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The Best Maui Beaches for an Elopement or Wedding
With over 30 miles of, quite literally, some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Maui is an ideal location for a tropical beach elopement or wedding! There are so many stunning beaches to choose from that it might feel overwhelming to narrow it down, especially if you are planning your elopement or wedding from afar. As a seasoned Maui wedding photographer, let me share my top picks for the best Maui beaches for an elopement or wedding.
The Maui Elopement Guide
Ho'omaika'i 'ana (Congratulations) on your recent engagement! Whether you’re dreaming about eloping on a white sand beach with palm trees swaying gently in the wind or at the top of a dramatic mountain with a stunning view of the sun setting, Maui, Hawai’i is the ideal location for an elopement! This elopement guide will walk you through the process of how to elope on Maui, which is easier than you might imagine.
A Chic, Elegant December Elopement at Makena Cove
I kicked off the wedding season of 2021 at Makena Cove, and then ended it at the same, stunning beach with this chic elopement. And I can’t imagine a sweeter couple to end the year with than A and E. They were clearly so in love, and simply stoked to be getting married on a beautiful Maui beach.
Sunrise or Sunset: Which is best for your Maui photo session?
As a small island in the middle of the enormous Pacific Ocean, sunrises and sunsets are simply stunning on Maui! There are a number of factors that you’ll want to consider regarding Maui sunrises, sunsets, and the general time of day when planning your wedding or photo session
Serene Maui Sunrise Elopement
If I had to choose a favorite for time of day for a Maui beach wedding, it would be sunrise. There is just something so special about witnessing the island wake up. Not to mention, there are two major benefits to a sunrise ceremony:
Fewer people on the beach
Generally less wind (depending on the location, Maui beaches can get quite windy as the day goes on)
Joyous Palauea Beach Elopement
If I had to choose one word to describe L and G’s elopement, it would be “joyous”. This couple was grinning from ear-to-ear practically the entire time that I was photographing their special day (minus some happy tears during the ceremony). They were clearly enthralled with each other, and just so stoked to be getting married!
What to Expect for Maui’s Weather
So, you’ve decided to have a beach wedding on Maui, and now you’re wondering what to expect for the weather. The overall climate on Maui is quite pleasant consisting of year-round daytime temperatures ranging from 75-85°F (23-29°C). However, this does not mean that the weather is always bright and sunny everywhere on the island (although it usually is somewhere!). Maui has numerous microclimates, which means that the specific weather and landscape can vary significantly depending on where you are on the island.
Dreamy Couples Photo Session at the Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm in Maui, Hawai'i
When B and A contacted me about the vision for their honeymoon photography portrait session, I was over-the-top excited 😍 Not only is the Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm one of my favorite places on the island, but I’ve also been dreaming about photographing a client session at this location for quite some time. The charming farm, located in the Upcountry region of Maui at 4,000ft elevation, serves as a favorite place to visit, relax, and enjoy the blooms, views, and a variety of lavender products and foods for locals and visitors alike. It is also a wedding venue, as well as a backdrop for photography sessions (when arranged by a professional photographer).
Engagement Photography Session in Makena, Maui
C + R got engaged in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. They shared with me that their proposal happened in their apartment, where they spent much of their time throughout the early days of the pandemic. I love that it was a simple, no-fuss affair that seems to suit this sweet, down-to-earth couple! C + R are planning two weddings— one first in California in March 2022, and then another wedding to follow in Singapore. They were vacationing on Maui in June, and booked an engagement photography session for images to use on their save-the-date cards.
Maui LGBTQ+ Elopement
C and A had originally planned to marry in France, but alas, the pandemic had other plans for this couple. C had vacationed on Maui many times, and it wasn’t hard to convince A that the island was an ideal spot for their elopement. They eloped on Maui, and then headed to Kauai for their honeymoon. I’m sure that France would have been lovely, but personally, I can’t think of a better way to get married than on a beach on Maui 💙(although obviously I’m a bit biased 😂).
Intimate South Maui Beach Wedding
J + T first reached out to me in 2020, after the Covid pandemic changed their wedding plans. They had intended to marry in Italy, but once it became clear that normal travel wasn’t going to be possible for a while, they started considering other options for their May 2021 wedding. The couple had gotten engaged on Oahu, and they loved the tropical vibe of Hawai’i.
Romantic Maui Elopement at Ironwoods Beach
It might be an unpopular opinion, but I’m just going to say it: One hour is not enough time to tell the story of your wedding day. Period.
I understand that one hour of wedding photography is in high demand for Maui destination weddings, and all of the other Maui photographers are offering it. And I understand why clients desire it— let’s face it, high quality photography is expensive, and many clients planning a destination elopement or intimate wedding want to save money. I get it. But photography services is not where you want to save money when it comes to your wedding day. The photos are the legacy of your wedding day. And if you want to tell the story of your special day, one hour is not enough time. Even for elopements!
New Year's Elopement at Makena Cove, Maui
Aloha friends! Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve shared a gallery. What can I say, it turns out that living through a pandemic is quite the life-upheaving experience. 2020 turned out to be a quiet year for weddings here on Maui…but the good news is that 2021 is shaping up to be my busiest year yet!
Maui Engagement Photography Session at Ironwoods Beach, Maui
J+J were engaged in early 2020, and they booked me to take their engagement photos while they were vacationing on Maui. They ended up being the last couples portrait session that I photographed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, I believe that they are planning their wedding for 2021, so fingers crossed that all came together beautifully and they didn’t have to delay their wedding plans.
7 Tips to Look (and Feel) Amazing in Your Maui Wedding Photos
There can be a tremendous amount of pressure to look your very best on your wedding day. After all, it is one of the most significant days of your life, and you want to look amazing as you say “I do” to your partner. Not to mention that the wedding photos are the one thing that will remain after it’s all said and done, and of course, you want to look back at the photos and love the person you see. Even if you believe that you’re normally “not that photogenic”, there are several things that you can do to ensure that you look, and perhaps more importantly feel, amazing in your Maui wedding photos.
Fun Wedding at the Maui Hyatt Regency Resort
If you have your heart set on a Maui destination wedding, but you still want to get married in a church, I’m here to tell you that you can have both! I recently had the opportunity to photograph Rachelle and Kenneth’s wedding ceremony at the stunning Maria Lanakila Catholic Church in Lahaina. This is one of my favorite churches for weddings on Maui! The church was built in 1928, and it’s part of a National Historic Landmark District.
Elegant Elopement at Maluaka Beach in Maui, Hawai'i
I know that I say this with pretty much every single wedding/elopement— But Morgan and Brent’s elopement has to be one of my absolute favorites from the past year! This sweet couple lives in Canada (and luckily, there is no issue with non-US citizens getting married in Hawai’i. Read this for more info on the legal requirements to marry in Hawai’i.) Morgan has a special connection to Maui with having visited frequently as a child, and the couple also wanted to get married in a place where it would be fun to return and visit every year. That is definitely an advantage to choosing Maui as your destination elopement location— it’s such a special place to return to and celebrate your anniversary.
Top 5 Questions to Ask Before Booking a Maui Wedding Photographer
You’re getting married on the majestic Valley Isle of Maui, Hawai’i, and now you’re looking for a wedding photographer to capture your epic day. How exciting! Of all of the things that you purchase and vendors that you hire for your wedding, it’s the photographs that will remain for generations to come, so it’s not a decision to be made lightly. Most couples understandably don’t have a lot of experience with what to look for in a wedding photographer. Liking the photos that you see posted on the photographer’s website or social media is a great first step, but there are several questions that you should ask to dig a bit deeper and make sure you are hiring someone that is a good fit for you and the vision that you have for your wedding. Here are my recommendations for the top 5 questions to ask before booking your Maui wedding photographer.
Sunny Paipu Beach Honeymoon Photography Session
One of the many blessings of living on Maui is that I sometimes get to visit with friends that are vacationing on the island! In this case, I’ve known Lori online for several years now, but I never met her in-person before her recent Maui honeymoon. Lori and I attended the same nutrition school, and we are both registered nurses. We connected through a Facebook group for alumni of our nutrition school, and I’ve enjoyed following her over the years. When she reached out to ask if I’d take her and Paul’s photos during their honeymoon, I was so stoked!
What You Need to Know about Getting Married on Maui: The Legal Stuff
If you’re considering choosing Maui as the location for your destination wedding or elopement, it’s important to understand the legal rules for getting married in the State of Hawai’i. As a Maui wedding photographer, I’m well-acquainted with the legal stuff, and the good news is that it’s not that complicated or difficult to get married on Maui!