The Hula Association of the Midwest

Detroit, Michigan – February 13, 2010 - The Hula Association of the Midwest just announced that Pamela Gibson, of Events by Pam and Aloha Events by Pam, has been selected to be the State of Michigan's association representative.

The Hula Association of the Midwest is a non-profit group organized to serve the Hawaii, hula community and businesses throughout the Midwestern States.

Our Purpose is to:

• bring together all of those living in the Midwest who share an interest in hula, Hawaii and the aloha spirit.


• promote cultural awareness and education of hula and Hawaii throughout the Midwest.


• plan and/or promote various hula Hawaiian related events here in the Midwest.


• spread the aloha spirit with some *good fun* get together for all those in the Midwest who love Hawaii.
  

Click here to find out more about the Hula Association of the Midwest!

Check out our upcoming events!!

Sugar Kisses!!

-Pam

Tropical & Hawaiian Weddings...in Michigan??

Yes, that's right...Hawaiian and tropical weddings right here in (currently very cold & snowy) Michigan. As many of you know from my bio, I am a third generation Polynesian dancer. In fact, the first weddings that I planned professionally were Hawaiian themed weddings and receptions. This has always been my speciality and lucky for me 2010 is full of couples who are looking to bring a little Aloha to Michigan. I am very excited to feature these upcoming weddings, but until then enjoy this little piece on Hawaiian wedding traditions written by my partner in crime Lia, from Full Circle Eventi.

Koa Bowl and Ti Leaf Blessing of Rings
This ceremony commemorates these vows and your love?

(Beach Weddings Hawaii)
The Dard (officiant) hands a Koa bowl to (Groom). A few moments before the service, the Dard dips the Koa wood bowl into the Pacific Ocean in order to perform a Hawaiian blessing over the rings. Koa, which is the hardest of our Hawaiian woods, has been used over the centuries to build the outrigger canoes, tools and utensils. Koa is a treasured and valuable hardwood that represents integrity and strength, which are foundational qualities of a marriage. The Ti leaf represents prosperity, health and blessing of body, mind and spirit. The officiant begins by dipping a Koa wood bowl into a body of water. The leaf is dipped into the bowl, and the water is sprinkled three times over the rings while the following chant is recited: “Ei-Ah Eha-No. Ka Malohia Oh-Na-Lani. Mea A-Ku A-Pau,” means: “May peace from above rest upon you and remain with you now and forever.”

The water has a double significance. One is a washing back into the Pacific, as it were, symbolically, of any hindrance to relationship, disappointment or hurt from the past. In Hawaiian this is called Ho’oponopono or reconciliation, a letting go by grace and aloha so that the second aspect of the water may be profoundly true for the two of you today: it represents a brand new beginning as husband and wife.

Ti leaf and Lava Rock

The Dard again, takes a lava rock and Ti leaf to perform the final blessing. The lava rock is symbolic of the moment you made a lifetime commitment to one another. It is wrapped in a Ti leaf and left at the ceremony cite as an offering, prayer and blessing which remains steadfast at the place of your marriage, marking the birth of your union, while your rings are a symbol of that commitment that travel with you wherever you go. The rock marks the entrance into a promised land, that of marriage, full of rich promise and unlimited potential.

Hawaiian Wedding Song

Perhaps one of the most touching elements of the ceremony, or more easily adapted into the reception is the Hula to the Hawaiian Wedding Song. The Hawaiian Wedding Song, Ke Kali Nei Au, is usually played during the ceremony, although it would work nicely as the first dance at your reception as well. It was originally written in Hawaiian in1926 by Charles King, and has been translated into English and covered by several artists; most notably Elvis Presley in the movie, Blue Hawaii.

The picture the above is of Justina, a bride from a wedding by Events by Pam, who learned the hula just to dance for her husband as a surprise on their wedding day.

Click here see pictures of Hawaiian Weddings by Events by Pam!!

Sugar Kisses!!

- Pam

2010 Bride's Choice Award goes to...

Detroit, Michigan – January 19, 2010 - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced Events by Pam has been selected to receive the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for excellence in quality, service and professionalism in wedding and event planning.

The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds.

Events by Pam is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada. Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers.

“We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.”

We are happy to announce that Events by Pam is among the very best wedding planners within the WeddingWire Network, which includes WeddingWire and Martha Stewart Weddings. We would like to thank our past newlyweds for nominating us for the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/events-by-pam-royal-oak/e9680d14e66ec8a4.html

Sugar Kisses!!

-Pam

Full Circle Eventi stands out…

Hi ladies…sorry this is a bit over due, but here's the booth that Lia and I displayed at the Jan. 2 -3 Bride's to Be Bridal Expo held at the Hyatt in Dearborn. Both Lia and I had a blast! It was bitter cold out both days, so loading and unloading we could barely feel our legs, but we managed to cram everything into one car (Jeep) and head down to the show. We got there bright and early to ensure we had enough time to set up the Mandap.

With our purple and gold Mandap as well being decked out in our fusion East meets West attire, Lia and I stood out from the crowd.

The major attraction to the booth was the custom toasting champagne flute design, created by Lia, Full Circle Eventi's premier designer.

Our Henna/Mehndi Artist, Hiral and her mother, were also a fantastic addition to the booth. They were always busy with someone's hand creating beautiful artwork to last for days.

Lia and I had a great time and met a lot of wonderful brides…and a few grooms too. We can't wait to begin planning your special day with you!!

Sugar Kisses!!

-Pam

2010 Wedding Trends

When predicting 2010 Wedding Trends, it seems almost too obvious to talk about the economy's impact. But before you jump to conclusions about how drab and cheap weddings are becoming, know that money is certainly not the only influence on style, fashion, or tradition. In fact, couples are getting more creative and feel more freedom to make unique choices.

Here's what I think will be hot this year:

Backyard Weddings
While getting married at home isn't necessarily cheaper, it feels more personal, allows you to have a more intimate affair, and doesn't feel ostentatious. The economy means not only that people want to spend less money, but also that they feel guilty when they do spend money. A backyard event not only helps to put your guests at ease, but also allows you to make more casual, less expensive choices elsewhere. For example, a barbeque picnic feels more appropriate at home than it would at a country club.

Homemade Favors
Though favors are an expense that's easy to eliminate, right now couples are especially grateful to guests who have incurred considerable expense to be a part of the celebration. The 2010 wedding trend is using homemade favors to express that thanks, and to send guests home with your love.

Birdcage Veils
These vintage-look veils combine a jeweled clip or feathered headpiece with netting that only covers the face. Wearing one allows you to have some dramatic glamor and feel like a bride, but is a more fun look and less hassling than a long traditional veil.


Mismatched Bridesmaids
For several years, brides have been selecting a bridesmaid dress designer and a fabric, then letting their bridesmaids choose the style that works best for their bodies. But the 2010 wedding trend takes idea further. Choose only a color, then let your bridesmaids find an off-the-rack dress of any designer that they like. Not only does this take some pressure off of you, but it also ensures that women are choosing a dress they like and they'll be likely to actually wear again. If you follow this trend, be sure to tell your bridesmaids how formal the dress should be – you don't want one bridesmaid wearing a casual sundress while another has on a beaded evening gown.

The End of the Standard Year-Long Engagement
Though a year is a good amount of time for an engagment(and thus that's what I use for my wedding planning checklist) it certainly isn't obligatory. Some couples will be planning quick elopements, while others will opt for longer engagements. There are advantages to both – a quick engagement means that you don't overwhelm yourself with trying to plan the perfect wedding, and often means that you spend less money on unnecessary things. A long engagement can help relieve the stress, spreading out the tasks and the expenses. You'll have time to save money, and hopefully be able to feel more secure about your jobs before you sign unbreakable contracts.

Strapless Wedding Dresses
If you're saying to yourself, "This isn't a new 2010 wedding trend!" you're right. Strapless dresses have been extremely popular for several years now. Although more brides are opting for sleeves, straps, and other ways of covering the shoulders, strapless is going to continue to be the dominant style for 2010.

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year to all my gals out there, especially to my 2010 brides…this is YOUR year!! Lia and I are kicking off the New Year doing what we love best, sharing our wedding cheer. We will be at the Brides-to-Be Show this weekend, January 2–3, at the Dearborn Hyatt. If any of you would like tickets Lia and I have plenty. Email me at info@eventsbypam.com if you would like complimentary tickets. Just let me know how many tickets you would like and for which day.

At this show we will be highlighting Lia's side of the business, Full Circle Eventi, which focuses on Multi-Cultural and Cultural Fusion Weddings. Full Circle Eventi is proving to be the newest jewel in the Metro Detroit wedding and event landscape. Extending our reach into the ethnic markets of Metro Detroit and beyond, Full Circle Eventi is celebrating the beauty and rich tapestry of Cultural and Multi-Cultural Weddings by giving exquisite attention to finer nuances of Chaldean, Indian, Armenian, Greek and other cultural weddings.

Engagement Season…"it's the most wonderful time of the year!!"

Did you get engaged over the holidays? Well if you did you are not alone, based on recent estimates it is predicted that 1/3 of all engagements for the entire year will take place over the holiday season. That amounts to nearly one million couples! The reason for this is that the holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year, present an abundance of opportunities for memorable proposals to take place.

With engagement season in full swing below are a few fun engagement and wedding statistics from the Association of Bridal Consultants.

• The average American engagement is 16 months.
• June is the most popular month for weddings, then August, September, October and May
• Every year an average of 2.4 million weddings are performed

• Average age for first-time brides is 25 years, for grooms it's 27.5
• 175 guests are invited to an average wedding
• An average honeymoon vacation is one week
• Average size of wedding party: 12
• Most brides (30%) plan their weddings for 7 to 12 months
• About 15% of weddings include ethnic customs
• $22,000 is the average amount spent on a traditional American wedding

MARRIAGES BY MONTH
• January 4.7%
• February 7.0%
• March 6.1%
• April 7.4%
• May 9.8%
• June 10.8%
• July 9.7%
• August 10.2%
• September 9.6%
• October 9.4%
• November 7.4%
• December 7.8%

Feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start?

The best and most productive way to get started is to write down all your questions and concerns that you may have and meet with a wedding consultant, such as myself (shameless plug). I'd be happy to set up a time to talk about your upcoming wedding. Please feel free to call me or email me to schedule a complimentary consultation for us to meet face to face. At this meeting we’ll get to know one another better and you’ll know right away if there is a good match between us. You must feel completely comfortable with us and us with you. Together, we will discuss your event or wedding plans, details and your vision of what you imagine your special day to be.

Pamela Gibson
Wedding Consultant and Event Manager
248-709-6996
info@eventsbypam.com