Planning Your Destination Wedding In Maui
Jen Taylor 425-949-5950 jennifer@taylordevents.com TaylordEvents.com
Your Hawaiian Wedding!
Why Destination and Why Maui?
Destination Tips
What to Bring
Hotels vs. Event Venues
Beach Permits
Marriage Certificate
Your Maui Personality
Central Maui
South Maui
West Maui
Northshore / Upcountry / Hana
Why Taylor’d Events
WhyDestinationandWhyMaui?
lI’ll answer the second question first because I love Maui! I was almost 13 years old when I took my first trip to Maui, and it was the best family vacation. We had a great time, hanging out at the beach and pool and going to luaus.
Fast forward to 2000 when I took the man who became my husband to the island, and we stayed at the same condo. Nothing had changed. It was still perfect, and my husband fell in love with it. Maui was one of the first places my husband suggested we get married, but we had a large family attending, and his mother had never flown in an airplane, so traveling from the Midwest to Maui was not a viable option.
But we returned to Maui for our honeymoon in 2005, and now I return yearly. Maui offers many activities during the day and nightlife in some parts of the island. And at the end of the day, there are places to escape it all.
Why plan a destination wedding in Maui? It’s easy to get there from the West Coast; most major airports have direct flights to Maui. Then there’s the near-perfect weather. And there are many places to get married beside the beach, including historic venues and even unique spots next to a lava field. You can get married any day of the week! Keep the wedding small and only invite who you want, not who your family thinks you should ask.
And here’s a final reason: the honeymoon starts immediately since there is no need to get on a plane (unless you want to go to another island). You’re already here!
Destination Tips
Planning
Start planning at least six months out.
Decide which part of Maui you will visit. Secluded? Luxury? Active?
Research destination marriage laws (more on this later).
Decide how many people you will invite.
Decide on your wedding style: hotel or event venue
Determine your budget
Travel
Call your credit card company one week before your leave to ensure they authorize your transactions while you are away from home.
Allow plenty of time between connecting flights
Arrive at your destination at least four days before the wedding
Do not pack your wedding dress; carry it along with anything else you need for the wedding.
Wedding Week
Get wedding attire steamed/pressed
Pick up the marriage certificate
Give yourself plenty of time to relax and enjoy the guests who came to celebrate with you.
Delegate on the day of your wedding.
What to Bring
I found this great packing list for a Destination Wedding on www.HerPackingList.com for her lists and more information about packing. It’s a terrific resource for women who like to travel.
When I travel to and from Maui, I wear light layers, so as soon as I get off the plane I am ready for the warmer weather. I recommend packing the items marked with an * in your carryon luggage. If your checked luggage gets lost, you’ll have the “must-have” items until it arrives.
Clothing
Wedding dress – carry on in a garment bag and either stow in the overhead bin
or see if the flight attendant can hang it with the coats in first class
2 bathing suits *1 bathing suit
1 bathing suit cover-up *
1 hat or head scarf
3 sundresses
1 evening/reception dress
2 pairs of shorts
2 skirts
2 tanks or camisoles
1 light cardigan
Undergarments for wedding dress
7 pairs of underwear *1
1 strapless bra
1 regular bra
1 pair of PJs
1 set of wedding night lingerie
1 pair of socks
Shoes
Wedding shoes - if you are getting married on the beach or on a lawn near the beach, I recommend wearing flat sandals. It’s almost impossible to walk on the sand in anything else.
Hiking sandals/shoes
Flip flops
Wedges
Toiletries
Bobby pins
Brush / comb
Hairspray / hair product – go light if you are going to be spending a lot of time at the beach
Makeup – I suggest having your wedding day makeup done by the hotel spa, so just bring your bare necessities
Shampoo / conditioner / body wash – call ahead to see if the condo or hotel supplies these items
Body / face lotion
Travel toothbrush / toothpaste
Contacts / solution
Deodorant
Disposable razor
Nail clippers / file
Sunscreen
Aloe Vera
SPF chap stick
Insect repellant
Medical Items
Prescriptions in their original bottles
Birth control/contraceptives
Pain reliever
Electronics *
Camera – nice to capture events before and after the wedding day
Cell phone
Ipad / e-reader
Headphones/Earbuds
Chargers and batteries
Power strip for all the chargers (no need to carry this on)
Miscellaneous *
Wedding band
Wedding jewelry
Mending kit
Vows
Seating chart (if you are using one)
Other *
Passport
Credit card
Hotels vs. Event Venues
Hotels vs. Event Venues
Hotels are the first places most couples look when planning a destination wedding. Many hotels offer packages that include all that you need for a wedding, and your reception can be held in the hotel restaurant or ballroom. Since everything is on the property, hotels are a great option for ease of use.
Event venues are great places to consider as well. Most are right on the water, offer a private area to get ready, and you can bring your wedding professionals. Check with the venue to see if you or your caterer need to rent tables, chairs, and linens. Most venues offer packages so you can use their preferred vendors to make your wedding special.
Beach Permits
Nothing screams romantic more than a sunset wedding on a beach on Maui. Since all beaches are public property in Hawaii, the state has a few rules and regulations you must follow.
Basic Requirements
Complete and apply for acceptance by the state. Submit a certificate of insurance of current liability insurance for at least $300,000 per incident and $500,000 aggregate, naming the State of Hawaii as an additional insured.
Costs
A beach permit costs ten cents ($.10) per square foot, with a $20 minimum, which will secure 200 square feet of space on the beach. If you require more than 200 square feet, enter the requested square footage on the permit and it will be automatically calculated.
Time Limits
The maximum length of any permit is two hours, including set-up and tear-down.
Attendee Limits
The average number of participants for a beach wedding permit is nine. Most event professionals are not comfortable with an event that exceeds 25 people. This includes the photographer, officiant, and planner.
If you are planning or thinking about an event larger than 25-30 people, you should call the state at 808-587-0439 to discuss your plans prior to applying.
Restrictions
No alcoholic beverages.
No accessories, structures, devices, amplified instruments, appliances, apparatus, or equipment can be placed on or within the right-of-entry area or premises. This includes but is not limited to the following:
Arches
Bowers
Alters
Tables
Chairs
Tents/Tarps
Event signage
Stanchions, Posts or Ropes to mark the space reserved.
FAQs from the Department of Land and Natural Resources
Restricted Beaches
The following Maui beaches are restricted:
Makena & Wainapanapa State Parks are issued through the state
Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve/La Perouse Bay
Ka’anapali Coast (extending from Canoe Beach on the south to
Ka’anapali Shores on the north)
Visit these websites for more information:
General information
Beach Wedding Permit Information
FAQs from the Department of Land and Natural Resources
Marriage Certificate
A license must be obtained from an authorized agent to legally marry in the State of Hawaii. Once the license has been issued, there is no waiting period before the marriage can take place.
Who is Eligible?
There is no state residence or U.S. citizenship requirement. You don't need a blood test. The legal age to marry is 18 years of age.
License Requirements
Prepare and file the application in person with the marriage license agent. Provide the necessary proof of age. If previously married and the divorce or death has occurred within 30 days of applying for a marriage license, present proof of original divorce decree or death certificate to the marriage agent. The application may be completed online (see website below). The application WILL NOT be accepted if sent by postal mail or email.
License
A marriage license is issued at the time the application is submitted to the marriage license agent. The fee is $60 (plus $5 administrative cost).
The fee may be paid online or in person at the time the application is submitted to the marriage license agent. The license is only good in the State of Hawaii and it expires 20 days from and including the date of issuance.
Marriage License: Click Here for Information
Marriage License Agents on Maui
Sherilyn Takushi - www.hawaiimariagelicenseinfo.com - Kahului
Kimithi Hoang - 808-250-2670 - Kihei
Connie McAboy - connie.mauimla@gmail.com - Kihei
Yesenia Esquivel - yesenia.esquivel@hyatt.comLahaina/Ka’anapali
Marlyn Kaopuiki & Tammie Sugimoto Castro -808-874-8000
Wailea
Lindsay Akiyama - 808-891-3379 - Wailea
Ashley Smith - 808-283-9319 - Wailuku
Your Maui Personality
Your Maui Personality
Central Maui
This is the isthmus between the two mountains and is the first place you’ll be when you arrive in Maui. It is also the airport, county seat, and most of the island’s shopping.
West Maui
This area extends from Lahaina to Kapalua. Since the fires of August 8, 2023, Lahaina has been closed for tourists for the foreseeable future; as of this writing, areas north of Keawe St/Highway 3000, Old Lahaina Luau, Old Cannery Mall, and Lahaina Gateway Center, are open. The best way to keep informed about Lahaina Town is https://lahainatown.com
All the hotels and condos in the original tourist area of Ka’anapali, including the Sheraton, Westin, Hyatt, and Ka’anpali Beach Hotel, are open and ready for business!
Beach weddings are restricted in this area, but all the hotels have areas on their lower lawns (close to the beach) for weddings. The only drawback is the walkway that connects all the beach hotels.
South Maui
South Maui starts in Kihei and extends to Makena. This part of Maui is drier and is the second-largest tourist area. It offers many condos and basic shopping needs. Wailea is home to the Four Seasons, Marriott, Waldorf-Astoria, Fairmont, and several other high-end hotels. As you travel further south, you will end up in Makena.
Northshore / Upcountry / Hana
I shouldn’t combine these because they have fantastic traits and offer a unique experience. Upcountry with flower farms and breathtaking views of the rouged coastline of the Northshore t the tranquility of Hana, there is something for everyone,
Why Taylor’d Events for Your Maui Destination Wedding?
Getting married in Hawaii is an experience of a lifetime, particularly if you select a location in Maui for your beach wedding. Making sure you choose an experienced destination wedding planner is something that can’t be overlooked! Let me help make your wedding day as stress-free and enjoyable as possible!
I have long-standing relationships with hotels, venues, and wedding professionals, so you know they have been vetted and are true professionals. In addition, our team of Maui wedding professionals is experienced and can direct you to the perfect wedding vendors to suit your needs and budget. Our creative team includes local photographers, videographers, chefs, and floral designers. We can also direct you to our trusted celebrity mainland artists who will travel to your destination. Taylor’d Events By Jennifer specializes in Hawaiian weddings and special events, emphasizing the island of Maui. Let us help you find your dream venue, whether a bed and breakfast, private estate rental, or fabulous resort. Our Hawaiian wedding packages reflect the Aloha (love) of the Islands. Each wedding is coordinated as if it were my own. The couples I work with are like Ohana (family), and I do my very best to treat you as such.
I am pleased to be part of your Alohiki (families joining together). Mahalo (thank you), thank you for letting me share in your special day and perfect Maui wedding. Aloha!
