As much as I enjoy the emotion and love that is part of every wedding ceremony and vow renewal, perhaps the best part of each ceremony is the laughter.
Wonderful photographers, such as Jonathan Moeller (who captured the image above), know to look for those moments that occur in every ceremony where the joy of the occasion shows on each person's face.
Everyone expects that the bride may get tears in her eyes during her wedding ceremony, but the bonus is when the groom is also overcome with emotion.
This St. Regis couple had an intimate wedding, with no guests, but that didn't stop the fun during the lei ceremony!
And could the smiles on the faces of this Beach House couple get any bigger?
I have the best job in the world!
https://www.facebook.com/kauai.weddingceremony
https://www.kauaiweddingceremonies.com
Larry LaSota has been a wedding minister for several decades. Together with his wife, Elaine, they also ran a successful wedding video business on Kauai for 14 years. Elaine continues to work closely with several Wedding and Event Planners on Kauai. Together they have decades of experience with Destination Weddings and want to share their expertise with you!
Monday, August 15, 2016
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Kauai Wedding Minister Larry LaSota at Princeville Beach
Had a wonderful time marrying Abbie and Will at Princeville Beach on Wednesday. Jonathan Moeller was the photographer (always a good time with him - http://jmoellerphoto.com/) and the newlyweds had dinner at St. Regis afterwards.
Will and Abbie chose my Christian ceremony and appreciated that I used a bible during their ceremony.
Princeville Beach was the perfect location for them... and there was a beautiful sunset after the ceremony.
You can see how meaningful the Sand Ceremony was for them. Abbie's smile was radiant.
The ring exchange. They held hands and gazed into each other's eyes.
The license is signed and they are officially married!
I especially appreciated what Will said afterwards: "It seems like we've known you for a long time. You made us feel so comfortable, like a friend... The ceremony was really great. So much more than we expected."
https://www.kauaiweddingceremonies.com
https://www.facebook.com/kauai.weddingceremony
Will and Abbie chose my Christian ceremony and appreciated that I used a bible during their ceremony.
Princeville Beach was the perfect location for them... and there was a beautiful sunset after the ceremony.
You can see how meaningful the Sand Ceremony was for them. Abbie's smile was radiant.
The ring exchange. They held hands and gazed into each other's eyes.
The license is signed and they are officially married!
I especially appreciated what Will said afterwards: "It seems like we've known you for a long time. You made us feel so comfortable, like a friend... The ceremony was really great. So much more than we expected."
https://www.kauaiweddingceremonies.com
https://www.facebook.com/kauai.weddingceremony
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Kauai Wedding Officiant and Minister - Wedding Locations
As long-time members and former President and Vice President (respectively) of the Kauai Wedding Professionals Association, both myself and my wife, Elaine, are proud to be associated with the KWPA. We wrote several items for the KWPA website, and liked what we wrote so much, that we have added to our blog below. We have also included a link to the Kauai Visitor's Bureau, which is an invaluable tool for those visiting our beautiful island.
"With more beaches than any of the other Hawaiian islands, the Aloha Spirit of Kauai welcomes you with open arms, embracing you and your loved one as you join your lives together in marriage and celebrate you new life together.
May Kauai's endless white sand beaches, majestic mountains and cascading waterfalls become the perfect backgroup for your wedding day on this special and unique tropical island.
Kauai also offers up gorgeous resorts, botanical gardens and private estates for your wedding. You may want to visit the Kauai Wedding Professionals Association website (www.kauaiwedpro.com) for a list of location providers."
For more information about our beautiful island, please visit the Kauai Visitors Bureau at http://www.gohawaii.com/en/kauai/about/
https://www.kauaiweddingceremonies.com
https://www.facebook.com/kauai.weddingceremony
"With more beaches than any of the other Hawaiian islands, the Aloha Spirit of Kauai welcomes you with open arms, embracing you and your loved one as you join your lives together in marriage and celebrate you new life together.
May Kauai's endless white sand beaches, majestic mountains and cascading waterfalls become the perfect backgroup for your wedding day on this special and unique tropical island.
Kauai also offers up gorgeous resorts, botanical gardens and private estates for your wedding. You may want to visit the Kauai Wedding Professionals Association website (www.kauaiwedpro.com) for a list of location providers."
For more information about our beautiful island, please visit the Kauai Visitors Bureau at http://www.gohawaii.com/en/kauai/about/
https://www.kauaiweddingceremonies.com
https://www.facebook.com/kauai.weddingceremony
Kauai Wedding Minister - Beach Permits and no weddings on sacred Hawaiian heiau
You have no doubt read about the requirements for a so-called Beach Permit (or Right-of-Entry Permit issued by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources) which is needed in order to hold a wedding or vow renewal ceremony on any beach in the Hawaiian islands.
Certain conditions must be met for this permit to be valid, including no alcohol, no temporary structures such as chairs or flower arches, and no amplified music (acoustic is fine). Part of the idea behind the needed for the Beach Permit is to insure that the public continues to have the right to be on any part of the beach, as all beaches in Hawaii are public. Thus, it is not permitted to ask beach goers to move to another location if they are in the exact spot the couple wants for their ceremony!
What a couple can do to decorate their ceremony location on the beach, is add a circle of flowers, such as those in the photo below.
While not covered by the beach permit, there is another kind of location in Hawaii where no ceremonies are allowed, and that is on a heiau, which is an ancient Hawaiian sacred site.
What does a heiau look like and how do you know if you are on or in one? A heiau is primarily a circle stones or stone walls, sometimes quite large. There are spots on Kauai (no, I won't tell you where!), where a heiau has been over-grown and may not be immediately identifiable as a man-made structure. But it is considered a holy site and should never be used for a wedding or vow renewal ceremony, and no items shall be removed or added to the heiau.
https://www.kauaiweddingceremonies.com
https://www.facebook.com/kauai.weddingceremony
Certain conditions must be met for this permit to be valid, including no alcohol, no temporary structures such as chairs or flower arches, and no amplified music (acoustic is fine). Part of the idea behind the needed for the Beach Permit is to insure that the public continues to have the right to be on any part of the beach, as all beaches in Hawaii are public. Thus, it is not permitted to ask beach goers to move to another location if they are in the exact spot the couple wants for their ceremony!
What a couple can do to decorate their ceremony location on the beach, is add a circle of flowers, such as those in the photo below.
While not covered by the beach permit, there is another kind of location in Hawaii where no ceremonies are allowed, and that is on a heiau, which is an ancient Hawaiian sacred site.
What does a heiau look like and how do you know if you are on or in one? A heiau is primarily a circle stones or stone walls, sometimes quite large. There are spots on Kauai (no, I won't tell you where!), where a heiau has been over-grown and may not be immediately identifiable as a man-made structure. But it is considered a holy site and should never be used for a wedding or vow renewal ceremony, and no items shall be removed or added to the heiau.
https://www.kauaiweddingceremonies.com
https://www.facebook.com/kauai.weddingceremony
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Kauai Vow Renewal - A Surprise!
The surprise vow renewal is one of the most fun ceremonies that I perform. A husband or wife will tell me that they are coming to Kauai for an anniversary (often 10th, 20th or 30ieth!) and wish to surprise their spouse with a vow renewal.
I love doing this! The photo below was a double surprise vow renewal. I often suggest that the spouse to be surprised be told to "dress up" for an anniversary photo session, and then when evryone arrives at the beach, they think that I am the photographer. Then the surprise is sprung... there is always much laughter and often lots of tears. Including the husband!
https://www.kauaiweddingceremonies.com
https://www.facebook.com/kauai.weddingceremony
I love doing this! The photo below was a double surprise vow renewal. I often suggest that the spouse to be surprised be told to "dress up" for an anniversary photo session, and then when evryone arrives at the beach, they think that I am the photographer. Then the surprise is sprung... there is always much laughter and often lots of tears. Including the husband!
https://www.kauaiweddingceremonies.com
https://www.facebook.com/kauai.weddingceremony
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Kauai Wedding Minister suggests Hanalei Bay Beach - Decisions for your Wedding Ceremony
Iconic Hanalei Bay is one of the most beautiful spots in the world. But which spot to choose for your wedding?
Some suggestions would be to meet at the base of the Pier (the north end of Weke Road) and then go to the left; or meet in front of the Pavilion (on Weke Road just to the north of Aku Road) and then go to the left to move away from the sun-bathers. At either spot, you will have a great view of Mt Makana (Bali Hai) and the Hanalei Mountains, or…
Meet at Waioli Beach Park, Pine Trees parking lot (off Weke road at the end of Hee Road) and go to the right and head towards a large shade tree right next to the sand, or…
Meet at Grandpa's (off Weke road at the end of Anae) and go to the left towards the river mouth. That may sound very confusing, but will make sense to you once you arrive.
The crescent bay is quite long and there are
several spots to choose from for your wedding or vow renewal ceremony.
You may wish to go to the bay a day or so before and see what location appeals
to you the most.
Some suggestions would be to meet at the base of the Pier (the north end of Weke Road) and then go to the left; or meet in front of the Pavilion (on Weke Road just to the north of Aku Road) and then go to the left to move away from the sun-bathers. At either spot, you will have a great view of Mt Makana (Bali Hai) and the Hanalei Mountains, or…
Meet at Waioli Beach Park, Pine Trees parking lot (off Weke road at the end of Hee Road) and go to the right and head towards a large shade tree right next to the sand, or…
Meet at Grandpa's (off Weke road at the end of Anae) and go to the left towards the river mouth. That may sound very confusing, but will make sense to you once you arrive.
Whatever location you choose, you will be thrilled
to be married on Hanalei Bay!
Sorry... not a wedding photo... my chow chow going for a swim |
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Kauai Wedding Officiant - Testimonial from a happy couple
One of my greatest joys is receiving a handwritten "thank you" note from a couple whose wedding I performed. While I will be posting many of these handwritten notes in the "Testimonials" section of my website, I wanted to post this one in the blog.
Although handwritten thank you notes may be becoming a thing of the past, please think about taking the time to write a short note to those you love, or to those who helped create a memorable moment for you.
Your thoughtfulness will be remembered forever!
Although handwritten thank you notes may be becoming a thing of the past, please think about taking the time to write a short note to those you love, or to those who helped create a memorable moment for you.
Your thoughtfulness will be remembered forever!
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Hawaii and Kauai Marriage License
Getting married on Kauai? You first
need to get your marriage license application started on-line. Then make an
appointment with one of the Kauai Marriage License agents to finalize your
paperwork.
Finally, remember to bring your
license to your wedding so that I can finalize it and make your marriage
official!
KAUAI
MARRIAGE LICENSE AGENTS:
Kapaa/Wailua District: Walter (Kamika) Smith III: 808-821-6887 and Darlene
Kapana: 808-821-6882
Lihue District: Jacqueline
Garces 808-246-5025
Governor's Liaison Office: Carrice Gardner 808 274 3100
Governor's Liaison Office: Carrice Gardner 808 274 3100
Hanalei/Princeville District: Dayna Santos and Jamie
Listman of Styles Salon – 808-378-4290
Koloa District: Ellen
O'Connell, of The Wine Shop – 10am-7pm 808-742-7305
Kauai Sand Ceremony by Larry LaSota, Kauai Wedding Officiant
Because of Kauai's near-constant tradewinds, having the traditional candle lighting ceremony, symbolizing the joining of two families, is not very practical. So instead, you might consider the Sand Ceremony.
All of my ceremonies offer this option, and I explain the details during the ceremony, and guide you through it. This is also a wonderful way to include children or other family members during your ceremony.
All of my ceremonies offer this option, and I explain the details during the ceremony, and guide you through it. This is also a wonderful way to include children or other family members during your ceremony.
I provide the sand and the koa bowls
that you will be pouring from and the container that you are pouring
into. I usually give the couples the sand after the ceremony in a
plastic bag to make it easier for travel and they buy a container when
they get home.
If you want to bring a container for the ceremony, that's fine.
It should be about 16oz. and have a 3 inch or wider mouth for easy
pouring during the ceremony.
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