What child has not succumbed to the temptation of dropping a coin into the slot of a carnival fortune teller’s booth? But how many 10 year olds have applied the wisdom of the scarved gypsy to their life 20 years
What child has not succumbed to the temptation of dropping a coin into the slot of a carnival fortune teller’s booth? But how many 10 year olds have applied the wisdom of the scarved gypsy to their life 20 years later?
When bride-to-be Christine Diaz chose 8-8-08 as her wedding date she recalled that day at Disneyland.
“I put a coin in one of those genie machines and got a little card with my fortune,” said the Wailua resident. “At the bottom of the card it said my lucky number was eight. I carried that card for years. It was one of those things I had on my altar at home.”
Diaz is among thousands of brides who chose the triple digit date for luck and prosperity. And according to Chinese numerology 8-8-8 is considered the luckiest day of the year.
“Eight, when turned on its side, is also the symbol for infinity,” Diaz said. “There’s no beginning and no end.”
For baker Andrea Quinn, owner of Icing on the Cake in Kapa‘a, there has been no end to the number of wedding cake orders she’s received this year.
“I had to turn away a lot of business. We were completely booked about three months ago,” she said.
Dean Nakayama, owner of Kaua‘i Bakery said that in his 10 years of business he’s never had more orders for wedding cakes.
“It’s like 7-7-7 for Las Vegas,” he said. “For the Chinese and Koreans, it’s real lucky — eight is a sacred number and then three times is really good luck.”
Nakayama had inquiries and orders over a year ago.
“We were able to accommodate almost everyone,” he said. “Some people had to change their wedding to Aug. 7.”
Wedding manager for the Grand Hyatt Resort and Spa Donald Hillis has been in the wedding business for over 20 years and said that the popularity of numerological inspired wedding dates is a fairly recent fad.
“When I started we didn’t have these trends — 7-7-07 — that’s when it started,” he said.
What are the hot dates for next year?
“7-8-09,” Hillis said. “And 9-9-09 — we’re already booking for those.”
Today the Grand Hyatt is booked for four weddings, three of which Hillis will orchestrate.
“I am telling all my brides that they have to share Donald,” he said.
Hillis said it’ll be interesting to see if there are two or 10 weddings on the beach today.
“Shipwreck’s is a really popular place,” he said. “And these brides are very particular.”
While many venues on island are booked for today’s auspicious date, Diaz didn’t have to compete with many brides for her sunrise service wedding.
“A sunrise ceremony is the perfect way to start a life together,” she said.
