For Couples

Everything You Need to Know About Planning a Wedding on Maui

April 28, 2023

Though Hawaii as a whole is a popular destination for couples to have their wedding, Maui specifically has SO much to offer for couples hoping to have their wedding day on the Hawaiian Islands.  For those craving a relaxing refuge to contrast the busyness that a wedding day can bring, I highly recommend planning your […]

Everything You Need to Know About Planning a Wedding on Maui
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Though Hawaii as a whole is a popular destination for couples to have their wedding, Maui specifically has SO much to offer for couples hoping to have their wedding day on the Hawaiian Islands.  For those craving a relaxing refuge to contrast the busyness that a wedding day can bring, I highly recommend planning your wedding in Maui. But where do you start in this planning process? There’s a lot to consider when planning a wedding on the island of Maui, especially if you and your guests are traveling here! That’s why in this blog we’re going over ALL of the details! Everything from the legalities to your vendor team, and everything in between.

Why Have Your Wedding on Maui

Maui is the second largest island of Hawaii and is known for its’ slower pace of life as well as its sheer beauty.  Maui has ENDLESS beaches in a variety of different colors, along with gorgeous hikes to waterfalls, cliffs and so much more.  With Maui being the second largest island, it is also one of the easiest islands to get to and get around.  This makes traveling for both you and your guests much less of a headache compared to some of the other smaller islands of Hawaii. The appeal of a wedding day on Maui doesn’t stop there though. There are SO many incredible venues, portrait locations, and places for you and your loved ones to stay at. There are also a wide variety of activities for you, your friends, and your family to do throughout your stay on the island. The sky really is the limit!

How to Get a Marriage License on Maui

Obtaining a marriage license on Maui, and the Hawaiian islands, in general, is pretty straightforward though there are definitely some key factors to be aware of. There is a $65 fee for application which can be paid through this link here. In order to receive your marriage license you and your partner will have to go in person to meet with your agent with valid forms of ID. Your marriage license will be approved and valid that same day and will be valid for the next 30 days, so plan your wedding in that timeframe. Witnesses are not required but you will need an officiant for your wedding day!

Choosing Your Maui Wedding Vendors

The next step in planning your wedding day in Maui is selecting the vendor team that is going to help you put together the wedding you’ve been dreaming of. Finding the right vendors for you is a tough task which is why we’re going to cover all of them. I always recommend local vendors for weddings throughout the Hawaiian islands as we know the islands. We know what works and what doesn’t work so we’ll be able to guide you through this process while keeping things stress-free for you.

Maui Wedding Venues

The first vendor we’re going to take a look at, and arguably the most important as without it there is no wedding, is your venue! The island of Maui is home to some of the most jaw-dropping and gorgeous wedding venues that the Hawaiian islands have to offer. This can make deciding on one tricky as there are so many great options, so let’s go through a few of my favorites to give you an idea of what we’re working with!

Hyatt Regency

The Hyatt Regency in Maui is a resort that offers an all-in-one wedding weekend experience. With an endless amount of amenities, activities, and a wide array of options in terms of spaces for your wedding day, this venue really has it all. The Hyatt Regency offers wedding packages ranging from 4 to 200 guests, 4 venue options of varying sizes, and other options like a ballroom to keep the party going after your reception. The Hyatt is located right on 40 acres of the oceanfront making this all-in-one wedding venue a dream getaway for any couple.

Cliff House

If you’re on the hunt for an oceanside venue with great views for a more intimate wedding on Maui, then look no further than the Cliff House which is part of the Montage Resort in Kapalua Bay. This cliffside venue with seating for up to 40 guests offers a one-of-a-kind wedding day experience. With it being located on the cliffside of the northwest side of the island you’re given unobstructed views of the ocean plus that Maui sunset that is just unbeatable. It’s a breathtaking setting for an intimate wedding day and with it being part of the resort you and your guests will have plenty of options to choose from for your stay as well.

The Plantation House

Not far down the road from Cliff House and Montage Resort you’ll find Kapalua Golf Course which is home to our next Maui wedding venue, The Plantation House. Offering incredible views of the ocean, the wide open fields of the canyon and golf course, and those gorgeous sunsets Maui is known for, The Plantation House has a lot going for it as a wedding venue. The venue has numerous spaces for your wedding for groups ranging from 30 all the way up to 500 guests. With a renowned kitchen on site as yet another draw for the venue, it’d be hard not to consider The Plantation House for your wedding venue.

Andaz Maui 

With a focus on their couples and providing a space and experience that is unique to each couple, Andaz Maui has to be my favorite wedding venue on the island! With 7 different spaces available to choose from for your ceremony and reception, there really is something here for every couple. Whether you want to be down on the beach, in a gorgeous garden, or with the mountains as your backdrop, Andaz Maui has you covered. There are 3 different wedding packages to choose from at Andaz Maui, and when booking your wedding you also get to work with their wedding planner who will help you craft your wedding day to be perfect for you and your love.

Some of My Favorite Maui Wedding Vendors

When it comes to hiring wedding vendors for your wedding in Maui, you’re going to want to be sure to hire wedding vendors who live on one of the Hawaiian islands.  This will ensure that you not only have the BEST experience possible with your vendors, but you can be sure they know how to give you the best experience.  The tropical climate and weather specific to the islands can be an incredibly tough adjustment to vendors who are not accustomed to it, so staying local is the safest and best way to go!

Alexis Huggins Maui

Alexis is a wedding and event planner located in Maui that I absolutely ADORE working with. Over the past year, Alexis and I have worked together on a few weddings over the years along with a styled shoot this year. She’s so talented and keeps everyone at ease no matter what the wedding day brings.

Signature Maui Rentals

Signature Maui Boutique and Event Rentals is an amazing rental service on both Maui and Oahu. Signature Maui focuses on timeless and classic style decor with a focus on most of the larger items including lighting, canopies, furniture, and more!

Set Maui, Tablescape rentals

Set Maui is a tablescape rental and design company located on the island of Maui. With SO many styling options including bohemian, classic, luxury and so much more, Set Maui is what one might call a one-stop shop for your wedding tablescape.

Embellish Maui

As described on their Instagram, Embellish Maui is a Garden to Glass Floral Refreshments Bar located in Maui. Along with its floral refreshments bar, Embellish Maui also decorates small cakes for elopements and weddings with beautiful flower arrangements and can also create your wedding day florals such as bouquets and boutonnieres.

Bella Bloom Maui

This Maui wedding and event florist is known for its full-service floral services. Bella and Bloom create timeless, sculptural, and show-stopping floral pieces that elevate your wedding day experience. The Bella Bloom Maui team is beyond talented, and I highly recommend hiring them for your wedding day.

Planning Your Wedding in Maui

Choosing a Time of Year

There are a few things you’ll want to think about when deciding on what time of year you want to have your Maui wedding. First and foremost is that the weather is fairly consistent year round so temperatures won’t fluctuate all that much. There tends to be a little more rain in the winter months but not often enough for you to plan on avoiding the season because of it. The only real reason to avoid the winter months, and really the main factor you’ll want to plan around, is how busy the island becomes at certain times of the year. Winter and spring break season in the spring are typically the busiest times for the tourist season. If you do plan to have your wedding around these peak seasons, prepare for higher airfare and more people on the islands in general.

Traveling to your Wedding in Maui

Most weddings throughout the Hawaiian Islands in general are destination weddings, so giving your guests plenty of heads up for your wedding is crucial. The great part about a Maui wedding is that Kahului Airport is on the island making travel for you and your guests that much simpler. No need to book a ferry from one island to another, everything you need for your wedding day stay and travel can be found on the island. Speaking of where to stay for your wedding…

Where to Stay

Being such a popular tourist destination there are SO many options to consider for you to stay at on Maui. Some of the wedding venues above like Hyatt Regency, the Cliff House’s Montage Resort, and Andaz Maui all offer places for you and your guests to stay either close by or on site. There’s a variety of other locations throughout the Island you can find as well through sites like Vrbo or Airbnb, as well as other resorts such as Kahana Sunset and Grand Wailea.

Things to Do in Maui

After your wedding day in Maui you and your guests are likely to have some time on your hand to explore and enjoy all the island has to offer. There is no shortage of things to do throughout the island to make your time here one to remember. From paddle boarding and submarine rides, to whale watching and zipline tours, the list of things to do while in Maui are quite literally endless. If you’re looking to keep things low key and relaxing there’s no shortage of beautiful beaches for you to unwind and relax at and enjoy yourselves as newlyweds as well!

Now that you know how to plan your own wedding on the Island of Maui it’s time to take that first step to making it a reality, booking your vendors! If you’re ready to book me for your wedding day head on over to my contact page, and if you need more wedding planning tips for your Hawaiian wedding day head on over to my blog.

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