We want to get married in Maui, Hawaii (Wailea) in July?

My fiance and I want to get married this summer, end of June or early to mid July, in Maui, Hawaii. I like the Wailea area. Ultimately, I'd like to stay at the Grand Wailea but am open to other resorts (although we could marry at the resort or have the ceremony elsewhere but stay there instead).



I've always wanted a candlelight ceremony and in a church or chapel. I'd also prefer to have a pastor marry us. We're not super religious but we want it to be a holy ceremony or have religious elements to the ceremony or vows. The "Grand" has a package like that but it's just going to be us...and maybe a couple of friends??? Basically, something simple, with candles and roses. I do want a videographer and photographer. And, I have no idea who I'd go to either to do my hair and make-up (but a resort should have a salon). A recommendation for that however, would be great...this is the day I should look exceptionally beautiful so I'm nervous to go somewhere I've never been and unfamiliar with not knowing what I'm going to look like afterwards! =)



We want to vacation there so why not elope there too! And due to cost of travel for friends and family, we've decided that eloping while vacationing would be lovely and then we'd have a reception with everyone here in our home town and leave the reception celebration on our boat during a popular August boating event. =)



Now that I've provided some of the details of what we've decided, I could use some help or suggestions on how we can make this happen! Cost is a factor...especially with a new baby on the way (but at least I have LOTS of air travel miles which should take care of our airfare)! I'm terrible at planning vacations, let alone one that would involve a wedding ceremony!



Thank you in advance for sharing your experiences, and providing suggestions and recommendations (hopefully based on experience!) to make our special day amazing in paradise!We want to get married in Maui, Hawaii (Wailea) in July?
I have not been to a wedding there, but I did vacation at the Grand Wailea for a week. It was the most beautiful, nice place I have ever stayed! The resort does do a lot of weddings and there is a beautiful chapel and garden and tons of places for pictures. Also, there is a salon... I got a few spa services and they were amazing.. I'm sure their beauty services are great as well. And the food and service can't be beat!



You'll have to contact them to find out about their wedding packages and costs, but I can definitely vouch for the resort. I would stay there again and again!!
We stayed near Lahaina (Kaanapali), stayed at the Eldorado Resort Condos. Next door is the Royal Lahaina, where our director took care of everything. We also had the "Luxury" package. She recently changed the package. We had a harp on ours and a 2 hour limo to anywhere we wanted. That isn't on there anymore. The price was just lightly cheaper than it is now.



We also had it on the beach.



I let my hair down curled with a lei and I don't wear make up so, I didn't need to pay for all that etc. hubby was in his Military Uniform. Prior, we did pay for an hour each massage (ohhh so wonderful!).



http://www.2hawaiiweddings.com/



Usually when you book it through resorts or the wedding coordinator for a package, they will take care of everything.



You can coordinate with the hotel on booking the room and the coordinator, especially like mine who worked at the hotel, could book all at once to make it easier and all one lump sum. You just have to call around and really have a list of questions for each one to keep for notes.



As far as travel.



Will you be expecting during this time OR will you have a new born?



Either way traveling can be easy. Especially if you have lots of air travel miles.



But we booked our flight/hotel/car rental all on Pleasant Holidays. We visited Maui a year before with Pleasant as well. Both times we have flown United. The first time costed $1,200 for hubby and myself. that included round trip, 6 days, 5 nights at the Eldorado and midsize car rental.



The last time, it costed hubby and I $1,500 for all that. Then the additional package of course. It wounded up being around $4,000 (seeing the whales, snorkling, activites etc).



After our sunset ceremony, we went to the Hyatt's Luau, which was down the road (The Royal Lahaina wasn't doing them on Saturday's at the time due to season).



We also wanted a cake topper but something unique. We contacted a company that will take those cake toppers you see the bride dragging the groom and what not, the lady actually made the cake topper in a military uniform and made mine into a sleevless/strapless dress etc.



http://www.militarycaketoppers.com/Produ鈥?/a>



The picture on the front page, the one to the far right with the bride dragg'n the groom is actually a picture of ours she put on the site. I also ordered my Marine Garter from her.



So it gives you an idea that you can find little fun things to do and less the expense. We had our cake and shared it with lovely people at the luau after we did a dance on stage learning how to dance lol.



We are going again in December and waiting til our baby is born around June, begin of July to book flights as I have to have the baby's info to book the flight as an additional (lap) passenger.



Right now I know hotels are hurting with the economy and now the swine flu that is putting tourist on hold. So, you possibly could find some great deals.



If you are trying to limit expenses. Do a few things and realize they will slightly change off an on during the months etc.



Find out how much it would cost if you book:



Flight, Hotel, Car at the same place (Pleasant for example) and book the wedding details (like the package) seperate.



Flight, hotel, car and package if available to be purchased all together.



Flight/Car with airlines while hotel/package with coordinator.



Flight/hotel with Airlines, and car/package with coordinator.



See which one serves the cheapest route.



So far for us in December....



We booking with United or American Airlines for flight. Then booking the hotel/car with the hotel is cheaper than going Pleasant. But that can all change in a few months. So remember, what you research today can change by next month's quota.



When we booked at Pleasant Holidays, the next morning of our arrival we attended a breakfast meeting. It is free. You just have to have your voucher with you.



You can get good discount deals on activities to go see. My parents went to Hana for the drive instead of attending the tour bus while we stayed behind (we just rented one vehicle) and had a blast swiming listening to the whales sing in the water. We went whale watching, snorkling (scuba diving) and the luau at the hyatt. We rented water boards for $2 each, all day to catch some waterboarding on the waves. You can do helicopter rides, bike rides, horse rides all the way down to dinner cruises.We want to get married in Maui, Hawaii (Wailea) in July?
Wow....if you can afford the Grand Wailea....you should definitely go for it! With that type of resort (I have been there before), yes, they would be able to arrange hair/makeup for you. As a matter of fact, I am sure that they have a coordinator that you work with. Otherwise....there are LOTS of places in Kihea (just down the road).



Aloha!



EDIT: If you decide that you cannot afford the Grand Wailea, then just up the coast in Kaanapali...there are lots of nice places to be married.
Just contact the hotel - they are probably used to all of the questions that you may have.



I am curious, however, why get married in Hawaii if you want to get married in a church? There's nothing greater than God's great outdoors and you can have torches on the beach.
The best place to ask this question is on the destination wedding board on www.theknot.com or the Hawaii board there.



If you can afford it, I would have your dinner at Spago's next door at The Four Seasons. Yum!