You might remember that I had laid out characteristics of our "ideal" location:
- On Oahu, Hawaii (preferably not in Waikiki)
- Getting Ready + Ceremony + Location at one venue
- Able to accommodate ~150 guests
- Beautiful Scenery (preferably with a beach)
- Good Food
- Affordable
- Getting Ready + Ceremony + Location at one venue
- Able to accommodate ~150 guests
- Beautiful Scenery (preferably with a beach)
- Good Food
- Affordable
Using this criteria, we narrowed it down to 2 choices: Hale Koa and Waialae Country Club.
Here's how Hale Koa stacks up to the criteria:
- On Oahu, but in Waikiki (though towards the outskirts)
- Getting Ready + Ceremony + Reception in one location
- Able to accommodate 400+ guests
- Variety of scenery and beach access
- Pretty good food based on my prior experience
- Best priced hotel of those I was considering
Additional Pros:
- Several venues to choose from (Maile Garden, Luau Garden, Waikiki Ballroom, DeRussy Hall, Banyan Tree Showroom)
- No tax and only 15% service charge (lowest I've seen)
Cons:
- Parking a little inconvenient and not free
- Hotel rooms aren't the nicest for Getting Ready photos
- For plated meals, all meals must be the same (no options for guests)
- On Oahu, but in Waikiki (though towards the outskirts)
- Getting Ready + Ceremony + Reception in one location
- Able to accommodate 400+ guests
- Variety of scenery and beach access
- Pretty good food based on my prior experience
- Best priced hotel of those I was considering
Additional Pros:
- Several venues to choose from (Maile Garden, Luau Garden, Waikiki Ballroom, DeRussy Hall, Banyan Tree Showroom)
- No tax and only 15% service charge (lowest I've seen)
Cons:
- Parking a little inconvenient and not free
- Hotel rooms aren't the nicest for Getting Ready photos
- For plated meals, all meals must be the same (no options for guests)
Hale Koa - Maile Garden
The Maile Garden is the ceremony site used if you hold a reception in the Banyan Showroom, Waikiki Ballroom, or DeRusy Hall. It is a rather large garden with a nice pathway leading to it. However, the area at the end of the path when you enter is dirt, and if it rains, it may be muddy. The gazebo is stuck in the middle of the garden and cannot be moved. However, the garden is large enough that you could set-up your ceremony in another area if you choose not to use it. The plastic chairs that the hotel provides are pretty cheapy looking (stackable white, plastic chairs like the ones we have in our garage for BBQs). Below are more pictures of the Maile Garden from my site inspection.
Site fee is $475 for 2009, $550 for 2010
Site fee is $475 for 2009, $550 for 2010
Hale Koa - Waikiki Ballroom
It would be just my luck that the room I was most interested in was booked on the day of my site inspection. I didn't get to see it in person, but here is a picture from knottie MrsNalukea's wedding. From other pictures I have seen, Hale Koa has this ugly white lattice fence behind the head table. I'd like to do what MrsNalukea did and cover it with a rented curtain. Overall, it looks like a typical ballroom, so I'm not too concerned about not seeing it in person before booking it. FI has attended a wedding there before, and it is his top pick.
Hale Koa - Banyan Showroom
The Banyan Showroom is not a typical ballroom set-up. There is a stage to the right with a dance floor in front of it (the tables are not usually on the dance floor). The rest of the room is two-tiered and has various tables of 2, 4, 6, and 8-tops. You may not move or change any of the tables. I did not like this venue because of that -- I would feel bad sticking two of my guests at a table by themselves. Also, the large number of tables and the variety of different tables would make centerpieces difficult.
Hale Koa - Luau Garden
The Luau Garden is the ceremony site used if you are also having your reception in the adjoining outdoor reception area. While the area is covered and on concrete/tile, we aren't really considering the venue because it has a 200-guest minimum and FI doesn't like the possibility of some unwanted guests (a.k.a. bugs) attending. This area was built a few years ago, so it is in better shape than the Maile Garden. The gazebo is on a small hill and looks like it is under construction in this photo (I hope!). The reception area is situated under five "hales" (huts) that all point towards a grassy area and stage in the front. The buffet is usually set up in hale 1 or 5 and the head table is in the middle in hale 3. Because the venue is outdoors, you can't show a slideshow for a daytime event because it is too bright. The white chairs used have metal legs that are rusting. Spandex chair covers are available through the hotel for $5 each. A dance floor can be set up on the grassy area for an additional charge. Below are more pictures of the Luau Garden from my site inspection.
Site fee is $475 for 2009, $550 for 2010
Site fee is $475 for 2009, $550 for 2010
Hale Koa - Other
Here are some other pictures of the hotel grounds. The last picture shows the available napkin colors available (no extra charge). You need to make an appointment to take pictures by the Maile Terrace and "Gus" (the banyan tree), but there is no fee.
One always got confused for getting the perfect space and venues for organizing the functions or events. There is a great venue directory available for finding best one. One looking for the nyc event space than move with it. Thanks
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