Working Together

  • Posted on November 4, 2011 at 11:21 am

Aloha everyone. I wanted to share my recent experience with a beautiful site here on Kauai.

It’s called Smiths Tropical Paradise & Gardens. They have a motorboat service up the Wailua river along with Luaus in their beautiful gardens. Plus they are a beautiful wedding site; both in the Fern Grotto and also in the Gardens.

When my clients ask about a private site, Smiths Garden is certainly one that doesn’t disapoint. My photos will certainly prove my point. Not only do they provide one of the best Luaus on the Island, they also cater to weddings.The stunning mountain named Sleeping Giant overshadows their garden location along with the gently flowing Wailua river. It is filled with coconut trees and orchids and every other known Hawaiian foliage. They have Hawaiian geese and peacocks wandering around along with bridges, waterways, and lagoons. They are very accomodating to their guests and go out of their way to please. I, myself being a coordinator and knowing a lot of details behind the scenes, could not say enough about the staff there and how much respect and kindness they had for myself and their guests.

I tip my hat to what I say is one of the most beautiful sites on the Island. Let my photos prove my point.

 

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A Pleasurable Wedding

  • Posted on June 28, 2011 at 11:46 am

So far in 2011, I have enjoyed helping 83 couples get married on the beautiful island of Kauai. Recently, I set off in my usual high-energy start-up mode for a wedding, with no idea that it would be one of the most fun and original events of the year.

As a photographer, I try to never exert too much control, but instead,  observe and record it as it happens. Check out the gallery of photos from this wedding and perhaps you can use some of their ideas that made this wedding, fun, fresh and entertaining.

Enjoy the photos!

If you are interested in arranging a grand entrance on a Hawaiian Canoe, umbrellas and leis to match the bride’s dress or anything else unique and personal — let me know!

Aloha,

Kent

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Big Decision: Photography

  • Posted on June 3, 2011 at 9:46 am

The most important decision in planning a wedding is picking a photographer.

Driving across the island to surf the beautiful waves at Tunnels or to meet someone for a wedding, I often see people taking pictures while crossing Hanalei Bridge, or pulled to the side of the road trying to snap a picture of a mother chicken and her babies. Kauai is a breathtaking island deserving of beautiful photographs. Together with the constant flow of the trades and the moving of clouds through the Island and of course the sun tracking across the dark blue sky, it is possible to take stunning photos all day long all around the island.

With all the natural beauty of the island available snapshots are easy, but it’s another thing to capture the truly special moments of your wedding.

When I started out, I made some mistakes. Background trees poking up out of people’s heads, unsophisticated body postures that didn’t capture the beauty of brides, forgetting to tell mom to take off her sunglasses, or just not having the right exposure to capture that a rainbow or the sun winking at us as it hit the horizon.

Weddings are hectic, emotional and spontaneous, a good photographer should be able to stay grounded and technically accurate and yet be a part of all that’s going on. Over the years, I have learned to capture the moments of a wedding as they happen. Without an experienced photographer, images can seem stagnant and non-emotional. People just standing there looking back at the camera. I always thought the best shots were between those shots. A laugh or chuckle or some silly thing said. The reaction makes the better shot.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, or perhaps a thousand dollars.

I’d love for you to use Coconut Coast Weddings and Photography for your wedding planning and photos, but no matter who you choose, review the photographer’s portfolio (mine is here), looking for the emotional attachment in the photos. If you don’t see the emotions in the photos in the portfolio, find another photographer even if the technical aspects of the photos are excellent.

If you like what you see in the portfolio, contact the photographer and talk with him or her. Discuss their wedding experience and philosophy. Within a few minutes, you should establish a good rapport with him or her; otherwise, find a different photographer. After all, you will be spending one of the most significant days of your life with this person, so it is important to be comfortable and trust in their abilities to deliver amazing photos.

Finally, if you find one or more photographers that meet your requirements, discuss price. Keep in mind that experienced, good photographers will generally cost more simply because they are consistent, they make fewer mistakes and have an emotional attachment.

So save money on something else but not photography. These images will outlast your lifetime and be memories for your children and grandchildren. It’s worth it.

Aloha,

Kent

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What do we do if it rains?

  • Posted on March 29, 2011 at 11:09 am

One of the most frequently asked questions is, ” what do we do if it rains?”

The standard answer is this, ” wait 5 minutes then proceed”. Most often, as even today, the trades are blowing strong which keep the clouds moving. It does happen throughout the year even in summer when a lone rain cloud makes its way to us and spills a lovely downpour for yes 5 minutes. You wait, run for cover, or simply open up the umbrella, then carry on. I will say that a lot of brides do fret over this but I wanted to add one more element to this: I pray. Yes I pray before every wedding. I ask for a blessing on the couple and for the photography, minister and anyone else involved to do their best and for the bride and groom to be blessed, and of course I pray that the rain be held off for 90 minutes or so. Last winter, I saw wedding after wedding go off without a hitch and the rain held off. I’m attaching a few photos that shows how real the threat can be and how valid it is to pray for the rain to hold off.

Yes, we are practical as well. I do check the weather every day and communicate closely with the bride and groom. We move it up or back or even switch days if it really warrants it. I just wanted to let it be known that we do pray for the weather over here. It is the wettest island on the planet you know, and yet He is faithful to hear our prayers.

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Kioniloa Bay Wedding Video

  • Posted on March 16, 2011 at 10:49 am

Aloha from the beautiful island of Kauai!

I wanted to offer a link to a wedding that shows the beauty yet simplicity of a small wedding. This wedding was held in the morning at Kioniloa Bay on the South side. Enjoy!

Video/Photo Mashup of Kauai Wedding from Kristine Young on Vimeo.

Aloha,

Kent

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What do we do after the wedding?

  • Posted on February 8, 2011 at 4:33 pm

After setting up many weddings, one of the most frequent questions I get asked is: “Where can we go for dinner after the wedding?” Here are some of my favorite places for newlywed couples to celebrate.

Luaus on Kauai

For couples with a smaller wedding looking for a Luau, there’s a family Luau that’s a little less commercial at a fabulous restaurant called Mediterranean Gourmet (www.kauaimedgourmet.com). On the website, click on entertainment for information about Luaus on Tuesday nights at 6:00p.

I have personally eaten at this restaurant with my wife and it was truly wonderful. It’s a stone’s throw away from the beach and is more old fashioned. It’s further up north by Tunnels … a hidden gem.

For a more high end experience, there is the St Regis in Princeville (www.stregisprinceville.com).

For areas on the east side, the luau that is probably the most famous and open the most to accommodate your schedule is Smith’s Tropical Paradise (www.smithskauai.com). They have a shifting schedule throughout the year, so check the website for times and days. No matter what time of year you are coming, it’s a wonderful experience.  They are the largest on the Island. Some 30 acres to walk around and enjoy, not to mention all the Mai Tais you can muster. I have done several weddings on the Smith’s property as well, and it is a nice venue for a wedding on some beautifully lush property, followed by a nice luau to finish your day.

For those staying on the south side around Koloa and Poipu, the Grand Hyatt (grandhyattkauailuau.com) has a fantastic Luau. Their property is truly gorgeous. The staff  are all very accommodating. I’m organizing a wedding coming up shortly with the ceremony on the beach, and then we’ll travel around their lovely property with waterways and bridges and plumeria trees for photos, followed by their Luau. It is a great venue for your wedding day.  Their Luaus are on Sundays and Thursdays.

The last Luau I want to mention is the Kalamaku (www.luaukalamaku.com) at the Kilohana Plantation in Lihue, close to the airport. These Luaus are on Tuesdays and Fridays. For tours and dinner at the plantation, visit: www.kilohanakauai.com.  They have a museum, train rides and more. They make a special rum on their property as well.

Romantic Dinners

For a simpler “just us” couples dinner, here are some of my favorite restaurants.

Hanalei Dolphin Restaurant

Postcards Cafe

BarAcuda Tapas and Wine

Timing Your Reservations

If you are planning a sunset wedding, with the beautiful Kauai lighting, followed by a romantic dinner, it can be hard to know when to plan the start time for your wedding. Please mention this as we talk and I’ll be happy to help you select a time that gives you the best sunset light and plenty of time to make it to your dinner reservations. As an idea, winter sunset weddings usually start at 4:00-5:00p, summer sunsets are much later. If you want to take everyone to the Luau, we’ll just need to start a bit earlier.

Something Truly Amazing — Waterfront Dinner with a Personal Chef

Finally, you might want to forget the restaurants and have dinner right next to the water with our special “on the road” chef. Our Romantic Wedding and Candlelight Dinner on the Beach package includes this service, or ask to customize one of our other weddings this way.

Here is a sample menu:

  • Appetizers: Grilled Crab Cakes with Sweet Chili Sauce; Barbecued Shrimp Cocktail with Sea Asparagus Tips; Pan Grilled Scallops with Tomato Rissoto; Stir Fry Minced Chicken with Vegetable and Black Bean Sauce
  • Salad: Kauai Greens with Tomato, Roast Peppers, Mango, Balsamic Vinaigrette; Caesar Salad with Toasted Croutons and Parmesan
  • Entrees: Grilled Fresh Hawaiian Fish with Limu Caper Butter Sauce; Fresh Herbed Breast of Chicken with Tropical Fruit Salsa; Seared Sesame Crusted Ahi with Wasabi Soy Ginger Sauce; Grilled New York Steak with Garlic Chip Butter
  • Dessert: Mango Creme Brulee; Fresh Berries with Chocolate Dipping Sauce

Blessings on all your plans. Until we meet again.       Alooooha!!

Kent Chastain

Owner/photgrapher

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Beholding the Beauty of Kauai

  • Posted on December 1, 2010 at 1:11 pm

Looking down at Tunnels reef, originally uploaded by kentchas.

This is truly a place of magnificence. It has a grandeur like no other. It has a winsomeness about it, but it is rugged as well. So just know that when you come to Kauai it will show you all of it’s personality. It is probably one of the most beautiful places on the planet to have a wedding. These additional photos will prove the fact of Kauai’s beauty. The best place for your wedding can be left up to you . One has to realize that it is just not boring here. The weather is constantly changing. You have to flow with it,  find your peace with it, wait 5 minutes and you are back on track. Every single day there is a different kind of  combination of sunlight, clouds , surf and sea, to make an awesome enviroment,  and we are privileged to behold it.

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Where to Have Your Wedding

  • Posted on November 30, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Na Aina Kai

Kauai has some of the most magical locations anywhere in the world — lush gardens and pristine beaches right out of the movies. So, one of the first decisions and maybe hardest decisions you must make during the planning process is where to have your wedding. There are two basic types of locations to have your wedding — public beaches and private locations. Public beaches are free, but alcohol is prohibited and you cannot set up arches or chairs. If you want to have a champagne toast or need a place for your guests to sit during the ceremony, you…

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Having a wedding on Kauai is easier than you think!

  • Posted on November 24, 2010 at 2:00 am

I’m just starting this blog, so I thought I’d start off with some basics. I am a photographer with nearly 20 years of professional photography and photojournalism experience.

I plan and coordinate weddings all around Kauai, finding the best and most talented people to that help create stress-free and fairy tale weddings. I know fantastic musicians, seasoned and personable ministers, creative floral designers and the best pastry chefs on the island to make amazing cakes.

Beyond just finding and getting the best professionals for flowers, music and food, I recommend and secure locations, schedule the wedding at the best time of the day, and set up the wedding site. There’s nothing you need to do but enjoy your wedding day.

If you have a special request — an especially secluded location, butterflies or a romantic dinner after the ceremony, or whatever your imagination desires — just let me know and I’ll make sure it gets done.

Couples will say sheepishly, “it’s just the two of us”, and I say “that’s alright, most of the weddings on Kauai are small”. We can create the perfect wedding atmosphere whether there are just two of you or all your friends and family too.

If you decide to escape to Hawaii for your wedding and then schedule a reception back home with your family and friends, I can provide custom albums or a DVD slideshow to share your memories with your loved ones.

Since getting married on Kauai is inexpensive compared to a wedding in the California wine country, or a big ceremony at home, you can afford to splurge and really make the day something you always dreamed of.

Imagine just showing up to a beach or garden out of the movies, getting married with no hassles and then and enjoying the sunset while kissing the one you love. I can make that happen for you!

In the future, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite locations and wedding details, some ideas of other things to do while you are on Kauai, some tips about how to make the most of your wedding and lots more.

Aloha and hui ho!

Kent

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