Maui Hair and Makeup by Mira

Choosing A Wedding Site Location
If you’re looking for something small, informal and romantic, then consider a wedding on the beach at sunset. Ceremonies on the beach and in public parks also have the added advantage of being free, compared to the location fees charged at Maui’s private estates and churches. Be prepared to be flexible though, and have a backup location in the case of rain. If you’re curious about the weather on Maui, a good site to visit is Maui Weather Today http://www.mauiweathertoday.com .

Or maybe you’re the adventurous type? A number of wedding planners on the island offer helicopter trips to romantic, secluded locations, private boat charters, weddings on horseback, or even underwater weddings for scuba aficionados.

Below are a few of our favorite Maui wedding locations for consideration. This is by no means a definitive list. Many of the fee-based locations offer coordination services, however you are under no obligation to use them. typically, any planner may use the facilities described below.

Beach Weddings on Maui

Maluaka Beach and Park - no fee
Fronting the Maui Prince Hotel, this grassy knoll location with picturesque garden setting over looking the beach and ocean is perfect for the two of you.

Ahihi Bay - no fee
This is a small beach with black lava rock flowing through the white sand and surrounded by palm trees. Very dramatic with waves crashing into the 200 year old lava flow. Good for morning or sunset barefoot weddings.

Maui Churches and Chapels

Wailea Seaside Chapel - Grand Wailea Resort
This quaint air-conditioned chapel with stained glass windows over looking the ocean is simply “Grand”. The gazebo with garden setting nearby is ideal for your champagne toast and cake cutting ceremony. Grand Wailea also offers full planning services through Grand Wailea Weddings.

Keawalai Church
Small historical Hawaiian church located on the beach in Makena. The church is used each Sunday for worship services with a distinctive Hawaiian flair.

Kaanapali Congregational Church
The Small church overlooking Honokokai Beach Park is perfect for a small group of attendees, or just the couple.

Kumulani Chapel
Located on the grounds of the Ritz Carlton Resort in Kapalua, Kumulani Church sits on the edge of the golf course and a short distance from the cliffs overlooking the ocean. A picturesque gazebo is a perfect spot for photos before the ceremony.

Weddings at Maui Resorts

Maui Prince Hotel
An exceptionally beautiful location. Tropical garden setting with a waterfall and ponds filled with colorful Koi fish. The Maui Prince is on beachfront property, perfect for your early morning, late afternoon or sunset ceremony.

Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort
The Renaissance provides 2 wedding locations. The Aina Aloha, fronting a dramatic waterfall, abounds with palm trees, ferns, and other tropical plants surrounded by water. This very private location is perfect for just the two of you or up to 30 of your friends and family. The Makena Lawn is a beautiful oceanfront grassy expanse with palm trees overlooking the ocean with neighbor islands standing majestically in the distance.

Kea Lani Hotel
The Kea Lani offers 2 wedding locations. The Tropical Gazebo adorned with lush hanging vines located at the foot of their 3-tier Royal Fountain Terrace. The Pacific Terrace over looks the beach and Pacific Ocean with Kahoolawe and Lanai in the background.

Estate & Garden Wedding Sites

Makena Ocean View Golf Course
Away from the hustle and bustle of the ocean-front resorts, this peaceful location offers a lush lawn and spectacular panoramic views of the Makena Coastline.

West Maui Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kapalua

Aston Kaanapali Shores
This ocean front location provides a beautiful white lattice gazebo surround by tropical plants and foliage. They also provide waterfalls and bridge locations for your wedding portraits.

Embassy Suites Hotel
This garden setting with gazebo, poolside waterfall and beachfront property is ideal for your wedding.

Westin Maui
The Westin provides you with a gazebo tropical garden setting with bridges & water falls. They are also located on a beachfront property for your sunset portraits.

Lahaina Chapel
Located on the slopes of the West Maui Mountain, this air-conditioned old Hawaiian style chapel offers panoramic views of the Kaanapali coastline. Will accommodate up to 30 guests.

Kapalua Bay Hotel
The Kapalua Bay Hotel provides a grassy lawn atop the cliffs of Kapalua Bay Beach. Panoramic ocean views of the picturesque shoreline of white sand and black lava rock.

Kapalua Bay Terrace
For a more intimate setting, this oceanfront lawn location offers privacy and dramatic views of Kapalua and the world famous Kapalua Bay Beach.

Kapalua Bay Beach - no fee
World-renowned beach below the Kapalua Bay Hotel. A lovely setting for your morning or sunset ceremony.

Central Maui, Wailuku

Maui Tropical Plantation
This tropical garden offers a garden setting with gazebo and pond with views of the West Maui Mountain and Haleakala. Perfect for your morning or our favorite early afternoon ceremony.

Tropical Gardens of Maui
This is one of our favorite locations for morning and early afternoon ceremonies. The garden is amidst acres of tropical flowers and foliage with beautiful Koi pond, gazebo and waterfalls.

Kepaniwai Park
Beautiful landscaping, bridges, and streams that surround this area with make this a favorite for all (couple must book direct through the State Parks Office).

Churches

Churches of many faiths are available.

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What is an “Authentic” Hawaiian Wedding?
Good question! Truth is, because early Hawaiians had no written language, we have no way for knowing for sure what was involved in a typical Hawaiian marriage ceremony. It is believed that the formal marriage ceremony was reserved only for the Ali’i (royal class). Unfortunately, the Hawaiian wedding ceremonies offered today are largely based on speculation.

Most companies offering Hawaiian wedding packages are designing your special day around a central theme of Hawaiian “Aloha” – the expression of love and respect for each other, for the earth and all her bounty.

Many Hawaiian weddings include:
• A Beach or Garden setting.

• An officiant who may or may not perform a Hawaiian blessing in the Hawaiian language in addition to the English ceremony.

• Exchange of Leis. Traditionally, grooms wear a maile leaf lei which can be worn alone or woven with ilima. Brides frequently wear the fragrant pikake (white jasmine) which can also be entwined with maile.

• Some ceremonies include Hawaiian music and the blowing of the conch.

What’s the best time to be married in Hawaii?

The Crowds:
The busiest time of year in Hawaii is between January through April. The last week of December, through January 5 (Christmas & New Years) is the absolute busiest period. If you’re planning a beach wedding, do not expect to have the beach to yourself. All beaches in Hawaii are public.

The Weather
The weather on Maui between January - April is exceptional. November - December is considered the “rainy” season, so by January everything is lush, green and “tropical”. The south end of the island (Kihei and Wailea) generally receives less rain than other parts of Maui.

It is also considerably cooler during the winter in Hawaii, which will make a difference if you’re planning on being dressed to the nine’s! On the other hand, there is absolutely nothing more romantic than a walk on the beach beneath the stars on a balmy summer night! August and September tend to be hot and dry, with temperatures averaging between 85-90ºF during the day, and 60-70ºF in the evening.

Sunset or Daytime Wedding?
A Hawaiian wedding on the beach at sunset! How romantic! The heat of the day rises up through the warm, white sand; the afternoon trades have died down to a gentle breeze; the crowds have thinned; the sun drops gently beyond the horizon, filling the azure sky with brilliant trails of vibrant orange and gold.

If family and friends will be attending your wedding on Maui, and you’re planning your wedding outdoors, pay special attention to where your guests will be seated. If they are sitting facing directly into the setting sun they will have a difficult time watching your ceremony!

Obtaining a marriage license in Hawaii?
The Hawaii Department of Health web site goes into full detail concerning the requirements. Below are the main points…

HOW TO APPLY FOR A MARRIAGE LICENSE
• The prospective bride and groom must appear together in person before a marriage license agent to apply for a marriage license. Proxies are not allowed.

• The prospective bride and groom should be prepared to provide the necessary proof of age and present any required written consents and approvals. All of the necessary documents should be obtained prior to applying for a marriage license.

• The prospective bride and groom must prepare an official application (you can fill most of this out before you get to Hawaii) and file the application in person with the marriage license agent (this must be done on Maui).

• Upon approval, a marriage license is issued at the time the application is made.

• The marriage license costs $60.00, payable in cash at the time the application is made.

• The marriage license is good only in, but is valid throughout, the State of Hawaii.

• The marriage license expires 30 days from and including the date of issuance, after which it automatically becomes null and void.

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