COURTESY OF CHAZ HENDRICKSON The Ocean Crystal Chapel on the grounds of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa opened March 16 with a Hawaiian blessing by the Rev. Richard Kamanu, kahu of Kaumakapili Church, followed by a mock wedding complete with music, flowers and reception.

New Hilton Hawaiian chapel is one-stop wedding source

If you haven't visited the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa recently, or typically just make the short trip from the parking structure to the Coral Ballroom, try strolling the premises before you leave. You'll be surprised by the gleaming white Ocean Crystal Chapel that has emerged in the center of the resort, a new venue for brides and grooms flying in from abroad for their wedding in paradise, or for intimate local wedding parties.

The chapel is the first free-standing resort chapel in Waikiki and represents an investment of $6 million and nine months of construction, plus years of planning.

"We are very excited to add the chapel to our resort offerings," said Gary Seibert, area vice president and managing director of Hilton Hotels Corp., Hawaii region. "With the new chapel, we can offer our guests an even more complete destination experience."

The chapel features two floors, accessible by a short stone path that winds its way past a shallow lagoon surrounded by lush landscaping and waterfalls. Downstairs, meeting space is provided so that future brides and grooms can meet with their wedding coordinator to orchestrate the ceremony. Wedding ceremonies are performed upstairs in a stark white chapel with pews seating 85 guests.

Best Bridal Hawaii, Inc., a consolidated subsidiary of the Best Bridal Group in Japan, handles the booking arrangements and coordination of the weddings, from assisting with the wedding gown and tuxedo to hiring musicians and photographers.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa staff makes arrangements for food and beverage needs of the bridal party, and has created special menus for the occasion.

For harried brides-to-be, the consolidation of services makes the chapel a one-stop source for planning the big day.

For wedding package information, contact Best Bridal at (808) 922-4130 or visit the English section on www.bestbridal.co.jp. For Hilton Hawaiian Village room reservations, call (808) 949-4321 or visit www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com.