the Honolulu Design Center booth. Wonderful pictures of the wedding, taken by Alecia Hoyt, were on display.
Katy made the floral centerpiece arrangement, seen in the pictures.

Katy Castillo Weddings is Skyping!!

Many of our client's don't reside in Hawaii or they are too busy to get together for meetings.

So we are now offering Skype video as another form of communication!!

This technology allow us to continue assisting couples in creating the wedding they have always envisioned!

Mamma Mia Wedding Fair at Kahala Mall

This past Saturday Kahala Mall in partnership with Hawaii Bride & Groom held the Mama Mia sponsored by Hawaii Bride and Groom magazine.

One of our fav vendors Sunshine's Cake Creations was there giving out yummy samples of their most popular flavors: strawberry guava, pineapple coconut, chocolate Guinness, and green tea.

Don't forget to ask about their vegan & organic cakes!

Sake & Sushi for a Good Cause!!

Alicia Hollinger from Milestone Events Hawaii is teaming up with Tokoname Restaurant and Sushi Bar in Kailua for a great cause. This benefit is for a great lady with a rare cancer, Mahealani Holzman has Burkitt's Lymphoma. Offered at the benefit will be some great sake and sushi, also local businesses from Kailua will be raffling off goods and certificates.

All the proceeds from this event will go to her and her family for the medical expenses.

Tickets are $45 . The date is Wednesday April 29 from 6 -8pm.

Call now to reserve your tickets 262-8656.

Happy Earth Day!!

Planning a Eco-friendly wedding is fun and easy. It's also a great way to keep Hawaii beautiful!!

Wedding Photos by: Angela Smith Photography

Eco-Friendly Wedding Dress by: Deborah Lindquist

Eco-Friendly Wedding Invites: Pink Lily Press

Recycled Candle Holder: Are Natural

Single-use bamboo collection of plates, serveware and utensils, 100% bamboo and Certified Organic : Bambu Photo by: Wendell Weber

Pear Place Card by: Martha Stewart

Lanikuhonua pictures added to KCW website gallery

A few weeks ago I blogged about a wedding I coordinated at Lanikuhonua, Kapolei.
I promised professional pictures, and they are here!
Please view them on my website at http://www.katycastillo.com/gallery06.htm

Special thanks to Eddy of Renai Photography for taking & sharing these wonderful pictures.

For those of you looking for a wedding photographer, look no further! Eddy is amazing!!

Brian & Michelle - March 20, 2009 - Halekulani Hotel

Congratulations to Michelle & Brian!!

I was so lucky to be able to assist this wonderful couple on their special day!!

Michelle & Brian traveled to Hawaii all the way from Wisconsin, it was their first time to the islands!

The reception & ceremony was held at the Hau Terrace, Halekulani Hotel. Here are a few pictures taken by my staff, professional pictures will be posted to my website gallery in the future.

Special thanks to Yvonne Floral & Decor for creating the beautiful floral arrangements & Les Saisons for providing the fabulous linens.

Patrice & Kevin - March 7, 2009 - Hale Koa Hotel

Congratulations to Patrice & Kevin!!
I worked with Patrice & Kevin for almost a year in preparation of their big day. We had hoped for sunny skies as the ceremony was to be held outdoors in the Hale Koa Hotel, Maile Garden unfortunately the weather did not cooperate and the wedding was moved indoors.
But Patrice & Kevin were so much in love it didn't bother them a bit!! They were just happy to spend their special day with family and friends.
Special thanks to Alyssa Turner (an awesome photographer!) of Alyssa Pix for providing these pictures, more photos can be found in the gallery section of my website.

"Heading to the Wedding" - Teaching young children how to behave at a wedding

I hear from brides that they are sometimes concerned about how young children invited to their wedding will behave. This book would make a great gift for your little guests.
Sara F. Shacter has published a wonderful children's Heading to the Wedding written to educate young children about what a wedding is like and how to behave.

The book centers around a young boy and girl who think of gatherings as parties where they can dress up and have fun. But they learn how to enjoy themselves and respect the special day of the bride and groom. The book also includes a glossary of wedding words.

Hon & David - Febuary 22, 2009 - Lanikuhonua

Congratulations David & Hon!!
What a the pleasure it was working with Hon & David, they were such a fun couple!
The ceremony & reception took place at Lanikuhonua, Kapolei. The day was beautiful, with perfect weather!! Here are a few pictures my staff took, professional pictures will be posted to the photo gallery on my website soon.

You may notice all the decorations on the beach, please note decorations are no longer allowed on state beaches. This wedding's permit was granted before the new state beach rules took effect.

Emi Hart - Unique Wedding Ceremony Music

Congrats to Emi Hart singer/songwriter who was featured in Midweek's entertainment section.
http://www.midweek.com/content/columns/thelowdown_article/emi_hart/

Emi is a beautiful singer with a rich voice. She is also a great person with a huge heart.
She can sing and play songs written by other artists but writes many of her own unique songs as well. Ask her to write a custom song for you ceremony!!

Several of my client's have had the pleasure of her playing at their wedding ceremony. If you are looking of unique singer for your wedding ceremony, Emi is the one!!

Relaxing on the Big Island!!

Believe it or not it's almost been two years since my last vacation!! So last weekend I took some time off and traveled to the Big Island for my birthday. I'm so glad I did, it was really relaxing.

Of course my mind is always on weddings!! I stayed at a fabulous bed & breakfast who also rents out the property for weddings & receptions.

Honu Kai Bed & Breakfast is only 10 minutes from Kailua-Kona, which makes it convenient for your wedding guests. Hosts Wendi & Dave wonderful, genuine, caring people. They go above and beyond!!

The beautifully manicured lawn is used for the ceremony while their large lanai can seat up to 100 guests. The front yard can be set up for music and dancing.

Thanks Wendi & Dave for a fantastic stay!

These beautiful clips made by artist Mona Lisa. These fun flowers can be placed in your hair or clipped on your clothes. Her latest line is called Geisha Fabulous.

Green Living Expo

Blaisdell Center - January 30 & 31, 2009

4pm to 8pm Friday
10am to 4pm Saturday

Cost: FREE!!

Katy Castillo Weddings will be at the Green Living Expo this weekend!
Stop by the booth & say Hi. I'd love to share my experiences and knowledge on making your wedding "green".

We'll have a "green" event design on display and will be handing out a cute Eco-friendly wedding favor. It's a surprise, you'll have to visit us at the booth to find out what it is!!

We are excited to also have in our booth Vikki, owner of Sunshine's Cake Creations, who will have samples of her YUMMY vegan and organic cakes. I bet you won't even be able to tell the difference from regular cake.

The Expo will be fun and full of great Eco-friendly products and services. The best part is it's FREE! Come out, visit us and show your support of living green.

2009 Wedding Expo

This weekend was the Wedding Expo at the Blaisdell Center.

I went in support of vendors I work with on a regular basis and to check out some new vendors I hope to work with in the future.

I had some fun while visiting Bambooth. I will be working with these professionals at a wedding I'm planning in May. It took me a bit to figure out where to look but by the last shot I was a pro!
Photo booths are a fun way to entertain guests at your wedding.

Pink Lily Press

Bright, vibrant and fresh are all words I would use to describe Pink Lily Press

Owner, Jennifer, creates create high quality stationary for all occasions, I love her wonderful designs.

Pink Lily Press offers an array of wedding invites, personal stationary and more. They can also create custom designs.

Visit http://www.pinklilypress.com/ for more designs and ordering info.

Special Promotion!!

I've teamed up with AinaKai Photography to offer a special promotion.

Book both Katy Castillo Weddings & AinaKai Photography for your 2009 wedding and receive 10 percent off both wedding coordination and photography packages. Contracts to both vendors need to be completed by May 31, 2009.

AinaKai Photography provides elegant, natural and artistic wedding photography for discriminating clients. They are fabulous! Check them out at http://www.ainakai.com/

Hawaii Wedding Resource

We're now listed on Elite Hawaii Weddings!!

Check it out http://www.EliteHawaiiWeddings.com/

2008 "Mahalo" Party

I love coordinating weddings but I couldn't do it with out the help of talented wedding professionals. As a way to say thanks I host small party every year for all the vendors to relax & mingle. Some of my past & current clients attend as well.

This year the party was held at the Ice Bar, Honolulu Design Center.

Yummy pupus & drinks were served. Everyone took home sweet treats...we created a candy buffet featuring classic candies. Vikki from Sunshine Cake Creations made a delicious cake & her famous sugar cookies.

Thanks to Paul Herchig for taking pictures!

Signature Wedding Cocktail

For couples looking to reduce their wedding reception bar costs, serving a signature wedding cocktail can be a great solution.

Rather than having a full open bar, serve your guests beer, wine, (if budget allows champagne for the toast) and a signature cocktail.

Choose a yummy concoction, give it a flirtatious name and put a sign in your coordinating wedding colors/theme announcing it on the bar.

Two of my favorite wedding cocktails I discovered in a vintage drink recipe book, published in Hawaii, "Terrific Tropicals". I'd love to share them with you!

"Hawaiian Sunset"

1-1/2 oz. Light Rum

1 oz. Passion Fruit Juice

1 oz. Orange Juice

1/2 the juice of a fresh lime

-Mix with ice in shaker & serve.

"Orchids Kiss"

2 oz. Light Rum

2 oz. Guava Juice
2 oz. Pineapple Juice
Dash of Grenadine

-Build all your ingredients in order over ice in a 12 oz. glass

Cheers!!!

Amy & Scott - August 30, 2008

August was a whirlwind of weddings for me. One of the weddings I had the pleasure of coordinating was Amy & Scott R. Their family & friends flew to Hawaii from all over to be a part of this special event. They were such a fun couple!

We created a beautiful candy buffet, with sweet treats for the guests to take home.

Paul Herchig was the photographer (Thanks to Paul for the photos you see here!)

Sunshine Cake Creations made a fabulous cake, exactly to the bride's specifications.

A Gift as Unique as Your Bridesmaids

Need a bridesmaid's gift, but they seem to have it all?

This cute purse is hand made by fair trade workers in Mexico, using folded recycled candy wrappers. Designed by Ecoist, they create stylish items while remaining environmentally conscience.

Making the "Green List"!

Katy Castillo Weddings has made the Red Magazine Hawaii (an online magazine) "Green List"!

The list features local companies that protect our island environment by offering "green" services (Katy Castillo Weddings offers "green" wedding coordination, in case you don't know!).

I checked out the other companies also featured on the list and I have to say I was honored to be a part of such a wonderful group of business.

Check it out at....http://www.hawaiiredmagazine.com/