Maui Wedding Bells

there are some lovely options on the West side (Lahaina, Kapalua and Ka'anapali), and many in the South area of Maui, especially the Wailea and Makena areas.  

Your Maui wedding planner will suggest which beach will be ideal for your unique dream. 

South Maui has considerably less rain than other parts of the island, and its beaches and grassy knolls are favored for outdoor ceremonies. The Kihei/Wailea/Makena areas are also less "touristy" - more relaxed and laid-back - with many gorgeous  beach options. 

As Frommer's states:  "This [South Maui] is the hottest, sunniest, driest coastline on Maui."

And don't be fooled by the latest "America's Best Beach" promotion.  What's not well-known is that once a beach has been named as the best beach that year, it no longer qualifies to appear on future lists.  Maui has many gorgeous beaches, and there is the perfect one just waiting for your special day.

Ask your Maui wedding coordinator to help you find the one that will best fit your total party size, seclusion requirements and desired area of Maui.

If privacy is important…

Did you know that Maui is the most popular destination wedding location in the country? State beaches on Maui are public and it's not possible to reserve them, so there may be beach users and even other ceremonies taking place nearby.  Other beach-goers are typically very respectful of wedding and vow renewal ceremonies.  For complete privacy, consider holding your ceremony and reception at a private location. Your Maui Wedding Bells wedding consultant will suggest options to suit your budget.

Give yourselves the gift of time!

If possible, give yourselves a few days on Maui before your romantic ceremony. Relax, settle in to your hotel or condo, enjoy the tropics and get ready physically and emotionally for the joyous event to come. This allows ample time for your marriage license appointment too!

Think about the heat of the tropical sun.

A time to avoid being in direct sun is between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.  In the morning, the light is beautiful, and it's more likely to be cool, calm and generally more private - especially on weekdays.  For late morning to mid-afternoon ceremonies, consider a shady gazebo or a romantic garden - Maui's tropical sun is powerful, and a sunburn can sneak up on you. 

Maui sunset ceremonies are very popular - it's cooler, and there's the potential for a radiant sky as a backdrop.  However, winds can come up and beaches may be in more demand by other wedding parties.  Discuss your options with your Maui Wedding Bells consultant.

Give yourselves the gift of music.

Hawaiians wouldn't dream of celebrating a special event without music.  The blending of Hawaiian chants and songs with instruments introduced to the islands has resulted in a variety of Hawaiian musical styles. 

Consider making your ceremony magical by adding the music of Hawaii as performed by a Hawaiian guitarist/singer.

Or enjoy the elegance of the harp, violin or flute as performed by a professional musician.  Your special day will be even more memorable!

What to wear?

On Maui, any style works, from gown and tux to extremely relaxed.  Many couples choose colorful island-style or casual wedding attire in comfortable fabrics, especially for beach ceremonies. The groom often chooses a short- sleeved Hawaiian aloha shirt and slacks (this is considered formal wear here) and everyone may remove their shoes for a beach wedding. This look makes for some very romantic photos!

Do you need a Maui wedding planner?

Wedding planning takes time, and finding that time can be difficult, especially when balancing a relationship, home and career - and at a distance of thousands of miles from Maui.  Your wedding ceremony will be an emotional time.  Your focus will need to be on each other, not on whether your photographer is late, or when (or if) the flowers will arrive, or how to arrange your entrance.

Wedding planners are experts in their field, used to working within a budget. A good wedding consultant is extremely organized, has integrity and truly cares about making a positive contribution to your special day.  In the hands of an experienced Maui wedding coordinator, all the little details that you don't even know to think about are handled, and you're free to concentrate on your happiness!

For a unique reception, consider a lu'au.

Hawaiians celebrate their most precious moments with a ceremonial feast that dates back centuries.  A lu'au is the best way to sample wonderful Hawaiian dishes, including succulent kalua pig, cooked whole in underground oven or imu.   You and your guests will have an array of dishes to choose from - fish, chicken, beef, salads, vegetables, desserts and poi, that famous purple paste made from pounded taro root.   Lu'aus are held on oceanfront grounds, and include Hawaiian entertainment and an open bar.  For one all-inclusive price, you take care of your reception dinner, drinks, entertainment (including fire-dancing!) and decor in a beautiful tropical environment.

Not all lu'aus are highly rated, however.  Ask your Maui wedding consultant for information on the best la'au in your price range.

We want you to have a great Maui honeymoon or vacation!

Maui's activities are popular with our visitors, so it's a good idea to give some thought to what you'd most enjoy doing while you're here - and let your Maui Wedding Bells concierge help you schedule at least some parts of your vacation - from restaurants to luaus, kayaking, dinner cruises and popular shows.  This is a complimentary service provided to our clients and their guests.  We're available to provide assistance, advice and reservations for as long as you're on Maui!