A Beautiful Wedding at Kukahiko Estate in Makena, Hawaii

Elisa and Ryan were married at the Kukahiko Estate in Makena. Kelly Miller of A Perfect Paradise Wedding, did her usual wonderful job, very pleasantly and efficiently coordinating the day. Elisa's son Reese was the poster child for ideal kids, very rare indeed. One of their guests had a daughter, Jackson, cool name or what, who was a natural at the hula. From the estate we stopped at Po'olenalena beach for some sunset photos and from there the group dined at Sarento's on the Beach in Wailea. Sarento's is right on the beach and is beautifully appointed. They also have a private dining room for groups of around twenty.

Bill Stockwell Photography Receives 2013 Best of Kihei Award

Kihei Award Program Honors the Achievement

KIHEI December 3, 2013 -- Bill Stockwell Photography has been selected for the 2013 Best of Kihei Award in the Wedding Photographer category by the Kihei Award Program.
Each year, the Kihei Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Kihei area a great place to live, work and play.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2013 Kihei Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Kihei Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Kihei Award Program

The Kihei Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Kihei area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.
The Kihei Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy.

Getting Ripped Off by Con Artists - Advice for Brides from CNBC !

Use Reputable Vendors!

When it comes time to decide which vendors to use for your wedding, choose carefully. How long has the company been in business?  Have you asked others for an opinion about their service?  Beware of deals 
that are too good to be true.  Stay away from companies that don't have a website or web presence.  
CNBC  reports

Five wedding scams for brides to worry about

 By: Kelli B. Grant | Personal Finance and Consumer Spending Reporter

Getting married isn't cheap, but it can break the bank in more ways than one—especially if brides and grooms fall prey to scams.

Experts say engaged couples and newlyweds are often targets for thieves and con artists. In part, it's because they're spending big bucks. Last year, the average couple spent $25,656, according to The Wedding Report a market research firm. And many couples are receiving nearly as much in gifts from friends and family.More than that, most couples are in unfamiliar waters—they've never hired a DJ or bought a wedding dress, said Alan Fields, co-author of "Bridal Bargains." They don't have a go-to provider or maybe even people to ask for referrals, which makes it easy for less scrupulous individuals to take advantage."There's always a new group of customers, and some people don't do their research," he said. What to watch out for?

1) Faux vendors

Couples, you can say what you will about a caterer's dry cake or a DJ's bad song choices. But gripes about a legit vendor who failed to meet expectations pale in comparison to (happily, rarer) complaints about vendors who take your cash but don't do anything at all. Period. 

Earlier this year, police in Little Falls, NJ, charged photographer Michael De Rubeis with theft by deception and impersonation, alleging that he—while operating under the name Michael J. Distasio—accepted $140,000 from clients and did not deliver their photos. The New York Attorney General's office made similar allegations when it sued De Rubeis in 2003 for photography and video work contracted under a number of business names. (De Rubeis could not be reached for comment.) 
In all, nearly a quarter of wedding insurance claims last year pertained to problems with a vendor, according to Travelers. That tally comprises a range of issues, but one of the biggest is non-delivery and no-shows, including vendors who go out of business, said Ed Charlebois, vice president of personal insurance for Travelers. "I would hesitate to call them scams, but that, to me is troubling," he said.

"It's obviously something pretty important to be checking references," said Anja Winikka, site director for TheKnot.com. Couples should check ratings on review sites such as The Knot's WeddingChannel.com and WeddingWire.com, and ask the vendor for recently married couples to speak with. 

If you'd like to read the rest of the article with 4 other ways brides are getting scammed or ripped off, go here. 

And Baby makes THREE !

Andrea and Cory were married at the Grand Wailea Resort in 2011. And now there are three, with the addition of Ethan. How did that happen? Life is pretty miraculous to behold when we take the time to appreciate the things so often taken for granted. I find it immensely rewarding when year after year people seek me out to photograph their families, having photographed their wedding years prior. Ethan was a really terrific and mellow fellow. He was totally unruffled, quiet and cool throughout the shoot. Big thanks to the three of them for a really enjoyable time. Andrea says, "Thank you! That was beautifully written! We had a great time with you during our shoot and look forward to seeing you again when we return to Maui next !"

A wedding I photographed at Maria Lanakila church in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii

Lisa and Jeff married at Maria Lanakila church in Lahaina, Maui. Following the ceremony we strolled scenic and quaint Front St., enjoying great photo ops including their favorite yogurt shop. We had an awesome time, as can be seen from the images. I firmly believe that wedding photography should be fun and that those genuine moment are reflected in the photographs. The reception took place at the Plantation House Restaurant in Kapalua, where everyone thoroughly enjoyed both the food and the ambience.

Danny Bonaduce and Amy Railsback marry at Four Seasons Resort Maui

Danny's a kick and Amy's as sweet as a mango shave ice. I was so flattered when I was contacted by OWN asking my permission to use one of their photos on Oprah's show, "Where Are They Now?" (Photo below) Unlike other celebrities I've photographed in my career, both were very gracious and unpretentious.

Princess Stays at the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea, Maui, Hawaii !

Stockwells return to Maui, never to leave again.  One year of Northern 
California weather was enough.  37 degrees and rain on Christmas, receiving 
heavy socks and sweat shirts as gifts, convinced me that we'd left heaven and 
ended up in the bad place.  Waiting for our new digs to close, we spent 10 days 
at the Fairmont Kea Lani.  If you are not aware of it, the Kea Lani is a PET 
FRIENDLY resort and the staff was extremely friendly to our Maltese Anna, the 
second light of our lives.  Markus, our grandson being number one.  Our smiling 
frisky companion couldn't scamper 20 feet without someone wanting to take her 
picture.  This really added to the fun of staying there.  We could have rented 
her out to guests missing their doggies.  As we sauntered through the lobby, 
leash in hand, the staff would say "hi Anna". I really wanted to rename her 
'Princess Kea Lani', which means 'heavenly white' in Hawaiian.  I've 
photographed numerous weddings at the Kea Lani, and it was pure luxury to be 
there as a guest.  

From the Four Seasons Resort In Wailea, Maui to the Westin Villas in Ka'anapali, Maui

Natasha, Raj & Joshua

Ten years ago Natasha and Raj married at the Four Seasons on now extinct Seasons 
Lawn.  An adults only pool (no that doesn't means clothing optional) occupies 
the space of the once best wedding site on Maui.  August 25, 2013 I had the 
privilege of photographing the three of them having magically added superstar 
Joshua.  Natasha told me they still treasure their photos.  Super nice people 
make my occupation extremely rewarding.  They live in the SF Bay Area where I 
photographed weddings for twenty years.  Go Niners!  

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