#shabraun | Our Unforgettable Fresh, Hawaiian-Flair Wedding Dinner Menu

How many wedding have you been to where the meal was chicken with mashed potatoes and a side of asparagus? Too many is the answer. Or if you can't remember what you ate a wedding, then it was probably that. Haha

One of our priorities for our wedding day was the menu. We wanted the meal to be unique, memorable and locally-sourced! We wanted guests to look back and remember exactly what they enjoyed because it was so delicious. LeBraun wanted it to be “one of the best meals they’ve ever eaten,” and our dreams became a reality when we went to a tasting by Maui’s Cutting Edge Catering.

Cutting Edge’s owner and chef Brian Etheredge was the owner of renowned Maui favorite Capische before deciding to focus more on family and enjoy the world of catering and private cheffing.

He is a strong advocate for sustainability in the kitchen and also a commercial fisherman. Note: The fish we ate on our wedding day was caught by Brian the morning of. It doesn’t get much fresher than that!

Each dish was vibrant, colorful and pulled in the Hawaiian-flair we were hoping to spoil our guests with! It was a tasting dream and honestly we dreamed about the meal everyday till we got to enjoy it again on out wedding day.

Typically wedding menus are all encompassing, making sure the meal will satisfy a wide range of taste preferences and people. Fortunately with an intimate ceremony you can tailor the dishes to a much smaller group. Since our guests were our closest friends and family we knew what everyone would be interested in and therefore knew this menu would be a hit!

One caveat of our menu was that everything should be gluten-free and cow dairy-free, and the team at Cutting Edge Catering was more than happy to oblige.

Oh and our site also had a wood fire pizza oven so we wanted to take advantage of that during cocktail hour. Who doesn’t love pizza?

Otherwise we were just looking for a memorable meal utilizing fresh, local ingredients and perhaps incorporating some Hawaiian/Polynesian flair. Cutting Edge Catering delivered ten-fold!

Our fish was caught the morning of our wedding from the surrounding waters, our vegetables were pulled from Chef Brian’s own garden, and even the goat cheese was from a farm less than a mile from our venue. That’s locally-sourced if I’ve even seen it.

Even writing about this now I wish I was eating all of this again. Our menu definitely ending up being a highlight of the day if that’s even possible—the whole day was highlight! But no one left hungry and everyone got to enjoy an unforgettable meal in a beautiful setting.

For Our Passed Appetizers
Fun Fact: In Hawaii bite-size appetizers are called “pupus.” :) The appetizers are important as they welcome guests to cocktail hour and are the first edible impression of the event. We decided on a selection of twists on Polynesian classics—instead of the traditional kalua (“to bake in the ground oven” known in Hawaii as an imu) pig, we opted for chicken as I don’t eat red meat; traditional musubi is made with spam which we switch for hamachi; lastly a poke bowl served in a puffed rice crisp instead of on top of a bed of rice. I’m drooling just remembering all of these!

• Kalua Chicken with Guava Rose Emulsion and Molokai Sweet Potato Chip
• Fennel Flatbread with Big Island Mushrooms, Surfing Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onions
• Hamachi Misoyaki Musubi with Seaweed Salad
• Ahi Poke "Bowls" with Sesame Sambal and Puffed Rice Crisp

Calligraphy by @studioist

For Our Dinner
After cocktail hour which included our first dance, drinks, and a beautiful sunset, guests were welcomed to the backyard at one long table to enjoy dinner al fresco.

First Course (plated salad)

• Watercress Salad with Carrot Ginger Vinaigrette, Shaved Kula Cucumbers, Radish, Cherry Tomato

Second Course (entree)
During our tasting we were enamored with both entree options. Our initial plan was to have items served family style where guests could pick and choose what and how much of everything they would enjoy. However Brian’s plating blew us away so we decided on a duo-plating option which meant that our guests got two entrees (just smaller portions) so they didn’t have to choose.

• Hawaiian Catch with Edamame Puree, Angry Pears, Sake Butter
• Five Spice Duck Breast with Molokai Sweet Potatoes, Star Anise Citrus Emulsion, Ume Plums and Vegetable Stir Fry

Photography by Teale Photography

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Find out more about our destination wedding in Maui with these posts!

#shabraun | Our Nashville Wedding Reception Video by White Heart Wedding Films (with Dallas Wilson)

Video by White Heart Wedding Films

A mere 23 days after our wedding ceremony on Maui, LeBraun, myself and our families hosted our wedding reception at Nashville’s L.A. Jackson, atop the Thompson in the trendy Gulch neighborhood. And Y'all, we ROCKED that rooftop! Seriously the band was on fire, the drinks were flowing, and there was a charcuterie board the length of a whole wall! We couldn't have asked Nashville for a more perfect evening or for a more perfect venue.

We’ve been blessed to have so many amazing people in our lives and were honored to have so many of them be able to celebrate with us. A HUGE shoutout to Ruby and her team at the Thompson, all the vendors who helped us create an extraordinary evening, and of course White Heart Wedding Films for capturing it so wonderfully.

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VENDORS

Photographer // Teale Photography | @tealephotography

Videographer // White Heart Wedding Films | @whiteheart.weddingfilms

Venue // L.A. Jackson at Thompson Nashville | @lajacksonbar | @thompsonnashville

Planner // Ruby Bevington, Event Sales Manager at Thompson Nashville

Florals // Costco + Kroger; bouquet put together by our dear friend Carolyn Jones

Paper Goods, Calligraphy & Signage // Studioist | @studioist

Entertainment // The Downtown Band | @thedowntownband

Caterer // Executive Chef Nathan Duensing of Marsh House, Thompson Nashville | @nathan_duensing | @marshhouserest

Cakes/Desserts // Chef Lisa Marie White of Thompson Nashville | @pastrygirllisa

Stage // Liberty Party Rental | @libertypartyrental

Photo Booth // Kain and Able Entertainment

Bride's Gown // Watters | @watters

Bride’s jewelry // Engagement ring - Lindell Jewelers in Brentwood, TN; Wedding band - Express Jewelers in Arlington, VA; Bracelet - Sassabella Boutique in Paia, HI; Opal Ring - Coober Pedy, South Australia

Hair & Makeup // Tiana Trotz Studios | @tianatrotz

Bridesmaids’ Dresses // Monique Lhuillierfrom Bella Bridesmaids Nashville | @moniquelhuillier | @bellabridesmaids

Junior Bridesmaids’ Dresses // Tulle & Chantilly | @tulleandchantilly

Groom’s Formalwear // Custom Suit by Johnny Gregory Executive Apparel

Ties & Bowties // DAZI | @daziusa

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Find out more about our back home wedding reception in Nashville by checking out these posts.

#shabraun | Our Nashville Strolling Reception Timeline

When deciding what we wanted from our Nashville reception, we knew that we didn’t want a formal sit-down dinner. Not only did the space not allow for seating for all our guests, we wanted everyone to entertained the entire night. When you’re stuck at a table you find yourself only conversations with those around you. We wanted guests to mix and mingle with everyone all night. Of course you’ll always find comfort and gravitate to those you know, but a more mobile reception options gives you the opportunity to run into others, meet new people and not be confined to one area.

Having never been to a post-destination wedding reception or party we weren't sure what would be expected of us as hosts, but we knew that a good time—ney a GREAT TIME—would definitely fit the bill!

Traditional receptions have guests enjoy cocktail hour, find their seats, watch the first dance, eat dinner, listen to speeches and toasts, then head to the dance floor. That’s all well and good, but it seemed to formal for our reception.

After research on research about reception styles we stumbled across ideas like “east coast,” “strolling,” “cocktail,” and “progressive” receptions. Now we’re talking! In these styles guests are invited to enjoy the receptions in their own way. Throughout the night different food stations are opened so guests can grab food at their own leisure, hit the bar whenever, and get down on the always-open dance floor.

Obviously since we hosted an intimate wedding not everyone was invited and we didn’t want our reception guests—people we love dearly—to feel like they weren’t important to us so a big focus of the reception was our guests!

We had our wonderful videographers (Dallas Wilson Wedding Films) put together a short video of our wedding day, mostly beautiful shots of LeBraun and I together, which we looped on monitors around the room. This way guests may feel like they were apart of the ceremony which typically would have been moments before. A little something to get them in the wedding celebration spirit, ya no!

Since a cocktail hour wasn’t necessary as we weren’t taking wedding party portraits or moving locations, we decided to start the evening with a 30 minute cocktail style reception before our entry so guests could grab a drink (or two), enjoy some appetizers, and mingle a bit to loosen up.

Then we did the traditional wedding party introduction followed by our entrance and first dance. We wanted to keep some of the traditional reception elements so guests felt like it really was a true wedding reception. We did father-daughter/mother-son dances, bouquet/garter tosses, and a speech or two!

We honestly had the best time! And since we had a tough time finding timelines for unconventional style receptions we wanted to share our Nashville progressive, strolling reception timeline in the hope that others will find it helpful in planning their big days no matter how traditional or unconventional they may be. Your wedding day is all about y’all so do whatever works for you!

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11am: Deliver and set up decor pieces at the venue

2pm: Bride’s Hair and Makeup

S+L Note: At this point we were already behind as some signage got damaged on the way to the venue in the morning so I had to re-calligraph a couple which took more time than we hoped.

4pm: Check in to hotel

S+L Note: LeBraun and I were staying at the hotel where our venue was the night of the event so we brought our overnight bag as well as all the things we needed for the reception in a few hours.

4:15pm: Review venue // Set up looping video on monitors

4:45pm: Photographers photo details (dress, invitations, shoes, etc) and venue before guest arrive

Quick Tip #1: If you want photos of the invitations, remember to bring a copy with you.

4:50pm - 5:15pm: Finish getting dressed in our room // Family and wedding party arrived dressed and ready for photographs

5:20pm - 5:50pm: Couple, family, and wedding party portraits at the venue

5:50pm: Couple and wedding party chill in hotel room during cocktail half-hour while guests arrive at the venue

6pm: Eat food delivered to room, brush teeth and final prepping // Doors open for guest arrival // Passed appetizers are served // Bar opens // Background iPod music is played

6:25pm: Couple and wedding party escorted to venue

6:30pm: Grand Entrance // Band emcees wedding party introductions followed by the new Mrs. & Mrs. entrance

6:35pm: First dance // Father-Daughter dance // Mother-Son dance

6:40pm: Passed appetizers end // Small plates & salad stations open

6:45pm: Welcome speech by bride’s father

6:50-7:15pm: Band plays lively background music

8:10pm: Small plates & salad stations close

Post-Event Note: A timeline of the evening was on entry signage, but we wish we would have asked the band to make announcements throughout the night in regards to food changing over, reminders about the photo booth, guestbook, etc.

7:45pm-9:15pm: Band plays first dance set

Quick Tip #2: Appoint someone to help “move” you to and from conversations. I wanted to stay and chat with everyone, but because of I didn’t have anyone helping me there were some people I never got around to see.

8:20pm: Main stations open

Post-Event Note: We should have asked someone to bring us food throughout the evening because the only food LeBraun or I ended up eating was what had been brought to our room before the reception started. Everything smelled so good, but I was doing my hostess duties. In hindsight, as the bride I should have taken advantage of asking people for help.

9:15pm - 9:30pm: Band break // Requested iPod dance songs played

Post-Event Note: It would have been nice to add a time for taking photos in the photo booth to the timeline so we we didn’t miss it. By the time I made it back inside (which was 10:30pm), the photo booth had already been packed up. LeBraun and I never got a fun photo strip from our own reception. :(

9:30pm: Bouquet & garter tosses // Guestbook switched to favor table

9:35pm - 11:30pm: Band plays second dance set

9:50pm: Main stations close

10pm: Dessert stations open

11:25pm: Last dance is played

11:30pm: Dessert stations close // Guests filter out as reception ends // Band packs up

12pm: Intimate After Party // Late-night snacks are served // LeBraun connect Spotify playlist and put on Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince on the monitors

1:30pm: After party ends // Bar closes // Tear down and clean up begins

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#shabraun | Tips for a Destination Wedding To Go Off Without A Hitch

Send Save The Dates ASAP As Possible
A little Office humor there, did you catch it? Though in all seriousness a destination wedding often means more vacation days are needed, flights are more expensive, and accommodations needs to be arranged.

Be Flexible With The Big Date
Since our guest list was small we were able to narrow down dates with everyone before committing to one. For example, August 3 this year fell on Canadian August long weekend so my relatives were able to spend an extra couple days vacationing that they wouldn’t have had if we picked the next weekend.

Since guests are coming specifically for your wedding, you have the flexibility to choose any day of the week, which can provide more savings and more booking availability. We chose a Friday so our guests only needed to use two or three vacation days because they would have the weekend off anyway and be able to make it back for work on Monday if they wanted.

This is just a suggestion that worked for us. A few more guests were able to attend then if we had selected a different date, but by all means if your heart is set on a July 20th wedding, have your wedding on July 20.

Hire A Planner.
Wedding planning can be a full-time job so why not leave the responsibility and nitty-gritty to the people whose full-time job is actually wedding planning? Especially for a destination wedding, there is no substitute for hiding a planner who is familiar with the area and specifically your venue. Better even if they are already on-the-ground; if you need a measurement or a deliver picked up, they are already there. Plus they will know which vendors are affordable or worth the splurge, which are reliable, and which are a pleasure to work with.

At the very list, I’d recommend a day-of coordinator. They will ensure that everything flows smoothly on your big day and be able to organize everything from vendor deliveries to event timelines.

When you’re tired from the sun…or wedding planning, stop by Maui Coffee Roasters in Kahului for a pick me up!

Plan A Recon Visit
We booked our venue without seeing it in-person and were fully prepared to not see it until our rehearsal; however, when we came across some cheap flight deals we couldn't pass up the opportunity to check it out.

Our planner set up meetings and tastings with potential vendors prior to our visit so when we arrived we hit the ground running. Having time on-site made the whole experience feel more real, like we were actually getting married. We also got to walk around the venue which helped us decide the layout and make decisions on whether we actually needed some decor elements or not.

We were fortunate enough to be able to spend the afternoons enjoying the island and seeing some of the sights, which allowed us to make recommendations for our guest, and ultimately relax more during our wedding trip, not feeling pressure to explore the island in addition to everything else happening.

We understand this may not be financially possible (though go ahead and set up some price alerts), but definitely something to consider before committing to destination wedding.

Remember Your Location When Dress Shopping
You’re not going to be comfortable in a skin-tight, velvet dress on the beach in Maui mid-Summer. That’s just a fact.

Same goes for accessories. We were getting married in olive grove with uneven grassy ground so I made sure my shoes had fat heels (so as not to sink in the soft ground) and my veil was dress length so it didn’t get caught by a unexpected twig on my way down the aisle.

Front Load The Trip
In hindsight we wished we would have arrange the time frame everyone was in town a little differently. Have guests arrive, do the wedding events, and then spend the next couple days relaxing with everyone. Most of our guests came for a few days before the wedding, which still worked, but we had to duck out at some point everyday to finalize remaining wedding details and therefore didn’t get as much hanging out time as we had anticipated.

Arrive Early
LeBraun and I arrived a couple days before our families which allowed us to unpack, get organized, run some errands, and make sure we didn’t forget anything. This also gave us time to put together the welcome bags, get our marriage license, finalize a few things with our vendors, and to decompress before everyone arrived.

Don’t Check Your Dress
I would even say anything that is vital, pack as carry on. Not all airlines have room in their closets to store your dress (especially if it’s poofy) so just be prepared. I kept my dress in its original cotton bag and purchase a waterproof extra wide suit bag to which carried my dress, folded in half), and LeBraun’s suit/shirt/pants.

My small roller bag had our shoes and accessories in it, as well as our rings and a couple sentimental gifts we had purchased for our parents.

That way if the worst happened, we would at least have our wedding attire.

Also be sure to arrange for your attire to be pressed upon arrival.

Send Things Ahead
Our planner allowed us to send some items directly to their office, which eliminated the need for us to bring it in our bags. However if the items are coming home with you after, just remember to leave room in your suitcase for them when you’re packing.

It was also helpful to make a list of what we were bringing, what the planner had, and what we were leaving with so we didn’t forget anything. You can’t just have someone run by your house if you forgot something.

Anything You DIY, You’ll Need to Pack
I’m a crafter and ended up doing a ton for our wedding. Just remember whatever you create you will need to transport. Items like our menus, programs, place cards, and itineraries were small enough to fit in our carry-on, but our large signage was easier, and more cost-effective, to purchase when we arrived on island and complete there.

If you have DIY tasks to do when you arrive, just remember to budget time to complete these.

The best açaí bowls can be found at the Brekkie Bowls’ trailer.

Take Care Of Your Guests
Chances are if someone made the cut for your intimate destination wedding they mean a lot to you, so show them how much you care. They are taking the time and money to travel to celebrate you and your fiancé.

Greet them with a welcome bag filled with local and personal goodies, a list or map of activities to do while in town, itineraries for the weekend, and transportation to and from wedding-related events. These seemingly small gestures can really make your guests feel loved and valued.

For inspiration, check out fun things we put in our destination wedding welcome bags.

Communicate with Your Guests
Setting up a wedding website was a great way for us to share everything our guests needed to know, which in turn saved us time answering text messages about what to pack, where to eat where to be when, what to do, etc.

Consider a Room Block
Hotels will typically give you a discount if a certain number of rooms can be promised and filled. It’s a great way to save some money and often come with some perks. We were upgraded to a suite because we exceeded our room block minimum.

Depending on the location, Airbnbs or house rentals may be a more practical option. My family particular loves rooms with small kitchens or at least a fridge which allows us to keep breakfast foods and snacks on hand so we don’t spend as much money on food when we’re out and about.

If It’s Sunny, Watch Your Tan Lines
Sunscreen is your friend. You should be wearing it everyday anyway, but especially layer it on in advance of your wedding if your destination is sunny.

Less applicable for the groom in a full suit (minus his face), but us brides need to consider cut of our dress, especially on the top half. You don’t want a farmer t-shirt tan with your strapless dress or burnt criss-cross lines in your open-back dress. Doesn’t matter how cute that swimsuit is. Save it for after the wedding.

Request Less of Your Wedding Party
Nowadays attendants are expected to financially cover hotel, travel, attire, showers, gifts, and bachelor/bachelorette party. For many that is quite a financial burden, and with the general cost of hotel and travel being higher for a destination wedding, pitch in where you can. Let them know you don’t expect gifts from them or at least pay for your own drinks at your bachelorette party. You don’t want your best friends leaving the wedding broke.

Destination Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties
Good idea? Actually we think it’s a great idea! With the bridal party being spread across the U.S. it just made more financial sense for us to party in Maui. Everyone was already in town for the wedding (no separate travel needed) and we got to do something totally unique and local to the destination.

Recognize Party Investments
Sometimes the best cost saving ideas are an investment up front. For example, we purchased alcohol at Costco and even bought a blender. Margaritas at the hotel bar were priced at $18 and the blender cost $55 so for the cost of 2.5 hotel margs, our blender had paid for itself, and we were able to buy a couple handles of tequila and marg mix with the cash we saved.

Bring An Invitation For The Photographer
Everyone loves those photos of wedding bands on the invitations and if you want one for yourself, you’ve got to remember to pack one.

Be Flexible In Your Expectations
The best part of destination weddings is that the couple, families, and guests get to spend more time together than just during the event. Meet up at the bar, gather at the beach, or plan a group activity like hiking.

That being said, be careful not to over-book your guests. Everyone vacations differently so let them do their thing. Keep people posted on where you two are and what you’re up to, so they can join if they want but don’t feel pressured to be with you 24/7. Trust me, you’ll want your own time too. It’s quite tiresome coordinating and entertaining people constantly for multiple days. It’s unnecessary pressure.

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