The year 1939 is when my mom and dad- Fernando & Herminia Guda, met at 5 and 6 years old as playmates and neighbors.... December 9, 1961 is when they were pronounced husband and wife.... And December 11, 2011 they celebrated their momentous 50th wedding anniversary.

Of all the hundreds of special weddings I (Michelle) have ever coordinated professionally, this would be the pinnacle event of my life - my very own parents special day.

Their 50th anniversary - so rare an occasion for any couple, so special, and so anticipated by our entire family. Dave and I just wanted to share a few snap-shot moments of our special trip to San Diego, celebrating our mom & dad - Fernando & Herminia Guda's momentous day. Vintage yet Modern. Simple yet Golden. Precious yet Priceless. We hope you enjoy these glimpses of their big day as only your proud daughters and a wonderful son-in-law can share.

With mom and dad's 5 beautiful grand children as their "bridal party", their high school classmates from their "class of '53", our siblings, extended family, and mom and dad's lifelong friends, this day would commemorate what all of us "marrieds" strive for - a lifetime of triumph, and their own kind of happiness.

Congratulations to mom and dad. We are so proud of you and the bar you have set, in celebrating your 72 year old relationship. LOVE NEVER FAILS :)

All of our love,

MIchelle Guda-Miyamoto & Dave Miyamoto, and Harriet Guda

When I was first contacted by beautiful bride Andrea months ago, she was, like many of our brides - trying her very best to plan her special wedding day from a distance in the mainland, in between the hustle and bustle of her work day schedule. No easy task for anyone - let me tell you. And we certainly understand how challenging that is, for sure ~

And because of her humble demeanor throughout our emails, little did I realize at the time, that Dave and I were to be working with multi-emmy award winning sportscaster, Andrea Nakano.... That's right friends. I am so loving the fact that this gorgeous bride, that Dave so sentimentally captured in images, is a kick a** leader in sports broadcasting for Seattle's KING 5.

The big tip-off to me, was when Andrea emailed me a bit off-schedule apologetically about her delayed replies back to me. For me, looking back at that week...HECK , SHE WAS COVERING THE SUPER BOWL - I think she has every excuse in the world to email me with a delayed wedding reply :)

OK, long story even longer - as a tomboy at heart myself, my admiration grew into great respect for Andrea :) , and the many "power brides and grooms "that we so gratefully get to work with - AWESOME..!

Seattle is where Andrea, currently shares her life with new handsome husband, Orestes - who is originally from the Dominican Republic.

Andrea and Orestes chose the elegant Halekulani Hotel, in Waikiki, to celebrate their ceremony and intimate reception with friends and family hailing from literally all over the world.

We hope you enjoy viewing Andrea and Orestes' day, through Dave's lens, this past weekend. Congratulations A+O, and here's to a beautiful life together..!

Aloha, Michelle & :Dave

For our gorgeous couple Lora Wong & Thomas Encinas, their wedding day was storybook perfect.

I had been emailing Lora for months and getting to know this lovely bride, in anticipation for their Hawaiian style wedding. By all accounts, it was not hard for us to fall in love with this couple : smart, flexible with their plans, and boy did the camera love them too :) I'll say it again...we are SO LUCKY to work with the most amazing couples..!

Family and friends from near and far took their seats at a picturesque Diamond Head home, with the ocean waters of Waikiki as their altar, surrounded by gorgeous vivid summer hued tropical florals in orange, celedon greens and yellow by Terrie Easley Designs, music by Darin Leong, Hawaiian chant, and officiating words by Pastor Bruce Au, and of course photography by Dave Miyamoto & Company.

Now, keep in mind, that a gentle passing rain shower here in the islands is common for us locals to see. But a rain shower at exactly wedding ceremony time, is a down right Hawaiian blessing...!

...Three minutes after the soft rain came down over the ceremony procession, a rare double- rainbow appeared as the perfect backdrop to frame their wedding day moment. Now if that isn't the heavens coming together for approval, I don't know what is.. :)

We hope you enjoy Lora and Thomas' wedding day images below. It was an absolute joy to see their wedding vision come to life, and making new friends with this wonderful couple. Congratulations again newly weds..!

Aloha, Michelle & :Dave

Fathers Day is a special day... But, I feel really lucky that everyday for me is Father's Day for a lot of reasons.

First reason - because my Dad is my biggest hero. He will be 85 this year. Age is just a number to him. He works out on his exercise bike every day, despite his history of knee challenges. A couple of weeks ago he had to go through a sensitive abdominal surgery which we were praying everything would go well. It did... and his recovery time is right on schedule. In fact, he was not suppose to drive or have any strenuous activity for at least 6 weeks, but after a few days at home he got the bug to get up, and drive to the Market( I would totally do the same thing, so let me just say up front, that this apple doesn't fall far from the Miyamoto tree...)

Our son Ryan had spent the last 5 years away in college in the mainland, and traveling to Spain. Ryan finally came back home- which I am stoked about, and he's made a decision to start his film & media production business here(picture me jumping up and down...!) It was so cool for me to work alongside him, as he was directing and shooting a rap music video, and watching him film underwater footage as well.

Next, our daughter Claire Bear just finished her first year at UC Santa Cruz. She LOVES IT THERE, and just when I thought she would be home for the summer...she gets an internship in Spain for 2 months. Her homecoming will have to wait until August !

Now Michelle my sweetie, and Nacho our little 4 legged curly tailed sweetie are my big loves in my life.They make me laugh and keep things in order around the house and in business.

Tomorrow, Michelle and I will be celebrating our 2nd wedding anniversary! :) We will be doing something special but again, everyday is a special day in the Miyamoto home!

All I can do is sm:)e and be grateful for the many blessings that fatherhood has given to me in my life.

It is my hope that you friends can look at each day as an opportunity for new adventures, big and small, and to celebrate those moments that make our daily lives in this world, awesome.

Aloha, :Dave

Quite the fun experience for us here at Dave Miyamoto & Company...For our groom Tohru, it was his very first plane ride EVER anywhere...And, first time wearing a tuxedo...What a trip to remember for him :)

Our super sweet couple Nobuko and Tohru contacted us via email through mutual friends of ours in Japan - Ono & Noko, who we've come to know the past 18 years. We would only be too happy to help their friends Nobuko & Tohru get married with all of the wonderful details here in Honolulu, Hawaii..!

Beautiful afternoon vows were planned for The Willows Chapel for 8 of their family and friends traveling with them from Japan, highlighted with a meaningful Hawaiian blessing ceremony presided by our good friend, Kalehua Featheran, and surrounded by gorgeous hues of pink florals (Nobuko's favorite color..!) by Terrie Easley Designs, and of course the picturesque tropical atmosphere of the historic Willows one of a kind Hawaiian style paradise property, the day could not be more perfect...

But alas, their family and friends piled back into the incredibly huge SUV limousine from Dangs Limousine, and headed for a 2 hour photo tour excursion to some of Dave's favorite spots on beautiful island Oahu, to capture new memories for them to share together as a group...!

Their limousine photo tour ended at their reception dinner at Hawaii Kai's own Roy's Restaurant, with an aqua blue ocean themed table scape, a mouthwatering Pacific rim menu to delight in, and the most perfect sunset view over Maunalua Bay...Amazing day for us all..!

Six months of helping them plan their dream wedding , and we can't believe that they're now husband and wife. We miss them already :( But we're happy to share tidbits of their incredibly beautiful day in front of :Dave's lens...We hope you enjoy their images as much as we enjoyed photographing them.

Congratulations again Nobuko & Tohru..!

Aloha, Michelle & :Dave

Dave Miyamoto had the opportunity to be interviewed by Honolulu TV on-air personality Tannya Joaquin, of SUNRISE morning show yesterday.

Tannya interviewed Dave to speak on the finer points of hiring a Wedding Photographer, and what to look for in your quest for creating your perfect wedding day through images.

Dave also spoke of this weekend's special wedding event happening this Sunday, March 27, 2011, from 9am-6 pm, at JW Marriott Ihilani, in Honolulu, called SOCIAL LIGHT- THE ART OF WEDDING DESIGN, of which, he will be one member of a panel of distinguished and featured wedding industry speakers. Dave along with awesome photographer Frank Amodo, will honorably be representing the Photographers, as selected by SOCIAL LIGHT founder and event designer extraordinaire, Sandra Williams - of Finishing Touch Wedding Coordination.

Here are a couple of photos that our good friend Nathan Kam took of Dave, from the "green room" of KHNL & KGMG studios (NBC & CBS affiliates)as the interview took place in the studio adjacent. To watch the actual interview as it appeared on SUNRISE yesterday morning, click onto the article link below, that say's CLICK HERE...!

Good stuff :Dave...! And a HUGE MAHALO again Sandra, Nathan, and Terri for this fun and informative opportunity to share what we love to do, and to be a part of what YOU do...!

Aloha, Michelle & :Dave

Oh Yeah...! :Dave Miyamoto & Company "SIGNATURE" Keepsake Surfboards NOW OFFERED as a CUSTOM ITEM for your families and friends to sign at your Wedding, Grad Party, Senior Photos, Sweet Sixteen, Birthday Party, Birthday Gift, or Special Event reception..Then mount it on your wall afterwards (use in place of a traditional guest book at your special event ). CHECK IT OUT..!

PRICES:

$ 450 plus tax : board only, as described below, with client's (or wedding couples) first names & event date logo

$ 550 plus tax : to include board as described below with client's (or wedding couples) first names & event date logo, plus Posca specialty pens in your event colors to use for signing, and can of specialty spray gloss finish to "seal" your keepsake signatures once your event is over.

• Board Color: Off-White, in matte finish- for ease in signing onto board
• Size: Short Board
• No Fins ( so that you are able to mount your keepsake board on your wall with ease, afterwards)
• Dave to create a Logo of Bride & Groom's First Names + Wedding Date, imbedded onto the surface of your board

IMPORTANT ORDERING DETAILS:

* A retainer fee of $250 is due at time of placing your order ( Checks, Cash, Visa, or Mastercard acceptable)

*Board order must be placed a minimum of 60 days before event.

*Rush fee of $50 additional to be added for orders taken between time window of 30-59 days before event day.

*No orders will be taken 30 days or less for events, due to necessary time needed for all customization.

*Board Orders taken for events taking place at a non-Oahu location will incur an additional shipping & handling fee (amount TBD) plus any additional rush shipping fees that might apply, to your order if ordered less than 60 days before your event.

IT'S THE "GUEST BOOK" THAT WON'T EVER GET LOST IN YOUR HOME, IT WILL MAKE YOUR WALL or ENTRY AREA LOOK AWESOME, & WILL BE THE BEST EVENT KEEPSAKE EVER... ! Order yours today...!

CONTACT US by either EMAIL OR PHONE, TO PLACE YOUR CUSTOM SIGNATURE BOARD ORDER:

email: infodmc@hawaii.rr.com phone: (808) 396-5599 (Dave OR Michelle)

Much Aloha Friends...! Michelle & :Dave

It had always been one of my childhood dreams to one day work in a chocolate factory...Well, like the old saying goes, "be careful what you wish for" folks, because :Dave and I lucked out in doing exactly that...!

Thanks to the wonderful and incredibly friendly crew at Menehune Mac candies with Susan & Jana at the helm of this family run business, we were able to go behind the scenes, and beyond their showcase store area, put on our "Lucy & Ethel" candy making hats (a throwback to I LOVE LUCY show...YOU remember the episode friends, right..?), and get down and chocolate-y with the menehunes themselves: Judy, Liza, Mila, Vicenta, Steven, Lori, and Luvi.

A deliciously sweet landmark in Oahu, the candy factory itself has been operating in Honolulu since 1939,and is the oldest manufacturer of chocolate covered macadamia nut candies in Hawaii.

Their featured products include their famous chocolate covered macadamia nuts. They use only Hawaii-grown macadamia nuts and all of their chocolate candies are carefully handmade and hand-poured one-by-one (NOT conveyor belt), which was the most impressive thing that we learned...!

Most of the menehune have been with Menehune Mac an average of 20 years, with Judy being the most experienced candy maker on the line with 37 years of chocolate making expertise in the art of candy design and production.

On this beautiful early bird morning, :Dave captured a few images of our candy extravaganza (yep...pictured is the box of candy that :Dave made himself !), as I walked the factory and chatted with these treasured sweet ladies, and our solo male chocolatiere ( Steve)!

Mahalo once again to Susan and Jana for all of their aloha and reminding us why we love chocolate so much. Next time you're in town (you locals), or visiting our beautiful island of Oahu, stop by and visit Honolulu's chocolate gem, MENEHUNE MAC candy factory and store, on Waiakamilo Road, in Kalihi.

Try their one of kind chocolate flavors: Strawberry Creme Mac Nut, Green Tea Matcha Crunch, Dark Chocolate Arare, and Orange Creme Mac Nut, along with their signature Milk and Dark Chocolate mac nut candies, teas, and cookie flavors.

To see their other products, be sure to visit their present website (soon to be under "re-construction"), but still accessible at www.menehunemac.com

Our :DM&C crew will be working closely with Menehune Mac this year providing photography for them, in their quest to re-showcase their incredibly timeless, and ono-licious delights. Stay tuned for more images and updates to come in 2011..!

Addicted to Chocolate Macs...! Michelle & :Dave

Aloha Friends..!

This year 2011 marks a great milestone for us here at :Dave Miyamoto & Company, as we celebrate our 20th anniversary in business...!

We are incredibly grateful for ALL of our weddings, and ohana & business shoots, many of whom have become great friends, and like family to us.

Throughout this year, we will be posting random ":D20" specials to commemorate this special anniversary year for us, and to thank you all for your continued business, and friendships with us...

Friends- make 2011 the year to celebrate your own special milestones with us, at :Dave Miyamoto & Company.

From all of us, we look forward to making you sm:)e...!

Mahalo, :Dave & Michelle Miyamoto & our crew..!