Myth #1: The Weather is Always Perfect in Hawaii
Yes, I have to admit the weather here in Hawaii is perfect for an outdoor ceremony and reception however, we are in the tropics and on any given day it’s raining somewhere on the island. It could be a passing shower as is the case on a weekly basis in the Makena/Wailea area in the late afternoon or almost every day in the Haiku and Hana areas. What this means for you is to 1) Have a backup plan to celebrate indoors or 2) Get a tent if your heart is set on staying outdoors. Nothing can ruin a wedding day faster than not having a rain backup plan.
The DIY Wedding Couple
Myth #2: It’s Easy to Plan Your Own Wedding
I am a wedding and event planner, live on Maui, got married here and even I needed help with the planning. Albeit was my best friend who is also a wedding planner but hey, why stress unnecessarily especially when planning one of the biggest days of your life? All I’m saying is that everyone needs help when planning a wedding, especially a destination wedding. If you’re not familiar with the islands, the venue where your nuptials will be held or entertainment, etc, etc. you need someone on your side to supply you with the details.
Yes, on some occasions you will need to pay a little extra for this service however in the long run it will save you time and maybe some heartache. There is nothing worse than working with a vendor you found online only to find out minutes before your ceremony that the person you thought you hired isn’t going to show up. Do your research and hire legitimate companies that have solid reputations with local and mainland clients and also those that carry insurance policies in case something unforeseen should happen.
Myth #3: Musicians are a Dime-A-Dozen in Hawaii 
Hawaii has a strong draw to musically artistic people and it seems like everytime you turn your back someone new is crooning Somewhere Over the Rainbow made popular by the late Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. Hawaii boasts an amazing wealth of entertainers performing in all genres of music from Traditional and Contemporary Hawaiian to Reggae infused Jawaiian to Top 40 Country to Classical. Some musicians don’t stray far from their genre and some very talented ones dabble in a few genres. The key is to finding the right musician that will make your heart soar even higher as you dance your first dance.
For starters I recommend deciding on the genre of music you’d like to hear and asking your wedding planner to find a few musicians that will fit the bill and are available on your wedding date. Once they find this person/s have them supply you with a song list to help narrow your choices. It is always the best idea to hire entertainment through legitimate sources that work with a number of entertainers. By doing this you will know that you are getting top of the line choices from a reputable source.
Photo by Bill Westerhoff
Myth #4: Getting Married on the Beach is Free
Having a beach wedding used to be Free but because of the explosion of beach weddings the City and County of Maui is now requiring a permit and small fee to say your I Do’s on the beach. The government found it necessary to regulate this growing trend to avoid excessive commercial use and exploitation of this free natural resource available to residents and visitors.
Can you imagine trying to relax and enjoy your day-off or vacation at the beach only to have a line of wedding couples, photographers, ministers, florists, etc. etc tramping over your beach towel to get to their favorite spot? These permits are a hindrance to some but also a blessing to those that have travelled hundreds of miles to enjoy the uncrowded beaches and beautiful blue ocean. Do it right by planning ahead to get your permit well in advance of your arrival on Maui.
Myth #5: Flowers Bloom Year Round In Hawaii
Photo by Bill Westerhoff
Ok, this is actually true. Flowers bloom all year round in Hawaii BUT not necessarily the type of flower you may want at your wedding. If you have a specific type of flower in mind you may need to choose your wedding date according to the season your flower blooms. A bouquet filled with white peonies means an April-June wedding. If your heart is set on winter nuptials I recommend speaking with your wedding coordinator and florist about what flowers are in season and grown in Hawaii during your wedding month. By trusting the local businesses you’ll be pleasantly surprised with what they are able to come up with to keep in line with your budget.
