so close

Well, I do really think we've picked our wedding planner/photographer in Hawaii. http://hawaiiwedding.net . we love their photos--and trust me, there are a lot of bad ones out there--and the package works nicely with the things that we want included. When I checked a couple of weeks ago, they still had May 27 open. It's not a date that means anything to us, but I wanted to get married in May (no particular reason other than I love a good spring) and over Memorial Day weekend gives people an extra vacation day they wouldn't have to burn otherwise. I 'm thinking people could come late the week before, sleep off the jet lag and really be in Hawaii spirit when the wedding rolls around, then they can do as they please the rest of the time. Oh, and getting married during the week ensures less people on the beach (all beaches are public in Hawaii), and is often cheaper.
After much struggling, we've decided this much:
1. We really did want to get married in Hawaii.
2. We really want people to feel included.
3. As such, people will be formally invited to the reception at home (which we will include lots of little things so that people who don't come to Hawaii feel included), and there will be sort of an open invite to come to the wedding, provided that people understand we can't afford a reception both places and won't be treated to dinner, etc. in Hawaii. People should not feel obligated or guilty if they cannot come, but they are welcome to take a vacation and make us one of the sight-seeing stops and we would be glad to see them. At some point, it'd be good to know who those people might be.
4. I have lots of little ideas for the party at home which we might need a few helping hands for.
5. One idea includes showing a "screening" of our wedding on a large screen in the backyard, sitdown style, so that people see the ceremony for themselves.
6. We have a color scheme quasi-worked out. Think tropical.
7. I think we have catering and invitation ideas pretty well decided, no extensive interviewing required, though if you have suggestions, definitely throw them this way.

After an exhausting weekend, I'm back at it. Yesterday I crashed for about four hours in the afternoon.... I just don't have it like I used to!!