Maui Photography Blog

FAQs for getting married in Maui

Question:  What is your required deposit for a wedding, and is it refundable?

 Answer:  Normally, a 25% deposit is required.  However, during these times of frequent changes from the state and county guidelines, I have reduced the deposit to a flat $300.  It is refundable under certain circumstances.

 Question:  Under what circumstances can you refund my deposit?

 Answer:  I can refund your deposit in the circumstance that the wedding cannot occur because of a change of government policy. Currently, Maui visitors can get pre-travel medical clearance in order to avoid a quarantine. If this policy changes, and the pre-travel clearance isn’t available, I will refund your deposit. Also, I will refund your deposit if the local government will not allow your wedding to occur, based upon changes in the Maui County’s emergency order regarding wedding events.

 Question: What if some of the wedding party or guests test positive for Covid-19 and we have to change the wedding date? Or if the airline cancels our flight and we have to change our date for that reason?

 Answer:  We know this pandemic can create a changing situation. However, I will work with you, and will be as flexible as possible. The deposit can be applied to a wedding up to one year from the date of the originally planned wedding. Please contact me as soon as you know that you need to change your plans, so I can help you select another date when I am available.

 Question:  What are the rules about face coverings for the wedding party and the wedding guests? Can they take them off when they are being photographed?

 Answer:  These rules are set by Maui County, and are subject to change

 You can find the most recently published Maui County Public Health Emergency rules here Wedding parties are discussed on pages 26 and 27. Keeping in mind these may be different in the future, here’s what the current rules look like:

During the procession and the recession, the family, the bridal party and the bride and groom may remove their face coverings. Wedding participants can take off their face coverings during photos (e.g. bride and groom photo, bridal party and family photos).

Here’s more from the current rules:

The officiate may remove face coverings, as long as he or she maintains a 6 foot distance with others. Guests can remove face coverings when seated at the ceremony or reception, as long as 6 feet separates each row of seating. Also, face coverings can be removed during a cocktail reception, while actively eating or drinking, or seated, as long as there is at least a 6 foot distance between groups of 10 or less. Face coverings can also be removed during toasts or speeches, when the microphone stand is 10 feet from any guest. Last but not least, customary dances such as between a bride and groom or parent and child, are another exception when face coverings can be removed.

Question:  What about photographs on the beach?

Answer: I can take photographs in public areas, such as the beach, but must follow the rules on groups and distancing. These rules change often. As of early January 2021, outdoor social gatherings of up to 5 persons are permitted, but distancing rules apply to members of different households.

Question:  How can I learn about changes in the rules?

Your wedding planner or venue manager should be able to answer any questions specific to your wedding plans, and may be aware of changing rules and interpretations.

Current information can always be found on the county government web page where you can also sign up for email updates.

Keep in mind, these rules may change. Our local Maui County government has been known to tighten or to relax these emergency rules, so keep checking back.

Magical Maui lived up to its knickname when Shin Lim, an internationally renown card magician, and his bride, Casey Thomas, exchanged vows in a wondrous ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa. Their storybook romance has been well-documented: Shin met magic show dancer Casey in August 2016 when both were performers at the House of Magic in Macau. Exactly one year later, Shim proposed during a stage show at the House of Magic, in front of 2,000 people. A clearly astonished and overwhelmed Casey accepted on the spot, and the couple began a whirlwind two year engagement. During that time, Casey persuaded Shin to enter America’s Got Talent; Shin won that season, and went on to become an AGT champion, with some astonishing card magic that has to be seen to believed.

After being in the public eye, the couple’s Maui wedding by scenic Ka’anapali Beach was a decidedly more intimate affair, attended by about 80 guests, including friends from the magician community, Casey’s family from Australia, as well as their adorable Pomeranian Natsu. The groom in his Hawaiian formal wear of sand-colored suit and white shirt, complemented his groomsmen, smartly dressed in white dress shirts, khaki pants and suspenders. Casey walked down the Hyatt’s white-rose-petalled lawn, wearing a lovely off-the-shoulders gown designed by Ervan Woo, who also did her hair and make-up. The three bridesmaids wore lacey light coral pink gowns perfectly matching their pink and white tropical bouquets. The lush flower arrangements the magnificent wedding arch and the bride’s double-stranded pikake lei, were all created by Country Bouquets maui. Casey wiped away a tear as she and Shin read their vows to each other, and then were united in marriage by Tino Rosete . Before and after the ceremony, Polynesian chants and hulu dances were performed by Manutea, complete with the blowing of a conch shell.
At the reception, Casey sang a beautiful rendition of “How Far I’ll go” to Shin’s piano accompaniment, before heading to the dance floor, where ‘Nuff Said’ a local Maui band, performed. Casey was literally swept off her feet during their first dance. Following dinner, the guests enjoyed fire dancing by Manutea.

The wedding received national coverage in E online as well as Parade Magazine, the largest circulating weekly magazine in the United States. See E’s coverage at: https://www.eonline.com/photos/26549/2019-celebrity-weddings/951572

Parade’s article is at: https://parade.com/915869/paulettecohn/americas-got-talent-champions-winner-shin-lim-marries-in-hawaii/

Lovely Sugar Beach Maui Wedding

Katrina and Matt wanted their storybook wedding in a beautiful Hawaiian setting, surrounded by family and friends, with swaying palm trees and the ocean as backdrop. Their dream came true at Sugar Beach in Kihei, Maui, where their 50 wedding guests included nine beautiful bridesmaids, four handsome groomsmen, a couple of cute flower girls, and one adorable ring bearer.

Katrina’s stunning wedding attire, complete with a veil and a train, was a strapless mermaid gown, with an art deco white pattern over a subtle blush color. The groom and groomsmen were striking in their gray vests and pants, over white shirts; the groomsmen sported maroon ties, while Matt’s was white. A vibrant sight, the nine bridesmaids each wore a long maroon dress, and were all carrying multi-colored rose bouquets by Dellables.  The little gray-vested ring bearer, in a special wooden pull-cart, found himself enchanted with the scent and feel of some of the flowers!

Katrina’s mother had recently passed, so a special lei and her photograph adorned the seat where she would have sat.  Emotions ran high, as Rev. Al Alapaki joined the loving couple in marriage, following the exchange of vows and rings.  After a grand exit by the wedding party, the entire entourage of friends and families gathered for a celebratory photo. The couple were soon blessed by a dazzling Maui sunset, to silhouette the joyous occasion.

The wedding and reception venue was Sugar Beach Events,  Katrina’s personal styling was done by Maui Wedding Beauty Bridal Hair and Makeup by Andrea, the reception music was provided by DJ Mike, and the wedding planning was coordinated by Makena Weddings.

 

 

Nan and Tony’s elegant Maui wedding had all the romance and beauty that a bride and groom could hope for:  palm trees swaying in a gentle ocean breeze, an abundance of flowers, friends and relatives from around the world, all enhanced by the grandeur of the Four Seasons Resort at Wailea, including a dramatic entrance by the Nan down a long staircase to the Beachfront Lawn.

Their romance started when they were introduced at a small luncheon at their workplace, a Chinese company, and they soon began messaging, chatting and then dating.  Fast forward in time to a birthday celebration for Tony: Nan knew he was up to something unusual when he suggested they go dress up to go somewhere nice for dinner.  The surprise came afterwards, at home with a few friends: when it was time for Tony to blow out the candles on his cake, he instead proposed.

That lovely mix of spontaneity and formal romance was apparent throughout the wedding preparations, the ceremony and beyond.  Nan’s three bridesmaids helped with delighted bride get into her embroidered ivory off-the-shoulder gown, with extended teardrop train. The bridesmaids were quite elegant in matching pink blush gowns, and had a celebratory toast with the bride before she left to meet her waiting groom. Tony was smartly attired in a dark blue suit, with a matching vest and dark bow tie, while his groomsmen were white-shirted, with black pants and pink bow ties.

As she descended down a long stairway from the hotel to wedding lawn, Nan’s lacy cathedral train was expertly lifted up by two adorable young train bearers. At the bottom of the steps, she was joined by her parents, and then proceeded down the flower-pedal-strewn aisle to meet Tony in front of a wedding canopy draped with white flower leis and accented with pink and white carnations: pink for deep love and care, white for purity and simplicity.

The wedding ceremony was performed in English and Chinese which touched the hearts of the 60 guests who traveled from the United Kingdom, China, and the U.S. Mainland. Soon afterwards, Nan and Tony walked down the short pathway to the beach, where Nan began to swept her dramatic train in captivating ways. Soon her new husband, in his formalwear, was jumping for joy in the soft Wailea sand. Before long, the setting sun and changing sky accented their loving embraces. Nan switched into a bright red evening gown with plunging V-neck, before the couple rejoined their guests for a festive reception.  Dinner and speeches were followed by the couple’s first dance, and that formality was soon complemented by all manner of gleeful music and dance.

Flowers were arranged by Country Bouquets. Four Seasons wedding coordinator Laura helped ensure that the entire ceremony and reception went smoothly.

An elegant wedding, with a tranquil Pacific Ocean backdrop, was a natural choice for Jonathan and Krystal, who reside in the ocean town of Huntington Beach, California. Maui was also a natural choice for the couple, as Jonathan made his wedding proposal on one knee on a Maui beach, as part of a weeklong celebration of Krystal’s 30^th birthday. The couple wanted a small intimate wedding and reception for their closest friends and families, so a Maui destination wedding was a “no-brainer” in Krystal’s words. The oceanfront setting of Olowalu Plantation offered a spectacular sunset. The meticulous preparations for the destination wedding were coordinated by Makena Weddings, with flowers by Dellables, hair and make-up by MeiLi, maid of honor gown by Maui clothing designer Show Me Your Mumu, and delectable dinner by Maui Catering Services. Overall, the joyous occasion was quite beautiful and romantic. 

Wedding Credits:

Stunning White Orchid Beach House Weddings

Elegant Sheraton Maui Weddings

Casey and Patrick traveled to Maui with a large group of friends and family from California to celebrate their love and wedding day! Its great the capture Sheraton Maui Weddings because the grounds are so beautiful and offer a variety of backdrops: greenery, ocean view and sunset. Thank you Casey and Patick for having me there to capture your special day!