| Outdoor weddings in Hawaii are lovely - except when | | | | 4)If it's a daytime ceremony, consider having bottled |
| the weather is not. Here are some things to consider | | | | water available for guests as they arrive. Hawaii's sun |
| when preparing your outdoor wedding ceremony (on | | | | can be very hot; and people can dehydrate quickly in |
| or near the beach). | | | | the afternoon sun. |
| 1)Get a backup plan in case it rains. Scattered | | | | 5) Think about hand-held fans to give to guests as |
| showers are normal in the islands and thought to be | | | | wedding favors or as a nice gesture to help keep the |
| a blessing. But heavy rain make for a more logistically | | | | sun out of their eyes and provide a cool wind. |
| challenging ceremony and/or reception - so, if you | | | | 6) Check with the local weather service with regard |
| are able, have an alternative. Possibilities are renting a | | | | to tide and sunset times. And bear those things in |
| enclosure or scheduling an indoor area. Another idea is | | | | mind when appointing your marriage time. |
| having your ceremony at an oceanfront location with | | | | 7) Don�t neglect to find out all the laws and |
| indoor facilities such as a resort or estate. | | | | regulations for the beach or park you are "Renting." |
| 2) If you're planning your ceremony literally on the | | | | Some rules to look for are restrictions on number of |
| beach, don't put chairs directly on the sand if at all | | | | guests; use or availability of electricity; use of |
| possible. The sand is uneven and unstable, and many | | | | amplified music; time allotted. Usually public beaches |
| of your guests may not be dressed appropriately for | | | | and parks will only allow smaller gatherings. |
| being on the sand. Look for a grassy knoll to place | | | | John has been a licensed and ordained minister for 41 |
| chairs for guests. If you do want your ceremony on | | | | years. He and his wife have served as Maui Wedding |
| the sand, discuss renting some type of flooring for | | | | Planners for more than 1,000 Maui Weddings with his |
| the chairs to be placed on. | | | | wedding planning business, Maui Me Inc. All of his |
| 3)Don�t forget the glare of the sun for you | | | | ceremonies are original and he performed his first |
| and your guests. Attempt to position everyone | | | | wedding 35 years ago. John has written almost 50 |
| where there is minimal time where the sun is shining | | | | Christian books (which have been translated into |
| directly into their eyes. The glory of the ocean view | | | | eight languages). In addition to performing wedding |
| gets lost when people can�t even open their | | | | ceremonies, he shoots most of the photography. |
| eyes. | | | | |