Carrie & Patrick’s Aulani Vow Renewal - 2/4/13 - Patrick's Outfit! New 6/13

[Mel*Pie]

Love it! I was actually looking at Dragonfly Expression on Etsy not too long ago. That vendor has my favorite of the paper bouquets on Etsy. The colors do look vibrant in the photo, but I guess sometimes they look different in person. Either way, that combination of colors looks great with both of your outfits and accessories. And I love the idea of an "alternative" bouquet.

Also, thanks for the info on the chandelier crystals. I've tried searching on google, ebay, and etsy for chandelier crystals or prisms and I've found that the octagon-shaped chains in the graduated sizes seem to only come in clear. Oh, well. I don't need it for a wedding or an event right now and they ARE super cheap, so maybe I will get those clear ones and the colored ones in the tear-drop type shape, like yours, and play around with a design. Thanks again!

 

[lurkyloo]

No not picky, you just know what you like I'm the opposite, I never know what I want, apart from wedding flowers actually!

Hey, cool—then next time I'm having YOU pick 'em out for me!

Carrie, everything is so beautiful! I've been reading your PJ, I've just never commented. This bouquet is just gorgeous, I love the colors! I can't believe it's made out of paper! Your jewelry is beautiful and the attention to detail is impeccable.

On a side note, I have your book. I have read it ragged. I've highlighted and tabbed it to no end. It has been one of the most helpful tools to me while planning my wedding. And, I think, possibly even more so for DF. It is extremely helpful for him to see everything laid out and in one spot instead of searching the internet and hoping the information is up to date and correct. Thank you!

I am so glad you both are finding it helpful! That was a BIG reason I wrote it—to get all the most up-to-date info, all in one place.

Is the bouquet in last photo your actual bouquet? (I'm assuming so because of the photographer's watermark on it). Because if those are "dusty" colors, I'd be floored to see really saturated ones. Those are lovely and, may I say, very saturated. You did good.

It's all Root! You should see how much better they made my wedding cake look...

Also, thanks for the info on the chandelier crystals. I've tried searching on google, ebay, and etsy for chandelier crystals or prisms and I've found that the octagon-shaped chains in the graduated sizes seem to only come in clear. Oh, well. I don't need it for a wedding or an event right now and they ARE super cheap, so maybe I will get those clear ones and the colored ones in the tear-drop type shape, like yours, and play around with a design. Thanks again!

Dang! Well, the teardrop shaped ones all come with a small octagonal crystal above them (which we actually used in my VR necklace, but not in my wedding necklace), so at least if you bought those you could have colored ones for the smaller parts of your necklace. But, yeah, I've never seen a large octagon in a color....

 

[LittleKittyMarie]

I cannot believe some of those floral bouquet prices! Suddenly the $850 Disney quoted me for garden roses isn't seeming so out in left field. It's really great to hear that Disney was able to make all those vendor recommendations and they don't just expect you to figure it out all on your own.

The paper flowers are gorgeous (in the Roots' photo anyway). They seem perfect for a vow renewal somehow. They're alluding to the original flowers and colours, but still so different that it feels really special and unique, just like the distinction between the wedding and vow renewal. And just like the way your vow renewal necklace (which is gorgeous - those chandelier crystals are exquisite!) alludes to the jewelry from your wedding. I love it!

 

[Linda67]

I just love the paper flower bouquet - it's beautiful

I had no idea that bouquets could be so expensive!

 

[lurkyloo]

I cannot believe some of those floral bouquet prices! Suddenly the $850 Disney quoted me for garden roses isn't seeming so out in left field. It's really great to hear that Disney was able to make all those vendor recommendations and they don't just expect you to figure it out all on your own.

Definitely, although it was puzzling that when I first asked I wasn't given all three vendor names right up front. At first I thought they only worked with the one vendor, period. Later, I felt like I had to keep bugging them for more options.

The paper flowers are gorgeous (in the Roots' photo anyway). They seem perfect for a vow renewal somehow. They're alluding to the original flowers and colours, but still so different that it feels really special and unique, just like the distinction between the wedding and vow renewal. And just like the way your vow renewal necklace (which is gorgeous - those chandelier crystals are exquisite!) alludes to the jewelry from your wedding. I love it!

SOLD!!! You've made me feel much better about it!

I just love the paper flower bouquet - it's beautiful

I had no idea that bouquets could be so expensive!

Seriously! I guess it's not every day (or any day, really) that one goes bouquet shopping.

 

[lurkyloo]

Cake

So, cake is kinda a big deal to me.... Aulani’s Memories Collection package does not include cake, so I worked with my planner to special-order one. Here’s the basic cake order info for Aulani:

Aulani Customized Wedding Cakes
One Tier
6-inch: $50 whipped cream/buttercream or $80 fondant-covered
8-inch: $100 whipped cream/buttercream or $125 fondant-covered
9-inch: $190 whipped cream/buttercream or $220 fondant-covered
10-inch: $225 whipped cream/buttercream or $280 fondant-covered
12-inch: $300 whipped cream/buttercream or $380 fondant-covered

Two Tiers
6-inch/10-inch: $300 whipped cream/buttercream or $3600 fondant-covered
8-inch/12-inch: $415 whipped cream/buttercream or $500 fondant-covered

Three Tiers
6-inch/9-inch/12-inch: $650 whipped cream/buttercream or $750 fondant-covered

Mad Hatter Cakes (Fresh fruit fillings not available)
1 tier: $250
2 tiers: $650
3 tiers: $960
4 tiers: $1,450

Sheet Cakes
1/4 sheet (8x12 inches): $85 whipped cream/buttercream/mousseline; add $75 for fondant; add $35 for custom decorations
1/2 sheet (12x16 inches): $105 whipped cream/buttercream/mousseline; add $150 for fondant; add $40 for custom decorations
16x16 inches: $140 whipped cream/buttercream/mousseline; add $200 for fondant; add $45 for custom decorations
Full sheet (16x24 inches): $160 whipped cream/buttercream/mousseline; add $300 for fondant; add $50 for custom decorations

Cupcakes
Regular: $3.95
Custom: $4.50
Mickey: $6.95


Cake Flavors:

• Vanilla
• Chocolate
• Marble

Alternate Cake Flavors:

• Red Velvet
• Carrot Cake
• Coconut Cake

Filling Flavors:

• Strawberry Shortcake with Whipped Cream
• Custard Cream with Mixed Berries
• Vanilla Mousseline or Buttercream
• Chocolate Mousseline or Buttercream
• Mango Mousseline
• Lilikoi (Passionfruit) Mousseline

Notes:
Special cake flavor requests OK
20% charge to have different flavors in each layer
Prices custom-quoted based on design complexity


We decided to just get a 6-inch round cake. I always get red velvet or chocolate-peanut butter, so, to mix it up and run with the tropical theme, we asked for coconut cake with coconut frosting (but NO almond extract used anywhere in the cake, just in case...). The chef approved the special request.

Design
We’ve had so many Disney anniversary cakes, that I had trouble deciding what style to get for this extra-special anniversary. I tried to think of something that would tie back to our wedding without being a variation on that cake (since our first anniversary cake was pretty much un-toppable). So eventually I decided to ask if Aulani could replicate our wedding china pattern.

Kate Spade Gwinnet Lane

Having had a few mix-ups in the past, I was very careful to send lots of reference photos for the chef, including a mockup Patrick did in Photoshop:

Initially, I asked them to create the pattern out of fondant, like this:

Well, actually, I asked them like this!

I was quoted $130 + tax. But at the last minute the chef decided he’d better paint the design on instead, which lowered the price to $85. Here’s how it turned out!

I thought it was exquisite—a work of art that I could hardly bear to cut into! Unfortunately, the cake tasted like dish sponges layered with butter. It was possibly the worst-tasting cake I’ve ever had, and certainly the worst Disney cake I’ve ever had. The cake was dry, dry, DRY, with nary a hint of coconut flavor. The frosting was like straight unsalted butter—no sweetness, no coconuttiness, no texture. You’re not going to believe this, but the best-tasting part was the fondant—at least it had sugar in it!

They give you the leftover cake in the box it came in, in case you need to mop up any spills back in your room...

Up Next: Outfits! ...Probably....

 

[Mel*Pie]

I won't comment about the cake because I think I already commented about it on your other thread. I will say that your Kate Spade china is very pretty!

Why is the upcoming "outfits" post only a "probably?" I want to hear about your ceremony dress and more details about that gorgeous Hawaii dress!

 

[Chilly]

No excuse for bad cake!

 

[ChickyRootie]

I'm new here... Love all your details! Your necklaces for both DFTW and VR are amazing and oh are those cakes divine!

 

[lurkyloo]

I won't comment about the cake because I think I already commented about it on your other thread. I will say that your Kate Spade china is very pretty!

Why is the upcoming "outfits" post only a "probably?" I want to hear about your ceremony dress and more details about that gorgeous Hawaii dress!

Only cuz I might get lazy and decide to write a shorter installment first. Though... I guess there's kinda nothing else left!

No excuse for bad cake!

You said it, sister!

I'm new here... Love all your details! Your necklaces for both DFTW and VR are amazing and oh are those cakes divine!

Welcome! Glad to know you!

 

[lurkyloo]

Patrick’s Outfit

Patrick was super-easy to dress for our wedding. He told me he wanted to look like James Bond, so we rented him a classic black tux. Done! So I was kind of at a loss when it came time to figure out what he’d wear for the vow renewal. A lot of the trouble stemmed from the fact that my own outfit was in flux right up until about 3 weeks before the event—cuz if you don’t know what the “bride” is going to wear, how can you dress the "groom" in something complementary?

It got a bit easier once I’d thrown out my more outlandish ideas (like his grandpa’s sailor uniform + an Alfred Shaheen-inspired ‘50s wiggle dress for me) and settled on a wedding-y look so that our photos would be relatable for others considering a wedding or vow renewal at Aulani.

I know the go-to groom’s outfit for a beach wedding is linen pants and a Hawaiian or Mexican wedding shirt, but I wanted something slightly more formal yet still cool and comfortable. My ideal was James Bond’s grey linen suit in Casino Royale.

Turns out is is REALLY hard to find a grey linen suit in the winter, even in LA, unless you, like, have Brioni make you one. Even a shirt like the one Bond’s wearing was tough to track down. We ended up getting Patrick a cheap, lightweight wool suit in Downtown LA, but I was never really happy with it. Gradually I began to latch on to the idea of shirtsleeves and a vest, which seems really popular at weddings these days. But it was impossible to find a vest that matched the suit pants we already had, so that meant getting him an all-new outfit.

Then there was the great bow tie vs. straight tie debate, fueled by my discovery of the awesome site The Belle and the Beau. There were just too many cute bow ties! But I eventually decided a straight tie would be more flattering and less twee. I wanted matching cufflinks, so I commissioned a set in turquoise gingham from Etsy seller Divine Domestication.

Shoes were another sticking point. I mean, what in the heck kind of shoes do you wear to a beach wedding with a suit? Sandals don’t go with suits! But dress shoes just seem awkward on the beach. I never really solved this one, but I fell in love with a pair of grey suede wingtips and gave up trying. Add in some snazzy socks in our wedding colors, and here’s how everything turned out!

But can you climb a tree in it...?

Bonus Outfit!
When I stumbled on an AMAZING 1970s maxi dress that seemed to be the very embodiment of Hawaii in a dress, I decided to change into it for our reception, which meant I needed a second outfit for Patrick. Once I found this shirt on RueLaLa, it was the easiest outfit I’ve ever assembled for him. Add linen pants and go!

(I’ll have better pics of the outfit in the post about that dress!) Oh, I should also note that we had all of Patrick's outfits tailored cheaply in Downtown LA, and it was a revelation. He has a smaller frame, so he was practically swimming in that purple shirt when it arrived. Having it cut down and all his pants taken in and hemmed just made him look that much more polished. Now he wants ALL his clothes tailored!


Up Next: ... And finally, The Dress!

 

[Chilly]

I agree I love a man in vest or waistcoat as we call them in the UK. For our wedding party in the UK we got DH one, it was £3/$4.50 so a bit of a bargain! In fact I love the whole outfit.

 

[lurkyloo]

Oooh! I'm going to start saying "waistcoat" now—it's so much more romantic!

 

[LittleKittyMarie]

I love the outfits! Those grey shoes are pretty fabulous (I think I'd love to find them in ladies for myself! ). I've never really thought about what kind of shoes are appropriate for a beachy wedding, it's seems like an impossible look unless you want to go with sandals or deck shoes maybe... A dapper shoe seems a great alternative. That shirt from RueLaLa (is it purple or blue?) is also fab! Perfect shirt for a Hawaiian celebration!

Oh, oh, and the tie! I love the colour of that tie! Great choices!