New here!

Hi everyone, my name is Justine and my fiance and I are planning to be Maui'ed, May 2010.. I've started researching but still need ALOT of help.

For the ceremony I really like Kalaeokai'a estate or Holy Innocents. Our wedding party will be about 20 people. Still not at all sure about accomodations for us or guests, but i've been looking into grand champion villas (Wailea). Also not sure of a good place to hold the reception.

I was thinking of going through Tropical Maui Weddings.

if anyone has any advice or suggestions i'm up for any! If you've had experience with these places could you let me know what you thought of them? thanks!!

Congratulations and welcome to the forum!

Hi Justine! Welcome to the Forum.

I am getting married on Kalaeokai'a Estate this year in October. I'm also using Tropical Maui Weddings. Lori has been great!! I highly recommend her. She says that we will be the last couple married at this Estate, as they are no longer taking reservations. They are still committed to those who made prior arrangements, so we were safe. I'd double check or ask Lori if you work with her.

If they have changed this, just note that the estate is up past Lahaina, in Kahana, and is about 45 minutes from Kihe and Wailea. We didn't mind the commute because most of our guests are from the Bay Area and we are use to spending hours in our cars! We chose to stay in Kihei because most folks have time shares there, but there are some good deals on hotels up in West Maui. Also, because Kalaeokai'a Estate is on a private beach, you can have Bring Your Own Booze... so we will be having a champagne toast there.

Hope this helps! I do really recommend getting a WC. It helps reduce the stress. Lori Lawrence from Tropical Maui Weddings has been a great help.

Deb

Congratulations on your engagement and welcome-you'll find tons of ideas, advice and help here.

Congratulations and Welcome!

Congrats and welcome to the forum!

Welcome Justine and Congrats!!! I am using Lori Lawrence and actually switched to her after I was soo unhappy with my first planner, Blue Sky Weddings. Lori is soo much more personable and makes sure everyone is done the way you want it! Unlike BSW who just wants to make a crap load of money off of you for things you done even need or want.

I would definitely recommend Lori 110% and I haven't even had my wedding yet! She doesnt charge hardly anything compared to how much love she puts into her work. And her husband Jamie has the greatest voice in the world, we're using him for our ceremony music.

We're getting married at Olowalu because the place is amazing and private and we can bring our own everything. The downside, you pay a little more for rentals. If you get married at a resort or restaurant, you are restricted to their services, but might be a good option if you are looking to make things easier on yourself from a planning standpoint (although that's what Lori is for!)

We are staying at the Westin Kaanapali Villas in Lahaina, just north of Black Rock. I know that food is quite expensive in Maui so I chose the villas because they have a fully equipped kitchen in each room and even bbq's on site so people can go to Costco and save a ton of money compared to eating out. It appears their rates are quite higher, but when you get a group discount for your wedding guests, its is more comparable to other resorts that dont have near the amenities as the villas. And the rooms are huge and have separate bedrooms if people want to share rooms. Beware of lower costs at other resorts because there are a lot of hidden charges. Most resorts charge a resort fee of $25 per day, plus parking and other things $10/day! When all that stuff is factored in, including their food and drink prices, it gets pretty expensive

I'd be happy to help if you have any other questions. I'm planning everything from the mainland and had never been to Maui before up until last weekend for a last minute trip to meet Lori and do a couple tastings.

Good luck with your planning!

A general advice:

There are supermarkets like Safeway and Foodland in Lahaina and Kiehi.

The best supermarket is the large Safeway in Kiehi. Their prices are really good...you might not need to OVER SPEND at Costco.

Do not go to Walmart for bottled water...wait until you get to a regular supermarket which is way cheaper there by the case.

Hello Justine, Congrats. Welcome to the forum

Hey MauiBride2B!

I'm getting Maui'd two days before you! Don't suck up too much of Lori's time around then. Kidding! ~

I'm so glad I'm seeing her name being thrown around the forum more. I had some bad experiences with other Maui Wedding Coordinators recommended to me when I first started looking. They didn't think my money was worth their time because I couldn't even get them to call me back! As soon as I contacted her, she got the ball rolling. She's been great getting back to me, and making vendor suggestions, and helping make arrangements. She's got a great sense of humor which is exactly what I like and need!