| Looking for a paradise wedding, or have friends that | | | | newlyweds any number of romantic options. An |
| are looking for the perfect place to get married? We | | | | authentic Maui wedding might require the services of |
| have lots of romantic ideas for a heavenly Maui | | | | a 'kahu', which is a Hawaiian minister. A Maui wedding |
| wedding. At the beach, near a waterfall or in a | | | | may also include an elaborate 'luau' (pronounced |
| chapel, with the fragrance of tropical flowers borne | | | | loo-ow) celebration. A luau is a Hawaiian gathering of |
| on gentle trade winds caressing your face -- a Maui | | | | family and friends to enjoy good food, company and |
| sun bids 'Aloha' to another day in Paradise. It is quite | | | | times. In addition to the Hawaiian tradition of the |
| simply, the perfect place to celebrate your wedding | | | | ceremony, many couples decide to incorporate the |
| vows. Here are a few of the ingredients that will | | | | exchanging of the lei, where each person gives their |
| imprint your wedding day on your minds for years to | | | | betrothed a lei. (A lei is a flower necklace.) For the |
| come. Maui, Hawaii is the second largest island in the | | | | bride, the pikake lei seems to be one of the most |
| Hawaiian archipelago in both size and population, | | | | popular varieties because of its sweet fragrance and |
| located some 1,800 miles off the south western | | | | delicate appearance. Pikake is a seasonal flower and |
| seaboard of the United States. Hawaii is one of the | | | | has limited availability, but there are many other |
| top tourist destinations for the majority of Americans | | | | fragrant flowers to choose from. Grooms usually |
| and hence a Maui wedding is highly desirable, taking | | | | receive a maile lei, which is quite masculine and drapes |
| place in one of the world's foremost wedding and | | | | loosely around the neck. The maile lei has beautiful |
| honeymoon destinations. The weather in Maui is also | | | | green leaves which have a sweet smell and little |
| most attractive as it is year round tropical; however | | | | fragrance. It also dries quickly and can be retained as |
| it is most consistently pleasant outside the months of | | | | a cherished keepsake for many years to come. |
| January and February (dead of winter). Maui offers | | | | Another tradition that is sometimes performed is the |
| several fascinating attractions, including the | | | | conch shell announcement of the ceremony. Here a |
| unforgettable sight of a surfacing whale, biking | | | | conch shell blower introduces the nuptials, and a |
| through wine country, snorkeling the tiny atoll of | | | | Hawaiian chanter often follows in precession. A hula |
| Molokini, or enjoying a stage production at the | | | | dance usually adds the perfect touch of Hawaii and |
| Historic 'Iao Theater. A reasonable stay of seven | | | | can portray a beautiful message of love. Some brides |
| days, or more is recommended if you want to | | | | have even taken it upon themselves to learn a hula |
| explore more than one Hawaiian Island. Maui, Hawaii | | | | dance and perform it as a surprise to their grooms. |
| offers the enamored an ideal place to declare their | | | | (The hiring of a professional hula dancer can be easily |
| love. Several professional services for Maui Weddings | | | | arranged.) Hawaiian music can easily be adapted for |
| are in great demand, and wedding providers such as | | | | any wedding. A soulful ukulele and guitar |
| are at hand to assist in every way, from classic | | | | accompaniment can evoke the most melodic sounds. |
| beach weddings to larger formal affairs. A beautiful | | | | The "Hawaiian Wedding Song" is a popular request |
| wedding of land and sea, the island of Maui offers | | | | for many wedding couples here in Maui. |