Did someone say luau?

That's right, you heard it! It's luau time! But not just any luau—it's our Engagement Party luau!! WOO HOO!!! So here's how this all came about...

Chuck's got a friend from HI, Kamalu, that works for Orlando FD. Well Kamalu does luau catering and entertainment on the side. The dancers that he works with are in a competition in August and were needing the practice for it. Since we still don't know when we can set a date, we thought throwing an engagement party would be awesome! And to help a friend and fellow firefighter, we thought why not throw a luau? Hey any excuse for me to plan ANYTHING at this point since I've been itching to since we got engaged.

So where do we find a place that's going to hold an event like this that's going to be awesome but affordable enough not to put us in debt? Enter my awesome friend Katie and her venue researching prowess. She was the one who tuned me in to this:


The Winter park Farmers Market was surprisingly affordable for Winter Park! Not to mention it's such an awesome historical landmark. It was just right for our budget and what we need. Take a look:

This is the front steps where people will enter. On the day we took this pic, they were fixing the patio awning, as you can see by the dudes on the scaffolding... Chuck and I took a trip back there recently to experience the actual Farmers Market they have on Saturdays and the awning was fixed.

Inside view, front doors.


Inside view, opposite side. This is the area where the stage will be set up.

Isn't it pretty? I love that they already have rope string lights in the ceiling. =) It's going to be an awesome day. We signed the contract and paid the deposit the day we took these pictures. So it's officially on for July 17!

Invites have been sent! If you haven't gotten them, then you're probably like my one friend and haven't checked your mailbox in a while. So go because this will be waiting for you:



I found these cute "Little Weas" on iStock...what luck! All I had to do was change the color of their outfits and the hair on the boy—using an actual picture of Chuck as a guide. Heehee!

These were definitely a labor of love and I couldn't have done it all without help from Minh-Thi, Janice and my brother, Lawrence! Thank you all so much for helping me cut these little guys out!!

So yeah...23 days and counting! =)