Nadia and Mike, out by the front at Ko'olina. That's a golf course right behind them!

A LOOONG DAY!
An excursion, and a wedding, Muslim style

It was an early morning email for me one day, which I received from Nadia. Her email was rather specific. She loved my pictures, wanted great pictures, but there was one little hurdle that she had. Nadia wanted a Muslim wedding, and she had to find an Imam to marry her in Oahu, and a mosque to get married in. Now, I had gotten request for Muslim weddings before, but for one reason or another, their plans had changed, so I really wasn't sure if I could help her out. But since Nadia's plans were solid, I told her I would try my best to find an Imam in Hawaii. At worse, she told me, she would just hire out one of my ministers to perform a non-denominational wedding.

It took me about a week or so to find an Imam and a mosque here in Hawaii. The task, luckily, wasn't that difficult, as Oahu had formed a Muslim Association of Hawaii not too long ago. I quickly put Nadia in touch with the Imam and the plan was hatched. Nadia and Mike would hire me to do their photography for their wedding day. We would hit Ko'olina for photos, then head back to the Kahala Resort for pictures, then finish off the day with their wedding at the newly renovated Mosque in Manoa Valley.

Walking on the beach proved to be pretty difficult in that wedding dress for Nadia

Mike and Nadia met at a conference for their company. Ironically, they worked for the same company, in the same building, but did not run into each other at all before that conference. I still wonder how in the world that was possible, but that's the way it happened. Their friendship soon blossomed, and as the story goes, they were soon tying the knot in Hawaii!

This is the bluest ocean I had ever seen at Ko'olina

You can't tell from the pictures, but it was extremely hot at Ko'olina

After the photo shoot ended at the Kahala Resort, I took the liberty to head down to the Mosque an hour early to possibly meet with the Imam to ask him about what was possible, and what was not. Unfortunately, he wasn't there, but I was lucky to run into a handful of extremely nice Muslims who sat me down to discuss every detail of Muslim wedding traditions.

The biggest question I had was what I could and could not photograph during the wedding. I had my run in with very strict Catholic priest before who had extremely strict photography regulations and I did not want to upset the Imam. To my surprise, I could photograph anything I wanted! A Muslim wedding though, would prove to be different than what I was used to. There would be no vows, no ring exchange, no holding hands, or kissing. In some cases, I was told that even the bride and groom were not allowed to be in the same room during the wedding, or be allowed to sit next to each other. But this Imam insisted that Mike and Nadia sit next to each other for theirs.

This shot was taken at Kahala Resort

In the lobby of the Kahala Resort

Photographing Nadia and Mike's wedding was rather simple. Since they were not standing or moving around, I just had to rotate around them to get a few unique shots. Other than what I had earlier described, everything else about their wedding was pretty much the same than any other. The Imam sat down and give his advice on how to stay married and to have a great marriage. There were laughs here and there, and the usual wedding jitters.

This is the actual wedding ceremony at the mosque.

Now all I can say about this day, was that it was long long long. Unfortunately, the Imam got caught in traffic and ended up being an hour or two late to the ceremony. So when we started their wedding ceremony, the sun was completely down. I think we actually ended everything at around 9:30 or 10:30pm that night. We started shooting at around 1 or 2pm I believe...so this...yup, talk about a long day! It was completely worth it though.

Nadia listens to the Imam

Does Mike look nervous in that picture?

The night ended with one of the Muslims giving me a free copy of the Koran, then me looking for the person who blocked me in. Other than that, everyone was very cool. I breezed through the Koran a couple of times since then. Interesting book to say the least. But I'm not converting, I'm still a devout Christian.

So the story ends here on a happy note, like always. Weddings for me always end on happy note, as I that's when I get paid the rest of my balance. You know, I once attended a wedding as a guest, and after the wedding I started hanging around the couple for some odd reason. Then I caught myself. I was hanging around to get paid by them....haha...even though I had not done anything for their wedding....I was a guest! Hey, some habits are hard to break. But what can you say to a man who does 15 to 20 weddings per month right?

Mike, Nadia, thanks being extremely patient that entire day. You were perfect when it came to holding great smiles in the hot weather at Ko'olina. And like Spock once said to Kirk, "Live long and prosper."

Steve Young
The Hawaii Wedding Reporter
http://www.dreamweddingshawaii.com/

Hung out to dry. Thee...William Hung

FAT CELEBS

Well, this is a random post here. I wrote about three weddings last night, so I'm just going to show some funny pictures for now.

Remember that "wow" feeling you got when you saw your high school classmates three years after graduation. Apparently, three-quarters of them developed a taste for beer, and they had a proud gut to show for it. Well, apparently, celebrities are not immune to weight gain.... I know I know, they're human. But hey, in a way...aren't they supposed to know and be better than us? I mean for pete's sakes, they are on Bill Maher's show every night on HBO telling us the "truth" about 911, and how we should handle "Nuclear Proliferation." I mean, those guys and gals, like Rosie O'Donnel, they know everything.

Guess who this is? This is K-Fed....or I like to call him, Fed-ex...

And guess who? Hunk Matt Damon. Man, doesn't he look like some child predator?

Keely Shaye Smith, Pierce Bosnan's wife...

Rosie O'Donnel. She really has to do something about that chest and back hair

I of course, have nothing against weight gain. I've gained weight, and I've lost it. As of now, I'm losing a lot of fat because I've been motivated to hop back on my bike. Lately, I've been Lance Armstronging it up hills for the past two weeks. My wind is finally starting to come back, and my cuts are start to reappear after two years of disappearing..hahha

By the way, did you ever stop by that website THE ONION (http://www.theonion.com/) You should. It's hilarious! If you ever need a good laugh, go there....

Well, I'm off to the races. I'll blog more tonight about weddings.

Steve Young
The Hawaii Wedding Know-it-all
http://www.dreamweddingshawaii.com/

Jenna fell for an American hero

FINALLY!
Dustin and Jenna's Hawaii Wedding

Dustin and Jenna's wedding has been a long time coming. The story goes, the two love birds met back in high school. Dustin was friends with Jenna's cousin, and Jenna, well she had a school-girl crush on Dustin. Dustin on the other hand, didn't feel the same way. Apparently, back then, Dustin didn't know what was best for him.

A few years later after high school, when both Dustin and Jenna were in college, they happened to bump into each other at the mall. They started hanging out with each other and it didn't take long before Dustin started to fall head over heels for Jenna. Okay...everyone yell "IT'S ABOUT TIME DUSTIN!

It's been a long time coming Dustin

But their love didn't come without challenges. Soon after they started officially dating, Hurricane Katrina hit, uprooting their lives. Soon after, Dustin join the Marines and was deployed to the middle east to make our country a safer and better place. Jenna would soon learn that their love would have to overcome the trials of a long distance relationship. And guess what, it did.

Jenna knew what she wanted from the first time she met Dustin.

While Dustin was deployed overseas, defending out freedom, Jenna played her part as the loyal supportive fiance. She also planned their wedding with Dustin, while he was overseas as well.. Quite awesome, a little.... Actually, really awesome.

This..is good.

Dustin and Jenna at sunset

Their wedding ceremony was performed by Pastor Stan Ponz, who performed a perfect Christian Ceremony. Also perfect for the day was the weather. Isn't it strange that shortly after they day they met, Hurricane Katrina hit their home, and on the day of their wedding the weather just so happened to be picture perfect?

I love this shot

So getting back to Dustin and Jenna.....Jenna sent me a note a week ago saying that their long Dustin was home, and that their long distance relationship had finally ended! Alright! Do I have advice? Yes!

For Jenna: "Don't interrput Dustin during football sunday to go shopping, and you're all good."

For Dustin: "Just nod."

With all joking aside, my true advice, read this book. "The Proper Care and feeding of Husbands, by Dr. Laura Schlesinger. Click here to check it out. Everyone will tell you that living together is a lot harder than it looks, and it is. This book is great for newly weds, because it gives women the answer key to a man's brain. Trust me Jenna, Dr. Laura knows men inside and out.... you'll love that book. For men, I recommend, "The Proper Care and Feeding of Marriage" by Dr. Laura Schlesinger. Click here to check that out It may take some convincing though by you to get your man to read that book, but for the most part, men will read it. I love Dr. Laura, she really knows her stuff, especially when it comes to newly weds. I'm actually thinking about giving wedding couples a complimentary copy of this book if I can get a volume wholesale discount on them. We'll see though...

Dustin and Jenna, minutes after they got married

Wow, that pictures almost looks like the last...but it's not

So what can I learn from Dustin and Jenna's relationship. I hate to admit this, but sometimes, women know best. Myself, being a part time ego-centric man, this is very hard to swallow. But see, Jenna knew what she wanted from day one, and Dustin didn't. Hmm...I'll give Jenna points for that one. But I have to say this to all women. Just because Jenna was right from the beginning doesn't entitle her to choose what movies to watch on movie night or to turn the channel during football....hahaha.

I wish you my best :)

Steve Young
The Hawaii Wedding Report
http://www.dreamweddingshawaii.com/

Pastor Stan Ponz reads Greg's his last rights....just kidding

MOTIVATIONAL LOVE
Greg and Julie's Hawaii Wedding

Greg has a job that I believe most people would love. He's a motivational speaker, travels around the world speaking to businessmen and women, on how to better themselves. I believe, if I'm not mistaken, Hawaii, was the last state on his list to travel to. After his wedding, he had travelled to all 50 states in America. All I have to say is wow....is that cool or what!

Now, how did Julie and Greg meet? Well, you wouldn't believe it, but they met at one of Greg's seminars! Apparently, Greg is that good of a speaker...haha, just kidding Greg. I kid I kid. Their magic really wasn't love at first sight, but one that grew over time. They met at one seminar and kept in touch over Greg's travels. Their daily conversations made them grow closer, and their love blossomed into what it has become now...an endless bliss of good times, laughs, and Greg nodding and taking out the trash. Haha...I'm sorry I keep zinging you guys, I'm just feeling like a comic tonight as I update my blog.

Happily married at Kaka'ako Park, since no homeless people showed up.

Greg and Julie were referred to me through one of my minister's, Pastor Stan Ponz. Stan, like Greg, travels around the world to motivate people. Except Stan motivates people to follow God and Greg motivates people to make more money. Stan's a great minister for couples who are deeply routed in Christ.

A different type of palm tree shot

I don't do much weddings at Kaka'ako park. It's a nice park, littered with palm trees, and is ironically, made out of litter itself. Yes, Kaka'ako park should be called landfill park, because that's actually what it once was! A landfill. But that's not the reason why I don't do wedding there often. The main reason why I don't do weddings there often is because there were at one time, too many homeless people there.! Luckily for Greg and Julie, the homeless were not to found on their wedding day.

But I remember about a year ago, I went down to Kaka'ako to ride my bike. I took a glance over at the hills and saw that it was littered with what looked like pieces of cardboard. It almost looked artistic, mosaic like, as every hill was littered with these random pieces of art. There were camera crews, news reporters, so I thought that some artist was pulling some type of attention getter stunt. Boy, was I wrong. As I inched closer with my bike, the art on the hills weren't art at all, it was clothes being dried by homeless people! And the news was there to cover the problem! Wow! After that, I told myself, getting married at Kaka'ako would be a big no no. Now, maybe the liberal news reporters were there to interview the homeless on tips on how to live green.

Luckily since then, I haven't had an experience like that or seen anything that bad. Since then, the homeless people in Kaka'ako have moved into a high class closed gate community on a property near the park. They have nice little homeless cubicals to live in, a community Plasma TV to watch, and internet terminals. Wow....all at my tax payers expense...

Steve Young
The Hawaii Wedding Report
http://www.dreamweddingshawaii.com/

Doug and Amy tie the knot in my new favorite place to marry people

SOME COUPLES GET ALL THE LUCK
The Hawaii Wedding of Doug and Amy

Doug and Amy made it official at Ke'iki beach, my new favorite place for weddings. The beach is great. It's huge, empty, and littered with photographic opportunities. The only drawback is that it's hard to find! Luckily, Doug and Amy were staying with a friend who had a property that literally sat a few hundred yards from Ke'iki beach.

Doug and Amy tied the knot with a just a small amount of witnesses: two of Amy's kids, and two of their close friends. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Elias Parker. One of Doug's friends actually was a highly respected digital photographer in America, and showed up to shoot a handful of shots. He tapped me on the shoulder during the wedding to tell me that there was a rainbow as forming behind the couple and I quickly got into position and took the shot below. Photographers look after their own a lot of times....

Talk about lucky huh? Can you tell how wide Ke'iki Beach is from this shot? It's huge!

So yeah, some couples get all the luck when it comes to photographic opportunities. Actually, I think this was the first time I shot a full rainbow at a wedding that was this clear. Of course, with rainbows, come rain, and in a short time after this shot was taken, a quick sprinkle of rain came down. But with thier luck, it didn't last that long.

This is their sunset shot...

I wanted to take a quick second here to talk about sunset shots and photography. I would say that the majority of my couples always want sunset shots for their wedding. The truth is that many photographers have a hard time shooting sunsets, and there are two reasons: The first being that most photographers are digital photographers. While digital cameras definitely are catching up to the quality of film, when it comes to shooting sunsets, digital lags far behind. The reason? The sky during sunset is extremely contrasty, and the CCD's on digital cameras cannot interpret the contrast and color of sunsets in most situations. Parts of the sky would be blown out, parts would be exposed correctly, and some will be too dark. Sunset shots, if shot in digital format, would have to be salvaged in post-production.

It is important to note that all digital shots have to be salvaged. Digital photographers call this color correction, but truly, they are salvaging the best of their shots. After the original picture is taken, the digital photographer will use a program to saturate their shots, add contrast, add color, add sharpness, and literally create color where there wasn't, in order to make the shot look better. Film on the other hand is color corrected to skin tone, and from there, the rest of the picture basically falls into place. Color doesn't have to be manufactured in order to get great shots. This is why I still shoot on film.

The second reason why many photographers have a difficult time shooting sunsets is because they don't understand weather and it's role when timing sunsets. See, here in Hawaii, and around the world, the sun rarely sets into the ocean, or the horizon. For the most part, the sun sets into a cloud on the horizon, or behind a mountain, or even behind the building. Just because the weather report says the sunset is at 7pm, doesn't mean the sun will set at 7pm. If there are clouds on the horizon, like Doug and Amy's wedding, the sun will set into clouds, about an hour earlier than expected. Most photographers don't take this into mind, and show up to the beaches a little too late, consequently missing their sunset shot.

To get great sunset shots, I always tell my couples to appear at their wedding site about 1 1/2 hour to 2 hours before sunset, therefore we have lots of time to get great shots. We start the wedding during sun up, and shoot until sunset, waiting for the perfect sunset shot.

Getting back to Doug and Amy. What really surprised me was how Amy's kids welcomed Doug into the family. Amy's daughter and son gave Doug a huge hug after the wedding. It was great to witness that type of acceptance and love from Doug's new family.

I think great would be an understatement, it was awesome.



Steven Young
The Hawaii Wedding Reporter
http://www.dreamweddingshawai.com/

SURPRISE WE'RE MARRIED!
The Surprise Vow Renewal of Krishna and Geetha

It all started with a call from Geetha. She told me me that she wanted to surprise Krishna, her husband, with a vow renewal ceremony, in Waikiki. Geetha didn't have a solid surprise plan in hand, so the plan was to just go with the flow. On the day of her vow renewal, Geetha somehow convinced Krishna to dress up in the morning, and to take a walk to the Duke Statue. She told Krishna she would be meeting someone famous... I think. Was it Tom Selleck? I have no idea. I guess Krishna was pretty surprised to see me, a nobody. I then explained who I was, and what I did for a living, the Geetha told her husband, that this was a surprise vow renewal. Krishna gave her one of those tender smiles, kissed her, and we headed to the beach to renew their vows.

I've been watching a lot of the Tour De France lately...

LAST DAY OF REST...THEN...

Today is my last day of vacation before I start up another line of weddings, six days in a row! I haven't really been on vacation, I just haven't had any weddings for about five days. I've been answering phone calls, emails, and doing the usual paperwork, but I have to tell you...the down time of not being in the "field" is a welcomed treat. Today, I finished inputting a huge butt-load of receipts into Quickbooks. For those of who run their own businesses, you know what I'm talking about. Inputting these receipts are key to paying as little taxes as possible at the end of the year. It's almost important as making money.

So for my last day of rest, I'll be mountain biking in the morning. My friends just called me today (July 15th) and told me they wanted me to head out on an easy ride with them...IN THE MORNING. Man, what is it with these morning activities these days. We should be biking at sunset, I think it would make the trails a lot more interesting when you can't see what's in front of you right?

Well, with my last day of rest, I did come upon a revelation. That women, actually run the world. Yes men, I have to admit this, although we may be the provider of the household, it is women who run the world.

Women do run the world

How in the world did I ever come to this conclusion? Well, I was thinking about my friends, myself, and my own parents. Yes, it's probably true that we men on average make more than our significant others. But who controls what we buy? Our women. It is women who control the pocket books of men, as well as their own pocket books. And I really have no objection to this. It's because they actually know best when it comes to what is needed to run the household, so it works out.

So women basically control spending, for men and themselves. Mostly everything out there is catered toward women. If you really think about it, every big ticket item out there, from fancy bedsheets and linens, to clothing, to make-up, to even my wedding industry, are catered to women. For the most part, men really don't have a lot of choice when it comes to big ticket items. We like our sports, we like our cars (but even then we end up driving a station wagon because our woman says it's better for the family...haha), and lastly our video games. But that's it. Other than those things, men will also voluntarily spend money on women, with dinners movies, gifts... you name it. Conclusion? Women, all-in-all, control the economy.

And what have I been noticing? Women, have not been spending as much as they did before. They are pulling back on everything from weddings to vacations. They are really watching their pocketbook. And what does this mean? I hate to say, but this economy is in for it.

Obama once said that in order to get our economy moving once again, we have to get America to start borrowing. I disagree. If we want this economy to start moving again, we have to survive until women decide to start spending again. Yes, I know as a man, you can't tell a woman to do anything they don't want to. So patience it is. So men, watch your woman. Pay attention to her naturally born instincts when it comes to money. Because when she wants to start spending again, it's because she's is confident you'll still have a job, and that you and her as a unit have enough in savings, and that will be the best economic indicator to start investing in the market once again.

Steve Young
Hawaii Wedding Reporter
http://www.dreamweddingshawaii.com

I'M FEELING SARCASTIC THIS MORNING
...On everything I've been thinking of
these past few busy days....

First off, let me apologize for being out of touch for the past week regarding my blog. I just haven't had much time. I've been rather busy lately with MORNING weddings, traveling to Maui for another wedding, and waking up early for a few more MORNING weddings. As you can tell, I love mornings, and love getting up to see the bright morning sun screaming, "BRUSH YOUR FRIGGEN TEETH STEVE YOU HAVE COUPLES TO MEET!"

Alright, you got me. I hate them waking up. I hate mornings. But with that said, I'll do it because I do anything to make my brides happy.

So what's been on my mind lately? A lot of things. I've been thinking about everything from football to the economy these days. What am I going to blog about? Everything except weddings..hahaha. First, I would like to say how awesome Krispy Kreme is.

My donuts of choice at the Maui Krispy Kreme

Here in the State of Hawaii, we only have one Krispy Kreme, which is located on the unbusy boring island of Maui. Like the island, this Krispy Kreme stays unbusy with no traffic, car or foot whatsoever. I bet they wished they were in Oahu, but they aren't! Yet as unbusy as they are, they still make the best killer donuts in the world, in my complete Krispy Kreme biased opinion.

Here is Krispy Kreme Maui, basking in it's un-busyness

As you may have notice, I'm not a huge fan of Maui. Yeah it's nice, but man, it's so boring there, I get rock fever within a day...haha. If you are a "to-do-something" couple, head over Oahu. We may not have the best donuts, but we have the best everything else.

Next subject:
Nothing much. I feel like showing a few interesting pictures that may interest you.

This is a picture of a kid in India who has had one too many donuts. He is seen as a god there. In America, he as seen as a candidate for a heart attack.

This is probably the most disturbing wedding photo I've taken in my life...and the funniest. I took this last week.

This is how my cat Junior likes to sit down. Yes, like his master...

Next subject:
FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE...and "Obeying..."

Now I am not religious. I really don't believe in organized religion. Sunday mornings are too early for me, and during the fall, football is on in the morning here in Hawaii. A few times, you'll find me in church on Sunday's, but more often, you'll find me in front of the tele. But with that being said, I do not hide from the fact that I am a screwed up sinning Christian, who reads the Bible quite frequently. I read it often because I find a lot of wisdom in it, more so, the meaning of life.

Yes, the meaning of life!

So what is the meaning of life? Well, other than finding everlasting salvation, it's having these three things: faith, hope, and love. The entire bible preaches these three simple words throughout the new and old testament, and when you get married, you'll hear it briefly by your minister. So what exactly do these three things mean...biblically? A lot different than what the dictionary says I'll tell you that.

FAITH - is the belief in something which you cannot see. This can be anything from a God, a dream job, to your unborn child you will one day have.

HOPE - is the decision to follow what you have faith in.

LOVE - is not an emotion, but a commitment of hope and faith combined.

Pull anyone of these things out of your life, and your trust me, your life, your job, will feel and consequently become worthless. For example, you work at a dead end job with no promotion in site, you will lose hope, and love, and will consequently not work harder. Another great example would be marriage. Steve Mcnair, a great quarterback, was unfaithful to his wife, yet he still loved her, and hoped the best for her. But because he was unfaithful, just one of the three things, he invited some of the worse sins in his life. And now, unfortunately, he has to lay in the grave he dug himself. A healthy marriage, a healthy job, a health life, requires these only three things, faith, hope, and love. Remember that. Easier said than done. But now that you know the meaning of life, which you have attained by the lonesome crazy wedding planner, you can use it to your advantage when you run into problems.

WHAT'S WITH THE OBEY STUFF IN WEDDING VOWS.

First off, wedding vows were created by the church. In fact, the entire wedding ceremony was created by the church. There is actually not one mention of a wedding ceremony in the bible whatsoever. No rings to exchange, no vows, no marriage license. God just told man, that once he becomes one with a woman, he and woman would be married. Yes, in biblical terms, sex equals marriage. But you won't get any church admitting to that at all.

So when you hear the word "obey" in wedding vows, that really wasn't biblical because there were no vows in the bible. Also, just as a side-note, I don't put the word "obey" in our wedding vows at all. But what does the word obey mean? Biblically, it doesn't mean slavery....but it means trust. When a dog obeys his master, he trust that his master knows what's good for him. When a person is dangling from a window with two hands, holding on for dear life, and a fire fighter comes to that person and yells "Give me your hand!" He's telling you to obey him, to trust him, to have faith in him, that he will save your life. Obeying your loved one, submitting to your loved one, is a way of trusting your loved one. If you fear that he or she will make a slave out of you, then there is no faith, consequently little hope, and even worse, no commitment which means no love. Not good.

Holy smokes, that was serious. It's way too early in the morning to be that serious. Lets see another funny picture.

I ask, "What would Obama do?" or is that "Who?"

I think this is just a funny picture. Was he really checking out that girls butt? It's not even that great of a butt. And is President Sarkozy checking out Obama's butt? Which also, is not that great of a butt. I'm not gay by the way. Just letting you know. But in a totally non-gay way, and non-racist way, why does Obama have no butt? The guy is black. I mean, I'm Chinese and I have more of a butt than him. And all of my black friends told me this.....that black president, has no butt. Point well made.

Well, that's just my two cents for the day. I promise, I'll blog more about weddings soon. I just didn't feel like writing about weddings today. Too much wedding stuff on my mind for the past few weeks...

Like the Terminator says....I'll be back!

Steve Young
The Crazy Hawaii Wedding Reporter
http://www.dreamweddingshawaii.com/