So after our ceremony comes the fun part – the reception! If you’ve been following our wedding planning process, you’ll notice our wedding isn’t exactly traditional. This carries on into the reception where many common wedding elements are not included simply because it doesn’t fit us.
Hawaiian Musicians
Reception Tablescapes
We will have two pole tents put up in which 12 round reception tables will be placed. Each table will be dressed with white round linens, topped with a burlap runner down the middle. Not shown below, we will also have a square of fresh banana leaf placed in the middle and then topped with our centerpiece below.
Potted Orchid Centerpieces
On our round reception tables, I wanted to go for more simply stated centerpieces, potted orchid plants. They fit well with our theme and makes for a beautiful, easy centerpiece that require no assembly and will last far longer than any floral arrangement.
Wedding I Spy: Hawaiian Edition
To keep our guests entertained throughout the reception, we wanted to encourage them to be interactive with one another. One way to do that is with a game such as “I Spy.” This game lists various items that are to be found and have a picture taken of. I created a “Hawaiian I Spy” game that asks guests to take find the various details specific and unique to our wedding, take a picture of the items and share it on social media using our wedding hashtag #tankennylove. The game will be framed and placed on our round reception tables, along with a disposable camera for children and/or guests who do not have a smart phone.
Table Snacks
While guests wait for our Wedding Luau Reception to start, on our reception tables will be a divided tray filled with a variety of tropical chip snacks. We’ve included cassava chips, ube chips, taro chips, banana chips, Filipino popcorn (aka ‘Cornick’), etc. It’s a great way to introduce some tropical snacks that guests may not have had the opportunity to try before!
Tropical Drink Station
Pear Tree Catering
My biggest task in the whole wedding planning process was finding a caterer. Being a culinary instructor who is also avid with the culinary scene, I’m so so thankful to have found a caterer who truly captured our vision and executed it flawlessly for our tasting. Pear Tree Catering has won my heart and we’re both excited about them as our preferred caterer.
Since purchasing, renaming and repositioning what is now Celebration Catering in 2001, Mark Sternberg has seen his company grow into one of Chicago’s premier catering operations.
Following Celebration Catering’s merger with Pear Tree Catering in November 2003, the combined company has seen sales grow over 200%. Mark is very proud that Pear Tree and Celebration Catering recently were nominated for a Jean Banchet Award as one of the top five catering companies in Chicago.
Prior to purchasing Celebration Catering, Mark had enjoyed a 13-year career with the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. He served as Director of Corporate and Travel Industry Sales Worldwide, in addition to serving as Director of Catering at the Five Diamond Four Seasons Hotel in Boston. During his first few years in the hospitality industry, Mark developed, built and ran six restaurants in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. His success in Cleveland led Mark to Hyatt Hotels and then to the Four Seasons.
Wedding Reception Food Islands
In keeping with the Hawaiian theme, our reception will feature ‘islands’. Each island offers something different, allowing our guests to move to different places and customize their eating experience.
Passed Sushi Appetizers: Because our very first date was at a sushi restaurant, we knew that we had to incorporate sushi into our wedding reception menu somehow. We decided to start off our reception with sushi, just as our first date kicked things off for us. We’re having three kinds of sushi maki that will be passed butler style by staff – California Rolls, Spicy Tuna Rolls and Vegetarian Rolls – as a teaser to the luau reception that awaits…
Tropical Treat Favors
Tropical Wedding Cake/Cupcakes
Hawaiian Shave Ice
Hawaiian Shave Ice Truck – So because our wedding venue is in a park… in the middle of a summer day, I know it’s going to be hot. That said, I wanted to ensure our guests are comfortable. As a result, we’ve arranged for a Hawaiian Shave Ice food truck to come out and offer Hawaiian shave ices after the luncheon. Guests will have their choice of blue raspberry, cherry and pina colada flavors to choose from!
Hawaiian Entertainment
Couple’s Farewell
After the luau show, most likely will be beyond exhausted. We will be giving our farewell to our guests and leaving the reception so we can rest. I know I certainly look forward to doing nothing and lying like a rock after all is said and done! We cannot wait to celebrate and despite how much time and effort it took to create this memorable experience for our dearest friends and family, we know it is all worth it and then some.
Stay tuned – tomorrow is the start of our wedding weekend and I’ll be sharing details of our Southern Pre-Wedding Picnic we are hosting to kick off the weekend festivities!
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