5 Steps to Bring a Dinner to Life
I’m not gonna lie. I sometimes struggle with banquet rooms for events. They can just feel so confined and uninspired. Has this rehearsal dinner in Kapalua made me a believer? I think maybe so!
Here’s a few guidelines we applied to bring this magical dinner to life.
1. Really understand the space
We worked closely with the events team at The Montage Kapalua Bay to understand the space that came with the indoor banquet room. Once we dug in a little, we learned that we also had access to the outdoor pergola area and the nearby pool deck. It was a no-brainer to move the event outside to enjoy the sunset, ocean breeze and tiki torches.
2. Think about the flow
The cocktail hour took place on the pool deck, which was just a few steps away from the pergola patio where dinner was set. The patio was long and narrow, which was conducive to my favorite dinner setup: a long, family-style farm table. In order to create an inviting flow between spaces (and to keep the bar easily accessible), we carried the eucalyptus garland well off the bar-facing side of the table and onto the floor. We lined the garland and stairs with candles, resulting in an open and inviting flow between the two spaces.
3. Incorporate reserved personal touches
Reserved is the key word here. The event should feel personalized, but not over the top. In this instance, the bride and groom to be were both huge martini fans. So, we served martinis as the signature drink and featured a small sign at the bar that read, “Tini Time”—how the couple fondly refers to the drink. We also provided small cowbells as a gift of gratitude for the guests. This is a personalized take on wedding bells, as the groom grew up ski racing and cowbells were a permanent fixture in his family.
4. Create an environment that matches the event
A rehearsal dinner begs a sense of intimacy and privacy. To create this within a larger hotel setting, we did a canopy of warm twinkle lights over the farmhouse table and robust, elevated centerpieces to bring the guests’ attention inwards. We sat the bride and groom at the head of the table (with chair leis) so they could look out upon their closest friends and family among the twinkle and candle light. Never underestimate the power of a romantic tablescape, golden lighting and a ukulele playing “somewhere over the rainbow” in the background.
View more photos from the event here.
xx, mckenzy golding