Four generations of Leigh Sakoda’s family have grown up in Hawaii, so it seemed only natural that the cosmopolitan bride would choose to have a hometown affair at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel on Oahu, the historical hotel where her parents actually attended prom in the 1950’s. Ever since Harry Frederick Smith proposed to his girlfriend of three years on a winsome boat ride through Central Park, the New York City couple have shared wonderful times in the Hawaiian islands. “Harry has really grown to know and love my family as well as experience the true ‘aloha’ spirit of the islands,” Leigh says.

In the days prior to the wedding the groom’s parents, Dr. and Mrs. Everett Tyrell Smith Jr., hosted a rehearsal dinner at the Outrigger Canoe Club, Waikiki, where the bridal party and close friends enjoyed a touching video history of the couple produced by Leigh’s college friend. The bride treated her bridesmaids to private hula lessons from one of Hawaii’s most celebrated kumu (teachers). The couple also hosted a dinner at the Sheraton Waikiki, welcoming their out-of-town guests with beach bags full of island gifts.

Harry and Leigh selected Social Butterfly to coordinate a multicultural event, steeped in family tradition and island elegance. The couple’s worldly travels together resulted in an attendance of friends from as far away as Japan, Switzerland, the Netherlands, New York, California, and Canada. “All of our friends and family add such variety and color to our lives, and we were honored to have them fly from all parts of the world to attend our special day in Hawaii!” Leigh says.

A conch shell sounded in the distance as 100 butterflies were released overhead, signaling the entrance of the classic bride who wore a duchess silk-satin Vera Wang gown. She carried a delicate bouquet of white phaleonopsis orchids flown in from Vietnam, while her bridesmaids held bouquets of green cymbidium orchids against sand dune colored Vera Wang dresses. Groomsmen wore white Tommy Bahama silk shirts with coconut buttons and fragrant maile leis. Hawaiian minister Kahu Wendell Silva persided over the sunset ceremony in the tradition of his ancestors, as Nina Keali`iwahamana Repoza sand Ave Maria and the Hawaiian Wedding Song.

Talented florist Yvonne Chapman arranged wonderfully elaborate flowers for the entire wedding and reception areas, from the 12-foot bamboo arch covered with orchids and lush amaranthus, to the Chiavari chairs draped in gree and purple dendrobium orchid strands. A magnificent aisle was blanketed in thousands of white orchid blooms from beginning to end.

Upon entering the Royal Monarch ballroom for the reception, guests marveled at 4-foot high centerpieces of roses, orchids, protea, monstera and curly willow, in which each angle of the floral design gave the effect of a completely different arrangement. Chinese dragons, a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Ayae, danced throughout the distinguished room warding off evil spirits and bringing in good luck, wealth and happiness. Another symbol of good luck, a whole roasted pig prepared by a master chef in Honolulu's Chinatown, was served while Danny Kaleikini, Hawaii's famed "Ambassador of Aloha", offered a prayer and a history of the island that included a performance on the Hawaiian nose flute. Guests were gifted with Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Tea Pearls, a delicate hand-picked green tea originally grown for the imperial court during the Sung Dynasty an dintended for honored guests, provided by the Tea Chest of Hawaii. A thank you note created by dear friends of the mother-of-th-bride, Rachael Ushijima and Susan Calveria, was wrapped within a Japanese-style obi belt and accented with a Chinese coin. Carmen Emerson-Bass of Cake Couture designed an elegant five-tier fondant vanilla chiffon cake topped with cascading cymbidium orchids, green leaves, hyperican berries and soft satin ribbon.

In keeping with tradition of the bride's Japanese ancestry, 1001 gold origami cranes were folded and framed by Classic Cranes of Hawaii and made a lovely gift from the bride's two grandmothers. Guests were thoroughly entertained by a live band who kept them on the dance floor unil the very end of the evening. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable family celebration.

Photos by Dave Miyamoto