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When it comes to getting married and all the myriad preparations leading up to the big day, a bride almost always sweats the small stuff no matter how many times she is told — by party planners, previous brides and besties — that guests are mostly oblivious to the details. Who remembers what kind of flowers were in the centerpieces at the last wedding you went to? They come to celebrate the couple.
But sometimes it’s the small stuff that keeps the bride satisfied and can help quell the fretting. It’s her day after all, no?
Honolulu Star-Advertiser managing editor E. Clarke Reilly, who got married in March, shares a handful of things that made her special day all the more special and stress-free.
1. My husband actually found these amazing caramels through a friend of a friend. Steve Miller, who owns Sweet Brown Hawaii along with his wife, Ruiko, launched their business in 2016.
The couple continues to hand craft every caramel themselves using real butter, cream and vanilla extract — no preservatives. They also use local ingredients in the candies including Lion Coffee 100% Kona coffee, Hawaiian alaea sea salt, fresh pineapple juice from Dole and Big Island macadamia nuts. (Our fave is the sea salt flavor.)
We put the caramels in our own tiny boxes for our wedding favors, but they sell them in attractive six-piece boxes, and in small bags, which contain the mac-nut varieties. Each 2-ounce bag or box retails for $5 to $7, depending on the outlet.
The Millers will be selling their caramels at the upcoming Made in Hawaii festival (Aug. 17-19) at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. But to get a regular fix, you can find them at the Hyatt Regency Beach Resort and Spa farmers market in Waikiki on Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m. (except Aug. 16).
The candies are also sold at Hallmark stores on Oahu, and at Sublime, Naia and Gorilla in the Cafe, all in Waikiki. Call 478-3544 or go to sweetbrownhawaii.com.
2. I had kind of an obsession about giving out matches at our wedding. I had remembered a beautiful black-and-white photo of my grandparents that adorned a book of matches, likely a favor marking an anniversary of theirs. I wanted to hark back to a time when matchbooks were handed out as calling cards for restaurants or served as mementos from a far-off trip.
Though few smoke these days, matches are still useful for birthday candles and the occasional pilot-light malfunction. I designed and purchased these matchbooks at ForYourParty.com, where you can customize party supplies aplenty using their suggested designs or your own.
Prices vary depending on the products. These were about $1 apiece.
3. After a few consultations with my hairstylist Misty Bryson on what I’d do for my wedding-day ’do, she suggested “painting” a few highlights around my temples in order to add some natural lightness around my face and to balance out my dark gray wedding dress. To keep the highlights fresh, she sent me home with Kevin Murphy’s Blond Angel Wash and Treatment.
Using these products for a few weeks before the big day kept my highlights from getting brassy. The treatment leaves hair with a wonderful softness and shine. Kevin Murphy products are all sulphate- and paraben-free and use high-quality ingredients including mango-seed butter, which promotes volume, and sunflower-seed extracts, which act as a natural sunscreen and protect against color fade. You can buy Blond Angel products and more of Kevin Murphy’s line at Bryson’s salon, Pena Parlour, at 1260 Young St.; 798-0084.
The 250-milliliter bottles are $27.95 (for the wash) and $35.95 (treatment). Mini sizes are available for $5.50 and $6.50, respectively, if you want to give the products a test run. While you’re at it, make a date to get your locks painted at the deft hands of Bryson.
4. When shopping for a makeup artist for the big day, I went through a number of trials to find the right fit. Along the way, I happened upon the Chantecaille skin-care line, which is packed with natural botanicals, cruelty-free and free of phthalates, sulphates and detergents. I fell for the Rose de Mai Face Oil and Bio Lifting Serum. I pat just a few drops of the botanical-infused oil on my face in the morning, followed by a dab of the serum, and my skin feels smooth and moisturized (plus they smell great). The serum contains hyaluronic acid, which helps plump the skin, and raspberry stem-cell extract to reduce redness.
They are way out of my price range, but I splurged for the wedding. And since all I need is just a few drops at a time, they’ll last a long time. The 30-milliliter bottle of face oil is $185; the same size bottle of the serum is $216. Available at Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue. Go to chantecaille.com.
5. Running to appointments and ticking items off a seemingly endless checklist of to-dos before the nuptials can add more stress to life. I had heard about Rescue Remedy from a colleague who gives it to her dog for anxiety. When I found out they make a people version, I thought, “Why not?”
Bach Flower Remedies combines five of its original tinctures to create Rescue Remedy, including clematis for focus and star-of-Bethlehem for comfort and reassurance. Place four drops on the tongue and you’re on your way to a more serene state of mind. I’m not convinced it brought me to a Zen state, but I did feel more calm.
I picked up the 20-milliliter bottle for $15.29 at Down at Earth. Go to bachflower.com.
Please keep in mind that featured products may be in short supply and may not be available at all store locations; prices may vary. The information presented represents the author’s opinions and experiences; your results may vary. Tell us what you are loving this week by emailing features@staradvertiser.com.
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