We got set up on a blind date- the first and only for both of us! We had a lot of mutual friends, but had never met. Several of our friends decided to get us together.
Our first conversation went like this:
me: "Does that tattoo on your arm say 'Sicilian'?"
him: "yep."
me: "Is that because you are?"
him: "yep."
me: "Cool! Me, too!"
His neon orange Honda Civic was intimidating, but it didn't scare me off. My four kids didn't scare him off. We're best friends, business partners, we communicate well, we treat other kindly and respectfully, and we love each other.
What more can I ask?

We are having our wedding at Kolekole Beach Park just north of Hilo, here on the Big Island of Hawaii. It's grassy, not sandy, and there are pavilions as well as restroom facilities.
Rick's good friend is our minister. I have several bridesmaids (five so far!) and Rick has several groomsmen. Aspen, Benjamin, Crescent, and Vision will be part of the wedding party, their exact roles have not yet been defined.
My adoptive parents, who raised me, have both passed away, so there will be a table with photos and mementos of them. Guests are welcome to contibute to this table, especially photos and flowers.
We will not have the typical giving away of the bride. Instead, we will have a small theatre-like production with two villages, with a surprise.

We have not set a location for our reception yet. It may be at the beach park or at a friends land. We do know for sure there will be LOTS of music and dancing and food!
Iris Ohana will play and sing her amazing family-oriented acoustic folk rock (I'm hoping I can get her to do an electric set as well).
Tony Selvage has offered to play at the wedding. Maybe he'll perform at the reception, too!
Maria Mango let it slip that she may be here for the wedding- if she is, she's playing! Check her out at mariamango.com.
And more!

Flying into Hilo airport will get you very close to the wedding site. Hilo has several good hotels, and is the biggest shopping center on this side of the island. There are lots of salons and barber shops, some wonderful restaurants, and lots to see and do. There are accomodations for every price range. For guests with limited finances or who prefer being out of town, we can arrange accomodations for you at one of several properties here in Puna or possibly at a friends house in Hilo.

Rick and I are very excited to be together. This is a special day for us, as we are honoring and solidifying the commitment we have already made to each other. It's a special day for the kids, as well. We are all happy and looking forward to our big day. We hope you are able to grace us with your presence, and if not, for any reason, please know that we understand.
Aloha nui loa!
We love you very much!