Eugene Kam Photography's SNAP SHOTS

Scooting down the aisle

A few weeks before her wedding, Marcie Nakamae learned her sister, the maid of honor, injured her foot making it necessary to use a knee walker to get around. It was not a  problem for Marcie or groom Carlin Ventura.  The couple's calm and positive attitude prevented anything from hindering their wedding day.

In fact, the little scooter became an interesting conversation piece.  It hardly showed in the photos, and when it did, it was created some funny scenarios.  Going down the aisle was probably the most challenging--controling speed and not getting caught in the runner.

Marcie and Carlin were married on December 17 at the Moiliili Hongwanji Mission.  The festivities were held in the Banyan Showroom of the Halekoa Hotel.

 

 

Casual, Private, Perfect

At an ocean-front estate along Kalanianaole, Jennie Oki and Mark Kawabata celebrated the perfect relaxed and private wedding event.  With views of Koko Head creater in the background, the couple exchanged their vows on the lawn, and once pronounced husband and wife they proceeded to the reception area under an arch created by a beautifully old tree.

Friends and family could enjoy the casual dining atmosphere and fill themselves with the ample food  selections, lively spirits and good company.  As part of a brief formal program, the groom surprised his newly wed wife with an impromptu performance of their favorite ballad.  

Jennie and Mark were married on December 3, 2011.

Fire in the sky

There aren't many positive things you can say about the vog situation on Oahu, except it seems to create fantastic and dramatic sunsets.  That was the case on December 2 when Donna Izuka and James Lee exchanged their vows at the Kahala Hotel and Resort.

The couple spread their wedding event over 2 days celebrating with family and friends at their reception on December 3 in the Waialae Ballroom.  The pink cherry blossom theme echoed the color in the sky the day before.

Cultural entertainment journey

Groom Nolan Miyahara was very active in planning his November 27 wedding to Rhonda Wakuzawa.  The couple exchanged vows in The Gazebo of the Ihilani Resort and Spa then celebrated with guests in the Hokulani Ballroom.

Entertainment for the formal program of the reception was variety show of local talent.  In some cases Nolan called on friends to entertain.  Things started off with a Hawaiian trio for cocktails, then Frank Delima took the stage as the emcee for the afternoon.  The lion dance was phenomenal, bringing to life the story of the lion climbing the mountains of China.  

 

Kenny Endo's Taiko drummers took the stage next and Nolan, Kenny's former student, joined the group on stage for the finale.  Filipino cultural dancers followed with the traditional tinikling and they concluded with modern street dancing inspired by Filipino dance moves.  The entertainment journey ended with a trip to Polynesia with Tahitian and Hawaiian dancers.  

Of course there were the usual speeches, toasts and cake cutting, but the highlight of the day was the lively music and dance.

Perfect reception poolside

 

The weather on 11.10.11 didn't look too good for the couples who had planned 11.11.11 weddings. Windy and wet conditions caused Joanne Schergen a little concern, but when it was time to walk down the aisle, the weather could not have been more perfect.  It was calm and cool, like Joanne's groom, Gary Matsumura.

 The couple's reception under the stars at the Wailana Pool of the Aulani Resort was spectacular.  After cocktails on the Makaloa Garden Lawn, Joanne presented Gary with his surprise groom's cake--a Disney animated ambulance.  It was perfect for an EMT, and when it was time to cut the cake, Gary was overheard saying he didn't want to ruin it.

 

"I do," APEC or not

 

Many months before the world's leaders decided to converge on Oahu for APEC, Michelle Yoshida and Ian Takenishi had chosen the numerically unique date of 11.11.11 for their wedding.  Despite the warnings of delays in Waikiki due to heightened security, the couple forged ahead with their wedding at the Halekoa Hotel.   

 The 11.11.11 wedding inspite of the global Waikiki takeover made the local news on KITV.  Ian was interviewed by Catherine Cruz minutes before the going down the aisle. 

After the ceremony, the beach was almost free of tourists, and due to security restrictions, there weren't any boaters or surfers in the water either.  The spectacular sunset was the cherry on top of a beautiful wedding that went on without a hitch.

Disney in the details

 

Mickey Mouse was certainly on Kristin Iriguchi's mind as she planned her wedding to Jae Park on November 5th at the Disney Aulani Resort.  The entire bridal party had mouse ears; not for the ceremony, but for a fun entrance into the reception.

Numbers for each guest table were on Mickey-shaped cards and the tables were excused to dinner according to the Disney song assigned to their group.

 

Mickey and Minnie made an appearance again in a fun twist for the bouquet and garter toss.  Jae tossed a Minnie Mouse bride doll to the married women while Kristen tossed a Mickey groom doll to the married men.

 

 

Dynamic couple from down under

Deanne Hipwell and Michael Greig had the right formula for creating unforgettable wedding memories.

• be playful

• laugh

• enjoy every moment

Deanne had a unique gown embellished with white stones, and she used her talents to craft matching sandals.  The gossamer gown was perfect for a relaxed Hawaii wedding.  The couple's ceremony included a symbolic joining of the hands with colorful strands of ribbon, each signifying a crucial element of a good relationship.

Deanne and Michael were married at the Halekulani on November 1 in the Garden Couryard.

 

fr. Kristin & Jae

 

Dear Eugene and Joy,

Thank you SO much for doing such a wonderful job and taking such beautiful phoos on our MAGICAL day!  We were very grateful that you knew exactly where and what we needed to be doing during all the craziness.  We are very HAPPY how everything turned out and attribute that to your expertise and professionalism.  We absolutely LOVE our photos and the way you both captured every MOMENT so we wouldn't forget.  Eugene, we would also like to thank you for our LOVELY engagement photos that you took.  We love them too!  We can't THANK YOU enough...we will cherish our photographs FOREVER!

They say...TRUE love stories never have endings...we say "they're right."  Our wedding day was AMAZING because we were lucky enough to be surrounded by the people we LOVE.  It would not have been complete without the support and LOVE of our family and friends.  We just wanted to say THANK YOU for being part of a very special day for us!  We hope you enjoyed the wedding as much as we did...YOU will always be part of our fairytale.  Your GENEROSITY  and KINDNESS are appreciated more than words can say.  Thank you for our "Happily-Ever-After" and our DREAMS that really did come true.

With Love,

Kristin & Jae

PG-rated pre-wedding games

Lung Lui was fortunate his groomsmen were true friends and endured the pre-wedding games the bridesmaids had planned for them.  To gain entrance to bride Annie Huang's suite at the Hawaii Prince Hotel, the guys first had to hand over all their cash.  Once inside the suite, the gentlemen were attacked with lipstick to prepare for clever games involving skilled lip action that at times got racy and suggestive.

 

Eventually the girls were satisfied that the guys were embarrassed enough and Lung was worthy to receive his bride.  All the torture was worth the smile on Annie's face when the couple saw each other for the first time. 

 

Annie and Lung were married on October 30 at the Central Union Church and later partied all night with family and friends in the ballroom of the Hawaii Prince Hotel.