South Side or West Side

[Justice]

Hello,

I recently just got engaged and we decided to have our wedding in Maui in July 2012! I've browsed a few -- well a lot of websites-- and am pretty overwhelmed until I came to this site! How helpful!!

 

My main concern/ question is the West side and South side beach weddings. I want to keep it very simple and get married right on the beach. I'm worried because we're staying on the West side and many webistes are saying that is not the best side to get married on. Did anyone do the West side, and if so where? Or did anyone stay on the West but get married on the South? Was it complicated?

 

I was planning on a small amount of guest (like 5) until everyone said yes-- which got the guest list up to 30! I'm looking for something where people aren't going to have to drive far after the ceremony, and just do a nice dinner afterwards-- there a restuarant that anyone recommends?

 

Thanks ladies for your help! It's so fun and excited reading everything on here! It has helped sooo much!

[Larisa629]

Hey,

Congrats on your engagement and on choosing Maui!!!  I am getting married on the south side but am staying on the west side along with all my guests.  It becomes a little complicated because the drive is about 45 minutes to 1 hour from west to south side.  We decided that we didn't want people to drive following the reception (in case they drank a little too much) so we are providing transportation to and from for all the guests.  Unfortunately that runs between $800 to $1000 for pickup and drop off but it may be worth it if your guests dont plan on renting a car.  Just something to think about...

 

We did a buyout at the Mala restaurant in Wailea.  We went for a tasting in June and the food was really really good.  They also have a room in the restaurant called the Buddha room that you can reserve for your guests and you dont have to have a buyout.  We sat there for our tasting and the view was gorgeous.  Hope this helps.  Good luck with your planning

 

Larisa

[Deetskc]

Justice, I feel your pain on the guest list!  I thought we'd have 25 guests tops and then it turned into 40!  I would definitely recommend having your ceremony on the South Side of Maui. Because it's an arid climate, you're more likely to get sunny, cloudless skies in South Maui with only late morning/early afternoon winds.   The west side is generally very windy and a much greater chance of rain and cloud cover.

 

Have you booked your rooms yet?  Was there a reason you went with the West Side??  South Maui has a lot of great places to stay and I'd definitely recommend it over staying in Lahaina or among all the resorts in Ka'anapali.  All the best beaches are in Wailea and Makena, and overall it's more fun down there. 

 

We're staying at the Aston Maui Hill which is about a 5-10 minute drive to everything in South Maui! Since you have a good number of guests, I'd look into the possibility of staying on the South side just because there is more to do (i.e. beaches, bars, shopping, casual dining).  Kristi Kahai from the Aston Maui Hill can negotiate a group rate directly with that resort and the savings are huge!  Other resorts in Kihei and Wailea will vary in price from $150-600 a night so it's all about preference.  Hope that helps!

[Larisa629]

Yeah the only reason that we stayed on the west side is cause my FI's mom knows people that own condo's on Ka'anapali beach.  So we are only paying like $150 a night.  Plus, members in our wedding party got amazing deals at the Sheraton and Westin.  I've stayed on both the south and west side before.  I do really love the south side cause I feel that it is less touristy, especially in areas like Kihei.  However, I felt that the west side is convenient because there are a lot of excursions leaving out of the Lahaina Harbor.  Either way you decide to go, you're in paradise and it will be amazing

[Alexia]

When we booked our wedding, the officiant and photograper reccomended South Maui. He said it isthe more romantic and secluded part of the island.  West side of the island is the more touristy side. I'd rather travel to the touristy parts than be staying in the middle of it the entire time. He said most people who go back to Maui almost always stay in south Maui. hope this helped.

[Glam-Girl]

WOW!  This really helps me out!  I was looking at the Westin and The Grand Wailea and Fairmount in Wailea also.  Now I can understand why the Westin is less expensive. 

 

It looks like the best elopement package is the Fairmount.  Anyone else have some information. 

 

Maui is one place I am looking at.  Has anyone looked into Fiji or the Cook Islands? 

 

Any information would be fabulous! 

 

Thanks! 

[jeks]

I recommend South Maui as well.  Although I've not yet been, I have read that it is less touristy, West is where all the big resorts seem to be.  But I think the better beaches are actually in South Maui and as well it's less crowded.

[ccthurmeier]

Have you chosen the location yet? We recently (Feb) got married in Maui (Grand Wailea) which is at the south side of Maui. Having heard from our guests who stayed at north and west sides. It was sunny all the time at south side while there were short showers from time to time at north and west. south side is definitely the choice for reliable weather conditions. Also, we were going to have a beach wedding as well, but I believe there is state restriction on # of people for a wedding right on the beach. My husband planned the whole thing and I seem to recall him saying if we are having more than 20 people, we can't do it on the beach. We stayed with majority of our guests in the same resort (Mana Kai Maui), which is right on South Kihei Rd. It's right on the beach (the beach was voted best beach by the locals for 20 years in the row). The rate is reasonable as well. You can book directly from the resort, or there are lots of privately owned unites also offering great rates. Good luck on your big day! It'll be amazing for sure.

 

Cher

[mauiphotog808]

I shoot hundreds of weddings a year and I 100% recommend the south side of Maui. The weather is super consistent and it is MUCH less crowded.  The is NOT a legal limit to the number of guests you can have for a beach wedding, however, I would not recommend having more than 50 guests on the beach as you are not allowed to have chairs and it makes it hard for all your guests to see and hear the ceremony.  There are plenty of great restaurant options on the south side as well such as: Nick Fishmarket, Spago, Ferraro's, Duo, Gannons, Mala.  Best of luck!!

[aleedoc17]

where did you pick?!

 

South side is the best (personally)