Chris & Christine ~ Orlando Florida, Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Wedding

Chris & Christine’s wedding celebration at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress had all the makings of a cultural affair with homage paid to the bride’s Hawaiian and Chinese Heritage. The wedding was everything that the perfect wedding should be in my opinion – intimate, tender, moving, and filled with joy, and God writing in the sky!

Venue: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Reception and Venue Coordinator: Christine Colace ~ Grand Cypress
Ceremony coordinator ~ Just Marry
Ceremony florals and wedding party bouquets ~ Greenery Productions
Guitarist ~ Luis Alfredo Garcia
Videographer ~ Studio Osborne
Hair & Make-up ~ Lisa Lafferts

Guest count? 95

What inspired you in planning the wedding?

We wanted to make this event not only about us, but to celebrate our cultures and faith, our passion for travel and photography and most of all important people who have critically shaped us into who we are today.  Many people go to weddings either knowing just the bride or just the groom.  So instead of having a dancing portion in our wedding, we had a program where through videos and other mediums, our guests learned about how we met, where we have been and who we wanted to remember.

Why did you pick your venue?

The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress was modeled after the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort, which was a way to bring some element of Christine’s island home to her wedding.  The venue was a great balance of contemporary chique adorned with Asian flair scattered throughout.  The variety of exterior spaces allowed for many possibilities in theming, from elegant to beach to cowboy western.  La Coquina was the perfect reception venue for a luncheon.  This intimate space was illuminated by natural sunlight through floor to ceiling windows.  Guests enjoyed colorful views to the gardens outside.  The culinary offerings at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress are also outstanding.  After experiencing their Sunday champagne brunch, there was no turning back!

What were your favorite moments, traditions, and surprises during the day?

Having our mentors in the faith sanctify our marriage – Pastors Nancy Graham Ogne, William Lewis and Chris Bullock

Our private moments during the photo session with Shipra before the reception.

So touched by Kawehi Punahele and members of his Halau performing hula at the wedding reception, especially when they danced to Pua Hone*

Tea ceremony with both family’s elders

Dress designer, shoes, accessories, bridesmaids’ dresses, groom’s attire, etc?

My wedding gown was from Demetrios, and shoes were designed by Badgley Mischka.  Bridesmaids dresses were from Alfred Angelo.

Any DIY elements?

Huge kudos to hands-on groom & groomsmen and to generous aunts and cousins!

As a multimedia designer, Chris sprinkled his creativity and art nouveau style into the wedding programs and reception menus.  Rather than a guys’ night out with his groomsmen, they had a sewing party with them putting wedding programs together the couple nights before the big day.

The floral centerpieces at the wedding reception were labors of love by a team of my aunts – Eva, Catherine, Fanny, Veronica, Alice and Belinda.  Aunts Eva and Catherine designed the arrangements and assembled a team to replicate their lovely centerpieces.  It was an afternoon of bonding and laboring as they came from different corners of the world.

Lastly, a big Mahalo to my aunts, Fanny & Veronica, who procured all the guest favors that included note cards that had showcased our travel photography and a one-of-a-kind sack that Chris designed.

Music you walked down the aisle to, first dance, special songs

Bride Processional – Rondeau by Mouret

Recessional Music – Canarios by Sanz

First Dance – Be Mine by David Gray

Father & Daughter Dance – Find Your Wing by Mark Harris

Mother & Son Dance – She Has a Way by Billy Joel

Hula Dance to Pua Hone* performed by The Brothers Cazimero

What mood/ambiance did you want to convey to your guests at the wedding? 

We wanted our guests to find elements of who we were….a fun, culturally rich celebration.

Stationer: Chris Allen Designs

Floral Designer: Ceremonial-Greenery Productions;   Reception-Eva Yeung, Catherine Chan

Hula Performers: Kawehi Punahele and his Halau

Advice that you’d give to other Brides?  

Many brides have a very specific vision in mind for their wedding.  I did too, to some extent.  What I found important was to know what the non-negotiables are and what are not.  Keep an open mind on things that are negotiable because others may just give you that pleasant surprise you were not expecting.

Advice for grooms?

If you are to be active participant in the wedding planning, keep things simple and get it finished in advanced. The closer the wedding gets you need to be ready to keep your agenda open for setting up stuff and ceremony preparation.  You’re wife-to-be is already very stressed out as it is, it doesn’t help to contribute to both her stress levels and yours. If you aren’t active in the details, you’re job is to say “yes dear”, and “it will be okay.” You are her moral support and constant source of encouragement.

Thanks goes out to?

*Family and Friends who came from afar and put their time and labor of love into our wedding

*Pastors Nancy Graham Ogne, William Lewis and Chris Bullock

*Friend and master of reception Marcy Kraft

*Brother Kawehi Punahele and his Halau

__________________________________________________________________________________

*Lyrics to Pua Hone (Honey Flower)

Written by Rev.Dennis Kamakahi

In Hawaiian

O `oe ka wahine a ke aloha

I laila i ka uluwehi

ku`u pua hone i ka la`i

Hone `ana i kehau o Makiki

`O wau kou aloha i ka noe kuahiwi

He u`i no `oe i ke kula

I wili `ia me ka `ie`ie o Leilono

Ha`ina mai ana ka puana

Ku`u pua hone i ka la`i

he nani maoli no

In English

You are the woman I love

There, you are adorned

My honey flower in the calm

Kissed by the mist of Makiki

My love encompassed

By mist in the uplands

You are beautiful

There on the plains

Encircled by the sacred ‘ie’ie

Vine of leilono

This ends my story

For my honey flower in the calm

A beauty unsurpassed