Newbie Maui Bride - Elopement next month -- need help fast!

[calyxxa]

Hi Everyone: I'm new to BDWF, and I'm happy to have found this website. My fiance and I just booked a trip to Maui next month, and we decided to elope there. I need to find a wedding coordinator and a fantastic photographer. I don't need anything fancy, but the photographer is important to me. Unfortunately, we're on a budget so I prefer to keep my wedding budget (ceremony, photog, video, bouquet, officiant) at or around $2K - we have no guests, it is just us. We're staying at the Maui Prince in Makena (south of Wailea).

 

I've narrowed it down to these four wedding planners:

 

White Orchid Wedding

A Paradise Dream Wedding

Aekai Beach Weddings

Precious Maui Weddings

 

(Of course, I am open to additional recommendations). I'm very drawn to Gordon Nash's photography (PDW) but I have a feeling that he personally would cover big-ticket weddings with a big budget and not a piddly little intimate one like mine.

 

Also, what would you recommend in terms of the length of a beach wedding dress? I initially was planning to go with a tea-length dress, but I have a scar on my ankle that I'd like to hide so now I'm going with a long dress, but without a train. Any thoughts?

 

Thanks for your two cents! I look forward to benefiting from your advice!

[mspattemac]

I would do a search of Maui and Photographer and see what others have said. I am bringing my own photographer so I didn't look into any.

[SAM]

Aloha~

 

Susan on the forum used A Paradise Dream Wedding, I would check with her. I did hear great things about them.

I looked into WOW (White Orchid), they were great but alittle out of my price range.

 

I'm also getting married in Maui on the beach. I got a chiffon empire dress of the rack at David's Bridal. I would check there. The reason I picked this style was the dress is very light. No bustle and I'm having it altered so it will just hit the floor.

Good Luck

Aloha

[Chiquita]

I also picked a DW dress from David's Bridal. I would definitely check there. There is probably a couple of good stores on Maui where you could buy a light white dress too if you aren't wanting it to be formal. Photographers there are expensive however.

 

We used A Dream Wedding Maui Style - A Full Service Wedding Coordinator on the Island of Maui as our planners.. they did a great job

[Macphail]

1 Month is definitely possible. Just may feel bit rushed for the next week or so while you try to get all your plans in order. =)

 

Depending on flight costs from Chicago, it may be cheaper to bring a local photographer along with you to Maui. We'll be in Maui March 3-14th and have a few dates still available. If you're interested, PM us and hopefully we can help you out.

 

Best of luck!

[azhuskergirl]

calyxxa-

 

I didn't have Gordaon as my photographer (he was already booked when I reserved my photographer) however he does have some VERY talented photographers. I had both Arien & Eric shooting my wedding & I LOVE my pictures. I can send you a link to my proofs site if you want to take a look to see if you like his style.

 

Good luck!!!

 

Susan

[azhuskergirl]

oops, double post

[TA Dina]

What about just working with the resort's WC directly? Or are their packages priced higher than some of these others? If you need her contact info let me know. She's very sweet and will be a big help I'm sure.

[PaddleAddict]

Good luck on your quick Maui wedding. I'm sure it will be beautiful! For a photographer, you might want to check out the local Hawaii board on the knot. Those girls have a lot of info there!

 

When you get back, could you please post a review about the Maui Prince? We are considering staying there the night of the wedding (and one more night).

[mplscold]

I was married two weeks ago in Maui and used APDW which is essentially the same company as Aekai Weddings. I used their WC Jo Thurmann, bought my flowers through them, Photography was done through them by Ian Shepard, they lined up my minister, Kimo Kirkman, and my Hair/Make-up by Regina Campisi. All was under $1800.00 total. Everything was completely perfect from start to finish! My dress was very thin and was perfect for the beach. I wouldn't recommend a long train or any kind of netting in the dress. The lighter the better.