Getting married on the island of Maui can be an incredible experience with the lush, tropical scenery that surrounds the island. With just a few simple steps you can plan and execute a beautiful Maui Elopement for you and your partner, and/or the people who matter the most!

Where to Have Your Elopement on Maui

Venues

Maui Pineapple Chapel – Located on the most western tip of Maui in Kapalua is the Maui Pineapple Chapel. The chapel was built in the 1950’s to serve local plantation workers and transitioned into a wedding venue in the past 5 years. It is a beautiful light yellow chapel in pristine condition and a perfect location to host your wedding ceremony. Just a few minute walk are a few places you can also take photos such as the Ironwoods Beach, Ritz-Carlton Maui property and the Dragon’s Teeth beachfront.

Sugar Beach Events Maui – Located in southwestern Maui in Kihei, this venue packs a punch in its offerings. Created by Chef Lee Anderson in 2013, this venue combines the elements of a stunning beachside venue with a full service kitchen and bar on site. There are outdoor and indoor options for the ceremony and reception, and world class chefs and bartending available on-site for hire.

Outdoor Locations

Ironwoods/Onolea Beach – Located in Northern Maui in Kapalua, this beach is a perfect spot to experience both the sunrise and sunset for your elopement day. Whether you are an early riser, or a night owl, this spot is perfect for you! It also has some easy to hike cliff edges, lush greenery and ultra-soft sandy beachfront that is not too busy throughout the day.

Dragon’s Teeth – Nearby Onolea Beach there is also a unique landscape called Dragon’s Teeth. If you’re looking for a more rugged and dark landscape that is also near the water, this is perfect for your elopement day. The Kapalua Labyrinth surrounds this spot, as well as some great spots for large wave action. Play close attention to where you are walking in this location because the terrain can be uneven, and the waves can be sudden!

Acquiring a Wedding Photography Permit

To get married on the beach in Maui, you need to apply for and be approved for a Wiki Permit. These permits are authorized by the State of Hawaii DoNLR to be able to monitor beach use. Large events can have a detrimental impact on a natural environment. So, here are a few guidelines involved to reduce environmental impact:

1. Firstly, events must not have more than 30 people present. This includes vendors like photographers, officiants, and florists, as well as the couple and guests.
2. Weddings must take place on unencumbered shoreline. Meaning, it needs to take place on an easily accessible space that would not be damaged with visitors traveling to the ceremony location. On a beach, this would be higher up on the beach where the tide cannot reach on high tide.
3. Events are only allowed on authorized beaches. For a list of those beaches click here.

Following these guidelines will ensure that you will be getting married safely for you and the environment! It is important to take care of the natural world all around us so it can be preserved for generations.

For more information on applying for a Wiki Wedding Permit follow this link.

Tips For Your Maui Elopement

Preparing For Any Weather

The island of Maui’s average humidity is 70%, meaning it’s pretty sticky. Also, because of the humidity, there is a higher chance of precipitation in the winter and spring. Therefore, make sure to bring lightweight jackets and raincoats, or hats and umbrellas to keep yourself dry if rain is in the forecast.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, it can also be very warm in Hawaii. When choosing your wedding outfits you might want to consider lighter materials like linen, and short sleeved gowns. Staying cool will allow you to stay comfortable and present during your elopement day!

Stay Hydrated

To go along with the previous tip, STAY HYDRATED!!! The least exciting thing to happen on an elopement day would be to end up in urgent care! Keep a water bottle nearby, and pick a friend or family member who can help remind you to drink water. Especially if you are like me and often forget to drink water! To boost the amount of hydration you get in a bottle of water, consider adding Liquid IV to your bottle. It contains electrolytes to maximize your hydration. Plain and simple, DON’T FORGET TO DRINK WATER!!

Consider Hiring Local Vendors

This tip might sound a little contradictory since I am not local, but it is really important to consider! Maui is a small island but has a large creative community of wedding vendors. Try to seek out vendors like florists, coordinators, hair and makeup artists, officiants or musicians that live in Maui. This not only helps support the local economy, but it often comes at a lower price. This is because there are little to no travel fees. It’s a win win situation!

Ready to Elope in Maui?

Do you feel like the soft sandy beaches and lush greenery of Maui are calling your name for your big day? Let’s chat more about that! As your wedding photographer, I can assist you in creating a beautiful day for you, your partner, and those who you invite into this special day. Head on over to my contact page to start the conversation of planning your wedding day here.