Hanalei Bay Wedding in the Rain is still wonderful!

After enjoying a week on Maui for my birthday (watching whales from our lanai... it was spectacular!), I returned home to find this lovely email from Diana and Scott, who were married on Kauai...

Dear Larry,

We’ve been meaning to write to express our heartfelt thanks for the wonderful wedding ceremony you performed for us at Hanalei Bay on March 6! We so appreciated how present you were to us and to our union. Both of us felt centered and spiritual and the ceremony was everything we could have hoped for.... it was perfectly imperfect!

Thank you for the memories of turning out to the ocean to lock that picture in the back of our minds....

We will use that image....when the seas get rough....

Thank you Larry,

And THAT is why I have the best job in the world!

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Triple Vow Renewal at Smith's Fern Grotto Wedding with Larry LaSota Kauai Minister

Now this is a good one.

 

Ah yes, the challenge of the moment. A triple header vow renewal ceremony at the Fern Grotto. And... it was a surprise for all the wives. Lots of secret planning and phone calls from Scott to Andrea of the Fern Grotto.

Usually we all ride up the the Grotto un a specially decorated boat. Well, I had to go on an earlier boat the wives wouldn't get wise. They didn't decorate the wedding boat, also to keep the wives from getting suspicious.

 

 

 

When everyone gets to the Fern Grotto deck, the beans are finally spilled the girls go wild. They loved the idea.

I always like to customize a vow renewal being sure to year right as well as other personal details. I love the tenderness of a vow renewal. 

 

 

 

Well, I had to make a cheat sheet to keep the names of the three couples and the number of years they were married and three different last names. I show the couples my cheat sheet  and lined them up in order. 

 

 

 

They were such lovely folks and we were able to talk story as we worked our way through it all.

A wonderfully emotional time was had by all. Great job Andrea. Who even did a hula on the boat ride up!

Larry LaSota and Another Magic Fern Grotto Wedding

Meagan and Mike were ready for a great afternoon getting married Smith's Fern Grotto Wailua River Cruise. Then half way up the Wailua River this squall comes in and is blowing rain everywhere. We all got worried.

Well, we went to the Grotto with umbrellas in hand and what do you know, as son as Meagan was walking up the isle, the rain stopped and the sun came out. Yes! Someone was watching over.

One of the MANY good things about the Fern Grotto is the good people you get to work with! The Boat Captains are the best. And I get to work with photographer Ron Kosen from Photo Spectrum often!

Smiths Tropical Paradise Garden Wedding with Larry LaSota

William and Fermin were married in September at Smith's Tropical Paradise in their magnificent gardens, along the Wailua River on Kauai.  After their ceremony, they asked me for a printed text of their vows to include in their wedding book.

When I emailed them a copy of their wedding ceremony, I added the following:  "As you will tell by reading it, I am a lot off book.  I like to be spontaneous but to try to remain true to the intent. My hope is that you two had a truly emotional time."

I have found that by letting the emotion of the couple guide some of the spontaneity of the ceremony, my words to them have an even greater effect.  We are all lifted up by the joy of the moment!

A magnificent location!

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Remember Your Rings and License!!

Ryan and Melissa Gardner had a nice intimate wedding at Tunnels Beach (before the April rains, of course) with their families present. Every family member said a little something about the couple and the accolades and amusing barbs flew! I got a great feel for this entire family. Ryan did all the planning and had it all flowing until it was time to sign the license, which unfortunately was back at their condo in Princeville!

Well, two days later he and Melissa made a visit to my house to do the official signing and make their marriage legal. So as just a reminder to all (because this was not the first time this has happened by a long shot!): Before you leave for your wedding ceremony, double check that you have your rings and your license!

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Larry LaSota was the officiant for this wedding at The Westin, Princeville

McKaylee & Tony at the Westin Princeville. Photographer is Belinda Montero, another one of my favorites, taking some great shots. Look at the beautiful view down the coast of Anini Beach towards the Kilauea Lighthouse. We have so many great wedding locations on Kauai!

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St. Regis Big Smiles Couple and Gorgeous Hanging Orchids

Laura and Shannon at the St. Regis in Princeville - a real neat couple! I think they win the award for the best smiles ever. In every photo they just have these big beaming smiles What a great day!  Love love LOVE the hanging orchids!

 

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Rainy Day Video show just how beautiful love can be!

Imagine my surprise at a recent Kauai Wedding Professionals Association (KWPA) meeting when our Host Gwen Silva of the National Tropical Botanical Gardens (#ntgb) in Lawai told me that her new absolute FAVORITE wedding video had just been sent to her.  Since I had performed the Christian ceremony for Stephanie and Mitchell, I asked her to send it along to me.

Wow!  It was fantastic!

Yes, the wedding took place under a gorgeous tent (because it was... ahem... raining... well, just a bit), but the couple and their guests were happy and gorgeous and having loads of fun!  Iben Dwight of Weddings Kauai coordinated and did her usual incredible job (#weddingskauai).

Be sure to check out the video, AND be sure to visit the National Tropical Botanical Gardens when you are on Kauai at http://www.ntbg.org/

https://vimeo.com/255107448

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Shipwreck Beach Wedding with Reverend Larry LaSota and the Singing Groom!

Fun and surprises Shipwrecks Beach for Tonya the bride and her groom started the ceremony by serenading her playing guitar and singing two beautiful original love songs. He cried his way through them. Lots of love going both ways. Great folks with a super group of friends who made it all the way from Virginia. We had a heartfelt Christian ceremony and after Tom showed me the cross that was on his ring.

 

 

I asked Kit Furderer to take a photo with my (extremely old!) iPhone so I could post the wedding that night. He took one look at my old iPhone 4 and said "What is this, an iPhone X?" Ha, Ha, Ha!

Next day he sent me the photo of me with Tonya and Tom. But, I took that group shot with my "iPhone X"

A special thanks to Dale Rosenfeld and Lynda Clifton of Joyful Ceremonies for having me perform this ceremony for these wonderful folks.

 

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Wedding Party of 24 Still Makes for a Great St. Regis Kauai Wedding!

Wedding Party of 24 People at the St. Regis?!?  One would think chaos was about to happen. Well, quite the opposite. What a great group of people at Jacquelyn and Payton's rehearsal and wedding. And what fun with everyone. Parents too, what a blast, and such wonderful hosts to all.

 

 

I will tell you a 30 person processional does take quite some time. Moms and escorts, obligatory 2 year old flower girl and of course our ring bearer, both who did a good job.

 

 

What can I say. This is a great way to spend my afternoon!!!

And a big thanks to Natacha and Lisa of the St Regis for once again putting on a spectacular event.

 

 

 

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Courtyard Marriott Wedding on Kauai's East Side with Larry LaSota

Eastside weddings are always fun. This one at The Courtyard Marriott on the Coconut Coast was true to form. 

When I arrived, our groom Alberto was setting up cameras all over the place.  Being an airline pilot, he didn't want to leave anything to chance. We had some time to talk and he told me about his flying for a 737s for a European airlines.  With today's political climate, he's got some interesting tales to tell.  Of course, Angie the bride is a flight attendant as were her two bridesmaids. 

Everyone was really outgoing and lots of laughs.  Carol Simon of the Courtyard and her crew set us up for a flawless ceremony.  Great weather and sunset over the mountains.

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Kauai Awards and Accolades

I find it amazing (and yet totally believable) that throughout the travel industry, Kauai has won so many awards. Last year Kauai received over 120 travel industry awards. Those of who live here know why.  And anyone who comes here for a vacation, or even for work, knows why too.   It only takes a day or two to see why Kauai is becoming the favorite of travelers world wide. And a great place to come to get married, too!

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Vow Renewal with Larry LaSota at Makua Beach (aka Tunnels)

Vow Renewal for Allen and Pam Prather, here at Tunnels for the making of a Brady Bunch family. They had all eight of their adult children present. What a blast!. Another truly heartfelt ceremony. When you see that look in some couples eyes it just makes me to be there with them. They are blessed.

Thanks to Shaun Pulawi for the fun music and to Michelle at Island Reflections for the photography and her good cheer. 

 

 

 

Another great day at Tunnels with Mt. Makana in the background. We are so lucky.

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Early Morning Japanese Wedding on the East Side at Oasis by the Beach with Larry LaSota

Another great morning wedding at the Oasis on the Beach!  As with many Japanese couples Asuka and Kosuke Yoshikawa were married in Japan, but came to Kauai to have that Wedding in Paradise ceremony. Sometimes communication can be a challenge, but these two and most of their guest were quite fluent in English. That adds to the great experience for all.

Asuka was such a bubbly bride. She was the first one to flash a shaka at the camera when we did photos. Leigh and the staff of the Oasis made it a great time for all with Mark Rossi playing great music for us and Ryan from Kilohana Photography keeping us laughing during the photos. Big mahalo to Sayuri and Satomi for coordinating this beautiful morning event.

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Larry LaSota at The Beach House on a Perfect Kauai Day

I married Mini and Ray Ta at the Beach House on a perfect Kauai day.  Not too hot, not too breezy.  Backdrop of surfers at PKs (Prince Kuhio's which is a south shore beach break for surfing). T he perfect atmosphere.  Ray and I were talking about how we just love this weather and our wives love the cold(!).

Just lucky to be on Kauai!

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Larry LaSota and Hanalei Bay Vow Renewal Couple with Kids - Great Fun!

Okay, you don't get to have more fun at a ceremony then I had the other night at Hanalei Bay. Meg and Tom renewing their vows after 31 years with their children. Part of the fun was that Tom and Meg told the kids they were going to go do a family portrait on the beach. So, everyone was dressed real sharp for the photo. When they arrived at Hanalei Pier, they told the kids that they were doing the Vow Renewal. And the crowd goes wild! The kids loved it.

Tom and Meg never had a big formal ceremony when they first got married. So, this was it. What a fantastic night. I had to leave a little before sunset, but as I drove up the hill from Hanalei, I saw the big orange sun just about to sink in the ocean and the sky lighting up. Great finish for a wonderful family.

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Larry LaSota and Another Happy Couple at St. Regis Princeville

Jonathan and Faria Garza were married on a perfect day at the St. Regis Princeville. I always enjoy the time I have with the grooms at we are waiting under the big Kamani tree for the bride to arrive. Jonathan, who was born in Guatemala, was telling me about when he was young and his father was talking about and looking to buy a restaurant. Guatemalan food of course. And then Jonathan says, " I come home from school one day and my dad says, "we just bought a pizzeria!" And they never looked back!

So Jonathan is a lucky man to have a pizzeria in the family AND an absolutely beautiful bride - Faria! I mean, just look at her smile! As always, many thanks to Natasha and the St Regis staff for another super job.

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Larry LaSota officiates at Tunnels Beach sunrise wedding on Kauai's north shore

Sunrise!  Yes, got up at 3:30 am to make sure all went smoothly for a June sunrise wedding at Tunnels Beach on Kauai's northshore.

 

 

 

Kenet Robertson and Kasey Johnson have been together for quite some time. But even still, they were both crying throughout the ceremony. 

 

 

 

Just wonderful heartfelt emotion. Makes me happy to be there!  Oh yea, and check out the fun they had with their Keepsake Marriage Certificate (it isn't legal... that comes from the State of Hawaii and it is not nearly as pretty!!!).

 

 

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Vow Renewal (54 Years!) with Larry LaSota at Fern Grotto

Ron and Dolly Sullivan celebrated their 54th (!) wedding anniversary with a Vow Renewal on June 22 at the famous Fern Grotto, just a lovely boat ride up the Wailua River from Smith Tropical Paradise.  The wonderful coordinator is Andrea Arruda, who provide a mini-tour of native plants on the way up to the Grotto.

Ron and Dolly, these two had so much spark you find it hard to believe they could be old enough to be married that long.  Lots of fun conversation on the boat ride back and forth to the Fern Grotto.   A really good time was had by all!

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Larry LaSota Vow Renewal at Waipouli Beach Resort beach

Kim & Michele Blaylock enjoyed their vow renewal and included their beautiful daughter in the lei exchange.  Even better, Pancho Graham provided his usual excellent music (always good to see my good friend).

This morning, I received this lovely email from them:  "Thank you for a beautiful vow renewal ceremony yesterday.  It was just beautiful and perfect.  I will send more pictures that I think you might like."

I made sure to let them know that they are welcome to send as many photos as they like!  

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