General suggestions:

- Print out your contract to use for reference while you're in Hawaii. If you've made changes and we've sent an amended contract, make sure you're looking at the latest version.

- Review your schedule, departure time, and most importantly, the "Meet at ceremony location at or before" and the "start of coverage."

- Email us your hotel name, mobile phone, or local phone if you haven't already.

- Have your mobile phone. Non-USA phones do not work.

- Have access to your email listed on the contract when in Hawaii if possible.

- Please do not to wait until day before or the morning of the ceremony to ask something important. We may not be able to reply.

Participants:

- You are solely responsible for the actions or non-actions of your guests. When we've experienced unlawful or unruly or uncooperative guests (it happens especial with alcohol LOL)), a soft word from the minister is usually enough. If not, we may ask you for your help. We may ask those people to leave the vacinity of the ceremony site and worst case, we'll immediately cease services, leave the site, and no monies will be returned.
 

Speaking with individual vendors

- Our prices for professional services and working agreement with our vendors does not provide for direct client contact before the ceremony day. 

- If you have any questions, please email and/or phone us and we'll have an answer for you.
 

Contract listed payments:
 

- Contract listed payments must be paid before services begin either by cash or credit card.

- If we have allowed you the option of making a cash payment on ceremony day, please have it ready to give to our lead vendor (the photographer) before the start of the ceremony.


Please be "on-time":
 

- If you arrive late or we start late, extra fees will apply, paid services may be shortened or not performed at all, and no monies will be returned.

- You need to have your car parked and ready to walk out to the ceremony site 15 minutes before the ceremony. The "meet" time is listed on your contract. If you think you'll need more time to travel to the site, find parking, or be ready, please arrive earlier.

- Please make sure your family and guests know the "meet" time which is 15 minutes (minimum) before the ceremony. We may not have the luxury to wait and the ceremony will start as scheduled whether they are there or not.

- Not wanting to see each other before the start of the ceremony must scheduled on your contract. FYI: Ordering a bride processional, does not mean you do not want to see each other.

- Finally, the contract may list the absolute latest departure time. We've got it timed pretty well but, we suggest leaving earlier if possible, just in case there's a traffic event or the elevator in your hotel or parking structure is super busy (yes, that's happened LOL). If you arrive early, we can usually start early unless, vendors are traveling from another event. 
 

Marriage license:

- A marriage license issued by the State of Hawaii is required to be legally married. We cannot get this for you. A marriage license is not required for a vow renewal.

- You must bring your Hawaii marriage license to the ceremony and give it to the minister.

- If you do not have your license, we will still perform your ceremony but, you will not be legally married until the license is completed by the minister. You'll need to meet the minister on a day/time he's available and that will be the official time, location, and date of the marriage. Expect a $50+ fee.

Location directions:

- We'll send specific destination map directions included with your officiate name.

- Use our written instructions and the Google map we've emailed you. Do not use route maps unless, it duplicates the directions we give. We have found that sometimes, it can send you in a direction that takes more time and with more traffic and you'll be late!

- Do not type in a beach name to a map app believing it's the place for your ceremony. For example, Waimanalo Beach is 4 miles long and they are a couple of beach parks. Many map apps will only list the main name. FYI: Most beach locations and public parks and parking areas do not have street addresses.

- Sometimes the Uber or Lyft driver will tell you they know where to go and/or use a map app and you may find yourself blocks away at another spot. Track the route on your phone as well if possible.

- Finally, if you arrive at a location and don't see us waving at you, you're at the wrong place! LOL. Please call us ASAP.


Where to meet us:

- We'll be waiting for you at the designated "meet spot" indicated in our directions. It's usually just off the road or parking area and not at actual ceremony spot.

- Be where we can see you. If you walk out to the beach, ceremony spot, or sit in your car waiting (yes, that has happened), we will not see you.

- If you don't see us at the meet time on your contract call us ASAP. If no immediate answer, leave a message and we'll call you back.

Use the restroom before you leave:

- Magic Island and Waialae/Kahala have beach park rest room facilities nearby. All other locations do not.

- We suggest not relying upon public facilities being available. They can be closed because of vandalism and/or repair, have wet, sandy, or dirty floors, or used by the homeless.

- Hydrate of course but, please avoid excessive liquid intake before the ceremony especially, if you have a long drive or we're at a location with not facilities.

All participants:

- You are solely responsible for the actions or non-action of your guests! When we've experienced unruly or uncooperative participants, a word from the minister is usually enough to settle things down but, we may need to ask you for your help and/or ask those people to leave the site. Worst case, we stop, cease services, leave the site, and no monies will be returned.


Using your own transportation:

- Please consult your contract schedule for the suggested departure time.

- Use the Google map link and print the written directions we provided.

- We suggest a "drive-by" before the ceremony day to familiarize yourself with the route but, our directions are precise if you can't do that.

- Make sure you have your mobile phone "on" just in case we have to make a last minute location change given a traffic event, inclement weather, or a unanticipated circumstance at the location. FYI: If you have a non-USA number, we cannot contact you.

- If at Waialae/Kahala, parking can be tight after 10 am, and unavailable on weekends and holidays. We suggest you take a tax, Uber, Lyft, or use our transportation.

- Rental cars are targets and there is no place where any car is safe on your stay in Hawaii. Do not leave anything in your car at any time, even for a few minutes. Remove all items of value and those which cannot be replaced easily.

Uber, Lyft, or taxi service:

- We suggest you pre-book and reserve your Uber or Lyft vs. trying to book a ride that morning/day to avoid not getting a ride on time for your pick-up, last minute cancellations, or no-shows which will cause you to be late. It has happened. 


AHW transportation:

- See your contract schedule for the "pick-up" departure time.

- Please make sure you've given us your exact hotel name and if a condo, the name and address and it maatches what's on your contract. FYI: Many hotels have multiple properties or have very similar names for example, Outrigger, Hilton, and Aston all have multiple properties in Waikiki.

- All passengers need to be waiting and ready to board the vehicle at least 5 minutes before pick-up as listed on your contract. Be either, outside the main lobby near the curb or ask the valet for the designated area for limo and large vehicles.

- Most hotels don't allow vehicles to park and wait longer than 5 minutes when they are busy. If you come down exactly at the pick-up time or later, the limo will have to leave and drive around the block.

- If you're at a rental or condo with no dedicated pick-up area, you must wait out on the main street nearest the front of the street address on the sidewalk where our driver can see you. 

- Your vehicle has a maximum passenger limit listed on your contract. Passengers above the maximum will be denied access including children. Note: The Rolls can only take (2) passengers.

- If you have guests following in cars, please give them the directions beforehand. The limo cannot wait for them (to exit parking structures) so they can follow you.

- While rare and almost always because of unexpected traffic events. If our transportation is not there at the pick-up time, please call us ASAP.

- After the ceremony, return to the vehicle by the departure time listed on your contract to be delivered back to your hotel at or before the end of your coverage.
 

Product Delivery:

- All products including, bouquet, lei, floral hairpieces, cake, toast, site decorations, etc., will be delivered to the ceremony site only. We do not do deliveries to hotels or any other location.

Attire:

- Check out your dress, shirts, pants, shoes, etc. the days before and have it hanging and ready for you. Ironing or steaming a wrinkled dress just before the ceremony gotta be stressful and we've even had a bride burn her dress with an iron.

- In these recent years anf for simple beach weddings, it's rare when a bride arrives with a gown but, we're OK. We advise against long trains or long veils. They are unwieldy in the sand and wind can be a big problem.
 

Footwear:

- We suggest flat shoes or Hawaiian style slippers to walk to the ceremony location spot. You can change out to heels when we set you in place. FYI: Most locations you'll be on the sand or grass for the ceremony.
 

Eyeglasses:

- If people are used to seeing you with glasses and you want to wear them, that's fine. You might get reflections from the camera flash but, that can't be helped.

- Avoid "transition" lenses or dark sunglasses that will hide your eyes. Bring a clear lens pair if you like to be seen with your glasses. FYI: If your eyes are sensitive to bright sunlight, beach locations can be particularly bright with the sun and the reflection of the sand. Magic Island and Waialae/Kahala will wotk best.


Hair:

- Expect that there's going to be wind at outdoor locations which may cause a problem with your hair. If you know your hair or hair style doesn't work in wind, bring stuff to control your hair just in case. Your hair is your responsibility. We accept people as they arrive.

- Consider order a Hawaiian Haku head wreath to hold your shoulder or shorter length hair in place.

- If you secure your own hair person directly, please make sure they know that you cannot be late. Stylist are notorious for making people late!

Make-Up:

- Our make-up artists says just a little heavier foundation than you would normally use is best for photos but, up to you if you don't use much make-up.

- Avoid oil based base foundation or any type of make-up that will cause face shine or shimmer. Flat matte is best.

- Do not use glitter on your face or eyes, the flash can make them look like small white specks.

- If you have oily skin or think it's going to be hot, bring some corn silk or other powder with you to keep the shine down in photos. The make-up goes on right but, by the time of your ceremony, it may have gotten wiped off (especially around the chin and nose). We accept people as they arrive.


Our Make-Up and Hair service:

- Please be ready at the scheduled time listed on your contract.

- For make-up, your face must be clean and moisturized. If not, the artist will need to apply moisturizer, wait till it soaks in, and do her best with your dry skin. FYI: We suggest starting a day or two before if you do not regularly moisturize.

- For hair, it must be shampooed and completely dry before the artist arrives. If it is wet or damp, it will need to be blow-dried. This is not included in the service or scheduled for time, extra charges will apply and your hair style may be simplified. You cannot be late :)

- If you are at a rental with a security door/elevator, someone needs to be downstairs to meet the stylist.

- If you're at a private home or rental, reserved on-property parking is required. Please check with the owner or manager. Parking anywhere else will require an additional fee.

- The stylist will usually try to call you a day before the ceremony if you've given us a USA mobile or hotel phone number though, we do not require her to do so. If she isn't able to contact you, just be ready at the time scheduled.

- If you have oily skin, bring some corn silk or other powder with you to keep the shine down in photos. The make-up goes on right but, by the time of your ceremony, it may have gotten wiped off (especially around the chin and nose).

- If you are wanting more than simple hair styling and curling, it must be listed on your contract. If you are wanting extensive full head hair curling, flat-ironing, braiding, affixing extensions, etc., and it's not on the contract, check with us first or it will not be performed.

- Do not send us a photo just days before the ceremony. If you do require extra time and service, it may not be available. Instead, send any photo far in advance so, we can make new arrangements if necessary. Also, keep the photo on your phone to show the stylist that day.

Tanning and Sunburn:

- Please don’t get sunburned! There's no way to fix sunburn in photos, not to mention, it's pretty uncomfortable LOL. Watch the tops of your feet too :)

- Don't use spray-on or rubbed-in tanning products. They can photograph in different colors (orange or yellow is common) and cannot be balanced with the naturally colored complexions of others, your clothes, and the scenery. They can also get washed off rather quickly, especially on the hands, arms, and face, and you'll have different colored body parts :)

- Be especially careful about "raccoon eyes" from wearing sunglasses all day too.
 

Photography:

- Be happy, smile, relax, look at each other often but, not the entire time LOL.

- Avoid looking into space, the ground, or anywhere else except at your mate, the officiate, musician, or whatever is going on for the ceremony.

- Avoid habits like: pursing your lips, running your tongue over your teeth constantly, or make habitual and frequent mouth or tongue movements. If it's a unconscious habit, try your best :)

- We can't do anything about blinking. We try to catch it but, many times not and especially during the "action" parts of the ceremony where we can't do another shot. Try to be conscious of your blinking. FYI: A huge Kodak study found that blinking is caused by nervousness, not the flash, or camera sound.

- A nice kiss touching lips looks best for photos. Open mouth grinding? Up to you LOL.

- We try to keep an eye on it at the start of the ceremony but, we are not responsible for your wardrobe malfunctions (labels, straps, ill-fitting attire, etc).

- We allow the photographer to do one request shot if he wants but, any more, and he is required to ask if you want to add an extended photo session.

- Finally, all photography is done at the sole discretion and artistic decision of the photographer and in a sequence, amount, and style we require towards the satisfaction our our packages and service. Please don't show up with a list of shots though you may ask if the photographer can do a shot for you. Detailed requests may require an additional session charge.


Photography and video by others:

- Photography and video during the ceremony is allowed under the sole direction of the minister and photographer. 

- Photography and video is prohibited during the performance of directed and proprietary work after the ceremony i.e. license signing, portrait sessions, group and family shots, scenics, romantic candid scenes, and any of our "set-ups".

- If others cause a problem or nuisance the minister or photographer we'll ask them to stop. Unheeded requests will cause services to cease and no monies will be returned.


Non-AHW vendors:

- We do not allow outside vendors or anyone deemed to be a professional at or within the vicinity of the ceremony location. Our permit and  insurance liability requires that, only AHW vendors may be "on-site" during our coverage.

- You may use your own vendors for "off-site" services (limousine, hair & make-up, etc.) but, we only coordinate our vendors and cannot communicate or our coordinate with outside people you may hire. This must be done directly by you. 

Ceremony on a weekend or holiday

If you choose a weekend or holiday, we've already informed you of this but, this is just a reminder. It's also not possible for us to keep track of all events in Waikiki, at the ceremony location, or on the island.

If you're having your ceremony on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, be aware that special events happening in Waikiki or the ceremony location, along the route (parades, shut-down of streets, traffic events, festivals, etc.) may affect your departure time, travel time, or parking availability. Please ask the concierge at your hotel if they are aware of any, let us know, and make adjustments. If we hear of anything, we'll let you know.

If you're using our transportation, we may need to pick you up earlier and add for extra time cost and/or pick you up or drop-off at a location other than at your hotel if access is blocked. 

Gratuities & Tips

- Gratuities to our vendors are not included on the contract totals and are much appreciated.