Tag Archive | affordable wedding planner in maui

Married in Maui

Married in Maui… how does one plan for this when you live more than 3,000 miles away? Eloping in Maui can be an incredible experience – if you allow the right wedding planner to guide you through the process. From international marriage licenses, reservations at all the hot spots and assistance with pre-planned romantic gestures for your spouse, our team can assist with all your needs.

Follow along on one of our Australia bride’s journey… when she was

Married in Maui

Once upon a time a (not so young) lady was planning her nuptials. Sadly she had been down that aisle once before but that is another story and one that is not at all relevant to this tale.

She (the not so young lady) was trying to work out what she wanted for her special day. She was not looking for the full on extravaganza complete with every relative, 6 bridesmaids and a fluffy white dress. Her betrothed on the other hand had not tripped his way down the aisle before and wanted to make some sort of a fuss (and rightly so.) They were both of the same mind however that when it came to a wedding they wanted it to only be about them.

So she made a list of things she would like (and of course consulted the lovely fella) and they agreed that they would love to pledge their love for one another with the sun on their backs and the sand between their toes. Weather in their part of the world (Australia) could be either fantastic or something that might destroy good hair and makeup so they came up with the idea to combine their wedding with a honeymoon and choose somewhere they would love to spend their first days as husband and wife. Once again they compared notes on places on their ‘bucket lists’ and thankfully right at the very top of both was Hawaii. A little more discussion and they both came to the conclusion that being married in Maui might tick off all the boxes on their wish list, and offered everything they were dreaming of.

I did forget to mention that the NSY lady was a teeny tiny weeny bit of a ‘control freak’ so the only thing that was worrying her was to let go of most of the planning of their special day and place it in the hands of someone on almost the other side of the world who she had never met! Luckily enough an internet search (and perhaps the universe) pointed her towards Aloha Dream Weddings and from the very first ‘chat’ via email, she felt that their wishes were understood and she could leave so many of the details in the hands of Darci. Poor Darci may or may not have had to answer a myriad of questions which kept popping up but she did so with absolute grace and the utmost patience and at no time did the NSY lady feel worried or concerned that their vision was not understood. In fact don’t tell anyone, but she kind of enjoyed the letting go of doing everything once she realized that Darci was in total control and understood what they were looking for better than even they did. We let Aloha Maui Dream Weddings take care of getting us married in Maui.

Accommodation and plane tickets were booked and the search for a dress (and something fancy for the fella to wear) began but that was all they needed to worry their pretty little heads about. Darci suggested where and when (and even provided times for the sunset) and arranged every little thing from the fabulous memory capturing talents of Penny Palmer Photography to the licence appointment and a couple of gorgeous hair and makeup gals to ensure that the NSY lady looked quite frankly the best she had looked in many a year.

Their married in Maui day was everything they had wished for. Her fella had to wipe away tears when he watched her walk towards him along the beautiful beach setting Darci had chosen and the ceremony she wrote for them after ‘listening’ to who they were was truly perfect. The beach was all theirs and their magical ceremony was just about them – exactly as they both wanted without truly knowing that they did and if you ask them both today (2 blissful years down the track) if they would change anything there is not one thing that comes to mind.

And … they lived happily ever after

Wedding trends for 2016 Maui beach weddings

Nov23

Maui beach wedding and reception trends for 2016 parallel much of what is happening in the wedding world on the Mainland USA, with a few wonderful highlights. Just because you’re having a destination wedding, does not mean you are limited with the fun you can have! Live it up because, after all, this is YOUR big day!

Our top 10 wedding trends for 2016!

1. With years of social media influence and instant gratification for information, couples have been entering into that “too much information” era. Celebrity highlights, staged magazine compositions and personal desires have become convoluted. The 2016 educated couple is putting the breaks on and demanding to be heard rather than herded, like in years past. They want their personalities to come thru without the over-the-top fanfare. Simply put, they are looking for streamlined elegance with the essence of them. They want to describe their vision and let the planner pull it together within their budget. A Planner’s dream!

2. Top 2 Maui beach wedding reception trend themes for 2016 are in extreme contrasts to each other.

The elegant White Reception is back! Picture in your mind the white lights, white linens, white flowers, hints of earthy airy greens… The stepping off of the beach and into a fairytale. The surrounding terrain of gorgeous colors on Maui becomes the background for this upscale, elegant classic approach. A perfect balance of beach romance and affordable charm.

The Vintage Hawaiian reception is hot on its tail. With the focus being on family values, the human connection and the relaxing aloha found in the Islands, the Vintage theme encourages your guests to engage with one another, to let their guards down and really have a good time. Bringing the native culture into the wedding and reception elevates a destination wedding to a truly remarkable themed celebration.

3. Giving the champagne toast an uplift! Use designer champagnes and locally grown fruits to transform your traditional champagne toast into an elevated signature cocktail. Whether the choice is to offer champagne in the colors of your wedding reception or to create a personalized, signature drink – there are amazing mixologists on Maui to help your reception stand out and become more memorable. Every moment of your Maui wedding reception counts!

4. Offering wedding favors that highlight local favorites: local brew samplers, local sweets or cookies… Offering your guests a taste of local aloha not only saves you the shipping from home, but also allows you to share something you’ve enjoyed- something near & dear to your hearts. Try providing personalized shot glasses with your favorite liquor or woven palm baskets filled with goodies for your guests. Favors will be useful and memorable so guests will want to try them and keep them. Consider favors with an island or beach theme to tie into your Maui beach wedding reception.

5. Offering tasting stations at your reception continues to trend into 2016. Whether it be your favorite Maui Brews, a Smore’s Station or a fresh Maui Seafood Station, these stations fulfill two purposes. They not only allow you to express your personalities, but also give your guests something to do and engage in while you two are having your pictures taken. Let’s say for example, that one of your favorite pastimes as a couple is to tailgate at sporting events. Why not offer a mini brew and sliders station as one of your appetizers?

Maui offers a number of creative station ideas – and they don’t all have to be food related. How about a station to learn to make leis? Or a station with a native wood carver that can chisel your guests names onto the wooden favors you’ve pre-arranged for them? Getting creative is all the trend for 2016!

6. The Pantone Color Institute has announced the 2016 color trends and they embody what couples are looking for in their Maui beach wedding and receptions. Aiming for that laid back relaxing ambiance, they suggest more calming, softer color palettes that serve as “vehicles that transport wearers to more tranquil, mindful environs which encourage relaxation first, followed by curiosity and exploration.” The perfect statement about you, your love and your future dreams together. Colors including Rose Quartz, Peach Echo and Snorkel Blue are highlighted to make your Maui wedding reception an extension of the beautiful beaches, skies and ocean that surround your perfect day.

7. Engagement rings have always had a hint of influence by celebrities. What 2015 taught us was original, personality driven ring art is taking center stage for 2016. What does that mean for the rest of us? It means your rings should reflect you both as individuals. In actuality, the 2016 trend is to not follow a trend at all. Allow your ring to speak for you personally. Koa wood and tungsten rings remain a popular favorite for men with each ring being unique in the placement and grain of the wood inlay. Women are selecting rings with additional colored stones, antique settings or simple brilliance all in accordance with their personalities.

8. Classic wedding etiquette is back! Especially in the purposeful way of paying attention to the particulars for the guests attending your Maui beach wedding. This is the thoughtful way of showing your guests that have traveled thousands of miles that you appreciate them. Allowing someone special the honor of giving you away is a tender moment that is resurfacing. Asking someone who influenced your life to have that special dance at the reception is a great way to honor that relationship.

Wedding party gifts that are selected special are a great way to say thank you. Offering chilled water or fans to your guests on the beach before your wedding is a huge hit! Presenting your guests a lei at the start of your ceremony gives you at least 30 seconds of one-on-one time with each guest so they feel special and reinforces that you are happy they’re present for your special day. All these ideas are things your Planner can arrange for you. The goal is to celebrate your love and new path with a group of excited friends and family.

9. Maui beach wedding ceremony flowers are often undervalued as an unnecessary expense. Keep in mind those flowers tie in your wedding colors throughout your pictures which will in turn create your memory highlights. The trend for 2016 continues from 2015 in the concept of dual purpose flowers. Flowers that begin as bouquets at your Maui beach wedding and transform into table arrangements for your card table or tasting stations. Ginger paths can be reused at the entrance to your reception. Ask your Planner for more ideas with your florals!

10. After parties are all the rage for 2016! In fact we’ve seen it ramping up since October of this year. Who wants the party to end at 10? Maui doesn’t offer nightclubs like big city folks are used to, but your Planner can certainly arrange an after party in your honor… So when 10:00 rolls around, give big hugs to the little ones, lovingly escort your elders to their cars… And let the adult after party begin! This is a great time for women to slip into fun, flirtatious outfits so as to no longer need to maneuver in the big wedding gown. It’s time to let the hair down and party into the wee hours.

While 2015 was an amazing beach wedding year on Maui, 2016 is anticipated to bring about more unique Maui beach wedding and reception ideas. Whether you are seeking that intimate moment for 2 on the beach or the affordable Maui beach wedding and reception combination, we at Aloha Maui Dream Weddings are here to help make it special and memorable. Mahalo to all the 2015 couples that chose Maui as their destination wedding location and a special congratulations to all the future brides and grooms.

MAMUA KA ‘IKE, MAHOPE KA ‘IKE

2014 Maui Weddings – Trends

May21

It’s true! With the help of Google, Brides and Grooms are much more aware this year than in any previous years… 2014 Maui Weddings are skyrocketing – with the main difference being that these destination weddings are no longer site unseen. Brides and Grooms of 2014 Maui Weddings have a very good idea of what they envision and they want to work with Maui wedding planners that actually CARE about THEIR special day. We are proud that our clients ask us into their ohanas!

“Yayyy! Stress gone. Thanks Darci. I sure loved working with you all. Next vacation we’ll hunt you down and make you take a break for dinner!”
– D. H., May 2014

That may sound like an obvious statement – to care about their special day. But the number one compliment we receive over and over is how they appreciate our clear communication, our dedication to making their special Maui Weddings perfect, and how much we CARE! Mahalo for those compliments – they’re true – we really care about each and every client. They now ask, “I want a planner for my wedding in Maui – who will care the most about my ceremony?”

“We are over the moon. The whole experience just surpassed our expectations. Thank you!”
– J & D, May 2014

You should really like your wedding planner and you shouldn’t be paying a fortune for your planner to coordinate everything. If you want to tip your wedding planner after the fact, that’s always appreciated and in our opinion should be earned. We are grateful to be here for you.

So what all is trending this year for 2014 Maui Weddings?

The colors blue and orange…

So maybe not paired together, but blue is definitely a hot color this year. Adding blue ribbons to leis, blue flowers in bouquets or touches of blue in the petal paths is really beautiful against the golden sand and the teal blue ocean. We’ve done a couple black and teal weddings so far this year and the contrast was gorgeous! Of course you’ll want a morning wedding if you incorporate black into your color scheme.

Orange paired with corals, yellows and bright pinks make a dramatic statement and really sets a beautiful framework for the coupe’s faces and pictures. They compliment a Maui beach wedding very nicely!

Research…

Brides and grooms are getting to know more about their destination wedding team, the options available and Maui in general. Couples are researching and using Google images to help them be more informed. We offer tips for planning your wedding in hopes that you will find them useful and want to book with us. Enjoy those tips here.

We really enjoy helping you coordinate every detail of your special trip – from bachelor and bachlorette parties to spa days to amazing ceremonies and memorable receptions. We specialize in Wedding groups of 100 or less and work with another amazing wedding planner that specializes in weddings over 100 people. We have you covered.

Trains are back!

Yes, you read correctly – trains are back in style for Maui Weddings!

The sweeping of the fabric across the sand adds elegance to a very classy moment. Pictures with the train sweeping the lava rock adds an unfounded dimension to your Maui wedding photography as well.

Call us with your questions and see how easy it is to have a perfect Maui Wedding!

info@AlohaMauiDreamWeddings.com

(808) 280-1551