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