― Judith Olney

“To love abundantly is to live abundantly, and to love forever is to live forever.”

― Henry Drummond

“To love deeply in one direction makes us more loving in all others.”

― Anne-Sophie Swetchine

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.”

― Flavia Weedn

“You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”

― Kahlil Gibran

“Love doesn’t make the world go ’round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.”

― Franklin P. Jones

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.”

― Thornton Wilder

“In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, for in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.”

― Kahlil Gilbran

“Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, a touch that never hurts.”

― Charles Dickens

“To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.”

― David Viscott

“There is no remedy for love but love itself.”

- Henry David Thoreau

The Lei is a Hawaiiand word for wreath. Some call it a garland of flowers. What a Hawaiian lei is is a string of flowers strung together to be worn either around the neck or the head. A head lei is called a haku lei. Wearing a lei was made popular in the 1800′s and 1900′s when tourism first began in the Hawaiian Islands.

Grooms wear a maile lei, which is a green leafy plant and is open on the ends and hangs down on the chest. You can see it in the photo above on the groom in the white shirt.

Brides can choose from orchid leis which come single or double.

Fragrant leis can be made of tuberose, micro ginger, rosebud, and the best of all – pikake.

Also available are kukui nut, ti leaf, crown flower, and cigar kukui lei.

Making a lei is easy…Check here to see how its done.

Borrow wedding videos from other couples and, when viewing the exchange of vows, think about what you like best and least and what you can adapt for your own vows.
Ask your married friends to see their vows.
Give the person who will conduct the ceremony a chance to get to know you both. Have a consultation to discuss the tone of the wedding, sharing how you met and what you love about each other. This personal information will help the officiant work with you to design the ceremony you want.

Decide if you want a spiritual or religious ceremony. You may want to ask that your union be blessed by God or to otherwise acknowledge the spiritual ramifications marriage holds for you. If you both follow the same religion, you may simply ascribe to its vows and rituals. If your spiritual leanings are less defined, or if the two of you were raised with different faiths, have a soul-searching discussion with your fiancé. Talk about what brings meaning and value to your life and how best to incorporate this in your ceremony. Start this conversation early, and make no assumptions.

Once you both have an idea of the spiritual tone you want to strike, find the best person or people to perform it―a member of the clergy, a locally licensed secular humanist, a justice of the peace, or a judge. (Tip: Experience with weddings is a plus in an officiant, especially when it comes to recommending readings, music, and prayers.) And consider enacting a ritual―such as lighting a unity candle or sharing a glass of wine.

Alternatively, you can ask a trusted friend to perform the wedding. Fees, forms, and how-tos differ by state, but your county clerk’s office is a good place to start researching.

Though it is your day, you should give some thought to your guests, particularly your parents (especially if they’re footing the bill). Consider integrating them into the ceremony thus:

Have the officiant ask a question or two (for example, “Will you celebrate with John and Jane, encourage them, and remind them as needed of this day?”), to which the assembly replies, “I will.”
While it’s traditional to exchange vows with your backs to the assembly, choose to have the bride, the groom, and the wedding party facing front, with the officiant off to the side or with his or her back to the audience.

Best kept secret -
Mala. Conveniently located in 2 places on Maui. on the ocean’s edge in Lahaina and at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort. The menu is a mix of Asian, American and Mediterranean with many dishes big enough for 2 to share. Mark Ellman, one of Maui’s most famous chefs is the head honcho.

Best Burger- The winner goes to The Cool Cat Cafe in Lahaina Town’s Wharf Cinema Center. 100% certified angus beef burgers that juicy and delicious. Live local music nightly.

Best Italian-You will love Longhi’s, either in Wailea or Lahaina. This Maui landmark restaurant serves the best bread along with a wide variety of seafood, steaks, pasta, salads and desserts. Don’t miss it because you will have a memorable meal.

Best Breakfast-In the heart of Kaanapali at Whalers Village is Cane & Taro. This open air dining experience will thrill you with their diverse menu. Loco moco, eggs benedict, build your own omelets, griddle waffles and much more.

Best Fresh Fish-Fish does not get any fresher than what you can get on Maui. The Ma’alaea Waterfront has bountiful choices of preparation that are just plain innovative.

Best Japanese- Kobe Steak House with their teppanyaki chefs, fresh steaks, seafood and veggies prepared tableside.

Best Pizza-Lahaina Pizza Company with great views of the ocean and Lahaina Harbor. Kids love this place as well because it’s just a fun spot to be at. Try their Mai Tais and Buffalo Wings because they are famous for those as well.

Best Margaritas- Tia Juana’s Beach Cantina at the entrance to the Kaanapali Beach resort. Variations include Da Kine, Golden Cadillac, Strawberry Basil, Maui Orchid and Kaanapali Kick Ass.

Best Tacos – Here comes the name Mark Ellman again. This chef has Maui wrapped up. The freshest ingredients, no lard or msg and an array of affordable dishes. I even saw Steven Tyler in here a few years ago.

1. The church. If you are paying a ceremony fee, it may be tax deductible. If not, ask whether the church waives ceremony fees for members who donate at a certain level. It may be worth upping your donations for the year to get a triple benefit: a fee waiver, a tax write off, and a warm glow from donating to a good cause.

2. The venue. If you are having your reception or getting married at a historical garden, museum or homestead, or even a state or national park, the fee you pay may be deductible as a donation. Check with the site for more details.

3. Flowers and food. Once your wedding is over, have a friend take the leftover food and flowers to a homeless shelter, women’s center or similar non-profit organization. Not only will you have done a good deed, with a receipt, you’ll be able to take a deduction for the value of the items donated.

4. The gown. Donate your wedding gown to a non-profit organization such as Making Memories or the I Do Foundation, and you’ll help others enjoy their special day in style. The same goes for flower girl and bridesmaid dresses, as well as candles and other decorations that won’t spoil.

5. Wedding favors. Instead of soon-forgotten trinkets, make a donation to a charity on behalf of everyone in your wedding and your guests, and you’ll be helping others while garnering yourself a tax deduction. You might even let your wedding party choose the charities they treasure.

6. Gift registry. Create a wedding gift registry through the IDoFoundation.org and up to 10% of gift purchases will be donated to your favorite charity. You can harvest charitable rebates with wedding purchases through the foundation, and even create a charity registry where guests can donate to commemorate your special day.

Be sure to document these wedding write-offs with receipts and contracts, so you’ll have the backup available at tax time. Then you can claim your deductions, boost your tax refund, and have extra funds to toast your wedded bliss.

This amazing South Maui beach is perfect for a more private Maui Weddings. This beach is not the Makena Cove that most know of and is easy to find. This secret cove is unknown even by many locals who have lived here all their lives.

Poolenalena beach has a secluded side to it that features a long stretch of white sand beach, two coves formed by black lava rock, lush green foliage, palm trees and driftwood logs. Unlike the west side of the island (Lahaina, Kapalua and Kaanapali) this beach has a awesome vantage point for sunsets all year long. During the months of November through April one can see whales breaching from this South Maui beach. It is located on the dry side of the island.There are many fantastic photo opportunities at this gorgeous island wedding location. Add a tropical Maui flower circle for a stunning focal point to your ceremony. A permit is required to have your ceremony on this beach. Contact us for more information.

The first and most obvious one that comes to my mind is the Grand Wailea Hotel and Spa Resort in Wailea.

Why? Because of the wedding chapel that sits on the grounds of the hotel, adjacent to a beach that you will never forget!

The Grand Wailea is now owned by the Waldorf Astoria Hotel Group, known for it’s 5 start properties. And what better place to own a 5 star property than on Maui.

Having a Maui Wedding ceremony at the Grand Wailea is a no-brainer for you, the bride and groom! They take care of everything so you don’t have to worry if you are hiring the right planner, videographer, photographer and florist. Planning from so far away is a challenge and finding the right Maui Wedding vendor is like spinning a roulette wheel. Hopefully good fortune will be on your side for this Maui wedding!

The most simple Maui Wedding plan at the Grand Wailea is the Lei Aloha Celebration and is as follows:

The Lei Aloha Maui Wedding Celebration
This Celebration includes:

Use of the Wailea Seaside Chapel and Chapel Gardens for 1 ½ hours for your Ceremony
A Member of the Clergy to perform your Ceremony
Your choice of one of the following: Two Traditional Hawaiian Wedding Leis for a Lei Exchange and a “Circle of Love”, created with Tropical Flowers or a Traditional White Cascading Floral Bouquet for the Bride and a Coordinating White Boutonniere for the Groom
Choice of either a Solo Guitarist or Solo Organist to accompany the Ceremony
Photography Celebration including two hours of a photographer’s time, and a traditional Wedding Album consisting of twenty four 4×6 or 4×5 Prints(depending on the photographer selected), and one 8×10 Portrait
Pressing of the Bride’s Gown and the Groom’s attire
A Two-tiered Traditional Wedding Cake decorated with Fresh Flowers (Serves 15 guests)
One Bottle of Champagne served with the Cake in a Garden Gazebo following the Ceremony
A Commemorative Grand Wailea Resort Marriage Certificate
A Wedding Specialist to assist you

The price is $7400 and worth every penny since it’s a stress- free way to go.

For more info contact the hotel at 800.888.6100 and tell them Andrea Thomas from MauiWeddings.com told you about it!

If you are already there for a vacation, why not up the ante and make it even mo bettah?! It’s especially wonderful if you are with family or friends.

If you are like me and just Love Love and your relationship is one of the most important things in the world to you, then find a planner who can supply you with some nice vows, hire a Maui wedding photographer, get a Maui florist and do it! Just do it!

Time has gone by and you are now deciding to pause and reflect on your time together in the years that have passed since your wedding day. It is an opportunity to reaffirm the tremendous love that has deepened with the passing of years.
This ceremony will be a symbol of looking forward to many more years together. Your vows will reflect a mature love blessed with all the joys and challenges of the years. It will reflect what you have become in your years together. It is a fun way to rejuvenate your marriage and to begin your relationship again.

Some call this ceremony a “renewal of wedding vows,” a “recommitment of Love” ceremony or a “reaffirmation of Love” ceremony. Whatever you choose to call it, it is a most meaningful event, for you, your children, family and close friends.

There are many options. You can do something similar to what you did when you first got married or you can come up with something completely different and meaningful to you now. You may want to choose to speak some new promises to each other. The ceremony can be as creative or as simple as you want it to be; formal or casual and fun. It isn’t supposed to be a re-enactment of your wedding day, but a celebration of the growth and depth of your relationship.

There are no rules when it comes to this kind of ceremony. There is no correct or incorrect way to do a vow renewal, whatever you want to do and feel comfortable doing is what you should do.

Renewing your wedding vows should be a truly joyous occasion. If you have you been married for 5, 10, 25, 30, or 50 years or more it is a truly amazing accomplishment; a time to Celebrate Love. There is no set time. If it feels right, do it! If you have survived love’s challenges together, it is a happy ocassion to rededicate your lives and love to one another.

Make it a family affair. Include the children and grandchildren. It is an important event for you, as well as for them. This is a very special event and sets a terrific example.

If you like good food, then here is a list that you’ll love. Why? Because you love a good meal. A romantic meal. A good value meal. And because we know the insiders places for you to dine!The best kept restaurant secret on Maui
- Mala. Conveniently located in 2 places on Maui. on the ocean’s edge in Lahaina and at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort. The menu is a mix of Asian, American and Mediterranean with many dishes big enough for 2 to share. Mark Ellman, one of Maui’s most famous chefs is the head honcho.
The Best Burger on Maui
- The winner goes to The Cool Cat Cafe in Lahaina Town’s Wharf Cinema Center. 100% certified angus beef burgers that juicy and delicious. Live local music nightly.
Best Maui Italian Restaurant
-You will love Longhi’s, either in Wailea or Lahaina. This Maui landmark restaurant serves the best bread along with a wide variety of seafood, steaks, pasta, salads and desserts. Don’t miss it because you will have a memorable meal.
Best Maui Breakfast
In the heart of Kaanapali at Whalers Village is Cane & Taro. This open air dining experience will thrill you with their diverse menu. Loco moco, eggs benedict, build your own omelets, griddle waffles and much more.
Best Fresh Fish-Fish does not get any fresher than what you can get on Maui. The Ma’alaea Waterfront has bountiful choices of preparation that are just plain innovative.
Best Japanese- Kobe Steak House with their teppanyaki chefs, fresh steaks, seafood and veggies prepared tableside.
Best Pizza-Lahaina Pizza Company with great views of the ocean and Lahaina Harbor. Kids love this place as well because it’s just a fun spot to be at. Try their Mai Tais and Buffalo Wings because they are famous for those as well.
Best Margaritas- Tia Juana’s Beach Cantina at the entrance to the Kaanapali Beach resort. Variations include Da Kine, Golden Cadillac, Strawberry Basil, Maui Orchid and Kaanapali Kick Ass.
Best Tacos – Here comes the name Mark Ellman again. This chef has Maui wrapped up. The freshest ingredients, no lard or msg and an array of affordable dishes. I even saw Steven Tyler in here a few years ago.