Pacific Rim Weddings: Summer/Fall 1999

Feb

18

2011

The first time Mike laid eyes on Theresa she was in a television commercial promoting the Magical World of Disney. His friends recognized her and Mike immediately asked, “Who is this ‘Disney Girl’?” It was only a matter of time before he would find out. He finally met Theresa at a Fourth of July party thrown by mutual friends. That night began a romance of a lifetime.

After dating for several years, Mike and Theresa were on a flight together heading home from a business trip. Little known to Theresa, Mike had convinced a flight attendant to read the poem he had written over the cabin’s loud speaker…the final line read, “Theresa, will you marry me? If the answer is yes, press the call button.” At this point curious passengers and crew members watched, waiting for her reaction. When she hesitated, Mike leaned over and tor the very first time said, “I love you, Theresa. Will you marry me?” She hit the call button and the entire cabin applauded! Mike presented Theresa with a grape candy ring which was later replaced by platinum and diamonds.

The wedding plans began right away. As the owner of a pottery studio in Berkeley, California, Theresa is naturally creative and wanted to be involved in every aspect of planning her wedding day. Both Theresa and Mike envisioned a “story book” wedding, yet they wanted to keep it intimate and personal. They wanted to be married outdoors, so when Theresa suggested Hawaii, Mike agreed that a tropical wedding in Paradise was the perfect answer. The next thing they knew, they were on another flight to the magical isle of Maui, to begin the search for their wedding site.

Prior to their arrival, Mike and Theresa planned to meet with the wedding coordinator they had selected, Carolee Higashino, owner of A White Orchid Wedding. After speaking at length with Theresa, Carolee knew just the right place for their celebration – a five acre private garden estate filled with tropical flowers, coconut trees, and manicured lawns on the edge of the ocean. It was just the “slice of paradise” they had envisioned. In the months that followed, Theresa and Mike planned every detail of their wedding long distance from California. According to Theresa, Carolee’s assistance was invaluable – she was the key to making the event everything they had imagined and more!