Reception Considerations:


BASIC CONSIDERATIONS:

Generally, if you are expecting under 30 guests, you're looking at a restaurant using regular seating in their main dinning room, for 20 to 30 people possibly a private room if the restaurant has one available, and 35+ guests you'll probably need a hotel banquet room or private catering at an estate type setting though there are a few restaurants which can handle this size event.

We don't make inquiries, reservations, contracts, or payments for reception venues and restaurants as part of our service. Contact them directly for prices, availability, and reservations. We can set you up with a coordinator to help you with your reception set-up if you need this though, these fees will be between you and the coordinator as we do not technically provide reception planning. We can provide custom cake, centerpiece flowers, set-up of your favors, entertainment, etc.

Here is some information and our thoughts which may be helpful:

Restaurant receptions:

  • See our links page for suggestions. There are many restaurant choices in Hawaii and we have listed a few of what we consider the best for weddings. See restaurants here: http://www.ahawaiiwedding.com/hawaii_wedding_links_restaurants.html

  • The Casual Attire, Family Style restaurants are affordably priced and generally provide a lively atmosphere. They are great for receptions up to even 30+ people. All of the restaurants we list will work well. If you have more than 20 guests, you'll want to check out "The Willows", "Hula Grill", and "Tiki's Grill & Bar". All three of these locations have private rooms for larger parties.

  • Fine Dining resturants are going to be generally higher in cost with more of a quiet and romantic atmosphere. We prefer restaurants with a great view and great food, places we'd take our own loved ones. Ditto, Pacific Rim and Steakhouse restaurants.

  • If your wedding is on a weekend or it's during a holiday, you'll want to make reservations ASAP.

Luau receptions:

  • Many of our clients have gotten married at one of our free beach locations like Waimanalo Beach of Makapuu Beach and then gone out to Paradise Cove or Germaine's Luau for a luau reception. We have also had clients who have also got married at Paradise Cove having us provide all of their wedding ceremony services. The only down-side this is that there are additional travel fees for our vendors but, when it's all totalled up, you're spending far less than paying the minimum expenditure required for a hotel banquet facility (for 30 or less guests).

  • There are a variety of luau shows available on a regular basis. Check our “Resources” page to check for direct links to these websites or just do a Google search.
    - The Halekoa Hotel in Waikiki has a dinner show on Mondays and Thursdays.
    - Paradise Cove and Germaine’s out in West Oahu has dinner shows every day of the week.

  • If you are going to one of the luau dinner shows outside of Waikiki, you'll want your wedding in the early afternoon, say about 2:00 and to end by 3:00 at the latest, so you can make it to the bus transport departure locations. There are pick-up points around Waikiki for transport to these locations, usually a 4:00 departure. We can also provide a minibus holding up to 27 passengers or limousines to take you directly to the luau facility and do this often for our clients.

Hotel banquet receptions:

  • If you are having enough guests to make a hotel reception appropriate or are having so many guests that a hotel reception is your only choice, there are a hand full of hotels which are available. Unfortunately, they are expensive.

    • Halekoa Hotel is a military hotel so if you are US military retired or active or know someone who can sponsor you, their rates are reasonable and they are very good.

    • Royal Hawaiian Hotel and Sheraton Waikiki has small to large rooms for receptions and is in the heart of Waikiki. Our reception coordinator has great contacts for these venues and will be able to help you greatly.

  • Hotels also offer their own wedding ceremony packages. Here’s what a client said: "We are getting an impression from the hotel's catering office that they are trying to squeeze out as much as they possibly can from us, which we feel is a bit intimidating. We now think that it was a great decision for us to book the venders thru you, you were very honest and up-front with all fees from the start. Well, just letting you know."

  • Hotels will offer wedding packages with minister, flowers, photos, etc.. Many hotels mark-up their services excessively or expect "kick-backs" from vendors, which is passed on to you. Sadly, the trend among hotels is to 1). Charge you a flat fee upwards of $1000 or more if you do not use the vendors on their list or 2). Charge you a fee of upwards of 20% of whatever the non-hotel vendor is charging you as a penalty fee for not using their vendors. Unfortunately, if you have to use one of these hotels, it may not be economical to use our services

Private Estate receptions:

  • PE receptions can be as casual or as exquisite as your pocketbook can afford. Generally, because everything has to be brought in, these receptions will as costly as ones at hotels but, they are really nice if you like the outdoors reception. FYI: Always make sure you get a tent.

  • Private estates, some of which are actually private homes in residential areas, will have restrictions about what you can do regarding a party. If you are thinking such a location (that's not on our list), check with the rental agent first. Wedding receptions are generally a no-no.