Is a Maui Beach Wedding Right for You? – 4 Mindset “Must-Haves”

A Maui beach wedding is the ultimate ceremony oasis! The salty mist of the rolling sea, the powder-soft sand against your feet, the kiss of the late-afternoon sun on your shoulders make for the perfect ceremony elements.

While an ocean backdrop is sure to bring a splash of the tropics to your Special Day, Mother Nature can be wild and unpredictable. It takes a certain adventurous spirit to make the most of her exquisite beauty. 

Some couples adore the public affair of a shoreside ceremony. Others prefer the privacy and predictability afforded by one of our gorgeous Maui wedding venues. Both options are ultra-romantic and highlight unique features of the island … but which one is right for you? 

WHICH CEREMONY TYPE IS FOR YOU?

Since 2009, Simple Maui Wedding has serviced nearly 2000 wedding ceremonies, and we’ve learned how important it is to carefully consider the pros and cons of a beach wedding before taking the dive. Doing so will ensure a happy day designed to celebrate you, your partner, and your love … because that’s truly what it’s all about! 

DREAMING OF A BEACHSIDE CEREMONY? ASK YOURSELF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• Do you long for a simple & cozy ceremony over a grand spectacle?
• Do you love flexibility? (Are you a flexible person who can allow for a change of plans if nature requires it?)
• Do you and your wedding party enjoy being carefree? 
• Do you hope to savor your day rather than orchestrate it?  

If you’ve answered “yes” to all of these, then a Maui shoreline ceremony might be perfect for you! Follow along with us as we explore these four beach wedding mindset “Must-Haves” … 

Must-Have #1: The Desire for a Simple & Cozy Ceremony

Ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 less than our venue ceremonies, a Maui beach wedding package is a simple yet stunning alternative. If you love the idea of keeping it easy and breezy, then let the tropical greenery and panoramic views do the decorating for you! This truly is a “must-have” because many decorative items are prohibited on Maui beaches. This means if you had your heart set on white chairs and a ceremonial arch on the beach (or anything else that needs to be stuck into the sand), then saying “I do” on the oceanfront may not be the best option available.

There are, however, a few clever workarounds that we’re more than happy to provide. Standing in a personalized flower circle that matches your bouquet is a lovely and unique way to tie the knot. And our custom “Just Maui’d” sign adds that extra “postcard-worthy” flair to your pictures.

Not to mention the creative elements you can bring to the ceremony! Just look at these touching and personal details that past couples have come up with! 

Not only is a beach ceremony simple, but with the guest maximum set at thirty by state law, it’s sure to be cozy as well. So if the Special Day of your dreams includes just the two of you and your closest friends and family, then a glistening shoreside might be the perfect venue!

Because your guests will be standing close by, be ready for applause and warm hugs just moments following that magical kiss. We love the charming chit-chat and laughter shared between guests and couples during the ceremony, but we recognize such intimacy isn’t for everyone. If you love the idea of a small and close-knit ceremony, then read on for more mindset must-haves!

Must-Have #2: A Flexible Attitude

Anything can happen during a beach wedding … 

Does this include a breathtaking Hawaiian rainbow arching across the sky? Yes, sometimes we do spot them! But it’s not unusual for there to be more rain than bows cascading from the sky … Having a beach wedding requires flexibility. We try our utmost to ensure that everything goes according to plan and that your Maui wedding is as stress-free and breezy as you’ve always dreamed it would be. But there are forces outside of our control …

Rain is always a possibility on Maui, and episodes of brush fires and close-calls with hurricanes are not unheard of. Thankfully, our team is phenomenally dedicated. We keep a well-trained eye on the clouds and we’ve had great success pulling off emergency location swaps that take our couples from rain to shine. While we can never guarantee it will be sunny, if we believe the weather will be milder at another shoreside, we may advise you to make that switch. This may mean that your flexibility could make the difference between rainbows and rain showers. 

That said, there are rare occasions when the clouds are island-wide … and in these cases, we bring out the umbrellas and get ready to make a splash! If you’re unfamiliar with how charming and fun a rainy beach wedding can be, take a glance over the photos below! There’s a reason why rain is considered a blessing in Hawaii. 

Have questions about planning for the weather? Read our tips on preparing for a rainy beach wedding.

It’s not just rain that might require your flexibility, it could be anything from jellyfish warnings to children’s birthday parties …  or even things we haven’t yet experienced! Allowing and embracing change will help prepare you for a Special Day that you’ll enjoy while delighting in the embraces of your partner … which is ultimately the only thing that really matters! 

Must-Have #3: A Carefree Nature

There’s nothing like the photo-bombing magic of humpback whales frolicking in the waterfront as you say “I do.” … But what about an elderly man in a speedo and cowboy hat frolicking in the waves while you exchange rings? Yes, we’ve seen it before! 

With the exception of a few government areas, ALL beaches in Hawaii are open to the public. This can mean anything from children and dogs to barbeques and loud music… and yes, even a speedo or two. And due to regulations, we’re unable to ask anyone to leave or move during our time on the beach. But luckily our all-star photo editing team is on the job! And with their magic wands (and hours of hard work), they make those beachgoers in locker-room attire nothing more than a shared joke between you and your partner.*

Curious What Our Photo Editing Team Can Do?

Here’s an example of their “Before & After” artistry:

*While our team is extremely talented, we can only guarantee complete removal of beachgoers at one of our specially selected beach locations. 

A carefree attitude during these unexpected moments can make the difference between laughter and merriment or frowns and contempt. A difficult time parking can be viewed as an adventurous detour. A wave that splashes up to your knees becomes an embrace from the sea. A curious child venturing too close becomes a friendly face you won’t soon forget. We can always remove the sunbathers, but we can’t photoshop that enchanting twinkle into your eyes, so let it shine!

Must-Have #4: The Ability to Let Go

It’s not unusual for a bride or groom to have a to-do-list on their wedding day. While it can be a very effective formula, it can also turn a day that should be bursting with happiness into just another chore to finish. 

We’re here to get those chores done! After working with numerous wedding clients we know what works, and know what’s going to give you the best experience possible. Beach weddings are all about the individual moment. We go above and beyond to ensure that everything goes according to plan, but sometimes details need to be adjusted moment-by-moment.

Your ability to let go and trust in our many years of knowledge not only keeps the ceremony running as smoothly as possible, but also allows you to relax and indulge in your magical day. Things change, and that’s okay.

You may have a beautiful vision of a noon wedding on the beach. While we think this sounds lovely, we know from experience that the best time for a shoreline ceremony is during the early morning or late afternoon. Not only is the sun hot and harsh during the midday hours, but the lighting is also extremely difficult to work with. Shadows under the eyes and glistening foreheads along with sweaty unhappy guests are common occurrences for mid-day ceremonies.

So, trust us to be your guide! We’ll work with you to create a dream beach wedding that’s doable, comfortable, and as magical as can be …   

Ready for a Beach Wedding?

So you’ve made up your mind and you know that a beach wedding is perfect for you, what now? First, let us say that we are SO happy for you! Few things are as magical as listening to the heartbeat of the ocean as you lean in for that legendary kiss.

And now that you know what a beach wedding is truly like, take a moment to go over a few of our shoreline wedding tips:

• If you have long hair, try to find an updo or a tied back style that you adore. The wind can pick up at any time–don’t let a stray strand obscure that radiant smile of yours and end up in your favorite wedding photo! Read our bridal hair tips for more info!

• Love the free-flowing beach hair look? Then consider one of our gorgeous flower crowns. A flower crown (also known as a haku lei) is a traditional Hawaiian adornment that adds a touch of exquisite beauty and culture to any beach wedding.  

• Consider bringing special props or unique details that showcase your personal style and love story. Be creative! Unique ring holders, handmade signs, pineapples as decor. We LOVE when couples include elements that reflect who they are and where they’ve been. 

• Think about “trashing” that dress! Photo sessions where the bride isn’t afraid to get a little wet or sandy can make for unforgettable keepsakes that will be passed down for generations!

• While you’re planning, take a look at our favorite beach wedding locations. We’ve done the research and narrowed the list down to only the best!

• Lastly, make sure your guests know what to expect! Inform them ahead of time about the lack of seating and possible parking scenarios.

Not sure if a beach wedding is right for you?

Maybe you’ve decided that a beach wedding isn’t right for you. Maybe you’d prefer a more structured venue wedding with an indoor option? That’s wonderful!

Maui Venue weddings can truly be the best of both worlds! … Because after the ceremony (as long as weather and time permits), it’s often possible to travel down to the shoreline for some jaw-dropping couple’s photos like the ones below!

So whether you decide to say “I do” with the sand between your toes or on the terrace of a luxurious venue, you can’t go wrong with a Simple Maui wedding!

Congratulations on taking this next step in your relationship! We look forward to helping you create a magical day!

Need more wedding inspiration? Come browse our recent beach and venue ceremonies! And if you still have questions, take a look at our FAQ or Contact US.