Marino's Hawaii Wedding Emcee & DJ/Entertainment Blog

The second day of the Hawaii Bridal Expo just finished, and it was great meeting so many brides & grooms-to-be who are planning their Hawaii weddings for later this year, next year, and beyond! It was interesting to hear your stories, plans, and dreams for your celebration, and I’m grateful that you spent the time sharing. Over the next few days, I’ll be following up with you to see what I can do, as your Master of Ceremonies and perhaps DJ for your wedding, to help you create a very fun and lively event that’s just as unique and original as you are!

It was also nice to connect with good friends & Hawaii wedding professionals, as well as meet new ones!

For those who didn’t get a chance to connect with me, why not check out my website? At the very least, you’ll get to watch some great videos of audiences having a wonderful time at my clients’ weddings.

Tomorrow is another day, and I look forward to connecting with you and getting to know you, so please drop by my booth, say hello, and enter to win Tom Haibeck’s book Wedding Toasts Made Easy, a great resource to help you, your Maid of Honor, Best Man, or anyone else who has to stand in front of your audience and speak into a microphone on your wedding day! It will help you figure out what to say without looking nervous about it!

written by Marino_NinjaEntertainment \\ tags: Advice, expo, networking, toasts, tom haibeck

Last Monday, I had the opportunity to sit in on a “boot camp” presented by Siri Eklund of Two Bright Lights. This seminar was about wedding marketing AND networking, and how the two are tied. Siri presented a novel way for photographers to share their images with other wedding professionals. As a professional Master of Ceremonies, it is often difficult for me to get images from professional photographers whom I worked with; this is usually because photographers can get busy with their workflow that they don’t really have the time to put together images on a disc and mail it to me or drop it off. The Two Bright Lights system simplifies this.

It sounds like a great idea, but I’m going to wait to see how many photographers actually do sign up. Right now, there are a few, and while I know them personally, I haven’t had the opportunity to work with them at a wedding, so I wouldn’t be able to use the images. Nonetheless, the concept itself is brilliant!

Thanks to Siri for putting on this bootcamp, Herb Yamamoto with Dole Ballrooms for hosting the morning session, and China Anderson with REA Events for putting this all together!

Image courtesy CHINA ANDERSON / REA Events

written by Marino_NinjaEntertainment \\ tags: China Anderson, Dole Ballrooms, Education, networking, REA Events, Two Bright Lights

This is a new feature I’m debuting today and hopefully will be able to maintain: Why I Like…Wednesdays, where I focus on a particular Hawaii wedding professional I enjoy working with! As a Hawaii wedding emcee, I work with a lot of wedding professionals, some good, others GREAT, others…ummm…you get the idea. Each Wednesday, I’ll spotlight a particular Hawaii wedding professional I like to work with, and hopefully you’ll like to work with too.

Today’s spotlight is on The Bridal Boutique, owned by Cecilia Domingo and Joyce Coelho. Why do I love them? Besides their great sense of style, they really know how to make a bride look beautiful in their dress. They can help you choose the right gown for your Hawaii wedding, as well as help you find coordinated outfits for your bridesmaids, if you wish. Many of my clients are Bridal Boutique brides, and they LOVE their dresses. And you will too.

Here’s Nicole Richardson. She got married New Years Eve and wanted two dresses: a formal gown for the formal wedding, and a unique wedding dress for the reception that reflects her rebel “rocker” image. Joyce & Cecilia were able to help her create the right dresses for the occasion:

The “traditional” wedding dress
 

The “not-so-traditional” wedding dress
Images courtesy Norma Allen Photography

The concept of the “not-so-traditional” dress was Nicole’s; Cecilia & Joyce were able to accommodate it, and Nicole was one very happy bride!

I love working with Joyce & Cecilia with the Bridal Boutique, especially since my brides are so happy with them and their services. And you will too! Check them out!

Website: http://www.bridalboutique.com
Blog: http://thebridalboutique.wordpress.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thebridalboutique
Twitter: http://twitter.com/bridal_boutique
Phone: 808-597-8893

And when you contact them, tell ‘em Marino sent you!

The Wedding Cafe Workshops – Gowns from KAIMEDIA on Vimeo.

written by Marino_NinjaEntertainment \\ tags: Advice, dress, gown, networking, Partnerships, unique, wedding, why i like wednesdays

As a Master of Ceremonies and wedding professional, I always make it a point to network with other Hawaii wedding professionals to keep up on the latest trends and ideas to ultimately help you have a better Hawaii wedding experience. As a part of NACE Hawaii, I can frequently be found at the monthly meetings to network, learn, and share. Last Tuesday’s meeting at the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel was no exception.

The topic was event costing, and although the topic was geared more towards event planners and caterers, it was interesting to learn about what the total costs are that goes into a successful event. Brides & clients often don’t think of things like parking costs, garbage disposal, security, and cleanup after their event–especially if they have an outdoor Hawaii wedding–but these costs are there, and they are necessary. Of course, I shared my insights as a professional Master of Ceremonies, DJ, entertainer, sound engineer, and production consultant.

Of course, it wasn’t all learning and networking. The buffet was ono (delicious), and the sorbet & coconut cake dessert were amazingly decadent. Overall, it was an interesting and fun experience.

written by Marino_NinjaEntertainment \\ tags: Education, NACE, networking

Image courtesy BEN MARUMOTO / Hawaii SEO School

 
Every month, I get the honor of being the Master of Ceremonies for the monthly Oahu Wedding Association meetings, which is an organization of Oahu-based wedding professionals to which I belong. It’s always a neat experience to meet new people at these get-togethers, learn something new from the keynote speaker, and just hang out with a great bunch of Hawaii wedding professionals. This month’s meeting at The Bridal Boutique was no exception. Keynote speaker Ben Marumoto with Hawaii SEO School gave a very interesting and informative presentation on Search Engine Optimization. Although I know a little about SEO, I did learn several new things, and I was grateful to be there to learn!

Image courtesy JOHN HOOK / Dave Miyamoto & Co.

 
It was great working with Craig Matsumoto with Streams Hawaii and Joe Ho with Mystical Sounds Productions. Craig is a singer/guitarist and provided a great musical experience for the audience. Joe handled the audiovisual support for the event, allowing all of the guests to see and hear everything.

Image courtesy JOHN HOOK / Dave Miyamoto & Co.

 
Joyce Coelho & Cecilia Domingo, owners of The Bridal Boutique, were very gracious hosts.

Image courtesy JOHN HOOK / Dave Miyamoto & Co.

 
Of course, the food was great! Desserts, made by Shya Tran with Sweetie Puffs, were STELLAR. Yummy!

Image courtesy JOHN HOOK / Dave Miyamoto & Co.

 
Overall, the party went well. Everyone learned a lot, networked, and had a great time. I had fun too.

written by Marino_NinjaEntertainment \\ tags: bridal boutique, Education, networking, owa, seo

Last January, I was the Master of Ceremonies for Wining & Dining with Chef Jerry Edwards, a special event presented by NACE Hawaii. Click here to read about the experience.

Thanks to Creations in Catering/Dole Ballrooms and NACE Hawaii, here are new images from the event. If you want to see how elegant and gorgeous the room looked, click here to see the new pictures.

 

 
NACE Hawaii President Herb Yamamoto addresses the audience.

 
Chef Jerry Edwards talks about creating a menu to pair with wines at hand.

 

written by Marino_NinjaEntertainment \\ tags: Education, Emcee, event, NACE, networking

Last night, I had an opportunity to hang out with other Hawaii wedding professionals at the February meeting for NACE Hawaii. The party was at Formaggio Grill in Kailua.

Michael Rabe, the President of Creations in Catering, gave a very informative and interesting presentation on the importance of networking and being involved in the associations you belong to.

Of course, the food was ono (delicious). The lobster bisque was incredibly good. When paired with a deliciously fruity chardonnay, the combination provided a very good sweet/salty contrast.

The prime rib was unbelievably tasty & delicious. So was the brocolli mashed potatoes. The meal paired very well with the merlot that we all had.

Of course, it was a treat to hang out with my favorite Hawaii wedding professionals and catch up! I spent some great face time with Dianna Shitanishi of Hawaii Weddings and Events, Lawrence Medeiros with Crane Media, Susan O’Donnell with Aloha Wedding Planners, as well as NACE Hawaii President Herb Yamamoto.

written by Marino_NinjaEntertainment \\ tags: NACE, networking

Last night, I had the privilege of being the Master of Ceremonies for a very special event. Chef Jerry Edwards, an expert on food & wine pairings, presented a wonderful wine & dinner pairing, with the message that one should choose the food to the wine, rather than wine to the food. The wines (Kenwood wines presented by Better Brands) were good, and dinner was exceptional.

Kenwood wine specialist Brian Acker joined Chef Jerry to talk about the nuances of the wines.

A lot of special event professionals came together to make this event a success.

• The event was presented by NACE Hawaii, with NACE Hawaii President Herb Yamamoto serving as the executive producer of the show.
• Dole Ballrooms provided the backdrop and kitchen support for the occasion.
• Mystical Sounds Productions provided the audiovisual services for the show, with James Chun and his crew at Crane Media providing the graphics.
• The beautiful decor was presented by Naomi Lee with Les Saisons and China Anderson with REA Events; Sue Tabbal-Yamaguchi with Su-V Expressions graciously provided the floral arrangements & centerpieces.
• Dianna Shitanishi with Hawaii Weddings & Events and Susan O’Donnell with Aloha Wedding Planners helped to oversee operations and direct the staff of student interns.

Musical entertainment during the cocktail hour in the foyer was graciously provided by Ben & Maila. My assistant Lesley Shibata served as the music & effects director, and of course, I was the Master of Ceremonies.

Here’s most of the production & design team for this show.

Thank you to Jerry Edwards and his wife Julie Brown-Edwards for coming to Hawaii and teaching us something new. And to all of you who attended, THANK YOU. Your attendance is greatly appreciated!

written by Marino_NinjaEntertainment \\ tags: Education, Emcee, event, NACE, networking

It certainly has been a while since I last wrote, hasn’t it?

The last two weeks were pretty insane. Just to give you an idea of what’s been happening:

• May 23: Janilee & Melvin’s wedding celebration–very lively, fun, and awesome. The writeup for this event is forthcoming…
• May 24-25: I officially take a two day vacation by driving out to Hana, spending the night, and driving back. We visit a few hiking trails, waterfalls, and beaches on the way back. Lucky I live Hawaii, huh?
• May 26: Get home, catch up with the office work, rehearse & prepare for the Oahu Wedding Association party later that evening. After all, I am the “Voice of [that] Celebration.”
• May 27-28: Prepare for the Hawaii World Class Wedding Expo over the weekend at the Convention Center. Lots of designing, coordinating with other vendors, etc.
• May 29-30: Showtime! I have a fabulous time making new friends and meeting brides-to-be at the expo. If you came by my booth and are a new reader to this blog, thank you for stopping by!
• May 31: Attend the Hawaii wedding of my good friends Ed & Shelley. They’ve been together for almost eight years, and they finally decided to get married here in Hawaii. It was a beautiful ceremony and reception overlooking the beach at Kualoa, on the island of Oahu.
• June 1: Begin following up with brides-to-be whom I met at the expo. If I haven’t gotten to you yet or returned your calls, my apologies! You are still very much on my mind!
• June 2: More followup, and a NACE Hawaii board meeting later in the evening.
• June 3: Do research on some ethnic traditions for an upcoming wedding, then have a fabulous meeting with Christine & Woody for their wedding in August. Unfortunately, our meeting is cut short due to a schedule conflict. I also realize that it’s the beginning of the month, meaning that my Wedding VIP Club members should expect a new issue of the VIP Club newsletter in a few days.
• June 4 (today): I meet with Genesa to help her organize the details for her celebration on June 27, and later on this evening, I connect with Ashlee & Alvin for their wedding on June 20. Of course, between meetings, I’ll continue to call those of you who dropped by my booth at the wedding expo.

So that’s where we are. It’s certainly a very productive time!

written by Marino_NinjaEntertainment \\ tags: Emcee, expo, networking, news, Partnerships, preparation, wedding

Last night, I attended the April meeting for the Hawaii chapter of the American Disc Jockey Association, to catch up with friends, network, and to learn something new about the industry. The conversations were very spontaneous and interesting. Thank you to David Louis with Dynamic Sounds and Don Faumuina with I Do Wedding Entertainment for sharing your ideas and stories. Special thanks to Marvin Ventura of Photographix Hawaii and Legendary Sounds for sharing his insights into the DJ world (both club and mobile) AND the photography world.

One of the newest trends that everyone agreed upon was that they were seeing more requests for mashups at weddings. What’s a mashup? According to Wikipedia, a mashup is a song or composition created by blending two or more songs, usually by overlaying the vocal track of one song seamlessly over the music track of another. In other words, take the vocal line/a capella of one song and drop it over the instrumental of another song. Here’s an example, a mashup of Queen vs. Outkast:

Looking for mashups for your own enjoyment, or to hear at your wedding? You can find some homemade ones on MashupTown.Com. If you want some professionally made mashups, find it at CrooklynClan.Net (thanks to Marvin for turning me onto this site).

written by Marino_NinjaEntertainment \\ tags: ADJA, Advice, DJ, music, networking, trends