Maui Weddings

Maui is extremely popular to get married on for many reasons. Here are a few reasons why Maui Hawaii is fashionable for weddings:

• Location - Not only is is extremely beautiful, but it's usually far from family and friends. This cuts down your guest list and makes it less expensive and more personal.

• Lifestyle - The worst part of a wedding is the stress and rush. Here, you experience less of that. Take a cue from many other brides that have gotten married here, and slow down. Have a simpler wedding and enjoy it all.

• Laws - Because weddings are such a big part of our economy, local government has made it pretty easy to get married here. Less hassle = Less stress.

• Vacation - Wedding guests are simply happier in Maui than most other places. Of course, your closest friends and family want to come and celebrate your union, but it's also an awfully good excuse to take some time off. Most people arrive at least a few days before the ceremony and stay a while. You'll see the joy in their faces.

Top Ten Preparations

It's crucial to be well-prepared before you arrive.

Even if you're having a 2 person wedding on the beach, you still need to plan well ahead of time. Here are a few things you need to have taken care of before arriving in Maui.

1. Guest Count & Budget

These are the first things you need to find out. Your budget will affect your guest count. Your guest count will affect your location. When trying to meet your budget, be warned that you will ALWAYS go over. So shoot low.

2. Time of Year

In Maui, the weather doesn't affect time of year much (depending on location.) Time of year WILL affect your guest list and your cost. Off season (mid September to the end of November and February to May) can be much less expensive for you and your guests. Also, if you choose a time other than summer or a holiday, it will be harder for guests with children to come.

3. Location

First, you need to choose the side of the island you want all of this to go down. Next start planning where you'll be getting ready, have the ceremony, and finish with the reception. The south and west sides are the most common due to plentiful accommodations and good weather. See more about Maui wedding Locations.

4. Wedding Planner?

This is a big question. Do you get a wedding planner? If you're having a very small beach wedding, some think it's unnecessary, but it's always nice to have a go-to-person at least during the day of the wedding.

In our experience, we've found wedding planners in Maui to be either very helpful or unneccesary. A good recommendation is always useful. We recommend Maui Beach Weddings & Events. They offer help for the smallest beach weddings all the way up to the largest of estate events. It's worth looking into them as your Maui wedding planner.

Most wedding vendors have agreements with planners. Your wedding planner should be willing to let you find your own vendors also. Be wary if they won't let you explore vendors other than the ones they recommend.

5. Photographer

Without a doubt, choosing the right photographer is crucial. Here are a few characteristics you need to look for in your Maui wedding photographer:

• Talent and Style - You have to like their photos. This is #1 on the list. Make sure to see a lot of their example work. Make sure they've shot a bunch of weddings.
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• Professionalism - You want them to show up on time and do their job. You can get a good feel for this when you're booking them. If they seem disorganized at all, be wary.

• Personality - The last thing you need is a pushy, rude or weird photographer. If you like them over the phone, it's a good sign. You want a fun and happy person instead of a black cloud.

• Price - Sometimes you get what you pay for. Be careful of the super cheap guys. Photography is one area of your wedding that you don't want to skimp. This is what you'll take away with you for the rest of your lives.

• Local Experience - Make sure they've shot a lot of weddings in Maui. The lighting outside is VERY tricky to work with since it changes constantly due to clouds. If they've only shot a few weddings in Maui, they may screw up some of your best shots.

•Detail Oriented - Look at their example photos and see if they're capturing the details. Some photographers capture the ring exchange, the kiss, and the first dance. Some capture all of these things plus: the bouquet, rings, shoes, flowers, grandma Edna's tears of joy, etc... You want the little things to be caught as much as possible. These are the little things you might have missed, or the little things that cost a lot that you don't want to forget.

We suggest contacting Natalie Brown Photography. In our opinion, she possesses the finest in all of the above attributes.

6. Officiant

Interview a few officiants over the phone or in person. There are many on the island, and they all have their own style.

7. Flowers

Choose your colors and your flowers beforehand. You may want to meet with your florist when you arrive to make sure they share the same vision.

8. Food

Probably the most expensive thing you deal with will be food. Make sure you're getting your money's worth. Just because a company is in high demand, doesn't make them good. You may fall through the cracks.

This writer personally went with a popular, well recommended caterer, and paid a fortune. We should have known from the beginning that it was a mistake because we had a hell of a time getting anyone to call us back for a tasting. The food was pretty good, but they skimped on a few things we requested (and paid extra for.)

This is why we did a lot of research in picking our recommended caterer. We love the work that Maui Executive Catering does because they're professional, incredibly gifted chefs, organized, and have warm personalities. We like how approachable and friendly they are at a reception. They're top-notch.

9. Wedding Permit

You'll need a wedding permit, which is something that your officiant or planner should be able to help you get.

10. Other Stuff

If you have much more than the above at your wedding, you might want to get a wedding planner to help. Otherwise, Google is your best friend.