Renai Blog - Hawaii Wedding Photography

Hawaii Wedding | Ihilani Resort

Location - Ihilani Resort

With family and friends coming from the Bay Area and Japan, Hawaii seemed like the perfect middle location. The ceremony was held under the Ihilani gazebo with the reception to follow in the Malolo room. With the sun falling fast, it's great knowing what we need to do and not mess around with camera settings and equipment. Another awesome Hawaii sunset out on secret beach.

Hawaii Wedding | Royal Hawaiian Waikiki

Location - Royal Hawaiian Hotel Waikiki
Videographer - Kai-Media
Minister - Reverend Michael Nelson

Our long day started at the brides house with traditional Chinese games, a Chinese tea ceremony, and 3 different outfits for the bride, ended with an awesome video highlight from the talented Kai-Media. And not to forget the awesome lion dance performance!

Hawaii Wedding | Ihilani Hotel

Location - Ihilani Hotel and Resort

Because of the chapel rules of using their own photographers, we were unable to capture the ceremony at the Waioli Chapel. Kentaro's parents were married there 35 years ago and Chiaki and Kentaro wanted to have the same ceremony. Chiaki really wanted to hire us for their wedding day, so we came up with a plan to be at the Ihilani to capture their getting ready and also their first meeting, and then come back to the Ihilani after the ceremony for a special sunset session out on the beach. Even though there was a language barrier between us ( Chiaki and Kentaro are from Japan) we were able to have fun and get some amazing pictures.

Hawaii Wedding | Ihilani Resort | Lanikuhonua

Location: Ihilani Resort and Lanikuhonua.

Florist: Ryan Medeiros

Videographer: Aria Studios

Hawaii Wedding | St. Andrews Chapel | Sheraton

Being a Hawaii wedding photographer means being able to work in some amazing places. Although St. Andrews is right across the street from our studio, I've never had a chance to work there. We can literally see it when we look outside our windows. Being that the chapel is run by a Japanese company, it is very rare that outside photographers are allowed to shoot there. After our bride convinced the chapel and it was okay for us to shoot there, we were more than excited at the opportunity. St. Andrews is known for its dramatic stained glass and beautiful architecture. After the ceremony, we headed down to the famous Lanikai Hawaii beach and then back to the Sheraton Waikiki Beach hotel for the reception. Although my Japanese is very limited to just knowing how to count to 10, we had a great time.

Hawaii Wedding | Lanikuhonua Beach | Ihilani

Another Hawaii Wedding down at the beach know as "secret beach" near the Ihilani Hotel. Unfortunately it is not a secret anymore and I also just found out that it's not even called Lanikuhonua beach. Anyway, congratulations to another awesome couple and a perfect sunset.

Hawaii Weddings - North Shore Oahu

Sorry, it's been a while since we've posted on this blog. Because of the workload that we've had, we haven't been able to keep up with this blog.

One of our more requested sessions is our Hawaii Sunset Photography Session. Taken up on the North Shore of Oahu where the sunsets are amazing and while often secluded, the nearby turtles love watching our awesome couples.

Another couple all the way from New York!

Ko'olau Ballrooms

If you haven't been by the Ko'olau Ballrooms, now is your chance! This Friday September 25th, 2009 come by the Ko'olau Ballrooms for their Bridal Open House and check out the venue. For more information, go to http://www.koolauballrooms.com

Hawaii Wedding - Crystal and Nick - Ko Olina

Location - Ko Olina

Hawaii Wedding - Cheyenne and Chris - Ihilani

Location - Ihilani Resort and Waialae Beach Park

Slideshows??

What happened to all the slideshows??

Sorry everybody, we're doing some cleaning of the website and it should be back up soon. We'll keep you updated.

Thanks for your understanding!

Eddy

!!! Update !!! Slideshows are now being uploaded but will take some time. If your slideshow is not up, please email me and I will take care of it.

Thanks!!!

Wet!!

Hawaii Wedding | Schel and Sterling | Secret Island Kuuloa

Sunset Session | Brianne and John | North Shore

Hawaii Wedding | Shari and David | Moana Surfrider

Another awesome Hawaii wedding at the beautiful Moana Surfrider Hotel in Waikiki. Wew always love shooting here because of the history of the hotel. Shari and David are a great couple and the wedding was fantastic. Thanks to Gina Ornellas from D'lish and the staff at the Moana Surfrider. Check out the slideshow! www.renaiphoto.com/shari

Hawaii Wedding | Alina and Elliot | Ihilani Resort

All the way from New York to celebrate their special day. Thanks to the staff at the Ihilani Resort and DJ Tony So who had the dance floor rocking! A perfect sunset and one of the best locations for sunset photos on Lanikuhonua Beach. Cehck out the rest of the day here: www.renaiphoto.com/slideshows/alina

Hawaii Wedding | Rene and Maryann | Honolulu Country Club

Hawaii Wedding | Myrl and Suman | Waialae Beach Park

Hawaii Wedding | Neli and Bob | Turtle Bay Resort

Hawaii Wedding | Lupe and Cris | Heeia State Park

FACEBOOK!!

Don't forget to check out our facebook page! www.facebook.com/renaiphoto

Hawaii Weddings | Shantelle and Lloyd | Okinawan Center

More Hawaii Sunsets

Long Weekend Fun in Hawaii

Just a few from a busy weekend.

The limo with no AC

I can deal with a Limo with no air conditioning if it's a '66 Volkswagen Bus! Thanks to Mark Douglass for the awesome ride from Ihilani to Waialae Beach Park. Now to convince my wife that I need one of these....

Hawaii Weddings - The cool kids - Kuuloa Ranch Molii Gardens

I've lived here most of my life, but this is the first time I've been to Secret Island. After a short rain soaked boat ride, a little stroll through the rain forest, a little private beach waited for us. More to come!

Hawaii Engagement - Alina and Elliot - Lanikuhonua Beach

All the way from New York, Alina and Elliot decided that the Ihilani Hotel was the place for their wedding. Another great sunset down at Lanikuhonua Beach along with some after dark shots on the property.

This has to be illegal...

Hawaii Wedding - Suman and Myrl preview

Shari and David - Hawaii Wedding Moana Surfrider preview

The Worm!!!! Check out how high he got...

Peas Beach previews

Hawaii Engagement -- All the way from Kansas

We get to meet people from all around the world. Germany, Italy, Japan, New York and now Kansas!! All the way from Kansas. Congratulations on your engagement Jazmine and Gary.

Jennifer and Ed

- Girls getting make up done at 2:30 am. (AM!!!)

- forty something pairs of sponsors, walking down the aisle!!!!

- an Okinawan lion dance at a filipino wedding!!! That was pretty funny :)

Always excited when new things happen... Jennifer's a special person to my family as she was Jordan's first pre-school teacher and someone that she just adores and admires. We worked along side Patricia Inoue from the Treasure Chest and the awesome crew from Studio Red.

Location - Hawaii Prince Hotel and WJNS (wow, I never knew there was a website!)

Flowers and Coordination - Patricia Inoue - Treasure Chest

Video - Studio Red

Sunset Session on the North Shore

Elliot and Alina | Wedding at Ihilani JW Marriott

Just a quick preview. Another great sunset and another wrong forecast thankfully. The rain stayed away from Ihilani. More to come soon...

This is the reason why I come home with sand in my shoes...

Alina and Elliot sneak peek

Just wanted to share a few from another great sunset out at the West side. Another great couple from New York! Can't wait until the wedding on Friday at Ihilani!

Sunburned!!

I guess the only downside to working outdoors in Hawaii is getting sunburned.

Here's a few from this past weekend!

Mark and Traci - Hale Koa Hotel

Special Thanks:

Location - Hale Koa Hotel

Florist - Always Flowers - Todd Oshiro

Hair and Make-up - Dorys Foltin

DJ - Showtime DJ's - Teley Brandon

Photobooth - Blue Cheese

Wedding Coordinator - Finishing Touch - Sandra Williams

The Wedding Party

It's hard to call it work when you're having fun...

Happy Easter!!

Little baby "A" and mom taking a break from egg hunting!

Yukiyo and Matt

The difference between Men and Women

So you really want to know what goes on in the other room??

And now the guys...

Hon and David - Lanikuhonua Ko'olina

Never had a bride climb up a tree before!

Mom and Dad showing the kids how it's done!

Hon and David had an amazing wedding. Katy from Katy Castillo Weddings really went above and beyond and everything looked perfect. With the group traveling from San Jose, the weather held up and we had an incredible sunset.

Location - Lanikuhonua

Coordination - Katy Castillo Weddings

Videography - Image Creations

Mark and Traci - Hale Koa Hotel

More to come...

East side Engagement (in the rain again!)

Dancing the night away

Amazing pictures from Skyler...

(more to come)

Kakaako Park Sunset

Out of my way...

Getting the shot doesn't mean you have to get in the way. I love how this picture (Thanks Skyler!) shows my typical "duck and shoot" move. Part of our goals to being a wedding photographer here at Renai Photography is to always be aware of not only the bride and groom, but also the guests as well. I'm pretty sure that they would much rather see the cake cutting than to look at the back of my head (although I did have a pretty good hair day).

Has to be one of the best cake tops I've seen so far...

Lanikuhonua wedding

Just a couple for now from this past weekends wedding. Stay tuned for more!

Laurel and Bret - Hilton Hawaiian Village Wedding

All the way from Tennessee!

Location - Hilton Hawaiian Village Rainbow Terrace

Aimee and Mateo

SPAM!!!!

As much as everyone here in Hawaii loves Spam, Yahoo or Hotmail doesn't. It looks like some of our return emails get automatically sent to your SPAM box. If you filled out our contact form on the website and don't hear from us, PLEASE check your SPAM box.

Thanks!

David and Heather - Waimanalo Beach and Willows

Location - Waimanalo Beach Park and The Willows

Brett and Laurel

Just one for now.

Rich and Holly - Koolau Ballrooms

Location - Koolau Ballrooms

Even though the rain had pushed everything indoors, the staff at Koolau did an excellent job in moving the entire ceremony.

Happy New Year!

With a very successful year in 2008, we are looking forward to 2009! And with the new year, we'd like to introduce a few new things.

First off, OUR NEW NUMBER... We're phasing out our old office number and will be using this one (808)-330-3160. Most of you will not notice as we've been phasing out the old one for a while now. As always, email or just call us anytime. Please note that sometimes our emails end up in our clients SPAM box, so please check that if you have not heard from us. Our normal response time is pretty quick as with technology now days, we are always connected to the internet.

OUR NEW LOGO!... As time goes by, you'll start to see the new logo take over while the old one gets the boot!

FACEBOOK!... Hook up with Renai Photography on Facebook. Just click here Become a fan. Make us feel good :) We need more friends.

OUR OFFICE... is FINALLY getting painted. After about 6 months of trying to do it ourselves, we finally gave up and decided to hire the pros. It should be done this week, so if you are in town feel free to make an appointment to stop by.

FLICKR.. we're finally on flickr (click here) Our goal with Flickr is geared mostly for the photo enthusiasts. With weekly emails from people that want to learn how we do things, especially lighting, this is a good way for us to explain how certain shots were taken. There is no secret to photography. Everything you need to know is on the internet. Learning takes a lot of patience. Our goal is not only to educate our couples, but also anyone interested (or willing!) to listen. So if you have any questions, please feel free to post it in the comments section of each picture.

RENNAN and JORDAN...My inspirations and my biggest fans! Rennan just made a year and Jordan is almost 5 now. As most of you know, the reason why I became a photograher was because of them. Rennan's a handful and I'm usually chasing him around the office!

And finally OUR BLOG... We'll start to update this more often. (I say this, but we still have weddings from last year that we need to post!!! :) But please check back often. Hopefully this will be a way to get to know us better.

Thanks! And looking forward to a great 2009!!!!

Eddy Fong

Renai Photography
http://www.renaiphoto.com/
808-330-3160

After Dark Sessions

Location - Downtown Honolulu

Maui'd- Maui Grand Wailea and King Kamehameha Golf Course

Location - Maui Grand Wailea and King Kamehameha Golf Course

Chris and Jaqueline - Hilton Hawaiian Village and Ala Moana Beach Park

Location - Hilton Hawaiian Village and Ala Moana Beach Park

Lately I have had more grooms-to-be contacting me for information. Things have changed a lot as it used to be that the bride that would make the decisions and the groom happily followed along like a little dog. When I got married a few years ago, the only thing that I was in charge of was the slideshow! I'm happy now that the grooms are finally taking a part in the planning.

Planning a wedding from New York isn't easy. After going back and forth on which location they should have the ceremony, they chose to have the it at Ala Moana Beach Park. After weeks of hard rain, and waking up in the morning to more rain, things finally cleared up and we had the best day we've had in weeks.

Woojin and Jiyoung - Hilton Hawaiian Village and Kakaako Park

They flew half way around the world from different locations to meet up in Hawaii. And after weeks of nothing but rain, it finally let up and gave us some of the best weather we've had in a while. I was kind of nervous when the hard rain woke me up at 4am, but thankfully it passed us by. Not only were we treated with great weather, but an awesome couple as well. We started out at the Hilton beach and made our way over to Kakaako Park. Another wedding today after this and then we're off to Maui tomorrow to shoot at the Grand Wailea and King Kamehameha Golf Course. Krispy Kreme's!!!

Little "S"

My assistant for the day!!

Lupe and Cris

Working hard (at the beach!!)

Never rains in Hawaii - Hawaii Loa Ridge and Halekulani

I normally don't post pictures where I was shooting for another photographer. BUT after an unexpected accident, here I am shooting a wedding in what it seems like a hurricane. This wedding was an amazing one considering what happened. From the last minute change of the makeup artists because of illness, to the last minute change of photographers, and also the missing ceremony chairs that never showed up. It never stopped them from having one of the most memorable weddings I have ever been a part of. (and I've been to a LOT of weddings) And thanks to the bridal party and family and friends who stood out in the rain during the ceremony without one complaint. True friends... Thanks to Mark Nomura Photography for letting me shoot this for them.

Shelby and Jayson - Hale Koa Hotel

Location - Hale Koa Luau Gardens

Rose and Reynaldo - Pacific Beach Hotel

Location: Pacific Beach Hotel

Videographer - Image Creations
Florist - RM Florist

Shari and David -- part 2

After a dissapointing last minute rain cancellation, I'm glad that David's ship broke down :) One extra day in Hawaii means you have to spend time with me and my camera. Looking forward to the wedding!

Shari and David

Just thought we would post an image from this engagement session. Considering the gray VOG (Volcano Fog) was out today, getting the sky blue wasn't easy. More to come soon.

Julia and Dustin

Location - Hale Koa Hotel - Maile Gardens and Derussy Hall

April and Danny Engagement Session

Halekulani Wedding

Location - www.halekulani.com

Ihilani Bridal Shoot

I'm always happy when clients want to do an after wedding day shoot. No stress, no worries, no family :) Here is a few from yesterday. I have a bunch of weddings that I need to catch up on from a busy September, but I thought I'd share these first. More to come from this sunset session!

The wedding party

Caught Working..

It's been a while since I've updated this, and we have a ton of pictures that we want to post but just not enough time. After being sunburned at a wedding in the morning, and then completely soaked at another wedding after that, it's time to go to bed :)

Mika and Chris -- Makaha Golf Resort

Location - Makaha Golf Resort

www.makaharesort.net
808-695-7581

Lately we've been getting a lot more interest in bridal shoots and day after shoots. Being able to work with the bride and groom without all of the stress that comes with the wedding day is such a welcome. Whenever time gets short on a wedding day, the photography time always gets the cut. So spending a couple of hours with a great couple is something we look forward to.

Thanks to Sandy Narvaez and the crew at Makaha Resort for being so inviting. If you haven't had a chance to get out to the west side to Makaha, it's really something to see. Especially at sunset.

Flowers by Ryan Medeiros - 808-386-8325

Rose and Reynaldo

Chantel and Daniel

Wedding Location - Ihilani Hotel

The DJ!

The DJ -- Tony So
Hawaii Wedding DJ - The DJ Hawaii
808-753-7233
Rockin' the house again...

Donabel and Joshua

Click here to replay slideshow

Location: Hale Koa Hotel

Special Thanks to:

Mark Nomura and Jin
Sandra Williams - Finishing Touch
Videographer - Angel De Armas
DJ - Troy Michael
Florist - Peony Floral

Linens - Les Saisons

Cindy and Alex

Location: Ihilani Hotel - Lanikuhonua - Roy's Koolina ( I loooove Roy's!)

Eliza and Rafael

Location: Ihilani Hotel

Kanoe and Dustin

Location: Haiku Gardens

Jaclyn and Alex

Locations:

Makaha Resort
Paradise Cove
Ihilani Resort

Tina and Mark

Location: Ihilani Resort Hawaii

Briana and Scott

Koolau Country Club
Flowers by Patricia Inouye

(7000 records!)

Alika and Sharon

Hilton Hawaiian Village :: Kamehameha Chapel :: Ala Moana Hotel

The Groom's brother with some great advice

Sharon and Buddy :: Lanikuhonua

Heath and Jennifer Sunset Session

Turtle Bay Resort - North Shore Oahu

Trina and Mike

Summer and Scott

Married at Anela Gardens in Daimond Head and then off to Chai's Island Bistro for dinner reception.

Bob the dog...

Bob the "girl" dog :)

Rae and Joe

Now that I finally have a weekend off, I figure I might as well do more work! This blog really needs an update...

This wedding started at St. John's in Kalihi and then to the Luau Gardens at the Hale Koa.

A wedding at Hickam Air Force Base

Hickam Air Force Base??? That's right! We had a great time. Kahu Silva performed a beautiful "Lei Ceremony" (I was educated on what a real lei ceremony really was the day before by Kahu Silva. Thanks!)

Good help is hard to find....

Grooms make the best lightstand :)

Thanks Art for the "action" shot!

Labels: hawaii wedding photography

Honolulu Photographer

Top Rated
Honolulu Photographer
at MomentVille.com

The Last Word

WOW! What a thrill it was to see our picture featured in the latest Pacific WEDDINGS magazine on the last page.

From the Pacific WEDDINGS blog - "this single image captures a magical, emotional moment in a wedding celebration— a single captivating image that conveys love, friendship, heartfelt gratitude and spontaneity." Go and get your copy of Pacific WEDDINGS!

After a long day, Sara and Steve finally had a chance to be together. Ready to start their new lives together with each other. Click here for more pictures!

K Bay Catering

A couple of weeks ago, I was honored to be invited to view the Officers' Club at the Marine Corp Base in Kaneohe. After all the weddings that I've been to in Hawaii, I had never been to K Bay and also never realized how great of a place K Bay is to have a wedding.

Araceli Tezuka, the Catering Manager there, took me around to view the different wedding sites. Talk about having the whole beach to yourself! Growing up here in Hawaii, I thought I knew where all the beaches were, but I was amazed to find a beach so secluded and perfect for pictures. Something different from the crowded beaches of Waikiki. Definitely a place where your guests will remember!

Contact info:

Araceli Tezuka

Catering Manager

808-254-0905

araceli.tezuka@usmc-mccs.org

The entrance to the Officers' Club

The bar area where guests can hang out before the reception.

One of the wedding sites. This one was on the golf course right next to the most secluded beach in Hawaii.

Another favorite photo area is near "Pyrimid Rock"

Rock Concert at a Wedding?

A guy dancing on stage...Cool DJ lights...was it a wedding or a rock concert?

Ko'olina Engagement

With Ko'olina getting tighter on security, it's harder to get great pictures if you have to keep looking over your shoulder. But luckily that didn't stop Shannon and Rea from having a great sunset. Rea works with Dr. Clyde Uchida DDS who bought them this engagement session for them. Over a year ago! But we're glad that they finally decided to do this because we got some great pictures and an awesome sunset.

After all that rain...

So after all that rain, we finally had a great week. Another sunset shot at Kaka'ako park:

Blue Sky Sunset Hawaii

Koolina Beach sunset

Miss Jordan

I can't believe that she is almost 4 years old. She is my inspiration and the reason why I became a photographer.

Kevin and Grace

All the way from NY

It's been cold here in Hawaii, but not New York cold! So I've discovered a new talent. I can shoot a camera with one hand, while waving a pink umbrella in the other.

Fire Dancers

More dirty diapers = less sleep for us

Apparently babies have a language of their own. http://www.dunstanbaby.com/ Supposedly babies can tell you when they are hungry, tired, gassy, uncomfortable... All I hear is "change my poopy diapers!" After watching the DVD, we're just as confused as before...