Actress, singer, businesswoman and former Miss Hawaii Candes Meijide Gentry admits to feeling “;a little apprehensive”; about the upcoming episode of “;Platinum Weddings”; that will feature her nuptials to Milan Drager, a chef now working as the assistant director of food and beverage at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

When producers called the Four Seasons Resort Lanai, then tracked down Gentry about appearing on the show, she hesitated. “;Most brides would dream of having their wedding on 'Platinum Weddings,'”; Gentry said. “;But I was a little bit wary at first because we had worked so hard to make it an intimate event.”;

However, the opportunity for an unparalleled keepsake — aired nationally, no less — was too good to dismiss. So Drager, Gentry, her 4.5 carat diamond ring, Pronovias mermaid silhouette gown and the 75 guests at their Nov. 15, 2008, affair will be featured on WE television at 7 p.m. Jan. 17. They are not allowed to view the segment before it airs nationally, so the finished product will be a surprise even for the bride and groom.

Producers followed Gentry and Drager on Oahu for a few days and covered the multifaceted nuptials at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai. This included a rehearsal dinner at the Hotel Lanai, brunch the morning of the wedding on the lawn outside the Lodge at Koele, and the ceremony and reception on the Challenge at Manele Golf Course (Bill and Melinda Gates took over the entire island for their wedding in the same location).

The series, which focuses on high-end weddings (obviously), tends to emphasize the cost of every detail — something Gentry did not appreciate. Instead of sharing the actual numbers, she told producers to ask vendors what an event like this might cost. The reported floral budget, for instance? Around $60,000.

But the publicity of a national television show can yield unexpected results (and probably a few bargains). Service on all levels proved impeccable, and Gentry and Drager also found themselves featured in Grace Ormonde Wedding Style magazine.

Catch Candes and her mother, Nora, and her sister, Corin, in a sneak preview at http://www.wetv.com/video/ 57142811001/platinum-weddings-new-season-sneak-peek …

Maui-born filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton will return to his home island as the featured speaker at a special screening of his award-winning 22-minute film “;Short Term 12.”; The story about a residential treatment facility supervisor and the abused and neglected kids he works around won the U.S. jury prize at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.

Hosted by Akaku: Maui Community Television, the Special Producer's Night takes place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. tomorrow at 333 Dairy Road in Kahului. A $5 donation is requested at the door, and organizers ask attendees to confirm their attendance by calling (808) 871-5554 …

A new Indigenous Wisdom Film Series starts this Sunday and continues every Sunday through May 9 at the University of Hawaii. It begins at 5 p.m. with “;The Living Matrix: On the New Science of Healing,”; a 93-minute film by Greg Becker and Harry Massey that explores the many factors influencing a person's health.

Informed by research from scientists, psychologists and holistic practitioners, the movie shares stories of people who have used complementary alternative techniques to overcome medical conditions such as cerebral palsy.

The second film, “;2012: Mayan Prophesy and the Shift of the Ages,”; screens Jan. 17, and the third explores sacred mandalas and how they are used for therapeutic purposes. Some films cost $10 (usually with a supplemental program), but most are $5 ($3 students). Parking is free. Check the schedule and view clips by visiting the UH Cinema Series on YouTube or call 223-0130.

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Contact Katherine Nichols at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).