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