Post-Wedding Celebration Ideas and Referrals
Here you will find information about where to get a wedding cake, your private dining options, private chef options, and in-home catering.
Wedding Cakes
Professional, Local Bakers with Beautiful Ingredients and Decorations:
Basic Cakes (when you care more about the symbology of having a cake, but aren't tied to the uniqueness or flavor:
- Kona Safeway Bakery (TIP: You don't have to tell them it's for a wedding.) Call them at: 808-339-9155 x2
- Costco Kona Bakery (for bigger sheet cakes). Call them at: 808-331-4800 x6
Private Dining Options
If you are looking for more of a private dining option (rather than just a nice dinner out), rather than a traditional reception, the below are beautiful, special options:
Four Seasons:
Dinner Under the Stars - Private dining experiences at the Four Seasons. Click for the brochure.
Private Room at Ulu Ocean Grill - (NOTE: Ulu Ocean Grill is currently closed while it is undergoing enhancements. It is slated to re-open before Christmas of 2024). If you are interested in exploring this option, please let me know and I will connect you to the manager. Currently, this has an $1000 or $1500 room rental fee (depending on how many people) plus a $3750+ (+ tax and 20% gratuity) minimum F&B spend. Three and Four Course Prix-Fixe Menus are offered, and include a 30 minute cocktail hour. Children's menu available. If I am helping you arrange, I will contact them to get a quote for you. If you are doing this, call the Four Seasons and ask to be connected with the event staff.
NOTE: If you would like to avoid a required hotel stay for this option, we'll have to wait to book about 60 days out. It used to be that the bride was NOT be permitted to wear formal wedding attire, and that no professional photographer or videographer would be permitted, no official cake cutting allowed, etc., but things seem to be fluid depending on the manager, so if you'd like to explore this option, I'll find out for you!
Here is the most recent private dining guide I have, but this is subject to change as the resort makes updates. I will do my best to keep this up to date!
Dinner Under the Stars - Private dining experiences at the Four Seasons. Click for the brochure.
Private Room at Ulu Ocean Grill - (NOTE: Ulu Ocean Grill is currently closed while it is undergoing enhancements. It is slated to re-open before Christmas of 2024). If you are interested in exploring this option, please let me know and I will connect you to the manager. Currently, this has an $1000 or $1500 room rental fee (depending on how many people) plus a $3750+ (+ tax and 20% gratuity) minimum F&B spend. Three and Four Course Prix-Fixe Menus are offered, and include a 30 minute cocktail hour. Children's menu available. If I am helping you arrange, I will contact them to get a quote for you. If you are doing this, call the Four Seasons and ask to be connected with the event staff.
NOTE: If you would like to avoid a required hotel stay for this option, we'll have to wait to book about 60 days out. It used to be that the bride was NOT be permitted to wear formal wedding attire, and that no professional photographer or videographer would be permitted, no official cake cutting allowed, etc., but things seem to be fluid depending on the manager, so if you'd like to explore this option, I'll find out for you!
Here is the most recent private dining guide I have, but this is subject to change as the resort makes updates. I will do my best to keep this up to date!
| 2022_ulu_private_dining_guide.pdf |
Private Room at Ulu Ocean Grill - Full Wedding Option - See below under "Traditional" Reception Locations.
The Barefoot Table - This is not something they advertise online, but something I can get you information on and connect you to the right person to speak with about this and/or help you arrange it for you. It's a beautiful table set next to their restaurant, The Beach Tree. You will have a dedicated server, a private chef and a special menu including appetizer, main course and dessert. Currently priced at $175 per person (not including alcohol), plus tax and gratuity. Maximum number of guests (unless restricted by law) is 22.
Below is the brochure as of July 2024. I will post any updates as they come along.
Below is the brochure as of July 2024. I will post any updates as they come along.
| Barefoot Table Dinner - Brochure as of July 2024.pdf |
Fairmont Orchid Private Dining Experiences:
Brown's Beach House Private and Group Dining Options:
They offer three beautiful private locations and options, from one to up to 12 or 30 guests, depending on the spot! Just CLICK HERE (or download the PDF below) to explore more about the locations and pricing. For current menus, just ask me and I will send them along to you!
Brown's Beach House Private and Group Dining Options:
They offer three beautiful private locations and options, from one to up to 12 or 30 guests, depending on the spot! Just CLICK HERE (or download the PDF below) to explore more about the locations and pricing. For current menus, just ask me and I will send them along to you!
| Fairmont - Brown's Beach House Private_dining_information___guidelines-2023-2024.pdf |
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Brown's Beach House Drink Menus:
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Fish Hopper Catering:
Ironically, I don't recommend the restaurant for more than breakfast, but the catering - onsite on their upstairs covered private lanai (NO view, but covered, open air) or at your rental house - is wonderful. The service is friendly, the communication is good, and the food is good. On the more affordable side of things here in Hawaii. Go HERE for more information and to contact them, and below for the complete brochure of catering packages.
2023 Event Space Rental Fee is $500, which includes tables, chairs, linens, table settings, florals, and bluetooth speaker (so you may play your own playlist).
Here are the menus and pricing as of December 2023 for Fish Hopper:
Ironically, I don't recommend the restaurant for more than breakfast, but the catering - onsite on their upstairs covered private lanai (NO view, but covered, open air) or at your rental house - is wonderful. The service is friendly, the communication is good, and the food is good. On the more affordable side of things here in Hawaii. Go HERE for more information and to contact them, and below for the complete brochure of catering packages.
2023 Event Space Rental Fee is $500, which includes tables, chairs, linens, table settings, florals, and bluetooth speaker (so you may play your own playlist).
Here are the menus and pricing as of December 2023 for Fish Hopper:
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Kai Eats:
Located in downtown Kona, Kai offers an amazing, but very casual, oceanfront dining experience. They now are offering partial and full buyout options, with Prix-Fixe menus, and a private area of the restaurant. Note that the tables and chairs at Kai are plastic, and although they allow for florals, they do not allow for linens or other "fancy-ing" up, unless their is a full restaurant buyout. The food - ranging from fresh fish and steak tacos to hand tossed pizzas to burgers - is casual, but delicious. The view from the restaurant is lovely(!), but the area for private dining is farthest back and is not the best in terms of view.
You can see the details for Kai Eats Semi-Private Dining Options by clicking the file below:
Located in downtown Kona, Kai offers an amazing, but very casual, oceanfront dining experience. They now are offering partial and full buyout options, with Prix-Fixe menus, and a private area of the restaurant. Note that the tables and chairs at Kai are plastic, and although they allow for florals, they do not allow for linens or other "fancy-ing" up, unless their is a full restaurant buyout. The food - ranging from fresh fish and steak tacos to hand tossed pizzas to burgers - is casual, but delicious. The view from the restaurant is lovely(!), but the area for private dining is farthest back and is not the best in terms of view.
You can see the details for Kai Eats Semi-Private Dining Options by clicking the file below:
| kai_eats___drinks_-_party_menu_-_1.3.pdf |
More "Traditional" Reception Locations/Event Spaces
We have just a handful of options that will provide you a traditional type of wedding venue and options. Please contact me directly for more ideas, since these are constantly in flux here in Kona.
Here is one that is never in flux, and is a high-end, but beautiful option with spectacular food and atmosphere:
Four Seasons Wedding Reception:
A custom quote will be created for each party, but note that the minimum spend is $10,000 Monday-Thursday, $25,000 Friday or Sunday, and $40,000 for a Saturday, and (typically) a two-day minimum stay at the resort is required. This is for those who are looking to do a more formal dinner with their guests (up to 50), and who want the full wedding experience (i.e. to be able to wear your wedding dress, do cake cutting, have a photographer and/or videographer present, not to mention an amazing meal near the ocean). The Prix Fixe Menu options are beautiful (and can even be customized), and this is actually a bargain for the experience they provide.
Here is one that is never in flux, and is a high-end, but beautiful option with spectacular food and atmosphere:
Four Seasons Wedding Reception:
A custom quote will be created for each party, but note that the minimum spend is $10,000 Monday-Thursday, $25,000 Friday or Sunday, and $40,000 for a Saturday, and (typically) a two-day minimum stay at the resort is required. This is for those who are looking to do a more formal dinner with their guests (up to 50), and who want the full wedding experience (i.e. to be able to wear your wedding dress, do cake cutting, have a photographer and/or videographer present, not to mention an amazing meal near the ocean). The Prix Fixe Menu options are beautiful (and can even be customized), and this is actually a bargain for the experience they provide.
Private Chefs
These are best for parties under 16.
Big I Private Chef: https://www.bigiprivatechef.com/ (Chef Kylee comes highly recommended)
Chef Michelle Gomez: https://www.chefmichellegomez.com/ (NOTE: she splits her time between Miami and Hawaii)
Chef Timothy James: https://cheftimothyjames.com/ - 808-339-1230 (He comes highly recommended)
Chef Luis Felix: http://www.thefelixs.com - 808-635-4510 (you may get Louis or his wife, Michelle). They also have a YouTube Cooking channel!
Muzzy Fernandez: 808-936-8486 (like a lot of folks in Hawaii, he doesn't have a website, but comes highly recommended by a trusted resource here)
Big I Private Chef: https://www.bigiprivatechef.com/ (Chef Kylee comes highly recommended)
Chef Michelle Gomez: https://www.chefmichellegomez.com/ (NOTE: she splits her time between Miami and Hawaii)
Chef Timothy James: https://cheftimothyjames.com/ - 808-339-1230 (He comes highly recommended)
Chef Luis Felix: http://www.thefelixs.com - 808-635-4510 (you may get Louis or his wife, Michelle). They also have a YouTube Cooking channel!
Muzzy Fernandez: 808-936-8486 (like a lot of folks in Hawaii, he doesn't have a website, but comes highly recommended by a trusted resource here)
In-Home Catering
In-Home Catering for Small to Larger Parties.
Papa Kona Events in-Home Catering: https://www.papakonaevents.com/catering
Fish Hopper in-Home Catering: https://www.fishhopperkona.com/parties-catering/ (they can accommodate larger parties as well)
Local Style:
Umeke's - https://www.umekesrestaurants.com/catering/(they even do whole pigs!)
Shimaichi - https://www.shimaichisushikona.com/new-page-1 (Sushi and Sashimi Party Platters for Pick Up)
Papa Kona Events in-Home Catering: https://www.papakonaevents.com/catering
Fish Hopper in-Home Catering: https://www.fishhopperkona.com/parties-catering/ (they can accommodate larger parties as well)
Local Style:
Umeke's - https://www.umekesrestaurants.com/catering/(they even do whole pigs!)
Shimaichi - https://www.shimaichisushikona.com/new-page-1 (Sushi and Sashimi Party Platters for Pick Up)
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