As 2018 comes to an end, I am grateful for all the wonderful memories made during this year. If I had to choose one day of 2018 to be known as the BEST DAY EVER, it would be an easy choice. I’d pick Friday, May 11th, 2018. This was the day Brett and Jess got married.

Here are some of my favorite memories from their wedding.

The night before the wedding Jess checked into the Four Seasons in Ko'olina. The room was gorgeous and provided the perfect setting for all the bridal party to get ready together, The room was spacious, comfortable and had an amazing view of the ocean.

It was so nice to see how supportive these girls were to Jess. I feel so thankful that she is blessed with such great friends.

Just before she got dressed Jessica read a card that Brett had sent for her. Brett knows that Jessica's love language is "Words of Encouragement", so to watch her receive a card filled with thoughtful, loving words from Brett was such a sweet moment. Of course the icing on the cake was the fact that Brett made the card for her in my stamp studio using Stampin' Up! products.

Unbeknownst to Brett, Jessica had the same idea. A card was given to him as him as well, one that Jessica had stamped for him.

Although I wasn't there to see him receive it, I am glad that the photographer captured this moment.

Once Jessica was ready, we surrounded her to pray. It was the perfect way to begin a day that was so special from start to finish.

One of the most special moments was when everyone left the room and Jessica set up a “first look” with Derek. It was so touching to see Derek’s reaction when he saw Jessica in her wedding dress.

He did a really good job holding it together as he walked her down the aisle.

The wedding was held next door to the Four Seasons at Lanikuhonua. The name of this property means, "where heaven meets the earth". I can't think of a more perfect setting for this momentous occasion.

Although I knew some of Jessica's plans. I really didn't understand how everything was going to "fit" together. So seeing the venue, the flowers, the centerpieces, table decor, wedding arch, etc was all a first for me. Since Jessica is in the wedding industry I knew whatever she put together was going to be amazing and it was. As I saw how everything was coordinated just the way Brett and Jess wanted, I couldn’t stop smiling. I had a few people come up to me and tell me that I looked so happy that day, and I really was. It was such a special day.

As the tables were set up, the party favors were set on the table at each persons seat. My friend Cindy of Zoe Hawaii made the most adorable Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies and I packaged them using a Stampin’ Up Acetate Box that I cut in half.

Here is a close up of the favors. Cindy did such an amazing job with these personalized creations. As I’ve said before about her treats, they not only look good but they taste amazing.

Pastor Brett and Jess (PBandJ) Wedding Favors

On the back of each box I made, there was a poem that read. “Like Peanut Butter and Jelly, Love is Sweet. Thank You for Making Our Day Complete! With Love, Pastor Brett and Jess (Nicknamed PB and J by their students) “

The reception was held at the same location as the wedding. It was an absolutely beautiful day for an outdoor reception.

My favorite moment from the reception was watching Jess surprise Brett with a special hula she had prepared for him. It was special because Jess doesn’t like to get up in front of others to perform so this was truly an act of love to bless Brett on their special day

Of course another moment filled with surprises was when Jess and Derek were doing their Father and Daughter dance

Their dance was interrupted when they began to rap about the wedding day to a Bruno Mars song.

Jess probably thought that all the surprises were over but Derek had one more surprise for the Bride and Groom. He called up Brett’s Dad, Norm and the two of them did a lip sync to the song, Sharp Dressed Man.

Speaking of Norm, we are so blessed that Jessica married into the Nakasone family. They are such wonderful people.

For my Christmas Card this year I used our family photo from the wedding.

I printed the photo into a 4 x 6 size and then I cropped it to 4 x 4. I then added a 1 3/4 x 4 piece of the Joyous Noel Designer Series Paper. I mounted the strip and the photo to the front of one of our pre made Whisper White Large Memory and More Cards.

I then just added a small strip of Whisper White card stock across the front with a Merry Christmas sentiment. I created the notches in the banner with the Triple Banner Punch. I used two different sheets of the Joyous Noel DSP as both matched our family photo really well.

I was glad that I could use Stampin’ Up! products to create this card that captures a moment from our favorite day of 2018.

It truly was the BEST DAY EVER!!!

Aria Studios did such an amazing job not only capturing many of the beautiful photos I’ve shared in this post but they also created two amazing videos. If you want to watch them you can click HERE to watch Brett and Jessica’s Love Story. This creative and fun video was shared at the reception. Also to see a video that highlights all the special moments of their actual wedding day and will show you many of the things I wrote about today, you can click HERE.

I hope that like me you are remembering special moments you’ve shared with family and friends over this past year. Special moments don’t always have to be attached to joyous occasions. Often its trials and difficult seasons that can produce change and growth in us that at the time don’t seem like things to be grateful for but we can look back later and give thanks. No matter what season you are in, know that as I bring this post to a close I am saying a prayer for each one of you reading this that you will be blessed with many special memorable moments that you can call the Best Day Ever in the New Year to come!

I wish you a happy and BEST blessed New Year ever!

With Aloha,

Cindy

Best Day Ever (2018)

Stamped With Aloha

Best Day Ever (2018)

Sweet Little Hula Girl

Family and Friends

Stamped With Aloha