Last week we talked about food research.
This week?
We made decisions.
And let me tell you something, sugar — decisions are where real planning lives.
Looking at caterers is cute.
Pricing supermarkets is productive.
Dreaming about homemade manapua is romantic.
But until you choose a direction and commit?
You’re just window shopping your own wedding.
So let’s talk about what actually got nailed down.
The Food Strategy Is Official: Hybrid All the Way
After looking at caterers, supermarkets, staffing needs, and the logistics of pulling this off for 75 people, I made the call:
We’re going hybrid.
- Costco for bulk staples
- Smart & Final for items Costco doesn’t carry
- Homemade manapua because apparently I’ve decided to test my courage
YES. Finally.
This decision wasn’t emotional. It was strategic.
The numbers supported it.
The accessibility supported it.
The flexibility supported it.
And flexibility is the name of the game when you’re planning a 75-person wedding on a $5,000 total budget in Southern California.
Manapua: Confidence vs. Reality
Now let’s talk about the bold move.
Manapua.
For those who don’t know, manapua is a soft Hawaiian bun stuffed with savory goodness — traditionally pork, but we’ll test variations. It’s comforting, nostalgic, and very on-theme for our Vintage Hawaiʻi-inspired celebration.
I pulled recipes online.
My sister in Hawaiʻi asked locals for their versions.
We are assembling the council of Aunties.
And I’m going to attempt to replicate the brilliance.
Let’s pause here.
Planning to make manapua is not the same thing as successfully making manapua.
I once attempted vegetable soup and produced what can only be described as brown carrot sludge.
Boiling water? Not my strongest suit.
So before we declare victory, we test.
The Most Underrated Phase of Wedding Planning: Testing
This is the phase most couples skip.
They cost something out.
They assume it will work.
They commit.
And then the week of the wedding becomes chaos because no one validated the plan.
Testing is where discipline separates from delusion.
This April, we’re doing full try-outs:
- Manapua batches
- Portion testing
- Storage feasibility
- Prep time timing
- Reheat logistics
- Taste approval (non-biased judges required)
Because here’s the hard truth:
If you can’t execute it calmly, consistently, and confidently —
it doesn’t belong at your wedding.
Saving money means nothing if execution fails.
Hybrid Planning Isn’t Just for Food
This same mindset is moving into décor.
Instead of full custom floral installations that eat the budget alive, we’re going strategic:
- Order the base floral arrangements
- Enhance them ourselves
- Add natural, affordable elements
For a Vintage Hawaiʻi vibe, that means:
- Banana leaves
- Plumeria
- Tropical greenery
- Strategic layering instead of overbuilding
Palm and greenery are significantly less expensive than premium rose or peony builds — and they actually feel more authentic to the aesthetic.
And because we’re doing family-style tables, the food becomes the visual centerpiece anyway.
You don’t need towering arrangements when you’ve got pineapple crowns and warm communal energy on the table.
See what I did there?
Budget discipline meets design intelligence.
What This Week Really Represents
This wasn’t a glamorous week.
No big reveal.
No Pinterest-perfect moment.
This was the week where we:
- Committed to a direction
- Accepted our limitations
- Built in testing
- Reduced risk
That’s what professionals do.
And this is exactly why so many couples get overwhelmed — they try to skip this step because it isn’t exciting.
But excitement doesn’t run a wedding.
Systems do.
A Cherry Pop Events Reality Check
Let me say this clearly:
DIY is not automatically cheaper.
DIY is only cheaper when:
- You have time
- You have skill
- You have space
- You have support
Otherwise, you pay in stress.
That’s why we’re testing.
If the manapua fails?
We pivot.
If it works beautifully?
We celebrate.
This challenge isn’t about ego. It’s about execution.
What’s Coming in April
April is officially “Let’s See If This Actually Works” month.
We’ll be:
- Cooking
- Timing
- Measuring
- Adjusting
- Possibly setting off smoke alarms
And documenting every bit of it.
Because Atomic Love Challenge isn’t about theory.
It’s about showing couples what disciplined planning actually looks like when money is tight and expectations are high.
If You’re Planning and Feeling Overwhelmed…
Let me be very clear about something.
The reason this challenge feels manageable is because I do this for a living.
I know where risk hides.
I know when to pivot.
I know how to protect the guest experience.
If you’ve done the planning and now need someone to:
- Manage vendors
- Protect your timeline
- Handle execution
- Put out fires before you even smell smoke
That’s what Cherry Pop Events Day-Of Coordination is built for.
You bring the vision. I bring the clipboard, contingency plan, and calm authority.
Head to cherrypop.events and let’s talk.
Want the Real-Time Breakdown?
If you love this behind-the-scenes transparency, you’ll love The Pin-Up Planner podcast.
That’s where I go deeper into:
- Budget psychology
- Timeline mistakes
- Vendor vetting
- Emotional decision-making
- And the stuff no one else tells you
New episodes drop every Tuesday at 6 AM PST; you can listen on Spotify or RIGHT HERE.
Because wedding planning doesn’t need more fantasy.
It needs clarity.
And as always—
No Bullshit. Just brilliance.
Leave a comment